October 6, 2010
“Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves – to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterday by our today.” – Stewart B. Johnson
When I read this it seemed like an echo from the past – words appropriate to another time and place – weird. And sad. So many people have been beaten down by the length and depth of the recession that optimism has become increasingly difficult.
And therein lies our conundrum: the more we are beaten down, the more difficult it is to draw upon the very resources we need to bring us back up. Oh, we could wait for a serendipitous occurrence to turn life around – a big sale, a new relationship, a sudden, spontaneous improvement in the economy (right). But to do so puts our lives in the hands of chance. You certainly don’t want it in the hands of the government.
If you want your swagger back – NOW; if you want to feel good about life, optimistic, anxious for each day to begin, confident in your ability to achieve, it has to come from within. The question is: how do we reclaim our confidence when reality keeps slapping us in the face? I hate to quote Madison Avenue, but the short answer is: Just Do It!
Wayne Dyer uncovered a clever truth about the old saying “You’ll believe it when you see it.” Turns out that it is true in its original form and when you reverse the meaning, “You’ll see it when you believe it.” The difference is that the original version requires a serendipitous occurrence while the revised version requires only a change in beliefs.
Our power to choose and change our attitude comes from the simple truth taught by Emerson and many others, “You are what you think about all day long.” We don’t need to wait for life to turn around, we can take control, decide what we want and take the actions required to make it so. The key is in the simple quote above: what do you think about? If you focus on past failures, you pull them into your present and forward into the future. To break any destructive cycle, you must replace the old, destructive images with positive thoughts of achievement, prosperity, happiness, confidence, success. If you’re thinking that this is too difficult, stop thinking so much. Just do it, do it now. It might help to remember a time when you did feel powerful and confident. Focus on that time until you “get the feeling,” then hold on to it as much and as long as you can. Practice this every day and miraculous things will happen. Your external reality will evolve in the direction of your intentions, your belief in what you can accomplish, where you are going. Have a good trip.
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beliefs | Tagged: affirmations, Alain Pinel, attitude, beliefs, Caffeine for the Brain, Communication, focus, Happiness, Marin County, motivate, Motivation, personal growth, Real Estate, self-responsibility, Steve Dickason, stress, The Motivator, Vision, Winning | 
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Posted by Steve Dickason
September 9, 2010
“Every failure is really just an unanticipated Success.” SD
We begin with a vision of what we wish to accomplish. Then we visualize our desired result, plan, decide upon a course of action and execute our plan. So far: so good.
Then, after a while, we sit back and examine the results. If they match our initial vision, we label our efforts SUCCESS. If they fall short, we label them with the “F” word – FAILURE. Why do we do that to ourselves? Especially when we have seen over and over again that events we judge as failures almost always turn out to be valuable lessons or building blocks to a greater success.
So, I guess we can chalk it up to bad memory. Why should we care? What’s wrong with judging some of our results as failures and taking steps to rationalize our disappointment?
Well, a couple of things:
1. We don’t like to fail. So, the fear or expectation of failure can keep us from taking risks. And where there’s no risk, there’s no reward.
2. Judging our outcomes as failures tends to bum us out. And bummed out people rarely attract positive relations, new business, good juju into their lives.
Viewing outcomes as failures lowers self-esteem and who needs that? If you can’t feel good about yourself, who can?
In summary, be good to yourself. Love yourself. View all of your outcomes as building blocks, steps along the path you are walking and, therefore, successes.
Judge less
Be kind and compassionate – especially to yourself.
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Posted by Steve Dickason
August 29, 2010
“Wherever you see a successful business, someone
once made a courageous decision.”
-Peter Drucker
One potential negative consequence of a prolonged economic downturn is a shift toward conservative decision-making. Experiencing loss can make us tentative, less willing to take chances. We tend to avoid risks that may result in additional losses. The problem with this reaction can be found on the walls of just about any weight-lifting gym in America:
No Pain, No Gain.
More elegantly stated:
“We learn wisdom from failure much more than success. We often discover what we will do, by finding out what we will not do.”
Samuel Smiles
If we act only when success is assured, we lose one of our best sources of growth and knowledge – failure. As Henry Ford said:
“One who fears failure limits his activities.
Failure is only the opportunity to more
intelligently begin again.”
Those who turn adversity into success will be those who are willing to accept the possibility of failure and take those actions they believe will lead them to their chosen goals.
“Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.”
Washington Irving
Dare to be GREAT!!!!!!!!
Leave a Comment » | Adversity, Failing, Fear, Risk | Tagged: Alain Pinel, attitude, beliefs, Motivation, perception, personal growth, Real Estate, Risk, security, self-doubt, self-responsibility, Self-talk | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
August 24, 2010
Quote of the Week
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
–Helen Keller
So, here is the million dollar question: How can you feel optimistic when you just lost 2 escrows and the one remaining is a short sale you’ve been nursing for 8 months? How can you feel confident when nothing seems to be working for you? (I know that was two questions)
The answer is simple. Your level of optimism cannot be contingent upon how well “things are going.” Self-confidence cannot be contingent on whether you are currently successful. Huh? Yes, that is what I meant to say. Allowing your feelings to be contingent on past and present results is my definition of VICTIMHOOD.
You have no control over your feelings when you allow them to be shaped by past or current results. They become like corks bouncing on the waves, controlled by the winds and the currents. Is this how you want to live? Of course not.
So, how do you break the relationship between what you see and what you believe? The same way you master anything—the same way you get to Carnegie Hall—practice, practice, practice. Detach your feelings from current events. Focus on your vision of the future. Visualize yourself as a happy, healthy, successful person and allow that image to mold your feelings. Yes you will feel better, but more than that—your positive, optimistic attitude will attract people into your life who can help you to succeed.
When you radiate self-confidence, others feel confident in your abilities.
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Posted by Steve Dickason
June 16, 2010
“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.”
Doug Firebaugh
This is one that should be on everyone’s bathroom mirror – a reminder each morning to be true to who you are and who you are becoming. Why waste even one more day on the past. I mean, you were there, right? You did what you chose to do and life unfolded. Try as you might there is not a single thing you can do about it. (Well, unless you have a working time machine, in which case, call me.)
Think about it. A life focused on the present and future is a life free of guilt (because we haven’t done anything yet to feel guilty about) – it’s a life full of possibilities, an endless feast of fun, fulfillment and prosperity. So, what’s stopping you? Oh, yeah, you haven’t let go of the past yet have you? Or, maybe you have, but you haven’t formed a clear vision of the future? Well, gee, what are you doing this afternoon?
If you have a couple of hours, here’s what you can do (2 things guaranteed to transform your life.):
1. Decide to let go of the past. Make a covenant with yourself that every time your mind tries to relive and redo past “mistakes,” say CANCEL! Bring your mind back to the present and focus on what you can do NOW to live a better life and move closer to your goals.
2. Create a clear vision of the life you want. Take a pen and paper and write it down. Sound silly? Why? If you wanted to buy a new car, wouldn’t you think about it all the time, cut out pictures and tape them on your steering wheel, focus on it until you figure out a way to make the purchase. Well, good news, all life is just like that.
You get what you focus on.
Or, as Emerson said:
“You are what you think about all day long.”
If you get that, you get everything – and I mean everything.
Leave a Comment » | Imagery, Vision | Tagged: affirmations, Alain Pinel, attitude, beliefs, Caffeine for the Brain, Communication, focus, Happiness, Marin County, motivate, Motivation, perception, personal growth, Real Estate, Self-talk, The Motivator, Vision, Winning | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
May 30, 2010
Just a quick note to remind you to experience more and analyze less.
When you get to the final day of this journey on Earth are you going to look into the eyes of a loved-one and say “Gee, I wish I’d spent more time worrying about all those things that never happened.?” Yeah, I don’t think so.
Do you want your final epiphany to be regret over how much time you wasted bemoaning past “mistakes” and worrying about future outcomes? Wouldn’t that be tragically fitting. Your final precious moment spent in regret instead of soaking in the world one last time? I’m starting to sound like the Ghost of Christmas Past. So, let’s go with that. Like Scrooge, we all have the capacity to wake up and change our approach to life. Decide right now to spend more time observing and less time thinking. Be curious about the world. See life as it is and appreciate the perfection—even if it isn’t exactly the way your mind thinks it should be. Release the past and the future and enjoy the only time we ever truly have—NOW. So, as Tiny Tim would say…
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Posted by Steve Dickason
April 22, 2010
Time Traveler Alert
This is a message from the Emergency Success Network
Recently we’ve been experiencing a dangerous increase in the number of thought-forms in both the past and the future. These traveling units of consciousness have created a drop in the critical mass necessary to sustain a positive, successful environment in the Present. We are asking all citizens to please return to the Present as quickly as possible. And, for goodness sake, smile or something. Thank You.
Lack of Presence is a pandemic condition threatening the health of our planet. And, if we don’t turn the tide now, I’m afraid it could elevate to habit – and we all know how hard it can be to break habits. Due to the prolonged recession, fear of financial hardship has become the focus of news stations, the Ethernet, water cooler discussions and private moments of contemplation. The results of this phenomenon were easily predictable:
1. More time spent second-guessing the past and worrying about the future dramatically reduces the number of moments we spend in the only time-zone in which we can facilitate positive change – NOW!
2. Upon returning to the present from a worry session our self-esteem and general attitudes SUCK!
3. Emerson said, we “are what we think about all day long.” When we focus on past problems we bring them into our present and push them out into our future – perpetuating the negative experience.
The solution is simple: STOP DOING THAT!
1. Become aware of those moments when your consciousness slips from the present. When you notice yourself analyzing past “failures” or worrying about future outcomes, stop! Give yourself a signal like CANCEL THAT!
2. Take a quick moment to bring yourself into the present. Feel the chair against your body. Take a deep breath. Smell, see, taste – take in everything around you. Get out of your head and into the world.
Yesterday is as lost to us as the Peloponnesian War. Let it go or recreate it – our choice.
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Posted by Steve Dickason
April 2, 2010
“The road to success is simple
for those who have no rear-view mirrors.” SD
The problem
We tend to get trapped in a Catch 22: The more treacherous the road the more time we spend looking behind us, lamenting our misfortune and worrying that more of the same lies ahead. But, the more time we spend looking back, the more treacherous the road becomes. Imagine zooming down the highway at 70 MPH while staring into your rear-view mirror – a near certain recipe for disaster. And, of course, the more treacherous the road…
A solution
Many years ago on a sacred mountain top, in the ancient spiritual Mecca of Stockton, a 400 year old spiritual master lay dying in my arms. As I sensed his life energy about to transition I asked, “Master, before you cross into the Great Unknown will you share with me one Secret to Living a Successful Life? Tell me how to stop focusing on the misfortunes of my past, knowing that by doing so I project my problems into the future.”
As the life-force began to leave his body, he pulled my ear to his lips and yelled:
STOP DOING THAT!
“All right, All right,” I said, rubbing my ear. “Geez.”
I realize that the more challenging life becomes, the more difficulty you have focusing on the present (the Catch 22). Difficult: but well within your abilities. It is a matter of focus and will and eventually habit.
Approach today as a precious opportunity: a gift of life that will last but a few short hours. Consider the extraordinary treasure that lay before you. You are surrounded by an endless supply of beauty and prosperity. A happy, prosperous life is your right, and you were born with everything you need to claim your share.
What will you do today to draw prosperity into your life? What steps will you take to reach your goals?
If, today, you focus on this unique present, there will be no time to lament the past. Tomorrow? Do it again.
Leave a Comment » | success | Tagged: acceptance, Alain Pinel, attitude, Caffeine for the Brain, Communication, focus, Marin County, motivate, Motivation, personal growth, present, Real Estate, Winning | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
March 23, 2010
The Power of Winning
“Your talent determines what you can do.
Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do.
Your attitude determines how well you do it!”
–Lou Holtz
The exciting news: A lot is “happening”! The challenge: How do each of us participate in the activity?
There is an amazing video: Pearls Before Breakfast (from the Washington Post)…Watch It!!!
The story goes…
“A youngish, nondescript, white man in jeans positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket at a metro station (subway) in Washington D.C. and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning, several years ago. He played six classical pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
“In the 45 minutes the muscian played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for awhile. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.00. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
“The violinist was none other than Joshua Bell, currently one of the greatest muscians in the world (playing incognito). He played one of the most intricate musical pieces ever written on his Gibson Stradivarius (valued at approximately 3.6 million dollars). Two days before, he had played to a ‘sold out’ theater in Boston, with seats averaging $100.00 each.”
In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour:
Do we perceive beauty/Do we stop to appreciate it/Do we recognize opportunities that are right before our eyes?
This amazing musician went unrecognized…unnoticed because his appearance was not expected, not anticipated. So it is with success in today’s marketplace. Those people who are still bemoaning the “bad economy” will only perceive that which validates their expectations.
Those who expect success will see the opportunities everywhere.
So, the only question is: Are you prepared and looking for opportunities…and taking advantage of them? Do you wake up every morning filled with anticipation, prepared to take advantage of the unlimited possibilities?
Remember: Success doesn’t find You. You find Success.
As we move further into 2010, I can’t help but remind myself that we not only live in best place in the world, but also that our communities offer some of the best real estate opportunities in the world!
Take advantage…have a fantastic Week!
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Posted by Steve Dickason
March 21, 2010
“Comfort Zone” is a dreadfully inaccurate term, the product of a mind in denial.
“Fear Zone” is far more evocative of the self-imposed prisons in which most people choose to hide.
You tell me: is it comfortable to live within boundaries fashion by fear and self-doubt?
All but a small number of fully enlightened humans live without a fear zone. Within the zone are all of the experiences you are willing to incorporate into your life. Perhaps you are willing to swim in a fresh water pool but would never swim in the ocean (you know, sharks, jelly fish). You may be comfortable calling friends but become anxious and physically ill at the thought of calling strangers. Swimming in the ocean and calling strangers are activities that many people do in complete comfort but they are simply outside your fear zone.
Every fear zone is different, molded by complex combinations of beliefs we’ve accumulated since birth. These beliefs are neither right nor wrong. They are simply decisions we have made about what we can and cannot do.
There is good news: Once we understand how we constructed our fear zones, we have the power to adjust them, to 
expand our boundaries to incorporate activities, relationships, experiences that we previously considered unimaginable.
Transformation of what is possible begins by knowing that you can change. Once you have that down, create a blueprint of what you want your life to become—set goals. Then, using tools such as affirmations, visualization, meditation, whatever works for you, convince yourself that you are transforming into the new you. When you reach the point of knowing that the process is irrevocable, it will happen. Your new, expanded beliefs will allow you to participate more fully in the world. As a consequence of completing this process, you will notice a dramatic improvement in your self-esteem. Recognizing and moving beyond fear is one definition of bravery. And, man, does it feel good.
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Posted by Steve Dickason
Caffeine for the Brain 