Daily Disciplines for Effortless Success
by Jack Canfield

Hand’s down, one of the most popular questions I’m asked by students is this… “Jack, what are your most important daily actions that you correlate with your success.”

In fact, Oprah Winfrey asked me a similar question just days before appearing on her show. She asked me to come up with some easy-to-apply steps for her viewers to start applying The Law of Attraction in their lives.

One of the basic first steps is to determine, write down and talk about what you do want, not what you don’t want. Be as specific as possible. Once you have clarified what you want, do the following each and every day.

1. Morning Intention, Visualization and Releasing

As soon as you wake up in the morning, take about 5 minutes to focus your mind on your desires, goals and intentions. Start by sitting in a comfortable position, closing your eyes and visualizing your desires and goals as already being fulfilled. Spend 30 seconds to a minute on each of your core desires and goals. You can also take a few moments to visualize your day going exactly as you would like it to.

When you do this, you will often find negative limiting beliefs that are the result of negative programming from your childhood will come up. You may hear thoughts like “I could never afford that,”“there’s no way I’ll ever get that,” or “who am I kidding?” coming up. If you do, use one of the many releasing techniques that are available (see the list below) to release the negative thought. Don’t fight or argue with the thought; just release it.

Remember to also spend several moments feeling the feelings you would feel if you had already manifested your desire in your life. The intensity of the feeling is what fuels the intensity of the attraction.

If you're interested in learning a powerful releasing technique, check out the new documentary movie about the emotional freedom technique (EFT) I use, Try it On Everything; I highly recommend it.

2. Use External Images to Keep you Focused on Your Desires and Goals

Keep yourself focused on what you want to manifest by surrounding yourself with visual images of the things and experiences you want to create in your life. There are many tools you can use for this, including creating a Vision Bookfrom our Dream Big Collection

Cut out pictures of the things you wish to own (like your ideal car or home) and pictures that represent the experiences you want to have (like the perfect relationship, your ideal job, perfect health, being at your ideal weight, more joy,inner peace or balance in your life) to remind yourself of how you want it to be. Put them somewhere where you will see them every day—on the mirror, the refrigerator, or in your Vision Book.

For even greater impact, combine your pictures with words that reflect your desired outcome, such as abundance, romance, fun, vitality, etc. I think you get the picture.
When you look at any of these pictures, do what Bob Doyle, who is featured in The Secret teaches— think the thought, “THIS IS MINE NOW! THIS IS WHO I AM!”

3. Think a Better Feeling Thought

Start paying attention to the many times during the day that you have emotional responses (to other people, experiences, or your own thoughts) that are not in alignment with having or producing your desires. Pay special attention to when you feel disappointment, resentment, frustration or anger about your experiences and circumstances.

Remember, it’s your feelings (which are created by your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs) that are creating your current circumstances. You must make a shift by changing your thoughts to ones that make you feel better (i.e., raise your vibration). Remember that you must become a vibrational match for the things and experiences that you want to attract into your life.

It is especially important to focus your thoughts and behaviors on things that cause you to feel joy. Focus your thoughts on thoughts that bring you joy (your lover, your best friend, your grandchildren, your favorite vacation spot) and your actions on doing the things you love to do (pet your cat, work in your garden, listen to your favorite music).

4. Have an Attitude of Gratitude

It is critical to take time each and every day to focus on what you are grateful for! Some people do this in the morning before or after they visualize their desires; others prefer to do it in the evening. Focus on all of the things in your life (most of which you take for granted) that you are grateful for—your health, your children, your job, the nice weather, electricity, running water, a nice stereo system, your flower garden, your pets, your friends).

No matter what your situation, there are always things to be grateful for. The more you focus on what you are grateful for, the more things and experiences you will attract to be grateful for. You may wish to carry a “gratitude rock” like the one Lee Brower talks about in “The Secret”, or log your findings in a Gratitude Journal.

5. Take Action

There are two kinds of actions you can take. Obvious actions are things like, if you want a better car, going to test drive all of the models you are interested in and choosing the exact car you want to have, and saving 10% of your income in a “car account.” If you want to be a doctor, apply to medical school.

There is also what I call “inspired actions.” Once you begin to do the things described above, the universe will start responding by sending people, resources and opportunities you need to manifest your desired result. You are going to find that you have inspired ideas; you must act on them. You must follow those gentle proddings from the universe. Often these intuitive impulses will have no seeming connection to achieving your goal, but if you follow them, they will lead you down a path of wonderful fulfillment.

Here’s a quick way to know if the actions you’re taking are taking you closer to the fulfillment of your dreams and desires.

If you are feeling joy while you are doing them, then you are on the right path. Remember, joy is your internal guidance system, just like the GPS system in a car, telling you are taking the right actions. Follow your joy.

6. Acknowledge That it's Working

If you start to see something change for the better, acknowledge that it is happening. Appreciate it. When you find the perfect parking space, acknowledge it. When you get the table you want in the restaurant, acknowledge it. When you receive unexpected income, acknowledge it. When you meet someone who can help you achieve your goal, acknowledge that Law of Attraction is working. The more you acknowledge that it’s working, the more it will work. It’s that simple.

If you are attracting things into your life that you don’t want, remember that the Law of Attraction is still working. Instead of thinking or saying, “It’s not working,” ask your self, “What am I focusing on, thinking about, talking about, feeling or doing that is bringing this into my life?”

If you want to know what you are thinking about, notice the results you are producing in your life. To change those results, you will first have to change your vibration by changing your thoughts and feelings.

When you make a commitment to take these actions each day, you’ll start to move forward, with confidence, in the direction of your dreams. Believe that they are not only possible, but that they are already in progress.

I'll be back in two weeks with another edition of Success Strategies. Until then, see if you can discover ways to immediately implement what you discovered from today's message into your life.

© 2009 Jack Canfield

Are you "stuck" in this area?
Send me your most pressing question about this topic,
then join me for our monthly "Ask Jack Canfield" Tele-Clinic on April 1st!
www.AskJackCanfield.com

* * *

If you missed previous issues of Success Strategies,
I keep an archive of past issues you can always refer to.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

How to Create an Empowering Vision Book You are the author... just add dreams! In the last edition of Success Strategies we discussed how tapping into the powers of the brain with visualization so it will begin to function as if your goals are already attained. Your brain will work tirelessly to achieve the statements you give your subconscious mind. And when those statements are the affirmation of your goals, you are certain to achieve them! Creating a vision book is probably your most valuable visualization tool! This powerful visualization tool serves as your image of the future - a tangible representation of where you are going. It represents your dreams, your goals, and your ideal life. Because your mind responds strongly to visual stimulation--by representing your goals with pictures and images you will stimulate your emotions... and your emotions are the vibrational energy that activates the Law of Attraction. Create a personal vision book that clearly depicts the future you wish to create. Find pictures that represent or symbolize the experiences, feelings, and possessions you want to attract into your life, and place them in your book. Have fun with the process! Use photographs, magazine cutouts, pictures from the Internet--whatever inspires you. Be creative. Include not only pictures, but anything that speaks to you. Consider including a picture of yourself in your book. If you do, choose one that was taken in a happy moment. You will also want to post your affirmations, inspirational words, quotations, and thoughts here. Choose words and images that inspire you and make you feel good. You can use your vision book to depict goals and dreams in all areas of your life, or in just one specific area that you are focusing on. Keep it neat, and be selective about what you place in your vision book. It's a good idea to avoid creating a cluttered or chaotic book--you don't want to attract chaos into your life. Use only the words and images that best represent your purpose, your ideal future, and words that inspire positive emotions in you. There is beauty in simplicity and clarity. If you are working on visualizing and creating changes in many areas of your life, then you may want to use more than one vision book. You might use one vision book for your personal goals and another for career and financial goals. You might even want to keep your career vision book at the office or on your desk as a means of inspiration and affirmation. How to use your vision book. Try keeping your vision book on the nightstand next to your bed. Leave it standing in an open position as often as you are comfortable with, and spend time each morning and evening visualizing, affirming, believing, and internalizing your goals. The time you spend visualizing in the evening just before bed is especially powerful. The thoughts and images that are present in your mind during the last forty-five minutes before going to sleep are the ones that will replay themselves repeatedly in your subconscious mind through out the night, and the thoughts and images that you begin each day with will help you to create a vibrational match for the future you desire. As some time goes by, and your dreams begin to manifest, look at those images that represent your achievements, and feel gratitude for how well the Law of Attraction is working in your life. Acknowledge that it is working. Don't remove the pictures or images that represent the goals you've already achieved. Achievement of the goals in your vision book are powerful visual reminders of what you have already consciously and deliberately attracted into your life. I recommend you write down the date you created your vision book. The universe loves speed, and you will be amazed at just how quickly the Law of Attraction responds to your energy, commitment, and desires. Much like a time capsule, this book will document your personal journey, your dreams, and your achievements for that particular year. It will become a record of your growth, awareness, and expansion that you will want to keep and reflect back upon in years to come. Final thoughts on using your completed vision book: Look at your vision book often and feel the inspiration it provides. Hold it in your hands and really internalize the future it represents. Read your affirmations and inspirational words aloud. See yourself living in that manner. Feel yourself in the future you have designed. Believe it is already yours. Be grateful for the good that is already present in your life. Acknowledge any goals you have already achieved. Acknowledge the changes you have seen and felt. Acknowledge the presence of God in your life. Acknowledge the Law of Attraction at work in your life. Look at it just before going to bed and first thing upon rising. I hope I've inspired you to create your own vision book and start implementing what you learned from today's message. See it. Feel it. Believe it! © 2009 Jack Canfield Are you "stuck" in this area? Send me your most pressing question about this topic, then join me for our monthly "Ask Jack Canfield" Tele-Clinic on April 1st! www.AskJackCanfield.com * * * If you missed previous issues of Success Strategies, I keep an archive of past issues you can always refer to. WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Sou© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

How to Ask to Get Ahead

7 Ways to Boost Your Business, or How to Ask to Get Ahead
By Jack Canfield

Ask and you shall receive.

How many times have you heard that? But how many times have you used this fundamental truth in your daily life recently?

Let me put it this way: when was the last time you asked for a written endorsement from a client or colleague?

How about feedback from your customers? Or the opportunity to renegotiate something that just doesn't work for you?

I can't tell you how often I watch business professionals--especially those in sales and marketing positions--falter because they simply stop practicing the art of asking.

If you were to ask successful top executives how they got to where they are, I bet most would admit they "asked to get to the top." In other words, they knew when and how to ask the right questions so they could gather the right information, build their reputation, seek useful referrals, generate new business, and expand their audience or customer base.

If the simple act of asking is so critical, then why don't more people do it?

Because for some reason, people falsely think asking implies weakness and sets one up for potential rejection. It's easy to come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid asking questions that can return unexpected or critical answers. Yet the world responds to those who ask.

If you are not moving closer to what you want, you probably aren't doing enough asking.

Here are seven asking strategies you can implement in your business (and in life) to boost your results:

1.) Ask for Information
You can never have too much information; in fact, the higher up you go, the more you need to know. To win potential new clients, you first need to have an understanding about their current challenges, what they want to accomplish and how they plan to do it. Only then can you proceed to demonstrate the advantages of your unique product or service.

Ask questions starting with the words who, why, what, where, when and how to obtain the information you need. Only when you truly understand and appreciate a prospect's needs can you offer a solution.  

2.) Ask for Business
Would you believe that more than 60 percent of the time salespeople never ask for the order after giving a complete presentation about the benefits of their product or service?!

It's true, and a painful statistic that could put anyone out of business quickly if it's not changed. Always ask a closing question to secure the business. Don't waffle or talk around it--or worse, wait for your prospect to ask you. No doubt you have heard of many good ways to ask the question, "Would you like to give it a try?" The point is, ask.

3.) Ask for Written Endorsements
These can be difficult to ask for if you don't like tooting your own horn, but well-written, results-oriented testimonials from highly respected people are powerful for future sales. They solidify the quality of your product or service and leverage you as a person who has integrity, is trustworthy and gets the job done on time.

When is the best time to ask? Right after you have provided excellent service, gone the extra mile, or made your customer really happy. Simply ask if your customer would be willing to give you a testimonial about the value of your product or service, plus any other helpful comments.

4.) Ask for Top-Quality Referrals
Just about everyone in business knows the importance of referrals. It's the easiest, least expensive way of ensuring your growth and success in the marketplace. Your core clients will gladly give you referrals because you treat them so well. So why not ask all of them for referrals? It's a habit that will dramatically increase your income. Like any other habit, the more you ask the easier it becomes.

5.) Ask for More Business
Look for other products or services you can provide your customers. Devise a system that tells you when your clients will require more of your products. The simplest way is to ask your customers when you should contact them to reorder. It's easier to sell your existing clients more than to go looking for new ones.

6.) Ask for Feedback
This is an important component of asking that is often overlooked. How do you really know if your product or service is meeting your customers' needs? Ask them, "How are we doing? What can we do to improve our service to you? Please share what you like or don't like about our products." Set up regular customer surveys that ask good questions and tough questions. It's a powerful way to fine-tune your business.
7.) Ask to Renegotiate
The negotiating room should never be locked up for good. Regular business activities include negotiation and often re-negotiation. Many networkers get stuck because they lack skills in negotiation, yet this is simply another form of asking that can save a lot of time and money. All sorts of contracts can be renegotiated in your personal life, too, such as changing your credit card terms and rates. As long as you negotiate ethically and in the spirit of a win-win, you can enjoy a lot of flexibility. Nothing is ever cast in stone. It's only in stone if you don't speak up!

The 5 Secrets to Successful Asking

The first stumbling block for most is knowing how to ask.

There are five secrets to great asking that can guarantee you results, however big or small. If you ever find yourself hitting brick walls and coming up short in responses, come back to these five tips:

> Ask Clearly: No one likes getting a vague or fuzzy question. Be precise. Think clearly about your request. Take time to prepare. Use a note pad to pick words that have the greatest impact. Words are powerful, so choose them carefully.

For example, if you throw out the "How am I doing?" question without specifics, it may take time for the other person to understand what you're talking about. Instead, try, "How is my attitude with customers? Do you see room for improvement? Where?"

> Ask with Confidence: People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you've figured out what you want to ask for, do it with certainty, boldness and confidence. Practice in the mirror if you have to, or write out your question in advance.

Be prepared to hear the unexpected or the unwanted. Try to have an open mind and heart (it's okay to feel intimidated by the experience, but don't show it). Don't get defensive if you hear something you don't like or that makes you uncomfortable. It's good to get a little uneasy once in a while upon the observations or insights of others. They will inspire you to stop, reflect, and take steps to make a shift for the better.

> Ask Consistently: Top producers know that they can't quit if they ask once and don't get a good response. Keep asking until you find the answers, and try different ways of asking if one doesn't seem to be working.

In prospecting there are usually four or five "no's" before you get a "yes." You may, for example, want to ask a co-worker about your performance on an important team project, but you sense a reluctance from that person to offer an opinion.

You can always ask another person who is more receptive to the question, or consider how you are asking it and try again. Because people don't normally go around asking others for opinions on how well they are doing, it's not a question typically heard. So be prepared to ask over and over again before you hear a clear--useful--answer.

> Ask Creatively: In this age of global competition, your asking may get lost in the crowd, unheard by the decision-makers you hope to reach. There is a way around this. If you want someone's attention, don't ask the ordinary way. Use your creativity to dream up a high-impact presentation.

Bear in mind that asking someone to stop and evaluate you can seem awkward or time-consuming. Show respect for them first and find the ideal time to ask the question. Here's one way to engage the insights of a superior: "I highly value your opinion and honest perspective, and would love to know what you think I could be doing differently on a daily basis that would make your life easier and make our clients happier."

> Ask Sincerely: When you really need help, people will respond. Sincerity means dropping the image facade and showing a willingness to be vulnerable. Tell it the way it is, lumps and all. Don't worry if your presentation isn't perfect; ask from your heart. Keep it simple and people will open up to you.

Like speaking a different language, asking takes continual practice until it becomes a regular, reflexive habit. The sooner you build your "Ask Muscle", the sooner you'll see the results you've been waiting--and searching--for.

Don't think asking only relates to work-related goals and tasks. Bring this practice home to enrich your relationships with your family members and your friends.

I trust you'll be surprised and delighted at what you discover about yourself in this process. Happy asking!

© 2009 Jack Canfield

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Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Sou© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Do You Have What it Takes? ... Success Begins with Believing

In previous editions of Success Strategies, we've talked about how in order to be successful, we must first define what success means to us, and that means getting CLEAR about what you want, writing it down, and thinking BIG!

If you are going to be successful in spite of a recession and create the life of your dreams, you have to believe that you are capable of making it happen. You have to believe you have the right stuff, that you are able to pull it off.

You have to believe in yourself. Whether you call it self-esteem, self-confidence, or self-assurance, it is a deep-seeded belief that you have what it takes - the abilities, inner resources, talents, and skills to create your desired results.

Ultimately, you must learn to control your self-talk, eliminate any negative and limiting beliefs, and maintain a constant state of positive expectations.

Control Your Self-Talk

Researchers have found that the average person thinks as many as 50,000 thoughts a day. Sadly, many of those thoughts are negative -- I'm not management material...I'll never lose weight... It doesn't matter what I do, nothing ever works out for me.

This is what psychologists call victim language. Victim language actually keeps you in a victim state of mind. It is a form of self-hypnosis that lulls you into a belief that you are unlovable and incompetent.

In order to get what you want from life, you need to give up this victim language and start talking to yourself like a winner -- I can do it... I know there is a solution... I am smart enough and strong enough to figure this out... Everything I eat helps me maintain my perfect body weight.

You Are Always Programming Your Subconscious Mind

Your subconscious mind is like the crew of a ship. You are it's captain. It is your job to give the crew orders. And when you do this, the crew takes everything you say literally. The crew (your subconscious) has no sense of humor. It just blindly follows orders. When you say, "Everything I eat goes straight to my hips," the crew hears that as an order: Take everything she eats, turn it into fat and put it on her hips!

On the other hand, if you say, "Everything I eat helps me maintain my perfect body weight," the crew will begin to make that into reality by helping you make better food choices, exercise, and maintain the right metabolism rate for you body.

This power of your subconscious mind is the reason you must become very vigilant and pay careful attention to your spoken and internal statements. Unfortunately, most people don't realize they are committing negative self-talk, which is why it is best to enlist another person -- your success partner -- in monitoring each other's speaking. You can have a signal for interrupting each other when you use victim language.

Use Affirmations to Build Self-Confidence

One of the most powerful tools for building self-worth and self-confidence is the repetition of positive statements until they become a natural part of the way you think.

These "affirmations" act to crowd out and replace the negative orders you have been sending your crew (your subconscious mind) all these years. I suggest that you create a list of 10 to 20 statements that affirm your belief in your worthiness and your ability to create the life of your dreams.

Of course, what to believe is up to you, but here are some examples of affirmations that have worked for others in the past:

• I am worthy of love, joy and success.
• I am smart and make wise choices.
• I am loveable and capable.
• I create anything I want.
• I am able to solve any problem that comes my way.
• I can handle anything that life hands me.
• I have all the energy I need to do everything I want to do.
• I am attracting all the right people into my life.

Believing in Yourself is an Attitude

Believing in yourself is a choice. It's an attitude you develop over time. It's now your responsibility to take charge of your own self-concept and your beliefs. It might help to know that the latest brain research now indicates that with enough positive self-talk and positive visualization combined with the proper training, coaching, and practice, anyone can learn to do almost anything.

You must choose to believe that you can do anything you set your mind to - anything at all - because, in fact, you can!

© 2008 Jack Canfield

 Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Who is Responsible for Your Success?

by Jack Canfield

This isn't a trick question.

Certainly you know the answer--the person who has been responsible for the life you live right now: YOU.

Everything about you is a result of your doing or not doing... Your income. Debt. Relationships. Health. Fitness level. Attitudes and behaviors.

I think everyone knows this in their hearts, but often times people convince themselves into thinking that external factors are the source of their failure, disappointment, and unhappiness.

External factors do not determine how you live. YOU are in complete control of the quality of your life.

When I hear people complain about the state of their life (be it their problems with personal finances, weight, their jobs, or general dissatisfaction) I like to help them see things differently.

If they feel "stuck" and unable to move forward for whatever reason, I ask them to scrutinize both what is working well and what isn't working well in their life and see how they've arrived at where they currently are.

For example, if a woman tells me she's unhappy with her weight--she travels frequently, and has no to time to exercise or seek healthy foods--I point out that her weight is not a result of her travels and schedule. It's an outcome of what she chooses to eat and how she chooses to move, regardless of her daily agenda. Why not make a conscious effort to pre-plan healthy meals and snacks, even if it's on the go, and sneak in 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to be physically active (hey, I know some frequent flyers who make it a habit of running through airports!).

If you're frustrated with any area in your life, then it's time to take a little inventory. Certainly there are wonderful things happening, whether it's your job, your romantic relationship, your children, your friends, or your income level. Your accomplishments are just as important as your missteps.

First, congratulate yourself on your successes; and then take a look at what isn't working out so well. What are you doing or not doing to create those experiences?

Watch out! If you find yourself beginning to complain about everything but the choices you've made, then you need to take a step back. See if you can stop blaming outside factors for your unhappiness.

When you realize that you--and only you--create your experiences, you'll realize that you can un-create them and forge new experiences whenever you want.

How empowering is that!

You must take responsibility for your happiness and your unhappiness, your successes and your failures, your good timesand your bad times.

All too often we choose to claim the successes and blame the failures on others or other circumstances. When you stop blaming, however, you can take that energy and redirect it to focus on shaping a better situation for yourself. Blaming only ties up your energy. Imagine roping all the energy into a positive effort.

Some ideas to make this happen:

Believe, Believe, Believe! Have unwavering faith in yourself, for good and bad. Make the decision to accept the fact that you create all your experiences. You will experience successes thanks to you, and you will experience pain, struggle, and strife thanks to you. Sounds a little strange, but accepting this level of responsibility is uniquely empowering. It means you can do, change, and be anything. Stumbling blocks become just that--little hills to hop over.

Take no less than 100% responsibility . Successful people take full responsibility for the thoughts they think, the images they visualize, and the actions they take. They don't waste their time and energy blaming and complaining. They evaluate their experiences and decide if they need to change them or not. They face the uncomfortable and take risks in order to create the life they want to live.

Stop complaining . Look at what you are complaining about. I'm fat. I'm tired. I can't get out of debt. I won't ever get a better job. I can't stand the relationship I have with my sister. I'll never find a soulmate in life. Really examine your complaints. More than likely you can do something about them. They are not about other people, other things, or other events. They are about YOU.

Make an immediate change. Are you unhappy about something that is happening right now? Make requests that will make it more desirable to you, or take the steps to change it yourself. Making a change might be uncomfortable for you. It might mean you have to put in more time, money, and effort. It might mean that someone gets upset about it, or makes you feel bad about your decision. It might be difficult to change or leave a situation, but staying put is your choice so why continue to complain?

You can either do something about it or not. It is your choice and you have responsibility for your choices.

Pay attention. Looking to others for help and guidance is helpful, but don't forget to stay tuned in to yourself--your behavior, attitude, and life experiences. Identify what's working and what isn't. If you need to, write it all down. Then...

Face the truth and take action for the long term . You have to be willing to change your behavior if you want a different outcome. You have to be willing to take the risks necessary to get what you want. If you've already taken an initial step in the right direction, now's the time to plan additional steps to keep moving you forward, faster.

Isn't it a great relief to know that you can make your life what you want it to be? Isn't it wonderful that your successes do not depend on someone else?

So if you need just one thing to do different today than you did yesterday, make it this:

Commit to taking 100% responsibility for every aspect of your life. Decide to make changes, one step at a time. Once you start the process you'll discover it's much easier to get what you want by taking control of your thoughts, your visualizations, and your actions!

© 2008 Jack Canfield

* * *

If you missed previous issues of Success Strategies,
I keep an archive of past issues you can always refer to.

---

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Decide What You Want for Yourself in 2009

by Jack Canfield

In order to get what you want, you must first decide what you want.

Most people really foul up at this crucial first step because they simply can't see how it's possible to get what they want -- so they don't even let themselves want it.

What scientists now know about how the brain works is that you must first decide the 'WHAT' before your brain can figure out the 'HOW'. Once you lock-in your desires, your mind and the universe can step in.

Are you ready to get started?

STEP 1: Decide to Dream BIG and Be Willing to Dream BIG Dreams
Big dreams not only inspire you, but they also compel others to want to play big, too. Don't think you should only dream big during economic heydays. Dream big every day, especially during tough times.

As soon as you commit to a big dream and really go after it, your subconscious creative mind will come up with big ideas to make it happen. You'll start attracting the people, resources, and opportunities you need into your life to make your dream come true.

STEP 2: Set Goals That Will Stretch You
Another value in giving yourself permission to go after the big dreams is that big dreams require you to grow in order to achieve them. In fact, in the long run, this is the greatest benefit you will receive from pursuing your dreams -- not so much the outer trappings of fulfilling the dream (an expensive car, impressive house, loads of money and philanthropic opportunities), but who you become in the process.

As I've seen many times over, the outer symbols of success can all be easily lost. Houses burn down, companies go bankrupt, relationships end, cars get old, bodies age and fame wanes, but who you are, what you have learned, and the new skills you have developed never go away. These are the true prizes of success.

STEP 3: Service to Others
As you pinpoint what you want to go after, think about how you can be of service to others. When your dreams include this element, you'll find yourself speeding along the path to accomplishing that goal. People want to be part of something that contributes and makes a difference.

STEP 4: Turn Your Dreams into Goals and Objectives
Once you are clear about what you want, you must turn each item into a measurable goal. By measurable, I mean measurable in space and time, how much and by when. Don't just say that you want to lose weight, for instance. Be specific, push yourself to higher limits, and set dates. Say something like, "I want to lose 50 pounds by summer and participate in my community's 10K for charity by the 4th of July."

Similarly, your boss, your friends, your spouse, your brain -- God, the Universe -- can't figure out what you want unless you specifically tell them what it is.

What do you want -- exactly -- and when do you want it by?

Step 5: Write Your Goals Down
Write your goals down in detail, and read your list of goals every day. This will keep your subconscious mind focused on what you want. For an even more powerful approach, close your eyes and focus on each goal and ask yourself, "What is one thing I could do today to move toward the achievement of this goal?" Write down your answers and take those actions.

I recommend writing down a minimum of 3 goals in each of the following 7 areas:

1. Financial Goals
2. Career/Business Goals
3. Free Time/Family Time
4. Health/Appearance Goals
5. Relationship Goals
6. Personal Growth
7. Making a Difference

If you want help getting started, I have a handy worksheet for you that models this formula, including examples. Click here to download this f.ree resource and start creating all that you want from your life and all that you deserve!

© 2008 Jack Canfield

* * *

If you missed previous issues of Success Strategies,
I keep an archive of past issues you can always refer to.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Acknowledge and Appreciate Yourself

Acknowledge and Appreciate Yourself
by Jack Canfield

With the year coming to a close, it's time to acknowledge and appreciate yourself for everything you've accomplished today, throughout the year, and in life.

How many times have you succeed in the past month? Are you able to recall your successes as well as your failures and missteps?

Many people under-appreciate the little things they accomplish every day. And yet they can recall in detail all the times they have failed or made mistakes. That's because the brain remembers events more easily when the are accompanied by strong emotions.

You might recall graduation, losing 10 pounds, winning an award, or landing a highly sought after position. But do you include in your successes how you had a really great talk with your spouse, how you spent quality time with your teen, how you got all your list of things done for the day, how you learned to change your own oil, or got your fussy child to take a nap?

If you don't acknowledge your successes the same way you acknowledge your mistakes, you're sure to have a memory full of blunders.

Acknowledge your own success. Toot your own horn and don't wait for anyone else to praise you!

If you only remember the mistakes and failures, you won't be as ready to take risks that will lead to your successes. Build yourself-esteem by recalling ALL the ways you have succeeded and your brain will be filled with images of you making you achievements happen again and again.

Take time to write your achievements down. Start when you were very young and think of all your achievements since then. Don't just pick the big things, write down all the things you take for granted. You can also create a log of success everyday and review it when you are faced with a new challenge. By writing it all down everyday, you're securing it in your long-term memory and it will become a part of what makes you tick.

Surround yourself with reminders of your success.

Put up pictures, articles, trophies, awards and other pieces that ring your attention to you success. Make your environment speak to you about your achievements. Be proud of them!

People like to be around those who have a healthy self-esteem and who are achieving their Goals. Commit to acknowledging your achievements and you brain will begin to tell you the truth... that you can do ANYTHING!

Taking just 30 minutes to complete this activity will become your positive springboard into 2009 for even more successes.

 Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at:www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Your Law of Attraction Plan of Action

by Tamara Baruhovich

Metaphysicians have said it for a long time. Quantum Physicists have proved it from the scientific standpoint. Esther Hicks has been teaching these principles for years, and Larry King and Oprah had recent shows about this.

It is true. You and I both, have the power to co-create our life with our thoughts, our emotions, and our beliefs.

The acclaimed movie, "The Secret" has recently brought to our attention these very principles but they are not new by any means.

They have existed since the origins of mankind, but for some reason remained veiled from the masses until today. "The Secret" revealed how to harness the Universal Law of Attraction.

The simple awareness of this concept has created a never before seen tidal wave of optimism and prosperity around the world, and that is fabulous. What a refreshing concept in a world filled with problems, distress and despair!

Yes, we can have it all indeed. It is our birthright. Life can be -and should be- abundant for all. There is no scarcity, no lack, and no limitations of any kind. The Law has worked for many but unfortunately, it hasn't for many more... so what is the difference between these two groups of people?

How come so many are speculating and wondering as these principles are not working in their lives? Is there something wrong with their minds? They've tried all the visualization techniques, the happy feelings, and the positive affirmations... how come this is not working for them then?

Those who have chosen the personal development path know that it is a lifetime process, and one that requires consistent application of one's mind to find the answers needed to keep on moving forward.

This is why many have begun talking about the missing link of "The Secret", a fundamental ingredient in the manifesting process that we mustn't neglect if we want to create the reality we so much want. This element is The Law of Attraction Plan of Action.

Yes. If you want to succeed in life, at anything, you must develop a plan of action, and you must follow it diligently while still building your visualization board and doing the positive affirmations as you go. All of these elements need to be in place if you truly want to manifest your dreams.

Here are five simple steps to set your Law of Attraction Plan of Action in motion. Follow them and you will find yourself closer than ever to your dream goals.

1. Soul Searching.

This probably sounds like new-age stuff; but really, do not dismiss this important first step. You must go inside to discover what really makes you tick.

Take as much time as you need, but be careful not to stay in this one stage indefinitely. Some just need a few days to discover their life's purpose. Others may need a bit of help from a loved one or a Life Coach. Wherever you stand, you must complete this step before you move forward.

2. Set your Intentions.

Now that you know what really inspires you and what you want to achieve, set it as an intention. Get a notebook and write with big letters your intention in the very first page. You may want to do it once, review it after a day or so, and modify it if you need to.

Once you have it 100% clear, state it again, and read it aloud every day first thing in the morning to keep you focused on your goal.

3. Design a Plan of Action.

Use the following pages in your notebook to write the steps you must take to move towards your goal. Do not worry if just a few things come to mind now, or if you are unsure about every detail.

Just start. Jot down everything you now know you'll need to do. You'll take care of the details as you go.

4. Use a "flip-switch" as often as needed.

We all have days in which things are not going our way. In these moments we wonder if we are on the right track and we may become discouraged. Many succumb to the feeling and give up before having giving it a good chance to produce results.

When those negative feelings arise, take a break. Go for a walk, watch a funny movie, or play with your kids. Do whatever it takes to put your mind at ease and away from your "bad day".

Then, take a few minutes to relax, and visualize a flip-switch inside your mind. Now turn off whatever it is that's bothering you. Allow yourself to feel the difference, to feel "in charge."

Breathe deeply and go to work with a new attitude.

5. Move into Action, now!

Just do it and keep the momentum going no matter what. And when difficult moments raise their ugly heads above the water -as they inevitably will-, you'll know what to do.

Always, keep your mind focused on the final goal, and keep your motivation going by remembering your soul searching exercise and your intention often.

You've come full circle now. You will reap tangible results, only after you develop and follow your own personal Law of Attraction Plan of Action.

This is "The Secret" missing link... Action. Remember, nothing changes until something moves.

Take action now!

3 Steps to Completely Eliminating Problems from Your Life

By Tony Mase

Do you have problems in your life? Business problems... Financial problems... Health problems...
Relationship problems... Or... Any other kind of problems? If you do... Here's my simple three-step formula for completely eliminating them from your life:

Step #1 - Completely eliminate the word "problem" from your vocabulary.

The first step to completely eliminating problems from your life is to completely eliminate the word "problem" from your vocabulary. The "Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary" defines the word problem as: "A thing that is difficult to deal with or to understand." Thus... by its very definition, the word problem implies difficulty and, more often than not, is accompanied by all sorts of destructive emotions.

Rather than call something a "problem", why not call it what it really is... a situation.

The "Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary" defines the word situation as: "All the circumstances and things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place." That's exactly what a problem *really* is, isn't it? A so-called problem is nothing more or less than a given set of circumstances and things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place.

What makes a situation a "problem" is the difficulty *you* assign to it.

In other words... A problem isn't really a problem... It's a situation. You make a situation a problem by how you label it! By simply re-labeling a problem as a situation, and *meaning* it, you remove the difficulty and destructive emotions associated with it and put yourself in the necessary state of mind to constructively deal with it. Once you've reduced a problem to what it really is... Just another situation in your life... You're ready for...

Step #2 - Forget it.

Don't talk about the situation... Don't think about the situation... Forget it!

After some eight years of studying the writings of Wallace D. Wattles, best known for his classic masterpiece "The Science of Getting Rich", I'm pretty much convinced "forget it" was Wallace D. Wattles' favorite phrase. Throughout his writings, it's his answer to practically everything that "ails" you. In an article he wrote, titled "Talk That Builds Health", Wallace D. Wattles explains why: "When you forget it, it will be gone." That's exactly what happens too... It's absolutely incredible just how much "stuff" in my life cleaned itself up or disappeared completely simply because I "forgot it".

Now... "Forget it" is easier said than done, isn't it?

Trying to forget something is a bit like trying not to think about pink elephants... The more you try not* to think about them, the more you think about them, don't you? So... How do you forget about pink elephants? Simple... Think about blue elephants. When you change your focus from pink elephants to blue elephants, the pink elephants disappear all by themselves, don't they? Thus...

Step #3 - Focus your attention on the situation you want, not on the one you don't want.

There is a Creative Power within you that makes your life into the exact image of that to which you focus your attention. If you focus your attention on the situation you want... That's exactly what you'll have... The situation you want. On the other hand... If you focus your attention on the situation you don't want... That's exactly what you'll have... The situation you *don't* want.

This is the way the Universe works!

So... Rather than focus your attention on an undesirable situation you might find yourself in, focus your attention instead on a desirable situation you'd prefer. For example... Should you find yourself in an undesirable financial situation, ask yourself what it's opposite would be... What a desirable financial situation would be.

Then... Imagine yourself as if you were already there... In that desirable financial situation. And... Keep your attention focused there... On yourself in that desirable financial situation. The moment you begin doing this... You'll begin moving toward that desirable financial situation and that desirable financial situation will begin moving toward you. And... At the same time... You'll find, as I have, that the undesirable financial situation will begin to clean itself up or disappear all by itself.

Well... There you have it... My simple three step formula for completely eliminating problems from your life. Don't let its simplicity deceive you. I can tell you from personal experience...

The best strategies in life are the simplest. :-)

Law Of Attraction Secrets

There are a few secrets to the law of attraction that most of the guru's out there don't want you to know. These secrets let you overcome obstacles that most people don't talk about let alone teach about. These secrets will allow you to open up in order to attract, manifest, create, and start living the life of your dreams in minutes or days, not weeks or months.

These secrets are simple in concept; however, they take time and energy to turn into habits. Once these concepts are habits, they allow you to always manifest, attract, and have what you want any time you want. It's important that you keep using these secrets until they become habits.

The first secret that you must know is that you manifest and attract based on who you are. Your level of being manifests your reality. Your level of being is based upon your concepts, ideas, perceptions, and beliefs.

The next secret is our thoughts. Our thoughts affect our level of being, and our level of being creates our thoughts. Our thoughts are the first place that those things we wish to have, do, and be in our lives begins to be manifested. You must learn to direct and focus your thoughts in the correct ways in order to attract and manifest those things you want in your life.

Another secret of the law of attraction are your words. You must learn to direct your words, both internal and external in the direction that you want them to go. They must be in alignment with what you want in order to start attracting those things you want.

You must also understand the secret of emotional addictions. Each and every one of us is addicted to emotions, and we must learn to develop emotional addictions that allow us to sustain and feel positive emotions. It's often times our emotional addictions that cause us to manifest and create a specific reality.

The next secret that you must know about is options. You must learn to have and open up options in your life and your personality. More options mean more freedom, more choice, and more ability. If you only have one way of doing -or dealing with- things, you are a robot. If you have two ways, you have a choice to make. Create at least three options or more and you begin to approach true freedom in your life and your ability to deal with anything and everything.

You must also understand the secret of infinite loops in order to manifest and attract those things you desire and want in your life. These loops are patterns that cause specific thoughts that create specific realities that create specific thoughts that create specific realities. You get the point with this. These infinite loops will cause you to get stuck in a certain reality and must be broken in order to manifest and attract what you desire and want.

You must learn about and work with these secrets in order to attract and manifest what you want to have, do, or be. Turning these secrets into positive habits will allow you to attract and manifest anything, and everything you want in the shortest amount of time possible. We are talking minutes or days, not months or years. Work with them, use them, apply them.

About the Author:
Dwayne Gilbert is the founder of the Wealthy Life Secrets Program. He has been helping people to Unleash Their Potential for over 10 years. He has helped people from all walks of life to get on a better path and to create the life of their dreams.

Where are Your Habits Leading You?

You are an accumulation of your habits. From how you get out of bed, how you shower, how you dress, how you walk, sit, and talk, how you respond to the world, how you act in front of others, and how you think; you're living out your habits.

Habits are necessary. They free up your mind so you can concentrate on how to survive day to day. You don't have to think about how to drive your car so you can be on the lookout for danger while you are driving. You don't have to think about how to walk so you can concentrate on where you're going.

Unfortunately, habits can also keep you locked in self-destructive patterns, which will limit your success. To become successful, you will need to drop bad habits and develop new ones that are in line with the life you want to live.

People don't suddenly appear in the life they want to live... their habits determine their outcome!

What are the habits you have that are keeping you from achieving your goals?

Really be honest with yourself here... Are you always running late? Do you return phone calls within 24 hours? Do you get enough sleep? Do you follow through on your promises? Do you plan out your day?

Imagine what your life would be like if all your habits were their productive counterparts!

What would your life be like if you ate healthy meals, exercised and got enough sleep? What if you saved your money, stopped using credit cards and paid cash for everything? What if you stopped procrastinating, overcame your fears, and began networking with people in your field? Would your life be different? I bet it would!

So, my suggested action step for you is to write down some productive habits you could adopt and visualize in your life, step two is to 'act as if' you were living these new habits right now!

I'd like to help you get moving toward creating more successful habits, so I'd recommend you develop four of your new success habits each year, one for each quarter.

Once you pick the new habit you're ready to adopt, next you'll want to create a method that will support your new habit.

Here are some ideas... You could write it down on a card that you keep with you and read several times a day. You could make it a part of your daily visualization. You could also enlist the help of an accountability partner who has habits to change, or work with a personal coach who can keep you on track.

It's important to make a 100% commitment to your new habit, so be specific about the steps that you're willing to take in order to drop an old habit and adopt a new one. Don't be vague about how you will change your habits. Spell it out for yourself so you can recognize situations that motivate you to act out your new habit.

Just developing four new habits a year will dramatically shift your life to be more in line with your vision. And the more in line it becomes, the easier the other habits are to replace because your perspective is shifting and you can see more clearly how your old habits aren't serving you anymore.

Make the decision. Make the commitment. Then watch your new, positive life unfold!

I'll see you in another two weeks in the next edition of Success Strategies. In the meantime, take the time to implement just one of the strategies discussed in today's issue.

© 2008 Jack Canfield...... Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Notes from the Universe

Everyday I wake up to a Note from the UNIVERSE and you can too! Here's a sample:

All you have to do, Laurel, is think about what you want often enough that you start talking about it and moving with it, even if you have to fake it.

Laurel, your job is simple. Even if you only "attempt" to do it, you will have done it. The slightest effort on your side is leveraged 10,000 times on my side. A nod, a wink, a whisper are sometimes all I need; a demonstration that breaks the ice, beginning a domino effect of happy "accidents" and "coincidences."

If you do this, I'll do the rest. It is that easy. I am that powerful. Life is that magical.

Thinking of your smile,    The Universe

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Like what you read? Check it out here: Notes from the Universe

More notes:

• Isn't it wild, Laurel? I mean, in time and space you get to experience what you think, think what you want, and want what you don't have. Yet so few visualize. Think about it.....  The Universe
  
• What happens when someone worries?  Basically, they think of 100 reasons why something might go wrong. And all of those thoughts then struggle to become things, sometimes overriding their more constructive thoughts.  It's like a train wreck. Ain't pretty. But that's the power of worry.  Now, let's say you want something fantastic to manifest in your life, Laurel. Hypothetically, let's say you want a new, faster, fancier, lighter laptop.. (I know you.)  Have you sat down yet and listed 100 reasons why it might come to you easily, fast, and harmoniously?  I think you should.....Today works,     .....The Universe
  
• When in a hurry, Laurel, step #1 for changing the entire world, is falling in love with it as it already is.   Same for changing yourself.  You like?  The Universe
• Laurel, right now, all around you, outside your door, down the street, and in every corner of your world, there's evidence of a conspiracy. All the elements are secretly marching to the beat of your drummer, while casually pretending to be detached and indifferent.   The Universe
• When you think a new thought, entertain a new dream,or mentally choose a new goal, your thoughts "leave you" and go out in every direction to the farthest corners of the planet.  They carry a life force all their own like a ripple that is created when a pebble is tossed into a pond.  You can't change this but you can use it.  ...The Universe

Operate from Abundance!

By Jack Harper, J S Harper Real Estate

Is the glass half full - or half empty? Is the market going up, or going down? Should I sell now, or wait for better pricing? Should I buy now, or wait for better pricing? By the way: In the last two, the question is exactly the same, yet the reality is exactly the opposite. Better pricing to a seller means one thing, while better pricing to a buyer means something else altogether - doesn't it?

Several years ago, I came to know of the concept of abundance. Roughly speaking, it goes something like this: When I am likely to get down about losing out on a great listing, or when a buyer I may have been working on for months happens to fall in love with an Open House and is convinced to buy it on the spot (through the listing agent, mind you) I can usually go forward without the old-style debilitating frustration of my youth. I can do this because I have come to see things in the total, instead of in the specific.

What I mean is this: If I am worried about my only prospect or client, the result can be devastating. Lose that client, and I have lost all of my current business! On the other hand, if I widen my focus to see all of the possibilities that lie ahead, I have only missed out on a small piece of my total available business! The truth is that there are always more buyers who will buy, sellers who will sell and friends to make along the way. By making a small adjustment to my thinking, I can usually see the bigger picture. And, that picture is absolutely filled with potential - filled by the sheer abundance of the world we live in.

Buyers and Sellers too can benefit from a small refocus, can't they? By the way, there is no such thing as a Buyer or Seller. There are clients and friends who sometimes buy, sometimes sell and often do both simultaneously. Make that small change in thinking and the world opens up a little wider for them too. Now we can think in terms of balance: yes, you may sell for less than you might have two years ago, but you will also enjoy a much lower purchase price on the next home than you would have in the past two years. Balance.

Now, take it to the next level. My attitude can sometimes cause a dramatic impact on my clients. If I am so worried about the one single transaction, I will have a tendency to fall in step with them as they commiserate about the sad state of real estate affairs. If, on the other hand, I am operating from abundance, I can usually help them change their focus just a little bit. Sometimes that little bit is just enough to help them go forward when fear, uncertainty and doubt might otherwise leave them unable to move.

It seems like such a small change, doesn't it? It , in fact, is a small change. The results, however, can be huge.

The Power of Asking.

by Jack Canfield

Boost Your Business. The gift called “asking” has been around for a long, long time. One of life’s fundamental truths states, “Ask and you shall receive.” Kids are masters at using this gift, but we adults seem to have lost our ability to ask. We come up with all sorts of excuses and reasons to avoid any possibility of rejection.

Yet the world responds to those who ask! If you are not moving closer to what you want, you probably aren’t doing enough asking.

Here are seven asking strategies you can implement in your business (and in life) to boost your results and your bottom line:

Asking Strategy #1: Ask for Information

To win potential new clients, you first need to know what their current challenges are, what they want to accomplish and how they plan to do it. Only then can you proceed to demonstrate the advantages of your unique product or service.

Ask questions starting with the words who, why, what, where, when and how to obtain the information you need. Only when you truly understand and appreciate a prospect’s needs can you offer a solution. Once you know what's important to them, stay on this topic and find solutions for them.

Asking Strategy #2: Ask for Business

Here’s an amazing statistic: after giving a complete presentation about the benefits of their product or service, more than 60 percent of the time salespeople never ask for the order! That’s a bad habit, and one that could ultimately put you out of business.

Always ask a closing question to secure the business. Don’t waffle or talk around it—or worse, wait for your prospect to ask you. No doubt you have heard of many good ways to ask the question, “Would you like to give it a try?” The point is, ask.

Asking Strategy #3: Ask for Written Endorsements

Well-written, results-oriented testimonials from highly respected people are powerful for future sales. They solidify the quality of your product or service and leverage you as a person who has integrity, is trustworthy and gets the job done on time.

When is the best time to ask? Right after you have provided excellent service, gone the extra mile to help out, or in any other way made your customer really happy.

Simply ask if your customer would be willing to give you a testimonial about the value of your product or service, plus any other helpful comments.

Asking Strategy #4: Ask for Top-Quality Referrals

Just about everyone in business knows the importance of referrals. It’s the easiest, least expensive way of ensuring your growth and success in the marketplace.

Your core clients will gladly give you referrals because you treat them so well. So why not ask all of them for referrals? It’s a habit that will dramatically increase your income. Like any other habit, the more you do it the easier it becomes.

Asking Strategy #5: Ask for More Business

Look for other products or services you can provide your customers. Devise a system that tells you when your clients will require more of your products. The simplest way is to ask your customers when you should contact them to reorder. It’s often easier to sell your existing clients more than to go looking for new ones.

Asking Strategy #6: Ask to Renegotiate

Regular business activities include negotiation. Many businesses get stuck because they lack skills in negotiation, yet this is simply another form of asking that can save a lot of time and money. Look at your vendors and suppliers and see if there are areas where you can be saving money. Just ask.

All sorts of contracts can be renegotiated in your personal life, too, such as changing your mortgage terms and rate, reviewing your cell phone plan and requesting a policy review with your insurance agent. As long as you negotiate ethically and in the spirit of win-win, you can enjoy a lot of flexibility. Nothing is ever cast in stone.

Asking Strategy #7: Ask for Feedback

This is a powerful way to fine-tune your business that is often overlooked. How do you really know if your product or service is meeting your customers’ needs? Ask them, “How are we doing? What can we do to improve our service to you? Please share what you like or don’t like about our products.” Set up regular customer surveys that ask good questions and tough questions.

HOW TO ASK

Some people don’t enjoy the fruits of asking because they don't ask effectively. If you use vague language you will not be clearly understood. Here are five ways to ensure that your asking gets results.

Ask Clearly
Be precise. Think clearly about your request. Take time to prepare. Use a note pad to pick words that have the greatest impact. Words are powerful, so choose them carefully.

Ask with Confidence
People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you’ve figured out what you want to ask for, do it with certainty, boldness and confidence.

Ask Consistently
Some people fold after making one timid request. They quit too soon. Keep asking until you find the answers. In prospecting there are usually four or five “no’s” before you get a “yes.” Top producers understand this. When you find a way to ask that works, keep on asking it.

Ask Creatively
In this age of global competition, your asking may get lost in the crowd, unheard by the decision-makers you hope to reach. There is a way around this. If you want someone’s attention, don’t ask the ordinary way. Use your creativity to dream up a high-impact presentation.

Ask Sincerely
When you really need help, people will respond. Sincerity means dropping the image facade and showing a willingness to be vulnerable. Tell it the way it is, lumps and all. Don’t worry if your presentation isn’t perfect; ask from your heart. Keep it simple and people will open up to you.

© 2008 Jack Canfield

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

How to Solve Any Problem in 10 Steps

For every problem, there is a perfect solution. Now, since perfect is a relative term, that means that every problem has many solutions, and your job is to act on the best one. Here's the basic process that will maximize your chances of succeeding:

1. Start off with a "can-do" attitude

You are not investing your efforts into this problem for nothing. You are in it because you mean to achieve certain results. There is no option of failure. Don't worry about how to do it. If you know what you're after and keep on going after it, eventually you'll get it.

2. Identify the Problem

To solve any problem, you need to know what you're working with. Use questions to clarify the situation. The 5 W's are a good start:

- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?

3. Identify the Desired Outcome

As simple as this seems, most people dive into action without knowing for sure what it is that they're after. You won't get what you want unless you know what that is. So, right after determining what you have to work with, figure out what you want out of it.

4. Brainstorm New Ideas

This is a topic that should have a book in it's own right, but here are a few suggestions to get you started. Feel free to mix and match:

- Consider the ideal solution. Don't worry about it's practicality yet. Just determine what a solution would be like if it achieved all of the desired outcomes. Maybe it's not as far off as it initially seems.
- Examine your resources and what combinations you can make with them.
- Remember that the typical use is not the only one. A gun can fire bullets, but it can also be used as if it were a rock.
- Take advantage of any patterns that you recognize.
- Break things apart.
- Combine things together.
- Modify what you already have.

5. Select Your Best Options

Of the ideas you came up with, determine the 2-3 best ones and rank them. Think of the best one as Plan A. If it doesn't work, you switch over to plan B, and if plan B doesn't work, you move on to plan C. All three should be equally likely to succeed, but the first one you try is the one that has least consequences.

6. Consider Potential Problems

Fact of life: The unexpected can and often times does happen. Will it be a concrete wall, or a mere hurdle? If you anticipate the possibility of a problem, and know how you will react to it, then your success becomes independent of whether or not that setback comes up.

One way to figure out potential weaknesses is to role-play and step into the shoes of your worst enemy. If your enemy wanted to cripple you, where would he strike? In other words, look for your critical points and areas of potential weakness. On a side note, figure out what your team will do if all three plans fail.
Regrouping is an idea.

7. Figure Out the Design Details

You have a general idea of how to get what you want. Now you need to fill in the gaps and figure out the details that will let you put everything into action. Specifics are key.

A common engineering practice is to make everything actually capable of performing 110% of what's marked. This leaves breathing room in case of the unexpected.

8. Prepare Necessary Resources

If you have everything you need, great! Get it all together and have it ready for use. If you don't have everything you need for your plan to work, go out and get it. If you have a team, get the most qualified person to get it.

Most qualified means that he's not needed more elsewhere and he's skilled enough to come back alive with the goods. You always want to be ready, so know what to do if something comes up. It's often helpful to have backups/spares in case something happens to your primary resources.

9. Act on Solution

You set yourself up for success. You've got alternatives and you know you have options of how you want to succeed. Now do it. Go get those results you were after. If at first you don't succeed, try again. This is called perseverance. If you want it bad enough, your actions will show it.

10. Evaluate Performance

A common procedure in the military, and one useful just about everywhere else too is to do follow-ups on performance. Did you achieve all of your objectives? If not, how come? What went well?
What didn't go well? Why?

Reflecting on how you did allows you to keep doing what's helpful and fix what's getting in the way. If you make this a habit (whether writing a formal report or just making mental notes) this will make you a better problem-solver, increasing your ability to handle future problems.

Although some steps may appear unimportant for everyday tasks, they are each critically important for when you need solid results. This procedure will make sure that you do your best and that you have everything you need to get the job done.