A step in the right direction for personal development would be to overcome fear. Fear is what blocks us from being truly happy and content with our lives. In many severe cases, fear has taken such a strong hold it has destroyed peoples jobs, relationships and overall quality of life.

The big question is: How do I overcome fear? The answer, like many things in life, comes with steps. Following the steps below will help you to achieve overcoming fear for a positive and lifelong change toward personal development.

1. You first need to block out what other people say

Every day we have things in our “way” that prevent us from accomplishing our goals. Push them aside! Do not listen to people when they say you can’t do something. Instead, think of all the ways you can make it happen (this I feel is a better question to ask ourselves). Understand what makes you happy and purposeful, then do it. Overcome fear by focusing on these parts of your life.

2. Forget the fear of being rejected and not accepted

The only thing that limits us from being accepted is the fact that we tell ourselves that. Kick that alter ego out of your head and replace it with a positive outlook. Instead of saying “I will never be accepted”, say, “I wonder what new people I will meet”.

3. Settle the Priorities in life

Everyone considers different aspects priorities in their life. Find what is most important to you and accomplish those things happen first. Why do you pay for an expensive car when you could have got a mid range and then still complain that you can’t afford to go back to university? This is a prime example of someone not putting their priorities first.

4. Understand that personal development takes time

Face your fears one by one. The more confidence you build, the less you will fear. You will soon find out that fear is only a manifestation in your mind typically caused by lack of confidence. One of things that I constantly do is to challenge my fears. Since fear itself is illogical, I can challenge it and tell myself that it is not real. I also surround myself with people who challenge me and ask more from me. This helps a lot in my personal development.

These are all simple ways you can slowly overcome fear. The best part about fear is that once you start to have small steps of courage, it will fade away and melt into insignificant portions.

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We all can see ourselves doing certain things or achieving a certain status. The problem is many of us do not take steps to actually reach those potentials. Goal setting is an important process and provides a step by step outline of our wants, needs and aspirations.

Goal Setting Reasons:
- Motivating
- More effective use of time and resources
- Short term gratification
- Long term gratification
- Confidence Builder

When you get started in your goal setting, take a look at your life. What is your ultimate goal? Take some time to think about this because you will use all your other smaller, short term goals, to work up to this point.

Once you determine your long term goal, it is time to focus in on your short term goals that will get you there. In general, this is when you begin to shape all the areas in your life. Some of these areas can be:

- Continuous Learning
- Perspective (Attitude)
- Professional (Career)
- Health (Physical and Mental)
- Family
- Financials
- Spiritual

These are all areas that make a person balanced and well-rounded. When you achieve these goals, you will be well on your way to attaining your ultimate goal in life, while enjoying a fulfilling journey along the way. Always keep in mind; this is your personal development process, not anyone else’s. Make goals that you want to achieve.

A good way to go about short term goals is to set goals in different ranges. I personally prefer three month goals because I can constantly review my progress. Weekly goals and daily goals can also be very important. Check lists and “to do” lists are often very helpful and necessary in the goal setting process. I mean, whenever you cross something out when you complete a task, it gives you sense of satisfaction that it is completed.

Keeping Momentum and Staying on Track

It is important that we consistently check our goals and make sure we are on track with them. We also need to assess them every now and again and check to see if anything has changed in our long term goals. If so, no big deal, just rearrange a little.

To keep on track, you will need to follow these tips to ensure success:

1. Be specific: Make goals with numbers. This helps to know when you have achieved these goals, which will motivate you more.
2. Be positive: Stay positive when determining your goals. Stay clear of words such as stupid, dumb, etc. What you focus on expands.
3. Make them attainable. “Chunk” down larger goals into more manageable pieces. It will make you feel like you are getting somewhere with it.
4. Prioritize: Figure out which goals are more heavily weighted and time sensitive.
5. Write them down! Keep track of your goals by writing them down constantly! This will serve as a constant reminder and allow you to see and measure progress.

Goal setting is an important aspect of our life. If we did not have goals, we are not achieving anything. So… what are your goals for the rest of the year? Leave your comments, I want to hear you out!

If you like this article, please subscribe to our blog by getting the Free Report on “7 Transformational Secrets to creating a Dynamic and Cohesive Team”. If you have comments, I would love to hear them. Please post them below.

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There is a difference between being pro-active and reactive. In most cases, people are reactive to their environment. Being reactive, however, is not the way to get ahead in life. If you want to get ahead, stay ahead and make the most out of your personal development endeavours, you need to be PROACTIVE.

3 Ways You Can Lead Your Way to Being Pro-Active

1. Take responsibility for your actions

Do not blame others for outcomes, road blocks or problems.  When you blame other sources, you are reacting to the situation. Instead, take a step out of the situation and look at it from an unbiased and unemotional standpoint. In this, you will find that you will be able to take responsibility for your actions and deal with them appropriately. As a leader, I used to think that my group is lazy and constantly lay blame that they only have their own interests at heart. However, when I started taking responsibility for the results I’m getting, I started asking better questions like “How can I make them more pro-active? Is there anything that I can do for them to own the work, rather than me telling them what to do?”

Only you have the power to take action and make changes for yourself; it is a choice. Taking the initiative to accept responsibility will lead to actions to avoid problems and will to purposeful outcome.

2. Define where you eventually want to be in life

Just as businesses have mission statements, it is recommended that you create a personal mission statement for your personal development process. Your mission statement can present itself in the form of goals. Making clear and direct long term goals will help guide you through your life. You need to be able to “see” yourself in that situation. By visualizing where you want to be, it will motivate you to get there.

3. Prioritize

Think about what things you feel are the most important. When you deem something highly important, you need to put it first; at the top of the list. As you reach your daily goals, you will keep in mind that they come second, third or fourth to the most important aspects of your life.

It is also good to note to not overextend yourself. When you overextend yourself, you are letting the most important aspects of your life slip. I have personally made a lot of mistakes by over-committing myself, doing too many things and yet not being able to give my best. I have repented and now know that it its worth doing, I should do it with all my intensity. Although it is sometimes hard to say “no” when situations arise, you need to consider between doing more or being more effective. You Choose!

Considering these three points, you will realize a proactive person is someone who has a choice, who also takes action on their aspirations. The only thing that holds a person back is themselves. Once the first step is taken, the rest fall into place. Remember, for things to change, I must first change.

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I had a short discussion with a client just a few days ago. She was describing that people like to upgrade many things in their lives, especially their mobile phones, houses, cars, computers and even their watches! Don’t forget ladies upgrading their diamond rings too (my wife wanted me to write this)!

However, how many of us actually spend enough time and resources to upgrade our mindset?

We tend to focus on things that will not last, shouldn’t we focus on things that will Add Value to the way we think? I mean, our mindset is the very thing that is constantly with us, right?

I previously shared with my clients that I used to start off as a small time trainer, working very hard for just $30/hr (way below market rate for trainers). This was pretty bad, knowing that there were many assignments that only engaged me for 2 hours only!

Things started to changed when I realised that my mindset was preventing me to earn more money. I started to work very hard on learning how to deliver well and even paid thousands of dollars to attend Seminars. I wanted to learn and was hungry to be among the best. After some time, I remembered earning $1250 dollars after a 4 hour training session! Wow, what a big change from the previous salary that I earned! This completely changed my mindset and expanded my belief systems. My boundaries started changing again when I made over $6500 after another 4 hour training session. This completely helped me realised that the only person who was giving me limiting belief systems was myself!

How we look at things really matter in life. Without a strong mindset and God’s guidance, I will not be where I was today. I encourage you to constantly invest in yourself to upgrade your mindset. It definitely pays dividends and will bring you to higher ground! Onwards and Upwards.

There is a very useful Personal Development Website that I found to be very useful in helping me grow. I hope it will add value to you as well.

If you like this article, please subscribe to our blog by getting the Free Report on “7 Transformational Secrets to creating a Dynamic and Cohesive Team”. If you have comments, I would love to hear them. Please post them below.

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Most people are good in what they do, but few seldom achieve greatness. Most are content with just being good, however, they feel that greatness is something that is achieved with a lot more hard work, time and energy. However, let me share with you something that might just shock you!

1. Greatness requires just a little more from you

In the Olympics, any 100 meter race is over by just a couple of seconds. The difference between the first and the second place is just a matter of split seconds! However, the prize money between the first and second (or even third) usually differs by a few times! Just a little bit more in the final push towards the end line, and the person is the first place. Since we are already putting in so much effort to be good, why not take a little more to make it great? It is no harder to build a good company than to be build something great and lasting.

An interesting note: No one remembers 2nd place in a race, but everyone remembers only the first!

2. Greatness sometimes requires less suffering and work

In the book Good to Great, Jim Collins comments that some of the great companies face less suffering and perhaps less work. This is because Great companies are able to realise that much of what they are doing is a waste of energy and have the ability to focus on objectives that will only drive the company towards a singular goal. Most other companies tend to focus on a lot of areas and diversifying their time and efforts, thus resulting in a lot of extra work with not much result.

Collins adds, “I am not saying that going from good to great is easy… but I am asserting that those who strive to turn good into great find the process no more painful or exhausting than those who settle for just letting things wallow along in mind-numbing mediocrity. Yes, turning good into great requires energy, but building the momentum adds more energy back in to the pool than it takes out.”

3. Greatness is about asking the right question

If we ever ask questions like “Why should I need to be great? Isn’t success enough?” My question to you would be whether you are in the right kind of work. If you are engaged in something that you really love and are passionate about, that question becomes irrelevant. This is because when we are in the flow of doing what we really enjoy and like, we will want to make it greater and better. We will be asking better questions like, “How can I add more value to my clients/organisation in what I am doing?”

Conclusion

Make a conscious decision to be Great in what we do. Since we are already striving to be good, let’s strive to be Great!

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This is an inspirational video on giving our very best in achieving what we have set to do. Everytime you made a decision to change something in your life, there are always obstacles, people or even your very self that will stop you in doing what you have committed to do.

The Question is “Do You Keep Going Forward?”

If you like this video, please subscribe to our blog by getting the Free Report on “7 Transformational Secrets to creating a Dynamic and Cohesive Team”. If you have comments, I would love to hear them. Please post them below.

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In most organisations, we usually catch people making mistakes and reprimanding them for it. However, my question is “Do you catch your staff doing good?”

I recall a conversation that I had with a primary school teacher three years ago that he lamented that most schools usually punish bad behaviour in front of the entire school. However, he has yet to see students being constantly commended for their excellent behaviour. This is very important because it sets the tone to the rest of the students (and teachers as well) that this is a good example of what good behaviour is, rather than constantly focusing on bad ones. It usually seems that bad behaviours always get attention while people doing good or right are not widely acknowledged.

In work itself, we should always highlight people’s good work ethics, performance and even kindness in front of the rest of the staff. This comes in the form of verbal encouragement that is immediately dished out when you see a good behaviour. By doing it immediately, you are giving a signal that you are waiting to catch them doing good and you are quick to praise.

How To Give An Effective 90 Seconds Praise:

• Immediately give praise when a work is done well, behaviour is right or even when effort is put in. Praise need not be reserved for the best performance, anything that is good will do.
• Put your hand on the person’s back or upper arm to help them feel emotionally connected with you. You can even shake their hands to get this effect.
• Be specific on what he/she has done well.
• Tell them how you feel about it or how it has helped people around them or the organisation.
• Pause for a short while to let the words sink into their hearts.
• Thank them for their efforts and encourage them to do more of the same.

All these should take 90 seconds and I believe it will definitely brighten up their day. I used this step by step process with a group of leaders that I was training and asked them to apply it on each other. The responses I got from them were astonishing. Everyone single leader felt encouraged and some of them even commented that they never knew that the other person was paying attention to some of their good works. This process is a form of team building; use praise and encouragement to build your team.

Give your 90 seconds of praise everyday and I will guarantee that you will see a change in the attitudes of your staff.

You can also engage me to speak on this topic for your staff.

If you like this article, please subscribe to our blog by getting the Free Report on “7 Transformational Secrets to creating a Dynamic and Cohesive Team”. If you have comments, I would love to hear them. Please post them below.

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People love to be validated by their friends. We find a sense of approval and up-lifting of our spirits when people speak words of encouragement into our lives. Below is an excellent video that shares about how words can go a long way in building each person’s life.

It is a very touching video and I hope it speaks love to you.

If you like this video, please subscribe to our blog by getting the Free Report on “7 Deadly Secrets to creating a Dynamic and Cohesive Team”. If you have comments, I would love to hear them. Please post them below.

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Let’s face it, people hate to fail. I don’t like failing, but if I ever need to fail, I have to fail forward. Failing forward means to learn something from my experience and still do something good out of the situation.

Donald Trump, America’s biggest real estate tycoon shares in his book: Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life:

Do not view any failure as the end. Learn from your lessons quickly, then move on. Do not dwell on the failure. Start thinking big again. Fill your mind with thoughts that make you feel good, plans for the future, past successes, good things your friends said about you, anything that puts a positive spin on your inner dialogue.

Learn the art of forgetting. Move on and do not give a thought to the bad things that have happened to you. Do not be an idealist, wishing things were different, wishing bad things had never happened, and wishing you lived in a fairy tale world where everything turns out right. Do not wait for everything to be perfect before you start taking action again. Be a realist. It will never be perfect. Just resolve to do better, then move on, forgetting the past. View every failure as a step on the way to ultimate success. Remember, persistence plus learning from mistakes equals success.

Failing is part of the feedback loop in life. If we dwell on it, it does not serve us at all. Great people became great because they learnt to overcome it and not commit the same mistake again. Always fail forward!

If you like this article, please subscribe to our blog by getting the Free Report on “7 Deadly Secrets to creating a Dynamic and Cohesive Team”. If you have comments, I would love to hear them. Please post them below.

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Here’s an important lesson that helped moved my business even in the dark times that we are experiencing. If you get this, it will totally change your perspective on things.

What do I mean by this?

In the current economic situation we are facing, listen to what people are saying. What are their minds thinking about most of the time? Is there brightness of the future or is it dominated by doom and gloom?

I recently had a tea session with a business friend of mine and he lamented that things were going to get worse from Oct 2008. He painted an extremely bleak picture and was rather despondent on what is to come, eg. further lay offs, his company diving into the red and looking at ways how to cut his business cost. His mind was the impending doom and he basically focused on how bad the situation was.

He asked me, “How about you? How are you doing now?”

I told him that I was fine; in a position that was much better than I was last year.

I totally agree with him that times are bad and some of my clients have already cut back their training budgets. This affected me. However, I told him that this economic crisis was interpreted differently from me.

I choose not to stumble to all the negativity and decided that I had personal responsibility in deciding how I should react to the bad news.

I chose to spend even more money in advertising this year and started to work with strategic partners in pushing out programs. We also started explaining to companies how we could help their employees be resourceful in their work. This lead to over 9 clients meeting up with me over a span of 1 month, indicating interest in spending on my programs.

I choose to focus on abundance even during this period, because companies need help in getting their employees to stay motivated and start generating profits, even if they are not sales people.

I choose to see the dark times as an opportunity to evaluate what are the inefficient things that have plagued my company that I want to eliminate them.

What we focus on in times like this is really important. This is not just positive thinking but actually focusing on what we have influence over and doing something about it. I cannot change the economy, but I can change the way I make my company grow. For employees, are you afraid of the lay-offs that are happening? Can I urge you to add more value to your organisation, till the extend that there is really no fear of being fired simply because you are too valuable.

So… what are you focusing on right now? Possibilities or Limitations?

Kenneth’s notes:  I actually hang the flipchart on my side of my office to remind myself to focus correctly. This keeps me focused in what I should be doing. Why don’t you try it?

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