Who Controls Your Success?  Your Mind Does.  The vast majority of people don’t have control over their mind ask themselves poor questions, consequently never achieve the heights of success they desire.  Use these tips to take Control and Attract Even More Success into Your Life

Your success is controlled by your thoughts.

Do you have control over your thoughts? Sadly, the vast majority of people don’t.

The quality of the questions you ask yourself and the quality of your answers will dictate the degree of success and fulfillment in your life.

When something goes wrong or you are met with a challenge what thoughts immediately enter your mind? For many, many people they are de-energizing thoughts and questions that sound something like this:

• What’s wrong with me?


• How come this always happens to me?


• Can I avoid being blamed for this?


• Why me?


• Why do I always/never …?


• Am I good enough?”


• What if I’m not good enough?

De-energizing questions trap you where you are (or in your history), they  tend to be backward focused, defensive, dis-empowering.

If you find yourself guilty of regularly using a repertoire of questions similar to those above, then …

Do this exercise

1. Grab a piece of paper right now!


2. Draw a line down the middle of the page and on the left-hand side write down all the benefits you get from this type of thinking.


3. Now on the right-hand side, write down all the damage that this type of thinking causes you.

So how are these questions serving you? Are these de-energizing questions helping you to move forward in life, toward achieving what you want?

To power-fill your life you need to focus on asking energizing questions. Energizing Questions sound like:

• What can I learn from this situation?


• What is the opportunity here for me?


• How can we all win from this?


• How can I get around this problem?


• What is the end-result I want?


• What will be the benefits if I …?


• How can we best support each other to …?

Energizing Questions are forward moving, forward focused … they send you down a path of looking for solutions that are energizing and empowering.

They have a positive impact on your attitude, energy, feelings and performance.

If you are responsible for leading and/or influencing others then Energizing Questions are a very useful tool to add to your toolkit. They enable you to inspire people to focus on possibilities rather negativities.

Here are the principles in asking/developing great energizing questions (whether you are using them on yourself or on others):

• They are open-ended. Yes/No answers discourage thinking.


• They focus on where you are heading, not what went wrong. Yes, you can learn, indeed must learn, from your mistakes and errors, however give your primary focus to where you want to go


• They focus on the ‘what’ or the ‘how’ and not ‘why’. Think back to the last time you were asked a ‘why’ question - “Why did you do that?” - did you get defensive, start to back-pedal? As soon as you are asked ‘why’ you tend to feel judged. Instead, ask questions like “Help to understand what lead up to you doing …?”, “How are you planning to …?”; “What is the next step in …?” “What do you want to …?”

If you, or the people around you are, are not being as successful as you want, then Energizing Questions can be a great place for you to start to turn things around.

What you focus on is what you will receive, I promise!

Growth Opportunity

1. Identify the primary questions you ask of yourself and others - are they Energizing or De-Energizing Questions? 

2. Listen to the questions you hear others around you asking - are they Energizing or De-Energizing Questions? 

3. If they are focused on de-energizing what can you do to help yourself and others to shift your thinking toward more of what you do want, rather than what you don’t want?

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9 keys for how to get motivated and stay motivated! Learn easy ways to motivate yourself to overcome procrastination, practice patience and perseverance. Eat better, exercise, and make a decision to choose to be happy in spite of your circumstances. Here’s how…

“Most people ask for happiness on condition. Happiness can only be felt if you don’t set any condition.” Artur Rubenstein

1) Practice patience, perseverance, and prayer. There’s a story of the person who prayed, “God, please give me patience, and hurry!” In this day and age of cell phones, fax machines and instant gratification, it’s easy to want what we want NOW. No one is willing to wait anymore. However, as we mature, we discover that it often takes patience, perseverance, and a lot of hard work to get the things we really want. Whether it’s a promotion at work, losing weight, or having a great relationship.

If you believe in God, pray for patience, persistence and guidance. God sees the big picture. We don’t. Often, looking back, we see that many of the things we just “had to have” weren’t really right for us anyway.

2) Learning how to overcome procrastination helps you get motivated and stay motivated. I believe deep down most people know what they’re supposed to do to improve their lives. But we procrastinate doing that activity. We just don’t want to do it. Whether it’s getting rid of the clutter in our home or office, cleaning up our eating habits or cleaning out the garage. Most of us know there’s something we need to do that we’ve been procrastinating. Yet, by procrastinating a task, we end up cluttering our minds further by thinking about what we should be doing.

Again, if you have certain spiritual beliefs, just ask for the courage to do it. Turn to God. This is not something I discuss in my speaking engagements as my audiences are diverse businesspeople from different backgrounds. But asking for strength works. By admitting your weakness you will often gain strength in overcoming procrastination. And getting help in many other areas of your life as well.

Stop trying to do it all yourself. Give yourself a break. Give up some of the control. Take it in baby steps. For example, clean up just half of the garage. Or, begin that exercise program just three days a week for 30 minutes a day. Too often we fall into the “all or nothing” mentality. If we can’t do it all at once, well, we simply don’t do it at all!

3) Practice positive thinking.

Think about what you’re thinking about! I read on the internet that the number one thing people would like to change for the new year is to have a more positive attitude. Thoughts lead to words. Words lead to actions, and your actions determine your approach to your career, relationships, health and just about everything else. Positive thinking is something you often have to practice.

I am a worrier. And of all things, a motivational speaker! It’s my job to help people become more productive, improve morale and stay motivated. In many cases, it’s also my job to help them increase profitability. Worrying is a habit I’ve tried to consistently break. After all, worrying is negative thinking. Worry doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t add a single day to your life. I make a conscious effort to think about what I’m thinking about. I shift my thinking to the positve whenever possible and it’s becoming more of a habit. Becoming more aware of your thoughts is half the battle.

4) Eat right in order to feel happier, healthier, and stay motivated. We all know what to eat but often need to be reminded. Too many junky foods produce junky negative thoughts. Start your morning with protein to stabilize your blood sugar. Increase your daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Switch to organics whenever possible toavoid exposure to harmful pesticides. If you travel a lot this isn’t always easy. Do the best you can. Remember, moderation is the key. The minute you have that all or nothing approach, you set yourself up for disaster by beating yourself up for not being perfect.

See your doctor to find out what types of vitamins and minerals you should be taking. Studies show that even when we’re eating at our healthiest many of us are still missing vital nutrients. Drink more water. If you’re under a time crunch, and who isn’t these days, try eating raw nuts such as almonds or pumpkin seeds for protein and iron. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and cranberries contain vital nutrients and add lots of flavor. I do this all the time when I’m conducting day-long speaking engagements. It’s vital for me in keeping up my energy and blood sugar levels not to mention improved mental acuity. Find out what works for you because everyone is different.

How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated…

Choose To Be Happy In Spite of Your Circumstances

5) Make a decision that you will be happy in spite of your circumstances. Don’t wait until everything is going your way in order to be content. Otherwise you will spend much of your life discontented. Avoid the “when script.” For example, “When I get that promotion then I’ll be happy.” Or, “When I get pregnant and have children then I’ll be happy.” How many times have you heard people say, “Once the kids are grown and out of the house THEN I’ll be happy!”There’s always that illusive “when script” projecting into the future. And just because you count on something positive to happen, doesn’t mean it always does. People aren’t perfect and can disappoint you. You can lose your job. Your money can disappear. Things won’t always go your way. It’s okay to plan ahead and set goals for where you want to be. Just make certain you’re also happy where you are now.

6) Don’t compare yourself to others. We tend to compare the worst in ourselves with the best in others. Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. This is especially true for women. In our society, we’re bombarded with magazines and media projecting an unrealistic standard of what we are supposed to look like. Many magazines feature ads with supermodels who are six feet tall. Even worse, the photos have been airbrushed and retouched dozens of times. Focus on developing your own unique gifts and talents. If you’re too focused on trying to be like other people, you will become discouraged, give up, and lose sight of your dream.

7) Rest, relax, and recharge completely. It’s one thing to get motivated, but to stay motivated you need downtime. If you’re sleepy on a weekend afternoon, take a nap. In our fast-paced American society, this is virtually impossible during the work week. America is one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t take an afternoon break. Lots of scientific research has shown that lack of sleep negatively affects mood, stress levels, mental acuity, weight, and overall performance. If you’re tired, you’re more likely to snap. You won’t be a pleasant person to be around.

Exercise plays an important role in getting and staying motivated. For example, many participants in my speaking engagements tell me that walking outdoors during a short lunch break is enough to reenergize them. Exercising outdoors is especially beneficial in helping reduce depression during the winter months.

While you’re exercising, and driving to and from work, listen to your favorite music. One of my favorite songs is “It’s On,” from Boney James “Pure” CD. Very upbeat music with lots of saxophone, and serves as a huge energy booster and mood lifter for me! I’ll often play it after finishing a project. It’s a small but very positive reward.

9) Get out of yourself. Be grateful for what you have. Do you have enough clothing, food, and a roof over your head? Probably so. Do volunteer work, or spend time listening to a friend or family member in need. By helping others you realize that whatever your “trauma of the day” happens to be, really isn’t so important after all.

Focus more on what you have, not on what you don’t have. Today, make a conscious decision to be happy in spite of your circumstances.

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Animals are Life Lines To The Divine

My dog, Mukunda, is my greatest therapist. He teaches me how to love every waking moment. When I sleep, I dream about him, and he imparts his nonverbal messages of wisdom to me telepathically.

My life with Mukunda has become the central, most pivotal and joyous part of my life. I’ve decided he loves me more deeply than I’ve ever been loved before. This is no small realization. This love grows more profound every day.

My moment to moment perception of Mukunda has become more lucid and alive. As he romps and chases the ball in the pasture, I sometimes look at him and close my eyes, so as to capture him in a moment of beauty and magnificence.

It never fails– that microsecond glimpse of the most handsome face I’ve ever seen does not cease to enrich my feelings of hope and happiness. Mukunda is the happiest soul I have ever met. And he, in turn, teaches others the lesson of what it means to be happy.

His antics are hilarious! and never to be forgotten, revered memories, making laughter an easy act of expression.

One day, he went to visit his dog/God-mother, who has a life sized monkey doll perched in the corner of one of the chairs in her living space. She had given Mukunda a tasmanian devil toy as a gift. We took turns throwing it for him. He sensed an end to the game after an hour of toss and retrieve, and he took the devil and placed it at the monkey’s feet looking back at us with a laugh.

He got the reaction he was looking for! It would have been great on camera.

Most recently, Tom was mowing the pasture by the meandering Conestoga. He moved Mukunda’s toys to an already mowed area so he could mow the tall grasses without obstacle. When he came around full circle, Mukunda had moved all of the toys back to the direct path of the tractor. He stood in front of the tractor coming towards him, pant/laughing, obstructing the flow, earning an award for perseverance!!Three balls soared into the river in one week, recently, when the waters were still cold from the winter. Mukunda ran along the river bank, watching the current take them downstream, perhaps to be found again on our first canoe trip of the season.

Since that time, balls mysteriously materialize on our walks. Recently, we were walking through a development behind the hospital where I work and Mukunda hopped into a wooden area and emerged with a medium sized yellow ball, like a magician who materializes and manifests his/her desires effortlessly. There was a great ball throwing marathon for the rest of that day.

And he stares at me and has developed the ability to make eye contact at frequent intervals, often sidelong glances of devotion.

I love those moments of recognition.

I often think of people’s attitudes, in general about their dogs. There are two women at work with whom I congregate and we rave and swoon over our dogs. My one friend instructed me on how to lightly nibble on Mukunda’s ear. I have been doing it ever since.

I explained to one of our secretaries my dog theory– in brief– that dogs are enlightened beings. She stepped back and said something I will never forget: “You look like a worshiper of Dog.

“We saw the play, Sylvia, written by A. R. Gurney last Saturday. It was about a man named Greg, who found a dog called Sylvia in Central Park. He brought the dog home to live with he and his wife.

His wife hated the dog. Greg, meanwhile, experienced a renaissance. He walked the dog at all hours, watched the moon travel across the sky, saw maple tree leaves silhouetted against the Manhattan skies. He stopped going to work to be with the dog.

The audience loved the play. The theater was packed. At intermission, the man sitting next to me announced he was like Greg’s wife, and did not like his partner’s dog. He said: “Every night I put her in a crate. I would never allow her to sleep with us, that’s for sure.”

His wife sat quietly.

I thought, yes, this is how people think not only of dogs, but of the entire animal realm and also mother nature, which notoriously is out of human control.

Dogs– are here to obey people.

Is the dog a good dog? Does the dog do tricks, fetch the newspaper to bring the bad news of the day to an already burned out master or mistress?Do they return devotion to the magnificent beast, return the unconditionality of love the dog has for them?Humans believe they are superior to animals. This is ingrained in spiritual and religious philosophies of our culture.

This is how dogs are viewed: as dumb animals. If a dog proves his/her brilliance, people laugh at themselves for even one moment seeing the greatness, the awesome power of the creature whom in reality, is superior to humans.

I am the only person in Mukunda’s life whom he considers to be a dog. He does not feel hurt if I scold him or mind if I get irritated when he nudges my writing arm, as I write these words. He thinks everything I do– is funny.

Last night, while watching a home video, he sprawled himself across my chest and stared at me. Occasionally, he leaned over to lick my eye, or bite my nose. If I said words to him, he cocked his head.

Naturally, he was nagging me to go out, but in a charming way.

Being seen as a dog is the greatest compliment of my life, given me by Saint Mukunda, no less. All the compliments of the world are shallow, by comparison.

Mukunda sees me as being one with him. He moves where I move, I move where he moves. He lies on my feet with sun shining and illuminating this writer’s page.

I am like Greg in the play, Sylvia. I was not awake before Mukunda showed up. Now everyday thereafter is new and bright and simple.

The world continues to encroach with diversion and complexity, yet Mukunda stands as the guiding beacon getting back to balance, to writing on these pages, feeling the great creative life seethe inwardly and outwardly to be realized any moment I wish to remember the Free Zone.

That is where all the dogs I have ever known and all the others are now: in the Free Zone.

The Free Zone exists inwardly, as we meditate, and in the hazy afternoons doing creative projects away from clock time and deadlines.

We will bring the Free Zone more and more into our experience and reality and move about with the knowledge of this inspiring place in our cells and every day memory. The dogs are there and they know we are there, as well. We just do not know it, yet.

Mukunda knows The Free Zone.

We have to be electrocuted in the third eye before we come even close to knowing true freedom.

Yet it’s there and your dog will show it to you.

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