Stay Focused and Take Action to Achieve Results

 
How many times a day do we say to ourselves that we "want" something?  Whether it is to lose weight, get into shape, create a project, eat healthier, make more money, or achieve any goal, it won't happen  unless we stay focused on the result, and stay focused on the action it takes to get there.

 

I hear people saying that they want to lose weight, yet they continue to eat poorly, and never exercise.  Their "want" does not match their focus or their action.  People will say they want to have a fit body and look a certain way, yet they do not take the action it takes to get the fit body they are wanting.  I hear people saying that they want a better job, but they never focus or act on getting one.  Without the focus or action towards the things you want in life, you can be sure of never getting what it is you want.

Wishing, hoping, and wanting, do not create results.  If you want to lose weight, stay focused on the result you want.  Eating processed food, junk food, high sugar, high fat food, will not give you the result that you are looking for.  Stop before you choose to eat these types of food and ask yourself, "will this food give me the result that I am wanting?".  If the answer is "no" then don't eat it.  Stay focused on the weight loss results that you want and choose healthier food.

If you want to get into shape by creating muscle and heart strength, stay focused and act on what it takes to get there.  Exercising on a regular bases will get you those results.  Sitting around just wanting to be in shape is not going to get you there.  You must take action.  Choose to get out of your comfort zone and begin to exercise.  Use commitment and discipline to keep you on track.  Stay focused on the result of becoming fit and strong.  Just wanting it, and talking about it every day will not get you your fitness results.  Focus and action will.  

 
Wanting a new job or creating a new project takes focus and action.  So many people are stuck in jobs that they hate, yet they do little to change their circumstance.  Many people have great ideas, but never work towards manifesting them. With daily focus and action towards finding a job that you love, or creating that special project you have been wanting to do, success can be yours.  If you believe that it can happen, and you put your focus and action towards it, you can create what ever you want.

My friend Bill Poett at www.billpoett.com talks about the importance of having joy in all that we do.  This is very true, and an important ingredient to any success.  If you are finding no joy in your work, exercise, diet, relationships, or in life in general, life can be a drudge.  Take a moment to evaluate what it is that would give you joy, then begin to focus and take the action steps it would take to create that life.  Bill's book the "ABC's of Peak Performers" is a wonderful tool to help you find the joy in life.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in changing themselves for the better and living in joy.

So remember if you are always "wanting" but never getting what you want out of life, perhaps your focus and actions have not matched your desires.  Stay focused and take action towards your dreams and goals, and success will be yours.

Wishing You Health and Happiness,

Queenie

Feeding the Body....Feeding the Mind

I am always preaching about the importance of feeding the body with mostly natures foods.  Eating healthy means to stay away from processed food, fast food, and foods that are high in white sugar, white flour, and animal fat.  If we stick to fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins, for the bulk of our diets, we will be healthier for it.  The main reason to eat is to give the body nutrition.  Eating natures foods helps to accomplish that goal.

What about applying that same concept to our minds.  What are we feeding our minds on a daily bases?  Are we feeding it "junk" such as gossip magazines, bad television, too much news, violent computer games, or negative conversation?  Our mind is affected by what we feed it, just as our body is affected by what food we eat.  If we want to have a life that is joyful, successful, and fulfilling, we need to choose a more "nutritional" diet for our mind.

For instance if you are spending much of your time watching shows on television that focus on humiliating or embarrassing certain individuals, ask yourself why you are entertained by seeing others look bad.  If you are hooked on news, and find yourself feeling bad and fearful from all that you see and read, ask yourself why you keep wanting to feel that way.  If you love to gossip or hear from others about gossip, ask yourself what it is you get from knowing about other peoples personal information.  If you love to watch violent movies, or play violent computer games, ask yourself why violence is something you enjoy.

It is impossible to feel "good" about any of these pass times on a deep level.  I believe that many people feed their minds this kind of stuff to help them to feel better about their own personal lives.  Perhaps they feel inadequate, or bored, or insecure, and watching or listening to these types of negative mind food helps them feel better about themselves.  Whatever the reason, it is "junk" food for our minds, and ultimately not a good diet for the cerebral part of us.

Whatever we keep filling our heads with, will drive us in life.  If you are always thinking negative, you will most likely feel depressed, sad, and sound a bit like Eeyore the donkey.  Always seeing the glass half empty, what could go wrong, instead of what could go right.  It is hard to feel good about anything if negative thinking is how you choose to think.  Choosing to see things in a positive light, choosing positive thoughts instead of negative will virtually change your life.    After all, we choose every thought we have anyway, why not choose the ones that help us to feel better?  I have written many past blogs that talk about "choosing" your thoughts to create a better life.  You can find them in the archives of this blog.

Choosing what you watch on television is also powerful.  Most of the "reality" shows are all about seeing the worst of humanity.  Many of the main characters get into fights with each other showing no manners, values, compassion, or class.  They seem to focus on traits that used to be seen as bad behavior, but now gets you famous.  It does not take any talent or brains to be a complete moron in a reality show.  These type of shows are similar to eating a donut....full of content, but absolutely zero nutrition in them, as well as making you unhealthy. 

If you are a news junky, and I must tell you I used to be, you will have a hard time feeling positive about what is going on in this world.  I have had to stop watching the news in order to feel better.  We have to remember that news is mostly fear based, and full of sensationalism.  Just this past week the 405 freeway in L.A. was closed for the weekend.  It is a freeway that connects much of L.A., and the main route to get to the Airport.    For two weeks prior to the closing we heard how catastrophic it was going to be because of this closer.  News shows termed it "carmageden", and told of the nightmares that would follow when it was closed.  It was a non event with little to no problems.  Just like Y2K in 2000 and the killer bees coming up from South America, all non events by the way, yet the news put fear in us all by reporting  the horrors of what could happen.  Stay away from too much news if you want to feel better.

Do you like to gossip and hear about other peoples problems?  This is not a way to feed your mind.  It is negative and only leads to more negativity by passing it along to others.  What a huge waste of time!  I always find it fascinating when people gossip about celebrities or people they do not even know.  It is just another way to try and feel better about yourself.  If I can talk about someone Else's problems, mine don't look so bad.  I guess that is why we do it.  To somehow feel better if someone else is having bigger troubles.  Bad food for the mind!

Filling our heads with violent movies, stories, or video games, is also a poor diet for the brain.  What possible benefit could we get from watching such violence?  Does it makes us feel good, happy, or content?  I highly doubt it, and if it does, therapy might be a good choice to make.  Violence begets violence.  Simple and to the point.  Our world is so desensitized to violence that watching a person blown to bits in a movie seems normal at this point.  Seeing someone brutally beaten is ordinary.  We hear of children committing heinous crimes today because they have seen violence as a normal way to behave.  If you want to feel good and feed your brain good stuff, violence is not the answer.

 

Feed your brain things that are positive, nurturing, and productive for your life's course.  Watch and read things that uplift you, or that you learn something from.  Choose to have conversations that are also uplifting and positive.  If you are surrounded by people that choose to be negative, find new friends.  Stay away from gossip and finding entertainment from other peoples troubles.  Feed your mind things that help you to feel better and become a better person. 

Our life will be guided by whatever it is we focus on....make sure you are focusing on a "healthy" and "nutritional" diet for your mind.

Wishing You Health and Happiness,

Queenie

Do You Want to be the Best You Can Be?

 
Many people that I ask, "Do you want to be the best you can be?" will answer yes.  However most people do not understand what it takes to be at their best, or are not willing to do what it takes. If you are someone who wants to be the best you can be, I am going to tell you about a book that will help you do just that.  Bill Poett the author of the "ABC's of Peak Performers" has written this book with 26 simple steps to a more empowered, joyful life.

This book is a wonderful tool for anyone who is wanting to change their life for the better.  Bill has had extensive training that includes being a motivational speaker, success coach, and close quarter combat instructor.  He has 11 black belts in martial arts, and has taught some of America's most elite civilian, military, and law enforcement teams.  From the battle field to the boardroom, from the playing field to the family room, Bill presents the tools that create the pathways to joy and success.

Bill uses the alphabet to remind us of all the important ingredients for success and joy in life.  A is for attitude, B is for balance, C is for confidence, D is for discipline, E is for enthusiasm, and so on.  Each step is important to us if we are trying to reach our "Peak Performance" in life.  Bill includes exercises and goals in  each step to better implement them into your life.  His 26 steps are a recipe for anyone interested in creating the life they want and a life they dream of having. 

Another thing that Bill does in  "Peak Performers" is to give us  wonderful quotes, stories, and inspirational thoughts throughout the book.  We can learn a great deal from others who have gone before us, as well as those wise souls that are still with us.  In his chapter for perseverance Bill states, "Perseverance won't guarantee success, but quitting always guarantees failure".  The "Responsibility" chapter states that, "You are the only one who holds the Responsibility for creating the world you want to live in and the life you want to lead."  There are many more of these powerful teachings in "Peak Performers" to help guide and enrich your life.

 
Bill speaks about his own personal life lessons where he has garnered great wisdom.  He has had his share of struggle,difficulties, and trying times in his life which have helped to make him the incredible coach that he is today.  I don't know anyone who has character, wisdom, strength, and perseverance who has not had challenges, struggles, and failures in life.  Bill Poett has earned his title, "America's Coach".

So if you are interested in being at your best physically, mentally, and spiritually, "Peak Performers" is a must read for you.  You can get this book on Bill's website www.billpoett.com, or at Amazon.com.  You can also sign up for Bill's "Cuppa Joy" on his website.  You will receive a daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and new perspectives on your personal, professional, and physical life.  I love my morning cup of Joy!  His website is full of information to help anyone on their path to a better life.

Remember, if you are wanting to be the best you can be, this book can help you get there.  You'll love it, I promise you that!

Wishing You Health and Happiness,

Queenie

Happy 4th of July!

Here in the United States it is Independents Day, a day to celebrate.  It was July 4th, 1776 that we became independent from the Briton.  On the news this morning a poll had been taken on how many Americans know what year we became independent, and from who.  Sadly, 42% did not know the year of our independence,  or who we became independent from.  I was shocked.

Obviously, those 42% either did not attend our school system, or were not paying attention while they were there.  You can hardly get through grammar school without learning what the 4th of July is about, let alone Junior high and High school.  The 4th of July celebration for many Americans has become mostly about barbeque's, and picnics, and not about the creation of our country.

As in most of our holiday's, the 4th is pretty much all about food.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, chips and dip, ice cream, and watermelon, are the foundation for a 4th of July feast.  It is a day of fun in the sun, and lots of eating.  Some of us choose to do some kind of exercise during this holiday to balance out the extra calories that we are taking in.....and that is a good idea to do so.

Whether it is swimming, volleyball, bike riding, rollerblading, hiking, or just taking a walk, adding in some exercise is a good plan.  You could be eating an extra 1,000 calories on a day like today with all of the holiday food options, and exercise will help to balance out that.  Ninety minutes of focused bike riding can burn up most, if not all of that extra 1,000 calories.

It is helpful to have "tastes" of things, rather than eat a whole portion of any fattening item such as potato salad, macaroni salad, and garlic bread.  Eat more fresh fruit instead of cookies, cakes, and ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.  Lose the hamburger bun if you can stand to, and you will lose a few hundred calories by doing so.  Being mindful of how much you are eating is a big help to not falling to far off your plan to be and stay lean.

Of course most of us will be out in the sun on a holiday like today's.  Don't forget to put on your sunblock.  I went for a run yesterday on the beach and forgot to sunblock my chest, and the difference between my chest and the rest of my body that got sun is very significant.  I just added to the aging of the skin on my chest, and was mad at myself for forgetting to sunblock it.

Many of us will watch the fireworks show right after sun set tonight.  Brilliant colors, loud pops and bangs, and patriotic songs will be a part of these shows.  These are difficult times for many of us, but we will still be out there celebrating our country with family, friends, food, sun, and fun.  America is the Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave, and this is our day to remember and celebrate that!  

Wishing You Health and Happiness!

Queenie