A seven step process to develop a new habit. Remember "95% of everything you do is the result of habits, either helpful or hurtful." Why not give it a go, and let me know how you get on below? Source
There's always a lot of pressure on New Year's Eve. Some people like to say that the way you spend New Year's Eve is how you will spend the entire year. And, while it can be fun to dress up and go out with your friends to ring in the New Year, let's be honest — it can also be horrible. Your heels get caught in your skirt, you spend hours waiting to get into a bar, and, if you're single, you get flooded by pity kisses at the end of the night. Plus, transportation is a nightmare and it's freezing. (Can you tell I'm not a fan of the New Year's Eve hype?) That's why there's a better alternative to celebrating New Year's: staying in and watching a New Year's Eve-themed movie. This can be done alone or with friends, in actual clothing or in pajamas, and — this is the best part, my fellow anti-NYE peeps — before or after midnight. Yes, when you watch a movie on New Year's Eve, you don't actually have to stay up until Jan. 1. It's a beautiful thing. With that in mind, here are 13 New Year's movies you should watch this holiday season, whether you go out to celebrate New Year's or not.
1. New Year's Eve
Ever wondered what it would be like to have Ashton Kutcher, Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Alyssa Milano and Seth Meyers in one movie? Then New Year's Eve is perfect for you. It's also good for anyone who wants to have a little bit of unapologetic fluff.
2. When Harry Met Sally
A New Year's classic, this iconic romantic comedy features one of the best New Year's Eve scenes of all time. It's also hilarious.
3. Bridget Jones' Diary
Another romantic NYE movie, perfect for a night in with your girlfriends.
4. Poseidon
Romance not your thing? Then buckle up for this disaster/action movie about an enormous cruise ship that tries to go up against an even greater ocean wave. (Hint: the ocean wins.)
5. Sex and the City
Sex and the City: The Movie isn't really about New Year's, but the end of the year is as good an excuse as any to watch Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda look fabulous for two hours.
6. Ghostbusters II
Evil never sleeps, and ghosts don't take a break for New Year's.
7. Trading Places
A true New Year's comedy.
8. 200 Cigarettes
Because one time Paul Rudd made out with Courtney Love in a bathroom. And why is this not a classic?!
9. Ocean's 11 (1960)
The original Ocean's 11 heist took place on New Year's Eve instead of Fight Night. What better night to cause drama than the chaotic holiday?
10. Radio Days
Woody Allen's Radio Days isn't really a New Year's movie, but it does feature a great NYE scene. So, if you're into having some New Year's cheer without actually wanting to watch a movie about the stressful holiday, then Radio Days might be your best bet.
11. Boogie Nights
Need proof that crazy things happen on New Year's Eve? Boogie Nights will give it to you.
12. An Affair To Remember
One final classic romance to round out the list. An Affair To Remember shows how romantic, and tragic, a New Year's Eve kiss can be.
13. This Is The End
OK, so this one is absolutely not a New Year's movie, but it does have a certain NYE vibe to it. When you think about it, apocalypse movies aren't so different from New Year's Eve movies. They are both about a countdown to the end of an era, and both usually feature some kind of bonding between friends. This Is The End also happens to feature a massive, NYE-like party, and a superb end of days finale. It's pretty much an honorary NYE movie. Whether you want to watch these movies to psych yourself up for New Year's or instead of going to that New Year's party your friends are trying to drag you to, these 13 flicks will remind you that the night never turns out the way you'd hoped, even in the movies. Images: Warner Bros.; uhohohno/tumblr Have a wonderful New Year's Eve, whatever you decide to do! Source
Daily Habits of Successful People: It's All About Routine What is the one habit that you should start to develop right now that will help you more than any other habit to achieve your most important goals? Whatever it is, start it now! Let me know what you think below! Source
We all have two choices: We can make a living or we can design a life. Here’s how to do the latter. The most important benefit of setting goals isn’t achieving your goal; it’s what you do and the person you become in order to achieve your goal that’s the real benefit. Goal setting is powerful because it provides focus. It shapes our dreams. It gives us the ability to hone in on the exact actions we need to perform to achieve everything we desire in life. Goals are great because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. In order to reach our goals, we must become better. Life is designed in such a way that we look long-term and live short-term. We dream for the future and live in the present. Unfortunately, the present can produce many difficult obstacles. But setting goals provides long-term vision in our lives. We all need powerful, long-range goals to help us get past those short-term obstacles. Fortunately, the more powerful our goals are, the more we’ll be able to act on and guarantee that they will actually come to pass. What are the key aspects to learn and remember when studying and writing our goals? Here’s a closer look at goal setting and how you can make it forceful and practical:
1. Evaluate and reflect.
The only way we can reasonably decide what we want in the future and how we’ll get there is to know where we are right now and what our current level of satisfaction is. So first, take some time to think through and write down your current situation; then ask this question on each key point: Is that OK? The purpose of evaluation is twofold. First, it gives you an objective way to look at your accomplishments and your pursuit of the vision you have for life. Secondly, it shows you where you are so you can determine where you need to go. Evaluation gives you a baseline to work from. Take a couple of hours this week to evaluate and reflect. See where you are and write it down so that as the months progress and you continue a regular time of evaluation and reflection, you will see just how much ground you’re gaining—and that will be exciting!
2. Define your dreams and goals.
One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life and the ability to establish and set goals to live out those dreams. We can look deep within our hearts and dream of a better situation for ourselves and our families. We can dream of better financial, emotional, spiritual or physical lives. We have also been given the ability to not only dream, but pursue those dreams—and not just pursue them, but the cognitive ability to lay out a plan and strategies to achieve those dreams. Powerful! What are your dreams and goals? This isn’t what you already have or what you have done, but what you want. Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there. Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there. Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don’t do enough of in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we’re constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet—to peer deep within. It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams. Schedule some quiet “dream time” this week. No other people. No cellphone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen and your thoughts. Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving. What would you love to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed? What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy? When you answer these questions you will feel great and you will be in the “dream zone.” It is only when we get to this point that we experience what our dreams are. Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don’t think of any as too outlandish or foolish—remember—you’re dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record. Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most? Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action—not just dreaming.
3. Make your goals S.M.A.R.T.
The acronym S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-sensitive.
Specific:
Goals are no place to waffle. They are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.
Measurable:
Always set goals that are measurable. I would say “specifically measurable” to take into account our principle of being specific.
Attainable:
One of the detrimental things that many people do—with good intentions—is setting goals that are so high that they are unattainable.
Realistic:
The root word of realistic is “real.” A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make “real” or a “reality” in our lives. There are some goals that are simply not realistic. You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic—that you could make it. You may even have to say that it will take x, y and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done. This is in no way to say it shouldn’t be a big goal, but it must be realistic.
Time:
Every goal should have a timeframe attached to it. One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end—a time in which you are shooting to accomplish it. As time goes by, you work on it because you don’t want to get behind, and you work diligently because you want to meet the deadline. You may even have to break down a big goal into different parts of measurement and timeframes—that is OK. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time. A S.M.A.R.T. goal has a timeline.
4. Have accountability.
When someone knows what your goals are, they hold you accountable by asking you to “give an account” of where you are in the process of achieving that goal. Accountability puts some teeth into the process. If a goal is set and only one person knows it, does it really have any power? Many times, no. A goal isn’t as powerful if you don’t have one or more people who can hold you accountable to it. Source
This is a truly inspirational video of an ordinary man who achieved extraordinary results when he connected his long-lost goals to his love for his family. nuki255's comment when posted in 2010: This is a repost of a video that a friend of mine made. He posted it to a car website to inspire the members there. I wanted others to see the video so that they too could be inspired. For all those wondering, Julia is still alive and Roger continues to run for her sake. So this isnt a video about sadness, it one of the human spirit and what it can accomplish.* Source
We all want to stop the inner self from sabotaging our next steps in our career. Confidence is essential and the number one “make it” or “break it” ingredient. Without it, we stay stuck, miserable and feel worse, which keeps us stuck. Over and over, we feel bad, we get frustrated and we stay stuck. Where is the confidence?
From my years as an executive, I have seen four warning signs that it is time to get unstuck.
Warning signs that you have self-sabotaging or limited thinking
1. You are forever waiting for the perfect time to….ask for a raise, go on a job interview - since the perfect time is never, it never happens. 2. Persistently thinking that things will eventually change - waiting “until you turn blue!” or blow up! 3. Belief that you will never qualify for another job, raise or promotion - negotiating yourself out of the job before you even apply. 4. Convincing yourself in your mind that you do not deserve or will never receive what you want (even when all signs are pointing your way) If you are blocked, you will miss the signals.
The best way to STOP sabotaging yourself and build your confidence back up is to change what you think on a regular (habitual) basis. I know it sounds obvious, but your thoughts, your mindset and your thought habits are creating your reality and your ability to stand up for yourself.
When our confidence is drained, we begin to look outside ourselves to the external world for validation, recognition, rewards and to feel better inside. But, it is never enough.
Have you ever caught yourself saying or thinking the following?
“No one cares about my project as much as I do!” I steamed after a long, boring (my fault) meeting.
“Why am I working this much and trying so hard.” This is the classic statement of victimhood and it is the definitive “diagnosis” of confidence depletion.
As I fought harder to get my project advanced at the health system, I allowed the resistance and conflict over it to program my mind, heart and soul that it was NOT going to happen. So, even though I kept pushing, it wasn’t going to happen. I was literally fighting against my own plan. I was convinced I was defeated even while I worked so hard.
The harder I pushed for it to succeed, the more anxious I became. I became irritable, didn’t know who I could trust. I would ask people after meetings, “are you on my side?”
I became the problem. My eyes were red, my face on fire as my blood pressure shot through the roof.
Will the meditation tape in my car be able to calm me down?
Sometimes it did, but I returned the next day to FIGHT all over again! Even though I was depleted and had nothing left, I had to be a good soldier!
Nothing seemed to work, and I couldn’t figure out why.
I finally learned how to change my thinking to reroute the stuck-ness to success.
Finally, it dawned on me that my beliefs were causing the problems I was seeing. I was not feeling confident in my plan or actions-- and that was what was keeping me stuck!
Big time, stuck in mud, going under...
Ultimately, the frustration grew and grew, I saw no way out and soon everyone was an enemy in my eyes.
I needed to be more me from the inside, then I could shine on the outside.
The external world will never give you permission to stand up for yourself!
I needed to change before I self-destructed.
Here is the quick, three (3) step process I used to start rewiring me. Use it now to save your job, career, YOU.
Your 3 STEP Solution:
1. Imagine the outcome as already happening.
Most of my coaching process involves working on mindset, working on new mental programming. In order to DO something, you need to imagine that you CAN DO IT.
You must imagine a good outcome. Even if you don’t believe it at first. Imagining failure makes us so fearful that we project fear and failure! Our mindset determines what we think is possible. And it determines what does happen.
You will not succeed at asking for a promotion or going on an interview if you think you will fail before you even start.
Imagine the best outcome before you take action.
Take a few minutes to bring into your mind’s eye the best outcome.
Imagine this best outcome in the best light and in vivid colors and get happy internally!!
Get into the best outcome in your mind, heart and soul!
Then you can proceed! Next, take action only when you are feeling great.
2. Focus on your highest self.
How do you feel when you are unstoppable? What were you doing last time you felt awesome inside? Imagine you, in that situation and how you felt. Take a few minutes in your mind’s eye to get back in that feeling state. Be that highest, most awesome self.
3. Take action!
Once you have imagined the best outcome by conjuring up your highest self and emotional state TAKE ACTION! Do not take action from weak, depleted you. Practice this process and it will become natural for you.
Step into your full power as the person you want to show up as and ask her (or him)--
“What would I do if I wasn’t fearful of rejection?”
“What would I do if I knew I would succeed?”
DO that! Take action from a place of strength, from a place of knowing you are the highest self you can be.
You see, the illusion that you are not getting what you deserve is what keeps you stuck. So create a different illusion-- one that will propel you to achieve what you want.
Create the inner circumstances for things to go your way.
