Many people expect there to be a direct relationship between the amount of effort they put into achieving their goal and the progress they make. This ideal situation is illustrated in the following diagram:

It would be nice if things worked like this, but in the real world, the relationship between effort and progress usually looks more like this:

When you start working towards achieving a goal you are usually very motivated and make good progress. However, if you're like most people, after a while your initial enthusiasm wavers and although you continue to work hard, it begins to feel like you are getting nowhere. This feeling is a good indication that you have reached a plateau as shown in the above picture.

It is VERY important to understand how to approach this situation because most people who give up on their dream, do so when they are in the middle of a plateau. They become tired of working hard and making little progress, so they give up before achieving their objective.

Successful people on the other hand expect to encounter plateaus on the way to achieving their goal and they know that the secret to pushing through a plateau is to:

focus on the process rather than your progress.

Here's an example that illustrates what I mean:

Ann's dream was to write and self publish her own book. When she started writing she was very motivated and made great progress, but after a few weeks she began to feel as though she was getting nowhere and was very tempted to give up - She had reached a plateau.

In order to push through this plateau, Ann decided to focus on the process rather than her progress and committed herself to write for four hours a day come what may. After four weeks of this routine, Ann realised that she had completed the first draft of her first chapter and felt as though she suddenly jumped to a whole new level.

In the months that followed, Ann repeated this pattern of progress, plateau, progress until the incredible day when she finally held her printed book in her hand.

Today I'd like to encourage you to approach your goals with an awareness of the plateaus that you will encounter on your way to success. If you are currently in the middle of a plateau, make the decision to focus on the process rather than your progress and continue to push forward.

If you adopt this approach you will soon come to the end of your plateau and feel yourself make the leap to a new level of achievement. This in turn will give you the momentum and belief you need to overcome future plateaus until you reach that magical day when your dream becomes your reality.

Until next time,

Dare to Dream!

Anthony

So how do you go about finding  your passion in life?

A great place to start is with something I call the Passion Equation. Here it is:

Interest + Information = Passion

The Passion Equation is simple but extremely powerful. If you apply the formula, you will find that it can bring a great deal of happiness and personal satisfaction into your life. Here's how it works:

Step 1:

Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed, take a piece of paper and jot down some of the things you were interested in as a child.

Step 2:

Take your childhood interests and spend some time on the Internet doing a little research into each area. While you may no longer be interested in all the things you were as a child, chances are you will find at least one area that ignites your curiosity to learn more. As you find out more about an area you cannot help but become more interested.

Step 3:

Decide on an area that you can see yourself becoming passionate about and gather more information. Go the library and borrow books relating to your area, hire movies relating to your area. The more information you gather, the more passionate you will become.

Here are two examples of how the Passion Equation works:

Margaret's Passion

As a young girl Margaret loved to read Beatrix Potter's picture books. When Margaret found out about the Passion Equation she spent some time online and discovered that Beatrix Potter was not only an author but also an artist, scientist, entrepreneur and conservationist. Margaret rented the movie 'Miss Potter' which she loved and then borrowed a copy of Beatrix Potter's biography from the library. As she learnt more about Beatrix Potter's amazing life, Margaret discovered a passion that brought her many hours of enjoyment and pleasure.

James' Passion

As a young boy James used to dream about becoming an astronaut. When he heard about the Passion Equation he spent some time on the Internet finding out more about the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. He then bought a copy of 'From the Earth to the Moon' on eBay. As he watched the DVDs and learnt more about the personal stories of the astronauts, he developed a passion for space exploration. He set himself the goal to one day own the signatures of each of the 12 men who have walked on the moon.

As these examples show, an interest combined with information is a great recipe for developing passion in your life.

When you use the Passion Equation and combine an interest with the magic ingredient of information, your interest will blossom into a passion that can enrich your life for many years to come.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

One morning a young man named Richard came upon the well and read the small plaque. Richard was a cynical young man and he scoffed at the idea of a wishing well. However, he was also very greedy so he closed his eyes and wished for a large pot of gold…just in case. He opened his eyes and looked around but nothing had changed.

As he prepared to leave, Richard happened to glance down into the well and to his amazement he saw a huge pot of gold floating at the bottom of the well. He immediately tried to reach down into the well but he could not reach the gold. Next he tried to use a piece of wood to retrieve the gold but again he had no luck. After many frustrating attempts, Richard finally gave up. He cursed the wishing well and walked away. Instantly the pot of gold disappeared.

The following day a young man named William came across the well and he too read the small plaque that identified it as 'The Wishing Well'. What William wanted more than anything else that morning was an engagement ring so that he could propose to his sweetheart Rebecca. He closed his eyes and made his wish. At first he saw nothing, but then as he glanced down into the well he saw the most beautiful diamond ring floating in an ebony box at the bottom of the well. Like Richard, William first tried to reach down into the well and then tried to use a nearby piece of wood - all to no avail.

After a great deal of frustration, he sat back and reviewed his situation. Then suddenly, in a flash of inspiration he knew what he had to do. He picked up the old bucket and walked down to the babbling brook at the base of the hill. After filling the bucket with water, he walked back up the hill and poured the water into the well. To his delight, he noticed that the level of the water in the well rose ever so slightly.

With a hint of success to spur him on, William began transferring bucket loads of water from the brook to the well. He worked steadily all day carrying buckets of water up to the wishing well. With each bucket of water he poured into the well, the ring floated closer to the surface. Finally as the sun was beginning to set, William poured in another bucket of water and the ring came within his reach. He grasped the stunning diamond ring and with a spring in his step he set off to propose to his Rebecca.

——-

The best part about this story is that the Wishing Well really does exist and is available to each and every one of us. Whenever you set a goal, your objective instantly becomes a 'possibility'. It is as though it appears in the bottom of the wishing well. You can see it, but it is beyond your reach. Many people like Richard look for a quick and easy way to reach their goal but they inevitably get frustrated and walk away.

Those who achieve true success understand how life's Wishing Well works. Like William, they recognise that they must put in the time and effort to fill their well before they can collect their prize.

Today I'd like to encourage you to decide what you really want from life's wishing well and commit yourself to the process of filling your well in order to transform your dreams into reality.

Until next time,

Dare to Dream!

Anthony

Here's a true story that illustrates the concept of life's whispers:

David was an emergency physician who faced life and death situations on an almost daily basis. He worked long hours and lived his life in a high stress and high pressure environment.

One afternoon as he walked up the stairs to his car, David felt a tightness in his chest. As he was only 41, he dismissed it as heart burn. In the days that followed, the tightness returned but David was too busy to take much notice. Then he realised that life was whispering to him. He knew that if a patient came to him with the symptoms he was experiencing he would tell them to have some tests.

To cut a long story short, David booked himself in for a checkup and discovered that one of his coronary arteries was blocked. He had a stent inserted and was able to return to his normal activities within a few days.

By listening to life's whisper and taking action, David avoided a life threatening situation.

Today I'd like to encourage you to take a step back from your daily routine, and find a quiet moment to stop and listen for life's whispers.

Is there a health issue you should get checked out?

Is there someone you should touch base with?

Is there something you know you should do but haven't got around to?

When you take the time to listen for life's whispers you will discover that they are an incredibly valuable tool that will help you stay on track and avoid many of the pitfalls on the road to achieving your most important life goals.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

Michael's performance was seen by millions of people around the world and we can all learn a great deal about achieving our own goals by analyzing his accomplishment. Here then, are five secrets of success that helped Michael Phelps to transform his dreams into reality.

Secret #1: Think BIG

The first step in Michael Phelps journey was to make the decision to pursue a dream that many people considered impossible. Instead of thinking negative thoughts and limiting his potential, Michael allowed himself to think big.

"If you dream as big as you can dream,
anything is possible."
- Michael Phelps

Your Turn:

In order to discover your real goals, let your imagination run free to dream as big as you can dream. Resist the temptation to limit yourself with negative thoughts. It is only by freeing your imagination that you can discover what it is that you really want from life.

Secret #2: Break it Down

Having identified his ultimate goal, Michael and his coach created a series of short term goals that would eventually lead him to his ultimate objective. In between the Olympics came the National championships, the Pan Pacific championships and the World championships. Each race of each event was a carefully planned stepping stone that would eventually lead Michael to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming the most successful Olympian of all time.

Your Turn:

After identifying your long term goal, take some time to break it down into a series of achievable short term goals. As you move forward, focus on achieving your short term goals one step at a time.

Secret #3: Use the Power of Visualization

One of the most powerful techniques used by elite athletes to achieve their goals is to visualize themselves succeeding each and every day. In his book 'Beneath the Surface', Michael Phelps writes, "When I'm about to fall asleep, I visualize to the point that I know exactly what I want to do: dive, glide, stroke, flip, reach the wall, hit the split time to the hundredth, then swim back again for as many times as I need to finish the race".

Your Turn:

Visualizing your goals before you sleep is a great way to program your subconscious mind. The more you visualize your dreams as a reality, the more motivated and determined you will become.

Secret #4: Put in the Hard Work

No matter how naturally talented Michael Phelps may be, the main reason he achieved his goals was because he was prepared to put in the thousands of hours of grueling hard work necessary to compete at the highest level. According to Michael, "In the four years between the Athens and Sydney Olympics I probably took four or five days off and none of those were holidays"

Your Turn:

Be prepared to put in the hard work required to transform your dreams into reality. There really is no such thing as getting something for nothing. In order to make your dreams a reality you will have to work hard.

Secret #5: Monitor Your Performance Metrics

Every elite athlete understands the importance of using metrics to monitor their performance and progress. Michael's coach Bob Bowman constantly monitors and reviews Michael's split times down to the hundredth of a second. This provides them both with tangible evidence of how Michael is progressing towards achieving his goals.

Your Turn:

As you work towards your goals, figure out your own key metrics. For example, if you are studying, record how many hours of productive work you do each day. Or if you are building a business, record how many potential customers you contact each week. Whatever your goal may be, you will get there faster by recording and constantly improving your performance metrics.

While you may not be pursuing an Olympic gold medal, always remember that your life goals are just as important. I’d like to encourage you today to use some of the same techniques Michael Phelps used to achieve his goals. If you can

you too can conquer the challenges that stand in your way and make your dreams a reality.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

Many people make the mistake of referring to their past in order to obtain a prediction of their future. They say things like:

"My last two business ventures have failed so I guess I'll never have a successful business"

Or

"I've always had problematic relationships so I guess I'll never meet the right person"

It's very important to realise that no matter what has happened in the past, your future is still an open field of possibilities.

Many of the world's most successful people have achieved their success after perservering in the face of hardship and failure. For example:

• The Beatles were turned down by the Decca recording company but they went on to become one of the most successful bands of all time.
• Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basket ball team but he went on to become one of the most successful basketball players in the world.
• Joanne Rowling struggled through a collapsed marriage and occasionally had to skip meals to make sure she had enough money to feed her four month old baby but she went on to sell over 400 million copies of her books and become the highest earning novelist in history.

As these examples show, past failures and hardships do not exclude you from future success. In fact it is often through failure that people develop the skills and strength of character they need to succeed.

No matter how many times you have failed in the past, always remember this important fact:

Your Past Does Not Dictate Your Future

As you read this article, your future is filled with endless possibilities - there are new opportunities waiting to be discovered, new relationships waiting to blossom and new adventures waiting to begin.

So I encourage you today to turn away from the failures of the past and instead look forward to creating your future success.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

One of the most effective ways to minimize procrastination is to become aware of your procrastination triggers. These are the specific actions that cause you to start procrastinating in the first place. Here's a real world example that illustrates the concept of procrastination triggers.

For me, Saturday morning is 'domestic time'. I usually begin each Saturday morning by doing my washing, cleaning the house and going to the gym. Last week however, instead of doing what I needed to do, I procrastinated and was shocked to find that I had somehow wasted the entire morning watching reruns of the TV show 'Friends'. At the end of this procrastination session I asked myself a very useful question…

What was the specific action that led me to start procrastinating?

When I asked this question, I realised that the action that led me to start procrastinating was 'turning the TV on while having breakfast'. This simple innocuous action had somehow led me to waste an entire morning!

In this respect 'turning on the TV while having breakfast' can be seen to be a procrastination trigger. It was the specific action that led me to start procrastinating. Now that I'm aware of this trigger, I can easily avoid it and by doing so I can also avoid Saturday morning procrastination.

So next time you find yourself procrastinating, stop and ask, "What was the specific action that led me to start procrastinating?" This will help you to identify your own procrastination triggers.

When you become aware of your procrastination triggers they are generally quite easy to avoid and each time you avoid a procrastination trigger you also avoid losing the most precious commodity of all - time.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

Most of us don't enjoy working hard just for the sake of it. Usually we work much better if we have a compelling reason for doing so.

Here's an example that illustrates the power of finding your 'Reason Why'.

Cathy was working hard to complete her engineering degree. Her final project thesis was due in three weeks and she had several major exams at the end of the month. In the middle of this already stressful time, Cathy learned that her father was ill and had been taken to hospital.

Since Cathy and her father were very close, she found it almost impossible to concentrate on her studies and considered deferring her course so that she could look after her father. When she spoke to him about this, Cathy's father told her that more than anything, he wanted her to complete her degree and asked her to do it for him.

Instantly, Cathy discovered a powerful 'Reason Why'. Drawing on her love for her father, she found the motivation to get up early and work harder than she had ever worked before. When she got tired, she taped a picture of her father above her computer to help her focus on her 'Reason Why'.

Cathy completed her degree and a few months later, her father was able to attend her graduation and watched proudly as she received her certificate.

Today I'd like to encourage you to find your 'Reason Why'. Perhaps you're working at a job you dislike in order to give your children opportunities you never had, or maybe you're building a business in order to obtain financial freedom for yourself and your partner.

Whatever challenges you're facing, when you identify and focus on your 'Reason Why' you will discover a reservoir of motivation that will help see you through even the most difficult times.

This Week's Action Steps

(1) If you are currently facing a difficult situation, spend some time in quiet thought to identify your underlying 'Reason Why'.

(2) Paste a picture of your 'Reason Why' in a prominent position.

(3) Whenever you need motivation, focus on your 'Reason Why' and use this inspiration to recharge your batteries and do what you need to do.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

As she grew older Sarah received numerous ballet awards and when she was fourteen she was awarded a prestigious scholarship to study at the National College of the Arts.

Sarah continued to work hard at her dancing. Her teachers recognized both her talent and her work ethic and encouraged her to audition for the Australian Ballet.

Three days before her audition, Sarah was involved in a car accident and broke her ankle. While the hospital classified this as a 'minor injury', for Sarah it was a life changing incident. Although her ankle healed, she found that she no longer had the extension required to be an elite dancer. In the blink of an eye her life long dream of dancing with the Australian Ballet was over.

Sarah became very depressed and all she could think about was how unfair life was. For two long and miserable years Sarah was lost in a personal world of anger and disappointment.

Then one afternoon, one of Sarah's friends sent her a link to this video clip on YouTube.

(If you can't see the video, click here to go to YouTube. Please note that some companies block their employees from watching YouTube videos at work.)

In the space of 5 minutes, Sarah learned a lesson that changed her life forever. The lesson she learned was this:

Sarah realized that by spending all her time thinking about what she could no longer do she had been making herself miserable.

With a new outlook on life, Sarah made a change and began focusing instead on what she could do. While she could no longer be a professional ballerina, she was still a talented dancer.

Sarah began to persue contemporary, jazz, and swing dancing and to her delight she discovered that her years of classical training meant that she picked things up very quickly. She also discovered a passion for teaching and over time, Sarah's life was once again filled with the joy of music and dancing.

Today I'd like to encourage you to turn your focus away from the things you can't do and instead focus on the things you can do. When you make this transition, like Sarah you'll discover whole new worlds of opportunity and experience waiting for you to explore.

Until next time,

Dare to Dream!

Anthony

The energy traps in your life have often been with you for so long that they have become a familiar part of your surroundings and have therefore become invisible. Once you become aware of these energy traps you can start reclaiming your energy and redirect it towards achieving your goals and dreams.

The first type of energy trap is the 'stagnant energy trap'  which consists of the hoard of 'things' that we unconsciously keep even though we really don't need or use them.

Stagnant Energy Traps At Home

If you're like most people, your home is full of energy traps that result from the accumulation of items over the years. Here is a list of common energy traps you will find in most homes:

• Cupboards crammed full of things you don't need and will never use
• Bookshelves filled with books you haven't read for years and will never read again e.g. old school books
• Drawers filled with items that you can do without
• Desks cluttered with papers that are no longer relevant

Energy Traps At Work

Likewise, at work we are often surrounded by stagnant energy traps such as:

• Filing cabinets filled with out dated paper work
• An email in box that is overflowing (This is one of my current energy traps!)
• Cupboards and drawers as per home based energy traps

One of the best ways to generate more energy in your life is to eliminate the clutter from your home and office environments. Each time you eliminate a stagnant energy trap, you will feel a weight lift from your shoulders.

The second type of energy trap is the 'annoying energy trap'. These energy traps are made up of the items that have been lingering on your To Do List for months or years but are never a high enough priority for you to actually do them. They are the things you know you really should do 'some day'.

For example, several months ago I cracked the cover of the side mirror of my car. I knew I should get it fixed but it was such a low priority that it never got done. However, every time I saw the mirror it annoyed me. When I finally had the mirror fixed I instantly felt that long standing annoyance evaporate.

Today I'd like to help you to identify and eliminate the stagnant and annoying energy traps in your life. Below you will find a link to download a worksheet you can use to get the process under way.

Please don't make the mistake of trying to eliminate all the energy traps in your life at once. The best way to approach this is to compile your list and then try to eliminate one energy trap per week.

When you have removed the unnecessary clutter from your home and work environments and you have completed those annoying items on your To Do List, you will find that you will release a great deal of pent up energy that you can redirect into the pursuit of your most important life goals.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR WORKSHEET

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

What many people don't realise is that this same principle applies not only to money but also to time and energy.

When you're working full time and/or raising a family, you may find that at the end of the day you just don't have enough time or energy left to work on achieving your personal goals and dreams.

In order to make your goals a reality, you must make two important decisions:

(1) Decide that your goals are important and make them a priority in your life. 

(2) Decide to work on YOUR dreams before you work for other people.

Now you might be thinking. "Anthony - that sounds good in theory, but what does it mean in the real world?" - Good question…Let's have a look at an example:

Here is a typical work day for most people:

The most practical and effective system for making your dreams a reality is this:

Step 1: Go to sleep an hour earlier than usual

Step 2: Wake up an hour earlier than usual

Step 3: Spend the first hour of your day working on your personal goals and dreams

By following this system, you make your goals a priority and  "Pay Your Dreams First"

Let's look at a revised timetable:

Although it might initially be difficult to make these lifestyle changes, if you can adopt this as your new morning routine, you'll find yourself on the fast track to creating the life you really desire. Each and every day you'll be gaining momentum and moving steadily towards achieving your goals.

You really can change your life one hour at a time. Always remember:

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

One of the most empowering things you can ever learn is that…

Sometimes the only thing stopping you from becoming the person you might have been is the mistaken assumption that you have missed your best opportunities.

The moment you reject this negative assumption, a whole new world of opportunities opens up to you. Let's look at some real life examples that will illustrate exactly what I'm talking about.

My friend Kate grew up with a love of dancing and musical theatre. Throughout her adult life, she often wished that she'd had the opportunity to sing and dance on stage when she was a young girl. However, for many years, she assumed that she had missed her opportunity.

After encouragement from her husband, Kate joined an amateur theatre company where she fulfilled a lifelong ambition to sing in the chorus of a musical production. Was it Broadway? - No, but for Kate it was one of the most satisfying and enjoyable experiences of her life.

Another great example is one of my music students Alan who started playing the clarinet as a young boy but had to give up when he left school to get a job. As an adult, Alan loved jazz and often regretted the fact that he had stopped playing. One day Alan came to see me and asked if I would consider teaching him. I agreed and over the next year he prepared for his grade one AMEB music exam.

Alan received an A+ in his exam and a special commendation for his effort. He was 74 years old. Will he ever play in a professional jazz band? - Probabaly not, but Alan now enjoys playing the clarinet a lot more than thinking about his lost opportunity.

Today I'd like to challenge you to think about 'the person you might have been' and I encourage you to reject the assumption that you have missed your best opportunities. Instead, become aware of the many opportunities that are still open to you and look for ways to reconnect with your childhood dreams and passions.

Always remember that your future holds far more opportunities than those you may have missed in the past. Once you understand this fact, you will discover that it really is never too late to become the person you might have been.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

Even the most disciplined, motivated people in the world have days when they don't take action and don't follow through. The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is that successful people slip but they don't fall.

Let me explain…

Here's a graph that shows how successful people progress towards achieving a goal:

As you can see from this graph, successful people DO slip up, but they always recover quickly. Compare this with the graph of people who fail:

Instead of recovering after a slip up, an unsuccessful person allows a slip to become a Fall.

When you slip up, you always have two options:

Option 1: You can start thinking negative thoughts and criticizing yourself by saying things like, "I don't have any will power" or "I'm just hopeless - I never follow through".

This is the approach of those who fail. Self criticism leads them into a downward spiral that inevitably ends in failure.

OR

Option 2: You can accept that you slipped up and simply say:

"OK, I slipped, but I will not fall!"

When you take this approach, you quickly overcome your slip up and get back on track towards achieving your goals.

So today, I'd like to encourage you to change your approach to dealing with slip ups. Instead of criticizing yourself, just accept the situation and make the decision that even when you slip, you will get back on track quickly and will not allow a slip to become a fall.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream

Anthony

Those who dismiss positive thinking are in fact right about one thing - Positive thinking alone will NOT change your life.

The truth is that there are no magical genies waiting to make your dreams come true just because you maintain a positive attitude.

This does not however mean that positive thinking is a waste of time. On the contrary, positive thinking is the first step of a powerful process that can and will change your life if you choose to apply it.

Here is the truth about positive thinking…

Positive thinking is only effective when it inspires you to take positive action towards achieving your goals.

Over time, repeated positive action becomes a positive habit and it is these habits that will bring you the positive results you desire.

The main reason people become disillusioned with positive thinking is because they mistakenly expect positive thoughts to lead directly to positive results. When things don't improve, they then dismiss the concept of positive thinking entirely. This is a big mistake.

Once, you understand that positive thinking is the first step of a powerful four step process, you will discover that the true benefit of positive thinking is that it gives you the impetus to take action.

This Week's Action Steps:

1. Visualise your goals each day and fill your mind with a positive image of the outcomes you want to achieve.

2. Use these positive thoughts as a springboard to take action.

3. Understand that repeated action becomes a habit.

4. Establish the habits that will lead you to achieve your most important life goals.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

The problem with motivation is that it fluctuates on a daily basis. One day you're incredibly motivated and the next day you lose motivation completely. Here's what a graph of motivation against time looks like for most people.

If you depend on motivation to reach your objective, it's quite likely that you'll give up on your goal during a period of low motivation.

The real secret of success is to adopt an attitude that removes motivation from the equation. A good way to do this is to make the decision to do what you need to do even when you don't feel like doing it.

This is the attitude adopted by Olympic athletes. Contrary to popular belief, elite athletes do not bound out of bed every morning eager to do their training. Like everyone else, sometimes they are motivated and sometimes they are not. What sets them apart from most people is that they have made the decision to do what they need to do even when they don't feel like doing it.

So today I'd like to encourage you to review your goals and make the decision to do what you need to do on a daily basis even when you don't feel like doing it.

When your motivation is low, instead of saying:

"I just don't feel like doing this today!"

Develop the habit of saying:

"I just don't feel like doing this today BUT I will do it anyway!"

When you adopt this attitude and commit yourself to taking action even when you don't feel like it, you eliminate motivation as a limiting factor in your success and greatly increase the chances of making your dreams a reality.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

These days everyone is busy. We're busy with work commitments, family commitments, community commitments and study commitments just to name a few. We all seem to start each day with a long and demanding 'To Do' list.

The big question is - Are the items on your 'To Do' list leading you towards achieving your most important goals?

Being truly productive does not involve simply getting a lot of tasks done. It involves identifying and completing the specific tasks that will lead you where you really want to go.

A great question to ask yourself at the end of each day is:

"Am I a step closer to achieving my goals than I was this morning?"

If the answer to this question is "Yes" then you've had a productive day. If the answer is "No" then chances are you've been very busy but not really productive.

The best way to make the transition from being busy to being productive is to follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify your most important current goals

Step 2: Determine the specific tasks that will move you a step closer to achieving each of your goals

Step 3: Schedule these tasks early in your day when you're fresh and alert

For example, when I was a computer consultant, I was working up to 70 hours a week but deep down I knew that my actions were not taking me any closer to achieving my goals. I felt like a duck swimming against a fast flowing river. I was paddling as hard as I could but I just wasn't getting anywhere.

Finally I realized what the problem was - I was always busy but never productive.

To break this pattern I set aside one hour a day as 'My Time' to work on my own business. This wasn't always easy to find but I loved the feeling that came from knowing I was doing something productive each day to achieve my goals.

Eventually those one hour blocks of time led to the creation of PianoIsFun.com which in turn helped me to walk away from the corporate world.

So I encourage you today to make the transition from being busy to being productive by following the three steps above. When you know what your goals are and you commit to taking a productive step towards achieving them each day, your success really is just a matter of time.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

I'd never been to an 80th birthday party before and I didn't really know what to expect.

As the guests began arriving, I was touched by their warmth and vitality and I realized that whether you are 8 or 80, a party is a wonderful way to connect with the people you care about.

My partner (Bec) had been working hard collecting photos of her granddad's life and I was interested to learn that he had traveled to Antarctica on the HMAS Wyatt Earp in 1947.

As the time for speeches arrived, I listened intently as Bec's grandfather sat with his family and friends and talked about his life and his great adventure. Although it happened over 60 years ago, I could still see the gleam in his eye as he described the huge seas he encountered on his journey to Antarctica.

At the end of the night, I found myself thinking about my own 80th birthday and wondering what experiences and achievements I'd be looking back on. I found this to be a great way to clarify what I really wanted to do with my life.

So today I'd like to invite you on a journey into the future to attend your own 80th birthday party. Imagine for a moment that you're seated in a chair surrounded by your family and closest friends. You've just cut your cake and a hush of expectation falls as everyone waits for you to begin your speech.

The big question is:

What experiences and achievements will you talk about as you look back on your life?

Will you be reminiscing about the success of your business? Or will you be describing the charity you established? Or perhaps you'll be looking back at the help you gave to your church or local community?

Whatever it is that you'd like to look back on, it's important to realise that NOW is the time to live those experiences and attain those achievements.

This Week's Action Steps

(1) Imagine yourself at your own 80th birthday party

(2) Ask yourself - What will be the highlights of my life when the time comes to look back and celebrate?

(3) Use this exercise to clarify your most important life goals and get started on making these experiences and achievements a reality.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

Many people believe that happiness comes from obtaining certain objects. They say things like,

"I'll be so happy when I get my new iPod!"

However, the happiness associated with obtaining these objects is usually fleeting. Have you ever received something you really wanted only to have it end up sitting on a shelf gathering dust a few weeks later? I know I have!

So, if lasting happiness can't be found by obtaining 'things', how can we increase the levels of happiness in our lives?

I believe that the best way to obtain lasting happiness is to bring happiness into the lives of others. The most amazing thing about happiness is that the more you give away to others, the more you receive for yourself.

Here is a step-by-step plan that will help you bring happiness into the lives of others and thereby increase your own levels of happiness.

Step 1: Select someone in your life that you care about. It could be your partner, a child, a friend, a nephew or niece etc.

Step 2: Identify that person's current passion in life. To do this, just ask them what they're up to or interested in at the moment.

Step 3: Organise an experience that combines spending time with that person and persuing their passion.

Here's a real life example to show you exactly how this works:

When my nephew Michael was 8 years old, his main passion in life was dinosaurs. One day I arranged to pick him up to go on an 'adventure day'. Our first stop was a hardware store where we puchased a chisel to go with the two hammers I had picked up from home.

We then drove to a local beach called 'Fossil Beach' where we spent a few hours chipping away at rocks. What made this experience so special was that we were spending time together pursuing his main passion in life.

My nephew found two small fossils and was unbelievably excited. His happiness in turn made me incredibly happy. This trip is still one of our fondest memories even though it happened several years ago. The total cost of our expedition was $8.50.

So, whenever you're feeling a little low and need a dose of happiness, one of the best things you can do is to focus on making someone else happy. Remember…

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

This feeling of 'not being good enough' often comes from making comparisons with those who have already achieved their goals.

For example, a young dancer watches a principal ballerina and thinks, "I'm not good enough to do that", or an aspiring writer attends a talk presented by a best-selling author and thinks, "I'm not good enough to do that".

Comparing yourself to someone who has already achieved success is a big mistake because you are overlooking one crucial fact, which is:

No one is born an expert.

Every single person who has achieved success in any area has done so by starting at the beginning, developing the skills they needed and practicing those skills until they achieved success.

Sometimes we seem to expect to develop a new skill instantly, but one of the true secrets of success is developing the courage to persevere with a task while you learn how to do it well.

Here's a simple but effective plan for overcoming feelings of inadequacy:

(1) Stop saying "I'm not good enough" and start saying "I might not be good enough yet - but I will be!"

(2) Instead of comparing yourself to experts and feeling discouraged, look at them as an example of what is possible.

(3) Watch the experts in your area and ask yourself, "What skills and characteristics do they have that I need to develop?"

(4) Give yourself permission to be 'less than perfect' while you develop the skills you need.

So don't let the 'I'm not good enough' trap stop you from achieving your dreams. If you need new skills - you CAN develop them. If you need new knowledge - you CAN find it.

Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. You are good enough - and if you can dream it, you can make it happen.

Until next time,

Dare To Dream,

Anthony

Whenever you identify a potential problem on the horizon, it's important to realize that you can choose to adopt either a positive or negative expectation of how things will turn out. Here's a real life example that illustrates the difference between living with positive and negative expectations.

Example: Matt logged on to his Internet banking account and discovered that someone had been using his credit card fraudulently and had made cash withdrawals amounting to $8900. He rang his bank immediately to cancel his card and was told that it would take 3 weeks for the bank to determine whether he would be reimbursed.

Option #1 - Living With Negative Expectations:

The next 3 weeks were a nightmare as Matt continually imagined the bank telling him that he was liable for the money because he had forgotten to inform them of his change of address. He couldn't sleep at night, was distracted at work and repeatedly snapped at his wife and kids.

All he could think about was what would happen if the bank said he was liable for the money. After an agonizing 3 week wait, the bank informed him that he was not liable and suddenly, the pressure, stress and angst disappeared and Matt realized that he had put himself through emotional turmoil unnecessarily.

Option #2 - Living With Positive Expectations:

After speaking with the bank, Matt was concerned about the situation but realized that worrying about it wouldn't make the slightest difference, so he actively made the decision to focus on a positive outcome. As he adopted a sense of positive expectation, he stopped worrying and came up with a list of things he could do to help make his positive expectation a reality.

He printed out his statements and then contacted the bank's fraud department to provide them with as much information as possible. Every time he took action, he strengthened his sense of positive expectation. When the bank confirmed that he would be reimbursed, Matt was delighted and rang and thanked his contact at the bank.

______

Today as you look ahead at the potential problems heading your way,  I'd like to encourage you to make the decision to live your life with positive expectations. Let go of unproductive anxiety and focus instead on taking action to make your positive expectations a reality.

This Week's Action Steps:

1. Realize that in any situation, you can choose to adopt either a negative or a positive expectation. By focusing on a positive outcome you can often avoid a great deal of unnecessary worry.

2. Focus on the outcome you want and think of as many things as possible that will help you achieve your desired result.

3. Take action - With each action you take, you will strengthen your sense of positive expectation.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

One of the main reasons people fail to follow through on their New Year's resolutions is that a year is simply too long a time frame to work with.

For example, if you set a New Year's resolution to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year, it is very easy to think,

"I've got all year to make this happen"

As soon as you start thinking like this, your resolution loses its appeal and you have no compelling reason to get started. All too often your resolution ends up in the 'someday basket'.

The secret to making your New Year's resolution a reality is to transform it into a '6 month resolution' and a '3 month resolution'. 

To do this, first take your end of year resolution and divide it in half. 

For example: 'I will lose 20 pounds by the end of the year' becomes…

I will lose 10 pounds by the end of June.

Next divide this in half again to create your 3 month resolution…

I will lose 5 pounds by the end of March.

You now have a goal that is only 90 days away which is much more compelling than a goal that you don't have to think about for twelve whole months.

This simple process is also a great way to check whether your New Year's resolutions are realistic. When you work out your 3 month resolution, you should feel that this is something you can achieve if you work hard for the next 90 days.

If on the other hand you discover that your 3 month resolution is completely impossible from where you are today, it is likely that your end of year goal is somewhat unrealistic. In this case, you should revise your goals until they feel achieveable. Remember your goals should inspire and motivate you to take action - they shouldn't scare or intimidate you!

The New Year is a great time to create plans and make a fresh start. So today I'd like to encourage you to use this simple technique to set specific and achieveable New Year's resolutions for 2008.

This Week's Action Steps

(1) Divide your end of year resolution in two to create your 6 month resolution

(2) Divide your 6 month resolution in two to create your 3 month resolution

(3) Assess your 3 month resolution to see if it is something you can achieve within 90 days

(4) Revise your goals accordingly

(5) Get started and - Make It Happen!

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

The exercise is called 'Reflect and Correct'.

Here's how it works:

The first step is to look at each area of your life eg. health, relationships, finances etc. and reflect on the last twelve months to identify what worked well and also what didn't work so well.

Once you have identified the strategies that worked well for you over the last year, the next step is to come up with ideas that will help you to do more of what works in the year ahead.

Similarly, once you have identified the strategies that didn't work well for you last year, you can come up with ideas that will help you do less of what doesn't work.

The simple formula behind this technique is:

More of what works + Less of what doesn't work = Major Improvement

The best way to work through this exercise is to download the free 'Reflect and Correct' worksheet:

Click Here to download your 'Reflect and Correct' worksheet

If you take the time to do this simple exercise, I'm sure you'll discover several powerful ideas for improving your health, your relationships and your finances. It doesn't matter whether you are just starting out or you have already achieved significant success - Every single one of us can always improve!

This Week's Action Steps:

(1) Download the free Reflect and Correct worksheet

(2) Set aside some time to fill in the worksheet

(3) Start the New Year with confidence knowing that you are learning from the past and making major improvements in every area of your life.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony

Michael looked up from his computer and glanced at the clock. The office was a hive of activity as people rushed from desk to desk trying to meet the unrealistic deadline that had been set by senior management. Everyone was tired and stressed. They had been working long hours for several weeks and were close to breaking point.

As he looked out the window to watch the crowds of shoppers bustling through the streets below, Michael felt something within him stir. It was Christmas - usually his favorite time of year, but somehow he had become so caught up in meetings and deadlines that it felt like the Spirit of Christmas had been evicted from the building.

He looked around at the tense faces of his fellow team members and realized that he wasn't the only one who needed a dose of Christmas Spirit.

Michael made a decision…

It took him five minutes to formulate his plan and before he could change his mind, he walked into his manager's office and outlined his 'Christmas Proposal'. To his surprise, his manager agreed to his plan immediately.

Bolstered by his manager's support, Michael returned to his desk and wrote out the following email:

—————–
Subject: Teleworks Toy Drive :o)
To: All Staff

Hi Everyone,

I've just been given the go ahead to launch the first
'Telework's Toy Drive'

Later today, I'll be doing a quick walk around to collect 
contributions to buy toys for the Salvation Army.

It's completely optional of course but I hope you'll join 
in and help us bring a smile to the face of some little boys 
and girls on Christmas morning.

The toys we purchase will be on display in the foyer for the 
rest of the week.

By the way, if there are any Elves out there who would like 
to give me a hand, please let me know!

Regards,

Michael
—————–

As Michael pressed the 'Send' button he was a little unsure of how his initiative would be received by his busy co-workers. The answer came back almost immediately in the form of several emails offering support, encouragement and offers of help.

That afternoon, Michael and two volunteer 'elves' walked around the building collecting money in two santa hats. As they went, they explained the toy drive and wished everyone Happy Christmas.

When he returned to his desk, Michael was stunned to discover that they had collected $384!

The following day, Michael and his part-time elves went to a nearby toy shop during their lunch break. Michael asked to speak to the store manager and explained what they were doing. The manager immediately agreed to give them a 10% discount on all their purchases.

Michael and his friends had a fantastic time walking through the aisles and filling up three shopping trolleys with gifts for the children.

When they returned to work, they assembled all the toys in the foyer and sent out an email to let everyone know about the success of the Toy Drive.

Over the next week, the Toy Drive became quite a talking point and although they were still very busy, Michael thought he detected a change in the spirit that permeated the building.

At lunchtime on Friday, Michael and his volunteer elves carried several large bags of toys to a local Salvation Army depot.

As they entered the building, Michael saw a young girl standing by the doorway with her parents. When the little girl saw the presents, her eyes lit up and she grabbed her Dad's leg and said, "Daddy look!"

In that instant, Michael felt a wave of happiness sweep over him from head to toe. He once again felt the sense of wonder, excitement and expectation that only Christmas can bring.

He realised that it wasn't about the presents. It was about stepping up and making an effort. It was about making a connection with the people he worked with and more than anything else, it was about making a difference in some small way.

The true Spirit of Christmas is the spirit of Giving. It is the Spirit of Connecting with those around you and ultimately it is the Spirit of Love.

If you're feeling a bit jaded this year, I'd like to encourage you to rediscover the Spirit of Christmas by implementing Michael's simple plan at your workplace.

This Week's Action Steps:

(1) Ask management for permission to run a Toy Drive.

(2) Send out a group email to let everyone know what's happening. Feel free to use Michael's email as a template if you like.

(3) Do a quick walk around to collect contributions. 

(4) Purchase the toys and place them in a prominent spot for a few days so that everyone can see and enjoy what they have achieved as a group.

(5) Deliver the gifts to the Salvation Army or other charity of your choice.

If you decide to follow through on this idea, please take a photo and send it to me at anthony@anthonyfernando.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time,

Dare To Dream!

Anthony