* Self Improvement and Personal Growth Weekly Newsletter *
Issue # 600, Week of March 8-9, 2010
Publisher: David Riklan – http://www.SelfGrowth.com
In this issue:
– Quotes of the Week
– Recommended Resource of the Week
– Article: Five Performance Lessons from The Biggest Loser – By Kevin Eikenberry
– Article: Stop Trying to Be Normal – By Michael Beck
– Book Review: Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind - By Joe Dispenza
– Brief News of the World
– How to Subscribe and Unsubscribe from this Newsletter
Current Subscribers – 281,972 subscribers
Removal instructions are listed at the end of the newsletter.
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*** Quotes of the Week ***
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Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength. – Eric Hoffer, 1902-1983
Evil deeds do not prosper; the slow man catches up with the swift. – Homer, 800 BC-700 BC
I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business. - Michael J. Fox, 1961-present
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*** Recommended Resource of the Week ***
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Beat diabetes without drugs… WITHOUT needles… without giving up chocolate!
The mainstream’s got it all wrong. Diabetes doesn’t have to be a life sentence of needle pokes, pills, and passing up the dessert table.
In fact, squashing this “epidemic” has never been easier…
Discover the 10 do-it-yourself secrets that can help you eliminate the threat of diabetes FOR GOOD–without becoming a human pin cushion, popping handfuls of pills, or giving up chocolate.
Learn more…
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*** Article: Five Performance Lessons from The Biggest Loser – By Kevin Eikenberry ***
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My wife’s favorite television show is the The Biggest Loser. If you’re not familiar, it’s an NBC reality television show that chronicles a group of seriously overweight people from all walks of life as they try to become more healthy – and lose lots of weight.
To give you an idea, the most recent winner, Danny Cahill a 40-year-old man from Oklahoma, went from 430 pounds to 191 pounds in 7 months (that’s 239 pounds LOST).
When my wife first began watching the show and telling me how fascinating it was, I wasn’t that interested; reality TV didn’t seem very real to me, and I didn’t really want to watch. After a few more conversations, I decided to watch with her.
The show is “reality TV” and therefore there are elements that don’t interest me that much, and I wish it wasn’t so long (it’s the perfect candidate for your DVR), but overall I really enjoy the show.
Why?
I enjoy the show because of the truths it highlights week after week about human performance, success, goal achievement and leadership. And, of course, these lessons are available to us all regardless of how much we weigh.
Here are five of the most valuable lessons you can take from this show and apply in your life.
The importance of vision. How can we arrive at any destination if we don’t know what it is? Contestants on the show often say “I’m not ready to go home yet” (most weeks at least one contestant leaves “the ranch” where all contestants live while they pursue their weight loss full time). This statement connects to their vision. Often what they mean but don’t say is that they don’t yet have the skills, tools, and more to be successful on their own at home in reaching their vision. Their vision is clear and those who stay the most focused on it have the best results.
The power of purpose. As with most reality television, there is a monetary prize for the person who loses the most weight (as a percentage of their initial weight). Yet, if you didn’t already know that as you watched the show, you wouldn’t learn it from the contestants. Do they want to win $250,000? I’m sure they do. However, that is never a topic of conversation; rather they talk about why they want to lose the weight – to play with their children, to live longer, to be a grandparent, to literally be able to have children, and more. These statements of purpose are the real “why” – the real reason they are putting their bodies and minds through extremes. Those with the strongest purposes, make the most progress.
The need for massive action. You must agree that you can’t lose 20-50+% of your body weight in 7 months by eating a few less chips or walking once in awhile. The people on the show aren’t timid about their actions. They are doing the extreme! When I watch them I am continually reminded that if you want massive change, you must take massive action.
The value of new habits. During the course of the show, there are episodes where all the remaining contestants go home for one or more weeks. During this time, they need to continue to exercise and eat correctly because when they return for the weekly weigh in, they will be accountable for their actions of the week. Those that are most successful at home are those who have built new habits of thinking and acting; habits that transcend the time away from home. So it is for us – we must consciously build habits that support the goals we want to achieve, and make choices that are consistent with those goals.
The consequences of coaching. The show has two trainers who work with the contestants throughout the show – helping them with diet, exercise and mindset changes. Would the contestants be as successful without a coach to help them with their improvement? Of course not! Few of us would embark on physical fitness change without some coaching; yet often we try to reach other personal or professional goals without informed help. Crazy isn’t it? If you want great success, get informed, caring, wise assistance.
Each of these lessons is incredibly valuable, and when intentionally applied can create great change. They apply to those we lead as well. When you take these lessons and apply them to your leadership activities, you can make a bigger difference within your organization.
Am I telling you to watch the new season, or watch past episodes online?
Not necessary; that is up to you.
What I am telling you is that if you want greater results in any part of your life, pay attention to the lessons I have shared above.
Because they work.
** To comment on this article or to read comments about this article, go here.
About the Author:
Remarkable leaders know that their ability to master these ideas makes them more effective leaders. One of the ways you can learn the skills related to goal achievement, focus and influence (and much more) is by participating in The Remarkable Leadership Learning System – a one skill at a time, one month at a time approach to becoming a more confident and successful leader. Get $748.25 worth of leadership development materials including two months of that unique system as part of Kevin Eikenberry’s Most Remarkable Free Leadership Gift Ever today. Kevin is a bestselling author, speaker, trainer, consultant and the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group.
Beat diabetes without drugs… WITHOUT needles… without giving up chocolate!
The mainstream’s got it all wrong. Diabetes doesn’t have to be a life sentence of needle pokes, pills, and passing up the dessert table.
In fact, squashing this “epidemic” has never been easier…
Discover the 10 do-it-yourself secrets that can help you eliminate the threat of diabetes FOR GOOD–without becoming a human pin cushion, popping handfuls of pills, or giving up chocolate.
Learn more…
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*** Article: Stop Trying to Be Normal – By Michael Beck ***
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Stop trying to be normal. It undermines your success and keeps you in a state of mediocrity. It’s an interesting phenomenon.
This idea of being “normal” starts to take hold in high school. There begins to form this desire to “fit in” – to be part of a group. Or at least, not be singled out as someone who “doesn’t fit in”. Along with that comes the desire to be an “insider”. This need to belong and to be an insider can be very strong for many people.
Although the challenges and insecurities from our high school days are long gone, that need to belong – to be part of the group – to be accepted – to belong – can still be very strong. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be accepted and/or wanting to fit in, but when this “wanting” turns to “needing”, it becomes detrimental to a person’s success.
This often occurs when a person has an “external frame of reference” rather than an “internal frame of reference”. Having an external frame of reference means looking outside of one’s self to determine the truth of things. Things like right vs. wrong, appropriate vs. inappropriate, and successful vs. unsuccessful. When a person has an external frame of reference, they look to others for approval. They base their self-worth and their self-image on what others think and say about them.
Conversely, having an internal frame of reference means looking within one’s self to determine the truth of things; to determine right vs. wrong, appropriate vs. inappropriate, and successful vs. unsuccessful. When a person has an internal frame of reference, they don’t look to others for approval. I’m not saying recognition and acknowledgment aren’t meaningful to someone with an internal frame of reference. I’m simply saying that they aren’t the driving forces for their actions. Someone with an internal frame of reference bases their self-worth and their self-confidence on what they know to be true about themselves.
Which brings us back to the idea of being “normal”. Most people consider themselves to be “normal” and consequently most groups of people consider themselves to be “normal”. Therefore, in order to remain part of the group, one needs to remain “normal”.
And being “normal” – by definition – means being “average”. Consequently, many people – in an attempt to fit in and belong – spend their lives striving to be average. Sometimes they do it consciously and sometimes they do it unconsciously. Sometimes it’s done by intent and sometimes inadvertently. But it happens nonetheless…
A person is striving to be average (or “normal”) when they work hard to meet a quota rather than exceed it. A person is striving to be average when they purposely minimize themselves and their dreams so that their associates, family and/or friends don’t belittle them for dreaming big. A person strives to be average by “playing it safe” – not in terms of taking physical or financial risks, but in terms of taking the risks inherent in hoping for, dreaming of, and working towards the things that would set you apart from the others.
It takes courage to break away from “normal”; to separate oneself from the crowd. You risk not fitting in and not being accepted by the group of people you’ve been a part of. You risk feeling embarrassed if you don’t achieve your goals when you said you would. You risk being disappointed and frustrated.
But when you reach your goals – when you realize your dreams – you will know that you are not “normal”. You will not be average. And interestingly enough, you will find that you’ve become part of a new, different group. You will be part of a group that is not “normal”. You will be part of a group that knows that each member is not “average”.
Mark Twain once said, “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
The decision to separate yourself from the crowd comes from a within. It arises from a desire to realize one’s full potential and a resolve to take responsibility for one’s future. It doesn’t matter what others say or do or think. None of them pay your bills. None of them have your dreams.
Sometimes it’s a lonely path. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s frustrating. But one thing is true for sure. It’s always worthwhile.
I know what it’s like to try to fit in. I know what it’s like to try to be normal. I used to have an external frame of reference.
But I changed. I stopped trying to fit in. I stopped trying to be average and I started striving for excellence. I started setting bigger and bigger dreams and goals. I started associating with other successful people. I don’t fit in very well with people who are “normal”. I never have. But I’ve come to realize that I fit in with people who are extraordinary.
So stop trying to be normal. Come and join me instead…
** To comment on this article or to read comments about this article, go here.
About the Author:
Written by Michael Beck, Business Philosopher & Strategist. For more articles and to subscribe to his free monthly newsletter, “Full Potential”, please visit http://www.mbeckweb.com. Permission to reprint with full attribution. © 2010 Michael Beck International, Inc.
Beat diabetes without drugs… WITHOUT needles… without giving up chocolate!
The mainstream’s got it all wrong. Diabetes doesn’t have to be a life sentence of needle pokes, pills, and passing up the dessert table.
In fact, squashing this “epidemic” has never been easier…
Discover the 10 do-it-yourself secrets that can help you eliminate the threat of diabetes FOR GOOD–without becoming a human pin cushion, popping handfuls of pills, or giving up chocolate.
Learn more…
————————————————————
*** Book Review: Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind - By
Joe Dispenza ***
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Take your first step toward true evolution.
Ever wonder why you repeat the same negative thoughts in your head? Why you keep coming back for more from hurtful family members, friends, or significant others? Why you keep falling into the same detrimental habits or limiting attitudes–even when you know that they are going to make you feel bad?
Dr. Joe Dispenza has spent decades studying the human mind–how it works, how it stores information, and why it perpetuates the same behavioral patterns over and over. In the acclaimed film What the Bleep Do We Know!? he began to explain how the brain evolves–by learning new skills, developing the ability to concentrate in the midst of chaos, and even healing the body and the psyche.
Evolve Your Brain presents this information in depth, while helping you take control of your mind, explaining how thoughts can create chemical reactions that keep you addicted to patterns and feelings–including ones that make you unhappy. And when you know how these bad habits are created, it’s possible to not only break these patterns, but also reprogram and evolve your brain, so that new, positive, and beneficial habits can take over.
This is something you can start to do right now. You and only you have the power to change your mind and evolve your brain for a better life–for good.
*****
The list price of this book is $16.95. To purchase it from Amazon.com at a price of $11.53, a 32% discount, go here.
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*** Brief News of the World ***
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Positive:
* Badge Saves Las Vegas Officer from Bullet *
A police officer’s badge may have saved his life when it stopped a bullet during an exchange of gunfire in North Las Vegas.
Police say the 31-year-old officer was patrolling just before 10 p.m. Saturday when he heard shots being fired in an apartment complex.Go here for complete news story.
* ‘Magic Happened’ After She Gave Ex-Cons a Chance at New Lives *
At the bus terminal in downtown Los Angeles, they’re easy to spot. Dressed in blue jeans, they carry boxes, bags or large envelopes with their name and a number on it. They are ex-offenders, just released from California’s prison system. When they step off the bus with $200 in “gate money” in their pockets, many have hopes of making a fresh start.
But in this seedy area just blocks from Skid Row, the new arrivals are easy targets for pimps and drug dealers. For some, the temptation is too much. While not everyone succumbs to the streets so quickly, nearly 60 percent return to prison within three years, according to California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It’s a cycle that Susan Burton is striving to break through her reentry program.Go here for complete news story.
* Prince William in Photo Shoot for Homeless *
In the studio one of London’s top fashion photographers, a prince and a pauper took turns behind the lens.
CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reports, it was Britain’s Prince William up first, putting Jeff Hubbard – who spent years on the streets homeless – in his sights.
Then they switched places, and even teamed up for a two-shot, all for a good cause.Go here for complete news story.
** For more positive news, please visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/news.html
Other:
* Upcoming Census Hiring Set to Boost Jobs Reports By Over Half a Million *
Temporary help is on the way for the country’s battered job market, thanks to the upcoming U.S. Census.
According to a new study released today by the Commerce Department, which includes the Census Bureau the survey will add up to 635,000 temporary jobs by May to the nation’s employment reports.Go here for complete news story.
* Happiness Makes for a Healthy Heart *
People who are usually happy and enthusiastic are less likely to develop heart disease than those who tend to be glum, scientists said on Thursday, and boosting positive emotions could help cut heart health risks.
U.S. researchers said their observational study was the first to show an independent relationship between positive emotions and coronary heart disease, but stressed that more work was needed before any treatment recommendations could be made.Go here for complete news story.
* Internet Making our Brains Different, Not Dumb *
A decade from now, Google won’t make us “stupid,” the Internet may make us more literate in a different kind of way and efforts to protect individual anonymity will be even more difficult to achieve, according to many of the experts surveyed for a look at “The Future of the Internet” in 2020.Go here for complete news story. |
IDIOMS 
Music Stuff March 9th
Birthday Boys and Girls March 9th
