Category: Self-improvement

Finding Times Tough? Take Action Today to Get Your Happy Life (Part 4 of 7)

Published on by Janet2 Comments

“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence.
Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.
Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow.

But any action is better than no action at all.”

~~ Norman Vincent Peale

(American Protestant Clergyman and Writer 1893-1993)

This is Part 4 of a 7-Part Series “Are You Finding Times Tough?”

Part 1 Finding Times Tough? How to Take Charge Today and Get a Happy Life teaches you:
– How to take charge of your life
– A simple way to gain confidence

Part 2 Finding Times Tough? Can You Make This Simple Choice to Get the Happy Life You Want? explains:
– What taking responsibility for the state of your life means
– And what’s in it for you

Part 3 Finding Times Tough? 2 Easy and Effective Steps to Start Your Happy Life explains how to:
– Find wisdom and gain confidence from tough times
– 2 steps that will start your happy life
– How to get a 22-step recipe for your happy life

Okay, so you’ve decided what you want and you now have a story describing your ideal life.

That’s terrific because you need to know what you want.
Imagine driving your car not knowing what direction you’re going in.

Now what comes next?

Take Action to Get What You Want

When I first started intentionally creating what I wanted, I’d sit back and wait.

I didn’t know any better. And ultimately I got what I wanted just by writing a story or making a list of what I wanted, as suggested in Part 3 2 Easy and Effective Steps to Start Your Happy Life .

But today I know the benefits of taking action and I also enjoy taking action.

I’ve found I have more fun along the way – my journey is more exciting, I overcome more fears, develop greater confidence in what I’m doing and my result becomes even greater.

Why Does Taking Action Help?

Humans carry a lot of baggage.

We all have baggage.

This baggage can weigh us down, distract us, create fear, cause doubts and delay our ideal future.

By saturating your life every day with this new future, it keeps you aligned to your goal – it releases that baggage and keeps you motivated and on track.

What Benefits Do You Get By Taking Action? Continue reading “Finding Times Tough? Take Action Today to Get Your Happy Life (Part 4 of 7)” →

Finding Times Tough? Can You Make This Simple Choice to Get the Happy Life You Want? (Part 2 of 7)

Published on by Janet

If you were able to choose and get the life you want, would you do it?

Surprisingly, many people would rather do nothing and continue to complain.

But we’re talking about you here, so if you’d like to choose your life, all you need as a first step is to take responsibility for the life you’ve created so far.

Life is like a game of chess.

Who is responsible for making the decisions in chess?

You are.

Once you take that first step, that simple yet profound choice opens a wonderful new world of opportunity for you.

“No man will succeed unless he is ready to face and overcome difficulties and is prepared to assume responsibilities.”

~~ William J.H. Boetcker

(American religious leader and public speaker 1873–1962)

This is Part 2 of a 7-Part Series “Are You Finding Times Tough?”

This article follows closely on the heels of Part 1 Finding Times Tough? How to Take Charge Today and Get a Happy Life . Part 1 teaches you how to take charge of your life and gives you a simple way to gain confidence.

This is the next step in taking charge of your life.

What Does Taking Responsibility Mean?

  • stop blaming other people, government and corporations for your life
  • stop waiting for someone else to tell you what to do
  • stop waiting for someone else to change your life
  • stop waiting for someone else to help you
  • stop feeling sorry for yourself
  • stop allowing ill-health to drive your life
  • start doing whatever it takes to understand why and how you’ve created your life so far
  • decide you are the person who changes your life to what you want

You are the person who creates your life, no-one else.

Just as in a game of chess, take responsibility for the outcome.

In tough times this is probably the last thing you want to hear.

Other people, government and corporations may well have contributed to your issues but bottom line your life is your doing.

And really, would you want it any other way?

Because this is a point of confusion for so many, my book “Just Like That!” fully explains why it is you who creates your life, how to take responsibility for it and what to do to turn it into a life you love. Understanding your involvement is a vital key to overcoming tough times forever.

Even if taking responsibility is hard to do, being the person responsible is actually GOOD NEWS!

Why?

If it is you who’s created your life to this stage it means you can also start today choosing and creating what you truly want. That sounds like great news to me.

You Always Have Free Will – Even if That Means Doing Nothing

You may choose to take this on or you may not.

And that’s okay, perhaps another time.

But the sooner you take responsibility the better it is for you. Obviously.

If you’re not up to it, Continue reading “Finding Times Tough? Can You Make This Simple Choice to Get the Happy Life You Want? (Part 2 of 7)” →

Finding Times Tough? How to Take Charge Today and Get a Happy Life (Part 1 of 7)

Published on by Janet

What if tough times were a blessing?

No way!

Oh yes, they certainly can be.

Okay, at worst let’s say it’s a mixed blessing, but again it’s about
‘what you think you get‘.

Here’s why they’re a blessing.

Tough times can motivate you to try new ideas and be open to change.

They take you to a cross roads and urge you to open to new ideas – to read articles such as this one.

And that’s great because it means you’re motivated to consider a better life.

Often that’s all you need to actually get one.

“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.”

Thomas Fowell Buxton

(Born in Essex, a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery in the British Colonies, 1786-1845)

This is Part 1 of a 7-Part Series “Are You Finding Times Tough?”

This series of 7 articles returns the power to you, where it belongs.

Once you’ve read these articles you can decide which way you go – up to your true potential or down to more despair.

How to Take Charge of Your Life in Tough Times and Get a Happy Life

However hard life may seem, decide you’re going to deal with it and not be a victim.

A victim waits in hope for life to become different.

Most of us, both men and women no matter how seemingly strong or successful, play the victim game at some stage.

Yes, even big burly men and tough career women.

Being a victim does have benefits. Very short-term benefits.

You get attention and others feel sorry for you.

All well and good, except that over time being a victim destroys your life.

When I say don’t be a victim, I’m not saying keep a stiff upper lip or suffer in silence either.

I’m saying that a victim is someone who is stuck and dependent on others.

If you’d like an interesting, exciting and happy life, it’s essential you stand up and act toward changing your situation.

This can seem like hard work – in some ways it is.

But no-one can live your life for you or make you happy, and doing this for yourself is hugely rewarding and satisfying.

There is something thrilling in taking charge. Something you’ll only discover once you try it.

If you don’t know what action to take or how to take it, these 7 articles show you how.

The Simplest Way to Take Action

A simple way to take action is to Continue reading “Finding Times Tough? How to Take Charge Today and Get a Happy Life (Part 1 of 7)” →

Made to Stick – Book Review

Published on by Janet

Title:         Made to Stick
Subtitle:   Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Authors:  Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Rating:     Highly Recommended

This blog acts as an extension of my book Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want because it’s all about helping you get even more of what you want. The book Made to Stick does just that.

The Secrets of Making Your Message Stick

“A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on.”

Mark Twain

The book Made to Stick – Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die analyzes the nuances of what elements to put in a message to make it memorable.

There are 6 principles that make a message memorable:

  • Simple
  • Unexpected
  • Concrete
  • Credible
  • Emotional
  • Stories

Before I begin, I must mention the cover is undeniably clever; the colour and that amazing duct tape is truly a work of art (even better in real life). It caught my eye and all who saw it, over and over. Well done to all involved.

Made to Stick is a well researched book with umpteen entertaining stories illustrating the 6 principles. The stories give you working examples of each principle and are powerful in ensuring the reader understands them. The book teaches that people remember stories not statistics, so it makes sense that authors Chip and Dan Heath follow their own advice and use stories to teach these principles.

I especially appreciated the Curse of Knowledge concept, which rippled all the way through the book. This is something that occurs when we forget what it’s like not to know what we know, it’s for that reason we sometimes ‘bury the lead’ i.e. we know so much we want to share it all. Made to Stick teaches you how to transform your ideas and to beat the Curse of Knowledge. While writing Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want, I constantly came up against the Curse of Knowledge, except at the time I didn’t have a label for it. I was aware that while I already lived and breathed this knowledge, life would be very different for someone who was yet to experience these ideas working in their life. It’s a tricky issue to overcome and having rules on how to do so is most welcome.

A small downside if you can call it that: Chip and Dan’s flow of the book is ideal, their analysis and layout is superb, insightful and refreshing, except that I found myself unable to quickly recall the key points at the end of each chapter/principle, even though there were heaps of stories. This was frustrating. I was becoming so involved with each story I lost the bigger picture. Just me perhaps? (I tend to read 3-4 books at the same time and this may have created the issue) Once I realized this was happening I took notes on each principle, thereby supplying myself with a summary for each. So it probably would’ve been helpful if Chip and Dan had supplied a summary at the end of each principle, reminding the reader what is key i.e. a quick revision. Needing to take notes does not detract from the book however, as it’s something I generally do. Made to Stick genuinely captures the vital nuances of what it takes for a message to stay memorable.

An added benefit of the book Made to Stick in my opinion is that while it will aid your ability to get your point across without ambiguity, it will also raise your awareness while listening. To this end I found myself being alerted to news items where these principles were employed to manipulate the public, most noticeably used by politicians, surprise surprise. I rather think that most of us would choose instead to use these strategies to benefit all concerned.

Made to Stick is a book worth revisiting several times and a highly recommended read for anyone who has a message to deliver. That would be most of us.

And There’s Free Stuff…

This week Chip and Dan are offering free their latest book “The Myth of the Garage and Other Minor Surprises”.

on Kindle, on the Nook, on iPad

or download “The Myth of the Garage” here free on PDF (see their other free resources here too).

Buy Made to Stick

Buy “Made to Stick“

“Made to Stick – Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die”

Chip Heath and Dan Heath

ISBN-13:                978-1-4000-6428-1

Publisher:              Random House (2008)

Hardcover:            322 pages

Web Page:            http://www.madetostick.com

If you’re new to this site start with:

Discover the First Key Element to Getting What You Want

Are You Stuck in a Rut? Get the Confidence and Life You Want

Or see here for a list of all posts.

Learn how to get anything you want. Once you know how then life suddenly makes sense. Order your copy of  “Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want” on Amazon.com or on this site (see buttons at left). If you’d like to see what others think of “Just Like That!” see the following reviews:

Review of “Just Like That!” by AussieAuthors

Review of “Just Like That!” by ReaderViews

Review of “Just Like That!” by AllBooks Review

Book Review of “Just Like That!” by AussieAuthors

Published on by Janet
Just Like That! Front Cover
Scroll down the Sidebar at Left to Buy "Just Like That !" on Amazon or on this site

When I posted the news of the first review of “Just Like That!” (by ReaderViews) I wrote:

“Right now I’m fully immersed in the marketing of the book. Somehow the world has to learn “Just Like That!” is available right? And well worth reading! Marketing is new for me, I don’t have a publicist (yet?) and I don’t have a marketing team.”

That was a month ago and while marketing is still new for me, I’ve since acquired a publicist and a marketing team! We start working together next month; I’m thrilled and this adventure keeps getting better.

The review of “Just Like That!” from AussieAuthors.com is below. Cheryl Wright from Aussie Authors is another helpful, friendly person I’ve met on this journey. The review is by Warren Thurston.

Review of Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want

Author: Janet Poole

Author’s Website: www.janetpoole.com

Published with assistance of Love of Books www.loveofbooks.com.au

ISBN Aus:       9780980877502 (pbk)

ISBN USA:      9781439280607 (pbk)

Janet Poole’s book took me on a journey I wasn’t expecting. It was a journey that enabled me to discover parts of myself I didn’t know existed. Her book gave me the courage to make a decision that has plagued me since 1985. And that is do I or don’t I take the plunge and publish my own children’s writing. Following her guidance in chapter five about challenges and the powerful opportunities they open up for you, I feel confident that I can achieve my goal of publishing my own work.

The most important point that the author makes is that loving yourself is essential, if you want to help yourself and others. Until you can love yourself for whom you are, then your mind and body are consumed by negative thoughts. By loving yourself you open your mind to new ways of looking at life in a positive light. This love of oneself in turn flows outwardly to embrace those around you with love and to help them in a positive way.

What Janet Poole has articulated in fine detail is that by not letting go of demons that tell us that self love is degrading and selfish, keeps the body in a sluggish state. One that gives our body a false sense of security, where it uses negative thoughts as a security blanket. It’s like telling oneself, “If I sit here and don’t move nothing can harm me.” But if a person allows themselves to stay in an immobile mental state, they will never expand their knowledge of life. To expand knowledge you first must expand knowledge of yourself.

The summaries and exercises that are included at the end of each chapter I found to be an excellent idea. They reinforced the sometimes difficult ideas that the author was attempting to get across. I found the book was set out quite well and it made it easier to progress down the self discovery path. Doing what you love is not selfish; it is the key to becoming all knowing in the quest for knowledge of oneself and all things in the universe.

Another point the author makes quite well is that you alone are responsible for your life, and you cannot blame someone else for your life. Self-pity feels good momentarily, but it means that we are avoiding responsibility, and it shuts down our power. In today’s world we should always avoid the herd mentality; you should always choose what is good for you.

Readers who approach this book with an open mind will discover a wealth of information that enables them to see themselves in a new light. They shall see that they themselves have control over how life treats them. The real person who resides inside all of us can pave the way to true enlightenment and self fulfillment, no matter what our goals may be. This, as the book so richly describes is not selfish, it leads the way to helping others.

Janet Poole’s book is not one that can be read once and put away. It is a reference for life that each additional reading will enhance the understanding of oneself and the world one exists in. Those readers willing to take on new ways of thinking will find this book, as I did a revelation as to what makes us human.

I found this book to be one of the best I have read on the topic of self discovery, and highly recommend it to those seeking out new knowledge.

Reviewed by Warren Thurston
– Children’s Author

Link to AussieAuthors for “Just Like That!” review :