Don't Worry...Be Happy

Genuine Happiness Comes from Within

Sometimes, when we feel like the world is just too heavy, we look around and find people who continued to live fascinating and wonderful lives. And then thoughts come popping into our minds like bubbles from nowhere – “How did their life become so adorably sweet? How come they still can manage to laugh and play around despite a busy stressful life?” 

As we pause and observe for awhile we may realize that they started to work on a place called ‘self’.

So, how does one become genuinely happy? Step 1 is to love yourself.

A theology professor once said that “loving means accepting.”  To love oneself means to accept that you are not a perfect being, but behind the imperfections must lie a great ounce of courage to be able to discover ways on how to improve our repertoire to recover from our mistakes.

Genuine happiness also pertains to contentment. When you are contented with the job you have, the way you look, with your family, your friends, the place you live in, your car, and all the things you now have – truly, you know the answer to the question “how to be genuinely happy.”

When we begin to discover a small start somewhere from within, that small start will eventually lead to something else, and to something else. But if you keep questioning life like  and looking for the negative in everything, you will never be able to find genuine happiness.

I believe that life is about finding out about trying and failing, wining and losing, right and wrong. These are things that happen as often as you inhale and exhale. Failure in a person’s life has become as abundant and necessary as air. But this should not hinder us from becoming happy.

You may be at a down point in your life at the moment and wonder, how can we be genuinely happy in spite all these?

Take one step at a time.

Every time you exert an effort to improve the quality of life and your being, whether it is cleaning up your room, helping a friend, taking care of your sick dog, failing on board exams and trying again, life gives you equivalent points for that.

Imagine life as a big score board like those which are used in the NFLs. Every time you take a step forward, you make scoring points. Wouldn’t it be nice to look at that board at the end of each game and think to yourself “Whew! I got a point today. I’m glad I gave it a shot.”, instead of looking at it all blank and murmur “Geez, I didn’t even hit a score today. I wish I had the guts to try out. We could have won!” and then walk away.

Genuine happiness isn’t about driving the hottest Formula 1 car, nor getting the employee of the year award, earning the highest 13th month pay, or beating the sales quota. Sometimes, the most sought after prizes in life don’t always go to the fastest, the strongest, the bravest or not even the best.

So, how do you become genuinely happy? 

Every one has their own definition of ‘happiness’. Happiness for a writer may mean launching a best selling book. Happiness for a basketball rookie may mean getting the rookie of the year award. Happiness for a beggar may mean finding a lot of money. Happiness for a business man may mean corporate success.

So, really now, how do we become genuinely happy? Simple. Its about doing and making the best out of every single thing. You don’t have to have the best things in this world. When you find yourself smiling at your own mistake and telling your self “Oh, I’ll do better next time”, your willingness to stand up again and try – that will make you a genuinely happy person.

When you learn to accept yourself and your own faults. You pass step 1 in the project “how to become genuinely happy”.

Love and accept others as you love yourself.  Laugh at your foibles.  Be empathetic and kind to others.  Do something for someone else and do something for yourself.  Don't give so much away that you have nothing left for you.  It takes courage to be happy.  Be of good courage.

BANABU

Fran Watson

How Are You Doing?

Every time I log into Facebook, it asks me "What's on your mind?"  I wonder why they want to know, are they really interested in who I am and what I am thinking about or are they just trying to figure out how they can market to me?

Have you ever felt that when people ask the question, "How are you doing?" they are just waiting to tell you how they are doing, but they want to be polite and ask you first? 

It seems to me that it happens more and more often.  People also ask the question as they pass you on the street, but they really don't expect you to stop and tell them.  "Hi, how are you doing?" they say as they walk on by.  I sometimes wonder what would happen if you stopped and said, "Actually, I'm not doing very well.  I had this (operation/accident/event) happen and ......"  Can't you just picture them squirming and wanting to get away?

How many times have you asked the question and not waited for the answer?  Or just expected someone to say "great, how are you?" as they pass on by. 

Well, today, I want to really ask you... "How are you doing?"  Are things going well in your life?  Do you need a little help or support?  A listening ear?  If so, post a message below or send me an email.  I will take the time to listen and respond to you.

Have a great day!!

Fran Watson

What Makes You Tick?

"What Really Makes You Tick?"

Some questions you should ask to yourself. 

Are you stuck?  Or are you somewhat contented with life the way things are, but think, "what if?" Then maybe it's time to ask yourself some hard questions.

1. What do I really want? - this is the toughest question. 
What would I do if I only had a little time left to live?  What would I do if I had all the money I wanted/needed and could do anything at all?

2. Should I really change?  If so, what should I change?  What parts of me do I like and what parts do I want to get rid of or minimize?

3. What's the bright side in all of this?  Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? 

4. Am I comfortable with what I'm doing?  Truthfully?

5. Have I done enough for myself?  Do you really look after yourself or are you looking after everyone else?  Do you take the time to eat properly, to exercise, to grow mentally, to spend time with friends who make you happy?

6. Am I happy at where I am today?  If not, then how can I change what is happening?

7. How much could I have?  How much do I want?  How much am I willing to work for it?

9. What motivates me?  What makes me so happy that time flies by, that hours seem like minutes?  What makes my heart race, my face smile and my insides fill with joy?  People, places, things??

So, What Really Makes You Tick?  This is not an easy question to answer, but when you get to the point where you can answer it, everything will begin to fall into place and you will know where it is you are going and how to get there.

Why not leave a comment below once you discover what makes you tick?  Let's see all the different answers that come up.

To ticking!!

Fran Watson

P.S.  What makes me tick is sharing what I learn with others.  One of the things I have done for the past 11 years is public speaking with Toastmasters.  Click here to find out more.

Life has a way of getting in the way

Have you ever noticed that?

You have good intentions, you have a goal in mind, but something gets in the way.  You lose focus, your goal seems to have drifted off into the clouds.  Why? 

Because you didn't have a plan.

Your goal is in the clouds because you didn't determine the steps needed to reach it and so it began to slip away.

Has this happened to you recently?  It happened to me. 

I started this year full of expectations and ideas of things I wanted to accomplish, and here it is 3 months later and this is the first blog post I have made in 3 months.  It doesn't mean that I haven't been busy pursuing some of my goals, because I have.  I have been doing workshops on Time Management and Communication and Conflict Resolution.  I have been giving presentations at my Toastmasters Clubs, but, my goal to post weekly updates on my blog.... well, I didn't set an action plan in place and here I am.

Today I am determining to do better.  I am going to write down in my Day Timer a schedule for my blogs - for this blog - BANABU, for my Job Search Tips, my Marketing Tips and Diet Tips.  I am also going to weekly ensure that my webpage is updated.

This time next week there should, make that will, be another post, so help keep me on track.  Check in with me...comment on my blog. 

Till next time

Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/bio.html

Jim Rohn

Have you heard of Jim Rohn?  He died December 5, 2009, two days after my brother, but his memory and his teachings live on in books and videos and tapes and CDs...  Recently someone sent me some YouTube videos and I thought I would share them with you.  Grab yourself a coffee or cup of tea, a notebook and sit down in a comfy chair while you watch and listen as he shares some of his wisdom with you.

The Three Keys to Greatness


Living An Exceptional Life

I hope that you enjoy these.  Let me know.

To your success.

Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca

Goal Setting

Setting Goals


When it comes to resolutions, the inherent problem lies within the name.

A resolution means to resolve to do something. It is a promise to yourself. Unfortunately, it does not include any plans or goals to make the change happen.

To accomplish success you need to pick out a set of goals and make plans to reach those goals, but how do you do this?

Start from the end and work backwards.  Determine what your life would be like if you achieved your goal and then look at what you would have had to do in order to get there. 

Before stating the goal, write the desired result then ask yourself what steps you need to take to attain it. Determine if money, supplies, or tools are necessary. Have in mind what particular action can be taken to accomplish the resolution.

Next think about how much time you can schedule each day or every week towards working at the goal and what would be reasonable to accomplish in those time slots - half an hour a day, an hour a day, 3 hours a week, etc..

Establish ways to make working at the goal simple. For instance, if it's to improve wellness, then establish an exercise area and mark time for it on a calendar.

If it is to eat better, write a shopping list and stock up on the foods that are necessary, get rid of any junk food in the house and find a number of healthy recipes to put in a convenient location.

Keep any needed supplies or tools that are necessary to accomplish your goal together and accessible.

Plan ways to get and stay motivated to stay on target. For instance, for a physical activity, find a partner or plan a reward (like seeing a movie) for each week goals are met.

You might also want to create and print a chart or check list to track your progress. The chart helps build in accountability.

Write or print out motivational mottos. These can be Scriptures, wise sayings, encouraging words, or cheers. Post them where you will be able to see them easily several times a day.

Ask someone to be an encourager. Let them know what your goal is and ask the person email notes of encouragement. This makes it more social and provides outside motivation.

You can list and post the benefits of your goal, e.g. “I will be able to fit into that beautiful new outfit in the store window.” This keeps you focused on the results.

After a few weeks take some time to evaluate your progress. Decide if the goals are realistic and if you are making progress. Determine whether or not you need to adjust your plans or your time frame.

Mark the calendar ahead for a set day of every month to review your progress. This can keep you motivated or even help you restart if the goal has been abandoned for a few weeks.

Dream big, but break the dream into achievable goals and take it one step at a time. Commit to following the goal and plans laid out, or reassess them and work out something more attainable.

Once you determine your goal, stick with it. Your plans may change, but your goal shouldn’t if it is a true goal.

To your goal setting success!!


Fran Watson

P.S. For more tips click here

The Bottom Line

FACE IT.....nobody owes you a living.

What you achieve or fail to achieve in your lifetime is directly related to what you do or fail to do.

No one chooses his or her parents or childhood, but you can choose your own direction.

NOTHING is carved in stone.  However if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. 

You can change anything in your life if you want to badly enough.  Too many of us are hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have.  We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy - if not less of it - doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do. - Terry McMillan, Writer

Time plays no favourites and will pass whether you act or not.  Every time you wake up and ask yourself, "What good things am I going to do today?" remember that when the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it.

Excuses are for losers.  Benjamin Franklin said that "He who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else."  Those who take responsibility for their actions are the real winners in life.

Winners meet life's challenges head on, knowing there are no guarantees, and give it all they've got.

It's TIME to TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

"You can truly be whatever you want to be...you only have to want it badly enought to succeed."  Lillian Vernon. 

Dare to dream....to take risks...  Never think it's too late or too early to begin.

As Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said:  "The Greatest POWER we have is the power of choice.  It's an actual fact that if you've been moping in unhappiness, you can choose to be joyous instead and, by effort, lift yourself into joy.  If you tend to be fearful, you can overcome that misery by choosing to have courage.  Even in darkest grief you have a choice.  The whole trend and quality of anyone's life is determined in the long run by the choices that are made."

So what do you choose to do today?

Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca

Upper Limits

Are you fighting your Upper Limit Success Saboteur?

What I have noticed with business owners is that we have a unique way of sabotaging our business growth and success.

I've seen many clients go to a workshop. Perhaps this has happened to you. You go and get clear about the next marketing strategy for your business. You can't wait to get started. You get really excited about your newfound business clarity. Once you get home, you take a few steps toward creating a project you are excited about and then... Boom! Everything stops. It falls apart. For some reason, you get irritable and procrastinate or find all these "emergencies" arise that require your attention.

There is a very good chance you are bumping up against your Upper Limit of Success.

Here's what that might look like: you keep telling yourself (and others) that you never follow through with projects. Then, even though you are really excited about a project, you'll find some way to sabotage your success. It might be kids who need your attention, an emergency with your home, or suddenly you've just got to volunteer and be more involved in your child's school.

One of my favorite books about this concept is The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. He talks about how we all have a thermostat setpoint when it comes to love, success, joy and abundance. (Actually, I added joy as I find that most of us feel guilty when we really start enjoying something whether it's a business success, a creative project bursting forth, or for some of us, even laughing out loud from a place of joy can feel dangerous.) We're so afraid of what others will think, or that we are afraid others will feel bad if we are happy & successful or that somehow we aren't worthy enough to enjoy success bigger than whatever we have experienced before.

Our inner thermostat is the comfort level we unconsciously set for ourselves. For example, let's say that for the last two years you've made $100,000 in your business. You say you are ready to grow bigger. You say you want to double your income, but you've only ever made $100,000. It's not that you can't. It's that unconsciously you have a comfort level around that lower amount. It's amazing how you will find ways to keep yourself from allowing the success in. Maybe you've experienced a big, juicy, ideal new client contacts you and you procrastinate getting back to them.

What do you do now?

The first step to changing a belief is always awareness. You have to be aware of your repetitive thought, belief or action. From that awareness you can shift most beliefs. Just shining light on it will allow you to consciously shift your energy, start new conversations, make a new choice and take a new action.

I have a lot of clients who are writing books. Funny how everyone seems to be writing a book these days! What I notice is that some of them are always still in the writing process. I think there's an Upper Level Success Saboteur at work. You have to be able to imagine yourself as a published author, see yourself at book signings, knowing without a doubt that the time you spend writing is worthwhile -that people are there in the world who need to hear your message. It's easy to get caught in the "Who am I do write this?" attitude.

YOU are the one to deliver it to them.

Here's another example from a client who said she wanted to hold a workshop and kept getting frustrated that people weren't signing up for the workshop. Turned out she hadn't booked the hotel suite or her flight yet. She wasn't committed to her own decision. No wonder things were slow. As soon as she shifted, the enrollments started coming in!

The world is waiting for you to get out of your own way!

Notice how you say you are ready for a new project, to launch a new marketing strategy that will put you in the spotlight, or raise your prices and see how you find ways to pull yourself back into your comfort zone. Be compassionate. Notice and then laugh as you recognize what's happening. Then keep taking bite-sized action steps forward. Keep noticing when things like friends, family, emergencies seem to get in the way of you taking forward action.

And then make new choices. Take new actions. And raise that Upper Limit of Success to allow more in.

Written by Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business, http:/www.joyfulbusiness.com ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

I hope you enjoyed this article by Laura and that it challenges you to push your upper limits. Why not post a comment about your limits and how you would like to change them.

Push those boundaries!!

Fran Watson

Too Old???

Opportunity Knocks

Who Says You Can't Live Your Dreams?
By Valerie Young

Dreamers beware: for every dream there are 10 naysayers just
waiting to dash it. It almost happened to Beverly Goodman Park.
Park was close to 60 when her marriage ended. At an age when
most people are contemplating retirement, Park decided to pursue
a long-held dream of becoming an attorney. A lot of people told
her she was too old. Undaunted, Park went to law school while
working full-time, passed the bar exam, and at 61, landed a job
at a law firm. Of her critics she says, "I thought this age
stuff was baloney."

Walter Anderson, author of The Greatest Risk of All, says by the
time we are in our 20s, we will have heard 25,000 "can'ts."
Don't expect a lot of support for your "foolish dreams."
Instead, be prepared to reach deep within to turn "can't" into
"can." Here are two motivation-boosting tips to get you started:

Become the Future You

Dreams, by their very nature, are about the future. With so many
present-day demands your dream can start to feel distant. The
more far-off the goal, the less likely it is you will act on it.

How can you make sure your dream doesn't fall prey to the
out-of-sight, out-of-mind syndrome? By bringing it into the
present. To do this you must become the future "you." Here's
how: The next time someone asks what you do for a living, try
answering, not in terms of the present, but as if you were
actively engaged in pursing your dream right this minute. In
other words, squelch your pat "I'm an accountant/in sales/a
social worker/a homemaker" response and instead try saying
something like: "I'm an aspiring mystery writer," or "I'm
looking into returning to school to become an oceanographer," or
"I'm in the process of changing careers to pursue my love of
gourmet cooking."

It doesn't matter if you haven't written a single page of your
future bestseller, sent away for one college catalog, or lifted
a finger to pursue your passion for cooking. What does matter is
that the dream that once felt elusive will suddenly begin to
feel real. And when that happens, you will be amazed at how much
sooner you'll get the change ball rolling. Before you know it,
you will actually BE the future you!

Get Inspired

Someone who knows a lot about the power of "acting as if" is
Steven Spielberg. Hoping to fulfill his filmmaking dreams,
Spielberg explains that he snuck onto the lot of Universal
Studios and became a "squatter" in an empty office. He even
bought plastic letters to mount his name in the building
directory. Security guards and exec's alike thought the guy
belonged there. His high jinks paid off. Spielberg's first
directorial break came when the studio bigwigs finally saw his
first film and liked what they saw.

This and other success stories can be found in Mischief
Marketing: How the Rich, Famous, & Successful Really Got Their
Careers and Businesses Going. Author Ray Simon reveals how
famous people as diverse as Mother Teresa, Duke Ellington, Andy
Kaufman, rap artist Big Pun, and Benjamin Franklin really got
started in life and how you can use their mischievous techniques
to do the same.

As encouraging as success stories can be, learning about
another's failure can be just as inspiring. Did you know that
Bob Dylan was booed off the stage at his high school talent
show? Or that Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper job for
"lacking ideas?" Or that Thomas Edison failed to perfect the
light bulb until his ten-thousandth try? How many "can'ts" do
you think these dreamers had to endure?

And when faced with a dream-buster, these "failure stories" can
make great comebacks, too. Would Parks' critics have been so
quick to discourage had she pointed out that Grandma Moses
didn't start painting until she was 80 years-old and that, of
her over 1,500 paintings, 25 percent were produced when she was
past 100?

"Persistence," said Robert Half, "is what makes the impossible
possible, the possible likely, and the likely definite." As
anyone who has ever chased a dream will tell you,
disappointment, self-doubt, and failure go with the territory.
The trick is to recognize these setbacks for what they really
are - bumps in the road, not the end of the road.

Publisher Katherine Graham said it well: "To love what you do
and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?" This
is your life we're talking about here. So what are you waiting
for? Catch a dream, have some fun and start turning can't into
can!


Add Your Two Cents
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Changing Course Blog: http://ChangingCourse.com/blog

About the Author
"Turning Interests Into Income" expert, Valerie Young,
Abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the
Dreamer in Residence at http://ChangingCourse.com
offering resources to help you discover your life mission
and live it. Her career change tips have been cited in
Kiplinger's, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Weekend,
Woman's Day, and elsewhere and on-line at MSN,
CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. An expert on the Impostor
Syndrome, Valerie has spoken on the topic of How to Feel as
Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are
(http://ImpostorSyndrome.com) to such diverse organizations as
Daimler Chrysler, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Harvard, and American
Women in Radio and Television.

To read more articles about how to work at what you love without
a job go to http://ChangingCourse.com/articles