RESPONSIBILITY OF SUCCESS

The world is filled with "couch critics." It has become a favorite past time for many to sit around and point out the foibles and flaws of our world leaders, politicians, bosses and even families. Our index fingers are nearly conditioned to point in the direction of "fault" when we see inefficiency, incompetence or wrong doing. It is not a question of validity on the part of the claim. Many of the accusations and arguments are sound. There may indeed be evidence to suggest that we are "right," but how does that contribute to creating something more effective. Criticism is easy; action is often difficult. Would you rather be right or effective? They are not always the same.

If you feel that you're living in a world "gone mad," then consider your own life. How does your life contribute to a better world? Before you look outward, look inward (and in the mirror). If you don't like the life that you're living, you have three choices:

1. You can either complain about it to anyone who will listen,

2. You can quietly suffer and work your way to martyrdom or,

3. You can do something about it.

As you well know, the most effective choice is not a simple one. If you are not going to live your life as a critic or a victim, you are going to have to take the responsibility for effective solutions. This is often easier said than done.

Today, identify one thing in the world that you believe is in need of improvement. How will you use your life (beginning today) to begin to create something more effective?

success or sabotage? success requires responsibility; sabotage is a habit of comfort for those who prefer to live as victims.

is this going to be an incredible day? what can you do to create an incredible day TODAY?

“The way to mend the bad world is to create the right world”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

THOUGHT MANAGEMENT

Are you driving your life or is your life driving you? It is astounding how simple it is to fall into a habit of complacency, living as if your choices are limited to reactions rather than actions. Most of us can agree that our thoughts (in some way, shape or form) influence or rule our lives. The important thing to remember (and how quickly and easily we forget!) is that we rule our thoughts. Let us not confuse the role of a ruler. A ruler does not control; he governs. If we were to attempt to control our thoughts, it is a pretty safe bet that we would quickly be on the road to self-sabotage. The energy expended on trying to control our thoughts would deplete us of the ability to function effectively in other areas of our lives. If you attempt to pretend that your thoughts don't exist, you will actually empower them (what you resist, persists). It is not about ignoring your thoughts; it is about managing them. Think of your thoughts as a sometimes challenging business colleague or family member. They sometimes have what they believe to be your best interests at heart, but they are acting out of limited information (based on your past experiences, upbringing, etc). Do you surrender your success, livelihood and joy without the appropriate due diligence? Whose life is it, anyway?

success or sabotage? do you manage your thoughts or do you find your thoughts managing you?

is this going to be an incredible day? this is not dependent on the weather, your finances, the number of successful sales, your partner's mood or the traffic...or, is it?

“Thoughts are things.”—Charles Fillmore

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

SUCCESS BY DEFINITION

How do you define your life? Have you ever given thought to the question? You may define your life as your experiences, accomplishments, deeds and behavior. The source of all of these is your belief system. You speak, act and live what you believe. This is a simply stated vital piece of truth. If you are what you believe, it stands to reason that if you do not like your life, you can examine your thoughts as the source of your experience. This is a revolutionary concept; it challenges those who believe that environmental and hereditary factors are the primary indicators of one's life. Does one's environment and heredity influence your thoughts? Of course, they do! You do not, however, have to remain subject to ineffective thinking. You can free yourself by changing your thoughts/beliefs. This means that ANYONE, regardless of ethnicity, sex, age, talent, etc can rise above their circumstances to create something better. Do some have more challenges and obstacles than others? Perhaps, but one still has the gift of opportunity to create anew every day.

success or sabotage? what are your beliefs about success? do you see yourself as being successful or on your way?

is this going to be an incredible day? what makes one day more incredible than another? are all days incredible or do specific things have to happen to make it so?

“Man is what he believes.”—Anton Chekhov

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

MATTER OF CHOICE

How much of the joy in life can be attributed to an attitude/approach rather than your actual experiences? There will always be challenges and obstacles in your path. There will always be moments of doubt and fear. There will always temptations of fear and despair. It is all a matter of choice. The best part is (or the worst, depending on your frame of mind!) that the choice belongs to you. You can view your life as a curse in the making or a gift in the unfolding. Is your glass half-empty or half-full? You may have an inclination toward one more than the other. Which one do you think will be more effective in adding to a joyful life?

Life is a fairy tale. Does your mind immediately flash to Cinderella coupled with the Prince and headed off into wedded bliss? Let's not forget that before Cinderella found herself moving into the palace that she had to deal with a detached father, a less than nurturing stepmother and a couple of envious stepsisters. Despite all of the obstacles, she never lost sight of her dream--even in the most challenging of circumstances. There is a reason why these stories, all stories of human trial and triumph, have the same plot devices. It is not simply because they are the elements of a good story. They are the archetypes for the human experience. In all of them, you can see how choice plays a critical role in the unfolding of the future--for every effect, there is a cause.

success or sabotage? are your choices more aligned for success than sabotage? does the evidence of your life support the answer? if not, what are some effective choices that you can make TODAY to create greater success?

is this going to be an incredible day? the choice, after all, is yours!

"Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.”—P. Dorman

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

EXPERIENCE OF SUCCESS

One of the greatest awakenings for me was the day that I realized that all of my experiences, both "good" and "bad," "joyful" and "saddening" were all working in collusion to see that I succeeded. Now, in order to completely comprehend my meaning of success, it is necessary to broaden your perspective. When I am able to take a moment and reflect on my life, I can see that success at any level requires preparation and conditioning if it is going to be sustainable. Success for me is not simply the completion of my objective; it also includes the transformation and self-awareness that is required for me to sustain and relish the moments before, during and after. It is important that we don't simply exist to accomplish certain objectives. Isn't this the core of the work/life balance issue that plagues so many Americans today? We often become focused on the intended results and become blind to the experience. Is any goal worthy of sacrificing love, joy and happiness? If you are not going to enjoy yourself along the way, what's the point?

So many of us put off our joy and happiness as something better positioned for the future ("when I have more money," "when I get my promotion," "when I get married," etc...). Life is a luxury that we cannot afford to waste. Awaken to what is happening around you. Do you have an appreciation for the adventure that is your daily life? Open your eyes today to the unexpected. What unexpected pleasure is crossing your path today?

success or sabotage? is your definition of success limited to specific results or to attitudes, feelings or emotions?

is this going to be an incredible day? this day will NEVER be repeated. what makes this day incredible and unique?

“Success is a journey, not a destination.”—Wayne Dyer

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

LENS OF SUCCESS

We see things as we want to see them. As humans we have difficulty seeing a reality that is outside of the scope of our limited vision (which is a product of our environment, experiences, upbringing, etc). We have a tendency to walk around with an attitude that says "I'm ok, what's wrong with you?" This lens--which makes us human--is often the greatest obstacle to our personal success.

The rewarding part of this human equation is that we are provided with a daily opportunity to increase the clarity of our vision. If we are able to accept the possibility that we only see what we want to see, rather than the way that things actually are, we can stop and consider adjusting our lens.

Challenge yourself today. Think of the person that irritates you the most. Why do they bother you? Consider whether you have any evidence that indicates that your conclusion about them is true; then ask yourself if it really matters. Is it simply something that matters in the scheme of things? What are five things that you can say (with sincerity) that are positive about this person? Pay attention--how many times throughout the day do you pay attention to what is "negative/wrong/bad/stupid" about someone as opposed to what is "positive/right/good/intelligent." How difficult is it for you to switch your thinking? How does it feel when you are successful?

success or sabotage? if your eyes are weak, you can get glasses to improve your vision; you may do the same with the lens of your mind. are you more tuned to the success of you and others or failure?

is this going to be an incredible day? this day will never return again. the opportunities in your path today will never come in the same sequence again. what are your choices?

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."—Anais Nin

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF SUCCESS

So often we think of our thoughts as something managed by our brains (as an outside entity), rather than being under our control. You may even catch yourself reacting to your thoughts as if there is another being having conversations in your head. The truth is that thoughts are creative; they produce a reality that is aligned with your belief system. If you think of your mind as a garden and your thoughts as seeds, what are you planting? Have you unconsciously planted some weeds that need tending?

As you move into a new week, you are rewarded with the power of possibility and potential. Examine your thoughts as they relate to the day that stands "empty" before you. How will you fill the space? Take the time to focus on all that you have and will have rather than that which you feel is still lacking. The world is indeed your oyster!

success or sabotage? your thoughts are working at every moment toward one or the other. why not be conscious of your choice?

is this going to be an incredible day? what do you THINK?

"Thoughts are formative. They are like seeds that produce after their kind."—Myrtle Fillmore

BUSY-NESS vs. SUCCESS

Palm pilots, cell phones, pagers, conference calls, meetings...our days are often consumed with activity. The question is what is your intention? It is at the moment when you forget the answer to the question that the "trouble" begins. It is in that vacuum of uncertainty--the moment when you forget the reason why you are doing what you are doing--that you make yourself vulnerable to office politics, gossip, job dissatisfaction, etc. Awaken to your sense of purpose. It does not need to be a sense of purpose for your existence; focus on your purpose TODAY. Why are you doing what you're doing?

This is a question that must be asked over and over again. The world changes and so does your life; your intentions will evolve with your being. You may entertain your fears by investing in a false belief where you are controlled by circumstances. Do not fall for this temptation of self-sabotage. You are always in the driver's seat. If you don't know where you're going, why don't you pull over and figure it out? Take the time to invest in yourself so that you will have more to give to others. Take 30 minutes for yourself today to examine your life. Do you like what you have created for yourself or is it time to create something new?

success or sabotage? your every thought word and action is answering this question. why not be conscious of your choice to effectively evaluate the merit of your decision?

is this going to be an incredible day? avoid the "hamster on the wheel" impersonation that has become so popular in american society. take inventory in yourself and give thought to what would make this a great day by your definition. what will you do to get it?

"It’s not enough to be busy…the question is: What are we busy about?"—Henry David Thoreau

ILLUSION OF DEFEAT

'Defeat' is a limited concept. It is important, I think, to choose whether it serves you to really believe in it. If you set out to achieve something and fall short of reaching your goal, does that make the entire experience a losing venture? Don't you usually emerge with greater insight about yourself as a result? It sounds a bit idealistic and you may hear the angry voices in your head rise up in resentment, but it comes down to where you want to invest your energy. Regret has been proven to be a bad investment. If you have to ask yourself if the often fashionable "would've, could've, should've approach" to life leads to a more joyful existence. If not, what's the point?

success or sabotage? don't allow yourself to be governed by the restrictions of fear and expectation. is success really success if you're not free to enjoy it?

is this going to be an incredible day? ingest only the positive and allow those things that tempt you to surrender to negativity fall to the side.

"Defeat isn’t bitter if you don’t swallow it."—Ted Engstrom

ORDER UP!

How are you feeling about the day that stands before you? Many fall victim to the illusion that your thoughts FOLLOW your feelings. It is actually the other way around. When you subscribe to the belief that your thoughts are merely reactions, you are living the life of a victim and are limited in your endeavors. When you accept the truth and realize that you are the manager and creator of your thoughts, then you are in the realm of power and possibility.

No matter how you define your yesterday or your worries about tomorrow, today is a blank canvas for you to create at will. I invite you to see your self in action. What is the perfect outcome for today? How will you feel at the end of the day? Now, see your self in the thoughts, words and actions that will lead to these results.

success or sabotage? you are the creator and benefactor of success.

is this going to be an incredible day? what are you ordering?

"Order your thoughts and you will order your life." -James Allen

PASSION FUELS SUCCESS

There are days when you might awaken absent of emotion. You may have a comfortable relationship with apathy; there is nothing particularly exciting on your radar and you are simply going through the motions. It is at these moments, when you are awarded an incredible opportunity.

Thought precedes emotion. Your life is a blank canvas and you are the artist. Indifference is an invitation to remember the power that you hold within you. You have the choice to create a day filled with love, joy and laughter (or one that simply functions in reactionary mode--vulnerable to whatever crosses your path).

Take a moment (or a few) to think of those things which make you happy. Allow your self to really feel what it is like to experience them. Think of all of the things for which you are grateful. Feel the gratitude welling up within your soul. Now, make a quick list of 20 things that you enjoy doing. From the list, choose one or two of the things that you have not done in a while and put them on your schedule for today.

success or sabotage? passion fuels success. what is the point of success if you are not having fun? if you are waiting until you have "earned" it, you are missing the opportunity for greater success.

is this going to be an incredible day? do not overlook the question. answer it with your actions.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.
And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference."--Elie Wiesel