In the last couple months, I have become addicted to SUCCESS Magazine. So much so, I started using a yellow highlighter for the main points that speak to me. This past month was full of resources and articles about Innovation.

Darren Hardy, SUCCESS Magazine Publisher and Editorial Director, wrote an article about his book “The Compound Effect”. Every step you take no matter how big or small leads to success with smart choices. Individuals limit themselves when they think that they are not smart enough to accomplish their goals. If you think creatively to overcome obstacles and work harder and smarter, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Every step you take has value, whether, it was a lesson or a challenge. The question is, “Are you willing to take the challenge?”

It made me realize that in this world where people are searching for instant gratification that they can also get instant “deflation”. Deflation of their spirit and motivation if they do not get immediate results. You have probably heard the phrase “Everyone needs to start somewhere.” Yes, they do. Success also depends on sustainability. Are we there for instant gratification or long lasting satisfaction?

Key Qualities of Success:

1. Perseverance – The drive to keep going when the going gets tough. The tough look for solutions.
2. Consistency – Do something everyday that gets you one step closer to your big dream.
3. Never Give Up Attitude – This is where innovation comes to play. You continuously look for new ways to succeed. You realize that more opportunities will come your way even if one door closed.
4. Disciplined – Sometimes there will be sacrifices to make in order to reach your dream or goal. You need to keep current, research, and practice your craft or talent.
5. Serve Others -When you help others on their journey to success, others will help you. Success is inevitable.

Get creative when looking at the obstacles that appear on your life’s journey. Refine your “qualities of success”. Plant seeds of ideas that will reap a great harvest, when your efforts compound and get interest of those around you.
What are your qualities of success?

Summer is just around the corner. We are halfway through the year and school is almost out. The kids activities are at an all time peak and work is piling things up. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you know how to say, “No thank you!”

Boundaries are invisible fences that you set up for yourself. Setting boundaries in our businesses and personal lives can often be difficult when you are use to giving so much of yourself. You are not obligated to set boundaries but you must for your own personal sanity and health. There is always something that needs to get done. You must look after yourself in order to look after others. Some people say that setting boundaries seems like you are closing yourself off from others but this is further from the truth.

1.  Share Your Feelings. Let the other person you are setting boundaries with know how you feel. Start with “I feel…”
2. Voice Your Boundaries. When you set boundaries, you let people know what your limits are and what you can handle. When others are aware of the limits, they do not get disappointed with unrealistic expectations.
3. Respect the Boundaries. Gain a better understanding and respect for the boundaries set by others and they will be better able to respect your boundaries.

The walls of judgment fall down when a person is fully aware of the boundaries that they must set for themselves and the respect for the boundaries of others. You learn to teach others how to treat you with dignity and respect. You must also believe you should be treated in the same way. Do not try to do everything by yourself. Ask for help when needed. Delegate. Take a break. You will be more energized and ready to take on anything that comes your way.

Let us know how you set boundaries with others; post your comment.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Wayne Dyer

At The Millionaire Woman Club tonight, I was introduced to a board game that I had not played before. I enjoy playing board games because there is always a lesson to be learned. The lessons can come in many forms:

1. Strategy
2. Planning
3. Anticipation
4. Innovation
5. Taking Risks

and many more. Tonight’s lesson was learned through the game of Abundance developed by Brandon Broadwater. Our guest speaker Carly Chan Nickel shared her story about perspective. Two stories – the same stories can be told in two different ways yet one made all the difference.  It really had me thinking about so many things.

Do you pay attention to what you say about others or how you describe them to others? What would happen if you viewed that person with a different set of glasses or viewpoint? How much better do you sound when you make people feel good about themselves and what they offer their family, friends, and community?

We have the capacity and power to change our perspective of situations. Remember the glass half empty and the glass half full analogy. What sounds better? Opportunity OR scarcity? Abundance OR Emptiness? You have the choice to choose the mindset that can create a world of abundance.

Share your views on abundant living.

I remember asking my Dad how things were going one day and he said, “No sense in complaining. No one is going to listen to those who complain when they have the power to change what is not right.”

How many of us like to listen to someone complaining? Do you find that they are taking responsibility for their own actions? Are they a solution to their issue or are they the ones causing their own grief?

One of my favorite reads is “The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work” by Jon Gordon. Great story about the power of positive thinking and action. Complaints can become opportunities to explore and improve. Customer service complaints, for example, often speak to the quality of service and experience of the customer. Situations and events cannot improve without feedback. When you eliminate excuses and complaining, your surroundings are more enjoyable and productivity increases.

Listen to the words you say about yourself and others. Avoid getting involved with the complainers; they can pull you into that negative downward spiral of energy. If you change your words to more affirming words, you will create a positive environment around you. Focus on the good things going on in your life. You are healthy and alive. Are the things you complain about in your control? If not, let them go. You sabotage yourself by dwelling on the things you cannot change. My Dad was right!

“Are You Living Your Dream? Or Just Living Your Life?”
These are the words found the back cover of “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson, a book I am in the midst of reading. The power behind those questions resonates in many of the people I encounter and work with everyday.

This inspirational story is about a boy named Ordinary who leaves the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. The message is powerful and compelling. A great read. We all have big dreams. What is yours? Are you living it right now? What has stopped you from pursuing your big dream?

You may have several reasons that you have not pursued your big dream. Take a moment to think about who you have in your life who would want you to have that dream? There are many people around you that want you to succeed and they will help support you in any way that they can. Let other people know what your big dream is. Remember your dream belongs to you and no one can take it away from you and only you were meant to fulfill it. Go after your BIG DREAM! It was made for you…because you were meant to do great things!

Share your dreams.