<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>B.Better Now - B.Inspired</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:01:59 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Clearing Mental Clutter</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2012/04/clearing-mental-clutter/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2012/04/clearing-mental-clutter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 02:55:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emotional Well-being]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Physical Environment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/?p=202</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Spring cleaning conjures up images of organizing closets, sweeping out cobwebs, and wiping down windows for a clear view. While most Americans believe spring cleaning is a ritual worth keeping, consider something that could be even more important to your happiness and success: Taking time to clear mental clutter. Here are a few tips to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.b-betternow.com/images/newsletter/spring-flowers.jpg" alt="" width="300" />Spring cleaning conjures up images of organizing closets, sweeping out cobwebs, and wiping down windows for a clear view. While most Americans believe spring cleaning is a ritual worth keeping, consider something that could be even more important to your happiness and success:  Taking time to clear mental clutter.  Here are a few tips to get you thinking:</p>
<p><span class="bullet">Rid Negativity.</span> Nothing works on your confidence more than negative thoughts that sabotage your success. Take an inventory of your negative thoughts and find a way to turn them positive. A simple example can be constant thoughts of <em>can&rsquo;t</em>. If you find yourself saying, &ldquo;I <em>can&rsquo;t</em> finish this project,&rdquo; or &ldquo;I <em>can&rsquo;t </em>afford the marketing plan,&rdquo; then replace the word <em>can&rsquo;t</em> with <em>won&rsquo;t</em>. The word <em>won&rsquo;t</em> implies that you&rsquo;re choosing not to take control of a situation. For example, turn &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t lose weight, to &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t lose weight.&rdquo; See the difference?</p>
<p><span class="bullet">Do, Dump or Delegate.</span> Unfinished business can feel like a 100-pound pack on your back. Find a way to get unfinished tasks, like thank-you notes, papers filed and bills paid, off your plate. Block out time this week to do, dump or delegate these tasks. If it&rsquo;s a task you must personally do, then just do it. But, if your assistant, your teenager, a friend or a virtual assistant can do it, delegate it. If the task has been on your to-do-list for more than a month, consider whether it&rsquo;s that important and think about dumping it. Mark it off your list and be done with it!&nbsp; </p>
<p><span class="bullet">Just Say &ldquo;No&rdquo;.</span> There is a huge upside to saying <em>no</em>. Before you take on a new commitment that might be more than you can handle well, ask yourself whether you&rsquo;re doing so because you:</p>
<ul>
<li>Want to prove yourself</li>
<li>Don&rsquo;t want to look weak</li>
<li>Like the attention and or the prestige</li>
<li>Think it might be fun</li>
<li>Assume you can do it better than anyone else</li>
</ul>
<p>If you say <em>yes</em> to so many requests, you&#8217;ll end up feeling stressed and stretched. Saying <em>no</em> might be better for your health. In fact, it shows respect for whomever is asking you to take on the commitment or project.</p>
<p>Clearing mental clutter helps get you back to business with clarity and vision on how to move more successfully through your week. Set aside time in your calendar each week to rid yourself of these energy-zappers and start to experience the freedom of clean thinking!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2012/04/clearing-mental-clutter/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wanted: Great Leaders</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2012/01/wanted-great-leaders/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2012/01/wanted-great-leaders/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:49:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Motivation/Leadership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/?p=197</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our world craves great leaders. Now more than ever before, public opinion of our leaders is at an all-time low. We need great leaders in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals, religious organizations, and homes. And, good leadership won&#8217;t suffice. We need great leadership. With more than 33,000 studies on the qualities of top leaders, all [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.b-betternow.com/images/newsletter/vision_photo.jpg" alt="" width="260" height="195" />Our world craves great leaders. Now more than ever before, public opinion of our leaders is at an all-time low. We need great leaders in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals, religious organizations, and homes. And, good leadership won&#8217;t suffice. We need great leadership.</p>
<p>With more than 33,000 studies on the qualities of top leaders, all conclude that “vision” is the most identifiable quality of a great leader.  Leaders think about the future most of the time.  They practice ”no-limit” thinking about the opportunities of tomorrow, rather than focusing on the problems of the past.</p>
<p>Great leadership is really a transfer of belief. Great leaders share their belief, vision, purpose and passion with others and in the process they inspire others to believe, act and impact. Great leaders are positively contagious and they instill confidence and belief in others.</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Good</em> leaders get people to believe in them.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Great</span> leaders inspire people to believe in themselves.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><em>Good</em> leaders say “Watch what I can do.”</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Great</span> leaders say “Let me show you what you can do.”</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> <em>Good</em> leaders catch fish for others so they can eat today.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Great</span> leaders teach people how to fish so they can eat for a lifetime.</li>
</ul>
<p>Great business managers inspire their people to believe in themselves and their product/service/organization. Great school principals inspire their teachers to believe they can make a difference. Great teachers inspire and empower their students to believe in themselves. Great pastors inspire their congregations to serve and impact the community. Great sports coaches inspire their teams to believe they can win. And the people who have changed the world have been those who instilled in others the confidence to step up, serve, take initiative and create positive change.</p>
<p>As leaders, our job is to continue to learn and grow in our work and personal life.  In order to lead others in a powerful way, we must share our vision for the road ahead and then encourage and empower people to generate inspired momentum that becomes an unstoppable force. This is what great leadership is all about—whether we’re leading a Fortune 500 company, a volunteer group, or a family.  Today, we need you now, more than ever, to lead!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2012/01/wanted-great-leaders/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Secret to Success is Giving</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/09/the-secret-to-success-is-giving/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/09/the-secret-to-success-is-giving/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:17:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/?p=191</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Golden Rule of Business says that people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust. It’s a transformational philosophy on how to create success in business AND life. How can we apply this rule?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="float: right;" src="http://www.b-betternow.com/images/newsletter/giving-hands.jpg" alt="Giving Hands" width="250" height="279" /></p>
<p>The Golden Rule of Business says that people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust. It’s a transformational philosophy on how to create success in business AND life.  How can we apply this rule?</p>
<p>According to Bob Burg and John David Mann in <em><strong>The Go-Giver</strong></em>, there are 5 laws that attract &#8220;stratospheric success.&#8221; In this segment, we&#8217;ll focus on the first law: The Law of Value, which states, &#8220;Your worth is determined by how much more you <span style="text-decoration: underline;">give</span> in value than you take in payment.&#8221;</p>
<p>Sound Pollyanna?  Remember the wise proverb, “Give and you shall receive,” or the business philosophy, “Givers Gain”?  When we change our focus from “getting” to “giving,” we put others’ needs first and add value that brings unexpected returns.</p>
<p>By incorporating this transformation philosophy as a way of life, we have the opportunity to experience the “joy of giving,” which has inspired everything from business books, to philanthropic giants, to psychologists who say that altruism and generosity make us healthier and happier.</p>
<p>Why is giving so powerful?  When we truly give without expectation, we experience love, joy, peace, community, charity, caring and improved self-worth.  This process of personal <em>EXPANSION</em> creates great joy, as we open a conduit for the kind of happiness that no one can ever steal.  Some say that through selfless giving, we enter the space where holiness resides.  Some visionaries even believe in the possibility of an economy based entirely on giving!</p>
<p>To apply this law to growing your business, you&#8217;ve got to give more. Giving is a way of life, and produces huge dividends over the long-term. Some examples might be exceptional customer service scores; customer appreciation programs; added-value services, such as free shipping, etc; consistent and fair practices and processes; providing referrals; remembering customer milestones; and sending thank you notes.</p>
<p>Many of our great fathers of industry—Ford, Edison, Hill, Carnegie—knew that the great fortunes of the world were created by people who had a greater passion for what they were giving, their product, service or idea, than what they were getting.  And, Dr. Martin Luther King said that everyone can be great because anybody can give.</p>
<p>This month, start consciously applying the Law of Value—and give!  Take some time to write out your plan to give more.  In the next issues we’ll cover the remaining 4 Law of Stratospheric Success.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/09/the-secret-to-success-is-giving/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Be Balanced! Smart habits to get off the fast lane and improve your health this summer</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/05/be-balanced-smart-habits-to-get-off-the-fast-lane-and-improve-your-health-this-summer/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/05/be-balanced-smart-habits-to-get-off-the-fast-lane-and-improve-your-health-this-summer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2011 21:40:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=164</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Summer is a wonderful time to bring balance and perspective to life – especially if you’ve been using all your emotional and physical reserves to push through a busy spring of balancing career with graduations, concerts, weddings and other commitments. Today, there are many medical studies that show our biography becomes our biology. In other [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Meditation" src="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_side-meditation.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="172" /></p>
<p>Summer is a wonderful time to bring balance and perspective to life – especially if you’ve been using all your emotional and physical reserves to push through a busy spring of balancing career with graduations, concerts, weddings and other commitments.</p>
<p>Today, there are many medical studies that show <em><strong>our biography becomes our biology</strong></em>.  In other words, how we think and live directly affects our physical self, emotional well-being, relationships and overall success at work.  When we’re out of balance, our resilience can be lowered right down to the cellular level – aging us and reducing our general immunity.</p>
<p><em><strong>This summer, put yourself at the top of your to-do list.</strong></em> With a few new habits, you’ll have the power to get off the fast lane, make a difference in your work life and have more energy to enjoy the summer.  As they say, “In habit lies destiny!”  Here are some suggestions to consider:</p>
<p><span style="color: #6F9354; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px;" >Create calm</span>. Summer can be the perfect time to <em><strong>reclaim your calm</strong></em>.  Research shows that when people enjoy the simple practice of getting out of the noise, to focus and be still, they experience very practical, physiological effects – such as lowered blood pressure, calmed brain waves, a boosted immune system, and enhanced clarity and creativity. There are many ways to create calm in your life:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px 21px 0px 42px;"><p><strong>Schedule regular time for reading, reflection and prayer first thing in the morning or every evening before going to bed.  Schedule an occasional massage. Spend time out in nature.  Make sure to connect each day on a meaningful level with someone you love. </strong></p></blockquote>
<p>To be successful, however, you’ll need a solid strategy and a strong commitment to creating calm.  Consider scheduling “Be Still Time” into your calendar to get this habit started.  By setting aside regular time for calm – just like your morning coffee or tea – it will become second nature.</p>
<p><img src="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/hamlets-blackberry.jpg" alt="Hamlets Blackberry" title="Hamlets Blackberry book cover" width="100" height="153" style="float: left;" /><span class="bullet">Rethink your digital life</span><strong>.</strong> Have you ever asked yourself:  Why don’t I have time to think?  Our computers, smart phones, iPads and other digital devices are miraculous at connecting us to the world, but research is showing these conveniences come at a great cost – to depth of communication, creative problem solving, and overall peace of mind.</p>
<p>Author William Powers, in <em>Hamlet’s Blackberry</em>, provides a compelling argument for consciously <em><strong>taking some time off from our devices</strong></em>.  To escape the chaos of digital life, he suggests scheduling time DAILY to be<em> “disconnected from devices”.</em> For example:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px 21px 0px 42px;"><p><strong>Turn off your cell phone at 8 p.m., take a walk in nature without your phone, stay out of your home office after 7 p.m, or have a disconnected party where all devices are confiscated at the door!</strong></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="color: #6F9354; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px;" >Make lean-body food choices</span>. The summer is a perfect time to <em><strong>create new lean-body food habits</strong></em>.  Make sure to get rid of any junk food around the house and avoid food traps at the office – such as vending machines, donut trays, power lunches and candy jars.  If all you have around are healthy foods, then you’re forced to make smart choices.  Stock your kitchen and office with lean-body meals and snacks, such as:<br />
<img src="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/food.jpg" alt="Healthy and well-balanced diet" title="Healthy and well-balanced diet" width="192" height="144" /></p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px 21px 0px 42px;"><p><strong>Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, yogurt, nuts, eggs, nut butters, salsa, avocados, whole grain wraps and breads, fruits, veggies, beans, white meats and fish, protein shakes, and even a little dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth with an antioxidant-rich treat.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>It’s also critical to drink plenty of water during the day.  Finally, limit caffeine.  Consuming too much caffeine can overtax your adrenal glands and leach the delicate balance of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes out of your body, contributing to your body’s stress load.  Make healthy eating a habit, so that by the time fall rolls around and the holidays begin, you’ve already got a strategy to stay lean and healthy!</p>
<p><span style="color: #6F9354; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px;" >Get moving</span>. Exercise heightens your sense of well-being, improves your mood, reduces stress and allows you to sleep better.  The summer is the perfect time to <em><strong>build in a daily exercise program and other physical activities that continue burning more calories during the day.</strong></em> Remember to put your exercise routine in your calendar and show up like you’re going to an important meeting!  In addition to a regular workout routine, here are some examples how to keep moving during the day:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px 21px 0px 42px;"><p><strong>Park at the far end of the mall lot.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.  Schedule a walk during lunch, or start a walking group in your office.  Use a fitness ball as a chair to keep your core muscles engaged all day.  Practice isometric movements while you’re talking on the phone or reading emails.  And, consider interval training or plyometric exercises, like the P90(X) program, to ratchet up your cardio intensity with intermittent bursts to help you burn more calories in a short period of time and boost your metabolism longer after your workout.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p><span class="bullet">Plan your dream career, promotion or community legacy</span>. If work is leaving you overwhelmed and uninspired, it might be time to <em><strong>make a career change or plan a new purpose-filled direction</strong></em>.  More and more people are moving away from conventional careers to pursuits they find more personally rewarding or in alignment with their values, from starting a new business, to writing a book or creating a non-profit.</p>
<p>This summer, take some time to find out how you were uniquely purposed.  By increasing our self awareness, we make better decisions about work, our charitable pursuits and overall life direction.  Self knowledge also brings insights that benefit your significant relationships as well. Here are some ideas to get you started:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px 21px 0px 42px;"><p><strong>Take a career assessment, such as the Strong Interest Inventory.  Complete a StrengthsFinder.  Join a LifeKeys class at a local church. Read a book on success principles.  Create a vision and a life plan to achieve personal and professional dreams.  Use a journal to record your insights. Finally, connect with a mentor or a coach to help you create a plan and keep you accountable. </strong></p></blockquote>
<p>By re-establishing a relationship with yourself, you’ll come to see the unique blend of your gifts, strengths, personality style, values, leadership abilities, goals, spiritual gifts, and life purpose.  With this kind of clarity, you’ll have the right information to make the best decisions about your career – and your life!</p>
<p><span style="color: #6F9354; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px;" >Laugh more</span>. Laughter has been proven to release a variety of immune-enhancing chemicals.  Look for ways to <em><strong>be more creative and fun during the day</strong>.</em> For example:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px 21px 0px 42px;"><p><strong>Take time for spontaneous activities.  Lighten up and avoid undue seriousness.  Practice an attitude of gratitude.  Choose a humorous phrase or one-liner from your favorite comedy that helps keep things in perspective.  Watch a funny movie before bed.  Read the comics before work.  Tell a joke.  If you’ve had a bad day, once you get home make some nasty grimaces in your bathroom mirror, then take a shower to wash off all your seriousness.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Achieving a healthy work/life balance takes some analyzing, planning and contemplation.  But change starts only when you take that first step.  Even a small step is important, because small changes, practiced consistently, transform great ideas into dramatic results.  So put yourself at the top of your to-do list this summer and create some success habits that can help you lead a more fulfilling life while accomplishing your goals more effectively.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/05/be-balanced-smart-habits-to-get-off-the-fast-lane-and-improve-your-health-this-summer/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Darker Side of Goal Setting—Roadblocks to Achievement</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/02/the-darker-side-of-goal-setting/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/02/the-darker-side-of-goal-setting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:12:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=145</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Let&#8217;s be honest, we&#8217;ve all set goals that have failed. In fact, research says that 90% of New Year&#8217;s resolutions fail by the end of January! Goal setting is supposed to be a positive, powerful practice that ignites enthusiasm and provides clear direction. To be successful, we&#8217;re supposed to set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="http://www.b-betternow.com/images/newsletter/reach-your-goals.jpg" style="float:right;" width="300"/></p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s be honest, we&rsquo;ve all set goals that have failed.  In fact, research says that 90% of New Year&rsquo;s resolutions fail by the end of January! </p>
<p>Goal setting is supposed to be a positive, powerful practice that ignites enthusiasm and provides clear direction.  To be successful, we&rsquo;re supposed to set SMART goals:  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.  However, when practiced poorly, goal-setting has a serious dark side that can undermine our success, making us cynical and fostering confusion about where to concentrate actions and energy. </p>
<p>So, why do so many people today set goals but fall short of achieving them on a regular basis?  Following are 9 ways goals can fail &ndash; and some suggestions on combating these pitfalls:</p>
<p><strong>1) No authentic purpose.</strong> For every goal, there must be a deeper motivation that fulfills our sense of purpose.  This is because taking purposeful action appeals to the emotional side of our brain, which feels good and fuels our desire toward accomplishment. The easiest goals to accomplish are the ones that we desire the most and make us almost leap for joy at the thought of achieving them. According to Johann Wolfgang Von-Goethe, &ldquo;Desire is the pre-sentiment of our inner ability, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>2) Not specific.</strong> If we set a goal to &ldquo;lose 10 pounds by spring break,&rdquo; for example, there isn&rsquo;t enough detail for the rational side of our brain, which can encourage excuses that get us off track.  Setting very clear, detailed goals will help the rational side of the brain follow through.  You&rsquo;ve heard the old adage, &ldquo;failing to plan means planning to fail.&rdquo;  It&rsquo;s really true!  So, determine your action plan with specifics on exactly how you&rsquo;re going to lose weight &ndash; such as type of workouts, days and the times, classes, diet adjustments, etc.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.b-betternow.com/images/newsletter/SMART-goals2.jpg" width="175" height="226" alt="SMART" /></p>
<p><strong>3) Lack of measuring.</strong> In addition to being specific and inspiring, our goals must be measurable.  This enhances our ability to create feedback mechanisms that monitor, control and correct the process of achieving our goals.  The same goes for business plans.  If we can develop specific tactics, a timeline, and a way to measure our progress, then we provide a successful road map for achieving business goals.</p>
<p><strong>4) Too big.</strong> If our goals are too large and overwhelming, they may be hard to accomplish. <em>Goals that are subconsciously unachievable or outside our mental boundaries of reality, are much less likely to be accomplished.</em></p>
<p>Current research on goals suggests that we will go through three phases: </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="bullet">Phase I: </span> We come out strong with enthusiasm and determination.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Phase II:</span> The &ldquo;Brick Wall.&rdquo;  We start to have a sense of failing at our goals or losing motivation. This is especially true if we have longer-term goals, which tend to make it easier to hit a valley.  This could show up as lack of money, a lack of support for an idea from family or friends, or simply a loss of interest in trudging ahead toward a seemingly unreachable goal. </li>
</ul>
<p><em>Now is a critical point to re-adjust our goals and timelines, possibly simplifying them or having more short-term goals that give us a sense of accomplishment that fuels our long-term goals.</em></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="bullet">Phase III:</span> Completion!</li>
</ul>
<p>So, does Phase II sound familiar?  Another related tip to prevent burn-out in Phase II is using the 80/20 rule.  Try to be dedicated to achieving your goals 80% of the time, and lighten up on yourself 20% of the time, within reason.  Staying &ldquo;on goal&rdquo; 100% of the time will eventually burn you out.</p>
<p><strong>5) Too complicated.</strong> If we spend too much time upfront on designing elaborate goals and tracking systems, we may find that our best efforts may not be sustainable over time.  If creating and tracking goals takes too much time away from accomplishing the goals, then it&rsquo;s time to prioritize and simplify goals.</p>
<p><strong>6) Too many.</strong> Along with complicated goals, we may create too many goals, making it impossible to complete anything.  People with too many goals feel that they never can accomplish a complete task.  They may also be confused about what is most important to accomplish or fall prey to the &ldquo;check it off the list&rdquo; syndrome, in which they check tasks off their list half way before accomplishing the goal due to lack of motivation or simply being willing to &ldquo;settle&rdquo; for less.</p>
<p><strong> 7) No accountability.</strong> When we talk about our ambitions, we feel accountable to other people.  Find a mentor, co-worker or coach to share your goals with and to hold you accountable.  There is strength in numbers!</p>
<p><strong> 8) Not written.</strong> Writing down goals is critical to making them happen.  And, regular review and follow-up of your goals make them LIVE.  Post your goals in two visible places, such as by your computer and on your personal bathroom mirror, and review them twice daily &ndash; first thing in the morning and before bed if possible.  Anchor your goals by visualizing what it&#8217;s like to accomplish them.  Refine your goals monthly as needed.  Last, make sure your shorter-term goals and action steps continue to support your longer-term goals, which are the guideposts to accomplishing your dreams!</p>
<p><strong>9) Focus on failure.</strong> If we ignore celebrating the goals we&rsquo;ve accomplished in the past, we lose sight of our innate ability of great achievement.  Our minds are too busy focusing on our &ldquo;failures&rdquo; versus our &ldquo;successes&rdquo; &ndash; and we inadvertently encourage more of the same.  Essentially, the subconscious slinks away with its tail tucked between its legs, resigned to failure!</p>
<p>To combat this focus on failure, list all the goals you&rsquo;ve achieved in the past and celebrate your successes.  Acknowledge yourself for work well done.   Then moving forward, every time you achieve a goal &ndash; no matter how small &ndash; reward yourself in some way.  Our subconscious needs this kind of subtle, but extremely important, fine-tuning to set us up for success!</p>
<p><strong>Your challenge:</strong> (1) Review or define goals.  (2) Link goals to a deeper purpose.  (3) Make them clear, well-defined, and measurable.  (4) Implement the 80/20 Rule.  (5) Find people to hold you accountable and review your goals daily.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2011/02/the-darker-side-of-goal-setting/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Living in Thanksgiving: One of life&#8217;s most valuable lessons</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/11/living-in-thanksgiving-one-of-lifes-most-valuable-lessons/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/11/living-in-thanksgiving-one-of-lifes-most-valuable-lessons/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:28:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=116</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The practice of &#8220;Living in Thanksgiving&#8221; can be truly life changing. All virtues have value and being thankful revitalizes the entire mental process by activating all other attitudes, thus stimulating creativity and joy. In fact, it has been said that the most powerful prayer is only two words, &#8220;Thank you!&#8221; According to experts who study [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.b-betternow.com/images/fall_2010.jpg" alt="" style="float:right;" width="240" height="320" /></p>
<p>The practice of &#8220;Living in Thanksgiving&#8221; can be truly life changing. All virtues have value and being thankful revitalizes the entire mental process by activating all other attitudes, thus stimulating creativity and joy.  In fact, it has been said that the most powerful prayer is only two words, &ldquo;Thank you!&rdquo;</p>
<p>According to experts who study the science of happiness and health, an &ldquo;Attitude of Gratitude&rdquo; is one of the highest emotional states possible, bringing in appreciation and happiness, while chasing out negativity. Without lower emotional states, such as disappointment, resentment or regret, we experience more emotional freedom and we&rsquo;re naturally happier and healthier.</p>
<h3>Start a gratitude practice.</h3>
<p>The Thanksgiving holiday offers a wonderful opportunity to launch a conscious gratitude practice.  There are many ways to practice being thankful on a daily basis, most very simple, but all quite powerful. </p>
<p>Remember, gratitude is a &ldquo;perspective,&rdquo; therefore it&rsquo;s difficult to extend it to anyone unless you start practicing it as a way of life.  As the famous saying says, &ldquo;Practice makes perfect!&rdquo;  Pick a couple options below and start your gratitude practice today!</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="bullet">Practice saying, &ldquo;Thank You,&rdquo;</span> for happy and challenging experiences, people, animals, nature, art, memories, and dreams. Make &ldquo;thank you&rdquo; a common phrase in your vocabulary.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Start your day with a prayer</span> and a clear intention of being more grateful. Be thankful that you rose from sleep successfully yet another day and that you might have the chance to change or shape your life or someone else&rsquo;s life through your interaction with them. Understand that what we pay the most attention to in our lives is what we get more of in our lives.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Look for the positive stories</span> in the newspapers, read uplifting books, notice the beautiful fall leaves and tune in to the birds singing.  You don&rsquo;t have to be oblivious to the harshness of life, but you can focus on being grateful for the good parts.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Keep a gratitude journal</span>.  List 10 (or more) things you&rsquo;re grateful for in your journal each day. Choose an attractive, bound journal for this effort to show the honor you give the practice of expressing gratitude.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Start a gratitude calendar</span>. Write something positive daily in your calendar to up-lift your attitude and re-set your perspective.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Collect positive affirmations and quotes</span> about being thankful and keep them handy in a fancy little box to read and share with family and friends. Review the list on those occasions when you forget to be grateful.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Find a story and photo about someone with fewer gifts</span>, abilities or opportunities than yourself who is nonetheless is achieving much satisfaction in his or her life.  Humbly contemplate how grateful you feel to be healthy and able. Never forget your life could change in an instant.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Sign 	up to volunteer in your community</span>. Helping those less fortunate than yourself is the best way to show gratitude for the gifts and abilities you possess.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Write &ldquo;thank you&rdquo; notes</span> to friends, family members or co-workers.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Do one (or more) random act of kindness</span> to a stranger each day.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Take someone out to lunch</span> or dinner as a gesture of gratitude. Buy someone coffee.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Utter blessings, and express your appreciation</span> to everything and everyone you encounter.  Be a blessing; and you 	will be blessed.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Be present</span>.  When talking to a friend, try to avoid being distracted with other things, like making dinner or your to-do lists.</li>
<li><span class="bullet">Practice &ldquo;beauty appreciation.&rdquo;</span>  Savor the pleasant things daily, like the rising of the sun, the whispering of the wind, the majesty of the moon and stars.  This practice filters out the root of bitterness as you embrace your day and effectively neutralize the impact of bad experiences.  This frees your heart and opens a window to joyful and grateful living!</li>
</ul>
<p>A gratitude practice can really open up our heart and make us aware of the many riches we&rsquo;ve already created in our life that might be taken for granted.  This practice increases our realization of prosperity and abundance on every level, and thus our ability to manifest a better life and more happiness.</p>
<p>As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said,<em> &ldquo;It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich!&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>Happy Thanksgiving!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/11/living-in-thanksgiving-one-of-lifes-most-valuable-lessons/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Timeless Words of Gratitude</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/11/timeless-words-of-gratitude/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/11/timeless-words-of-gratitude/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:13:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Naylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Throughout the ages, the world&#8217;s greatest spiritual leaders, thinkers and authors have recognized the power of gratitude. Gratitude changes our focus of life more than any other action. When you feel good, you do good – and more good shows up in your life! We can decide to be grateful or to be bitter. When [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Throughout the ages, the world&#8217;s greatest spiritual leaders, thinkers and authors have recognized the power of gratitude. Gratitude changes our focus of life more than any other action. When you feel good, you do good – and more good shows up in your life! </p>
<p class="quotes">We can decide to be grateful or to be bitter. <br />
      When we persist in looking at the shadow side, <br />
      we will eventually end up in the dark. </p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Henry Nouwen</p>
<p class="quotes">If you can&#8217;t be thankful for what you receive, <br />
    be thankful for what you escape.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Unknown</p>
<p class="quotes">Give thanks for a little, and you will have a lot.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;The Hausa of Nigeria</p>
<p class="quotes">When you can&#8217;t have what you want, it is time to start wanting what you have.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Kathleen A. Sutton</p>
<p class="quotes">Until you make peace with who you are, <br />
    you will never be content with what you have.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Doris Mortman</p>
<p class="quotes">Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; <br />
    they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Russell H. Conwell</p>
<p class="quotes">Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Cicero</p>
<p class="quotes">A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Gotthold Lessing</p>
<p class="quotes">When life hands you a lemon, squeeze it and make lemonade.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;W. Clement Stone</p>
<p class="quotes">Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. <br />
    It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. <br />
    It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. <br />
    Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, <br />
    and creates a vision for tomorrow.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Melody Beattie</p>
<p class="quotes">God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a thankful heart.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;Izaak Walton</p>
<p class="quotes">Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. For this is the will of God.</p>
<p class="author">&#8212;I Thessalonians 5:16-18</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/11/timeless-words-of-gratitude/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Power of Positive Thinking</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/the-power-of-positive-thinking/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/the-power-of-positive-thinking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:22:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Naylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading List]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=20</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale Translated into fifteen languages with more than 7 million copies sold, The Power of Positive Thinking is unparalleled in its extraordinary capacity for restoring the faltering faith of millions. In this insightful program, Dr. Peale offers the essence of his profound method for mastering the problems [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/power_positive_thinking.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-40" title="The Power of Positive Thinking" src="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/power_positive_thinking.jpg" alt="The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale" width="120" height="182" /></a></p>
<h3>The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale</h3>
<p><em>Translated into fifteen languages with more than 7 million copies sold, The Power of Positive Thinking  is unparalleled in its extraordinary capacity for restoring the faltering faith of millions. In this insightful program, Dr. Peale offers the essence of his profound method for mastering the problems of everyday living.</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/the-power-of-positive-thinking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Joy of Prosperity Thinking</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/the-joy-of-prosperity-thinking/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/the-joy-of-prosperity-thinking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Oct 2010 01:23:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Naylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[B.Inspired]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=6</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Strategies for Breaking Free from Financial Prison In the last day or two, what types of conversations have you had about money? Perhaps you complained to a friend about how poorly business is going. Maybe you were up all night thinking about paying your mortgage or handling the credit cards this month. Looking back at the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3>Strategies for Breaking Free from Financial Prison</h3>
<p>In the last day or two, what types of conversations have you had about money? Perhaps you complained to a friend about how poorly business is going. Maybe you were up all night thinking about paying your mortgage or handling the credit cards this month. Looking back at the last 24-48 hours, can you honestly say you’ve had optimistic thoughts or conversations about money?</p>
<p>With the headlines about economic downturn, joblessness, tax changes, and unpredictable financial markets, money is one of the top areas of stress and uncertainty for most people.</p>
<p>Typically, about a third of my new clients come in quite upset, either from the effects of drowning in debt, job loss or business failure. Some folks got overleveraged in their businesses, many were affected by the drastic real estate downturn and others were trapped in a corporate standstill, unable to use their strengths, unleash their passions and grow their careers.</p>
<p>With all this transition, what can we do to stay positive and put ourselves in the best position to create more abundance and prosperity? We can&#8217;t change what happened yesterday, but we CAN make a difference in how we live today by changing the way we think.  We can work on having a different money mindset!<br />
<span id="more-6"></span></p>
<h3>Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth</h3>
<p>We can master our “inner” game of wealth by understanding our financial mindset, which is the way we think about money. Our beliefs about money are so ingrained that it is hard to talk about them without a lot of emotion coming up. Most of us get angry when our money patterns are challenged.</p>
<p>T. Harv Eker’s <em>Secret of the Millionaire Mind</em> is one of the best books at identifying money mindsets that might be holding us back. He believes we all have a personal money psychology ingrained in our subconscious minds from money messages we heard during childhood, from modeling our parents and our own past experiences. And, more than anything else, our subconscious mind will determine our financial success.</p>
<p>We can know everything about accounting, stocks, economics, real estate, marketing, sales and the world of finance, but if our money psychology is not set for abundance, we will have a hard time experiencing prosperity and wealth—and if we do, chances are we will lose it!!</p>
<h3>Revamping Money Psychology</h3>
<p>In order to revamp our money psychology, we need to look beneath the surface—to our subconscious and deeply rooted emotions around money. Subconscious conditioning affects our thinking; our thinking affects our decisions; our decisions affect our actions; and our actions will eventually create outcomes.</p>
<p>For example, a limiting belief about money might be, “I enjoy spending because you can’t take it with you.” With that mindset, we may find ourselves bogged down in debt, or with little savings and investments for the future. Our financial freedom then becomes a fleeting concept.</p>
<p>A more positive money mindset might be one based on saving for the future: “The more I sacrifice in the short term, the faster I’ll reach my financial goals.”</p>
<p>Another limiting belief is, “I know all I need to about managing my money.” Along with that belief, might be deeper belief which is, “Rich people are greedy and corrupt.”</p>
<p>These types of mindsets completely limit us. First, having prosperity allows us to give to others in ways that can benefit hundreds of people and help change the world. And, regarding not asking for help managing our money, we need to remember that knowledge is power. A good financial mentor can bring options forward that we might not have any exposure to otherwise. And, the complexities and constant change in the financial markets also require us to depend more on experts who can advocate for us.</p>
<p>So, a more empowering belief than the ones above might be, “My income grows as I grow.” Asking for help and learning from mentors is an important aspect of overcoming this negative mindset.</p>
<p>Mentors are people who have already accomplished what we have set out to accomplish, and are currently living the life we want to be living. Conferring with these mentors helps us to continually transform our financial thought process from that of a common mindset of scarcity and struggle to that of a mindset of abundance and freedom.</p>
<p>One of the most basic concepts I’ve learned about money is that if we’re not focusing on it or responsibly managing it, we’re likely not making the amount we’re capable of AND we’re probably losing more than we know by mismanaging it!! This mindset might be, “Money is a burden to manage” or “I don’t enjoy or have time to manage my money.”</p>
<p>Of course, if we focus too much on positive thinking and we ignore many of the practical action steps necessary to create success, then this type of imbalance can impede any real forward progress or long-term results as well.</p>
<h3>Experiencing the Benefits that Bring Personal Freedom</h3>
<p>Your money psychology will always impact the decisions you make along the path to abundance and financial freedom. Some of the benefits of resetting your relationship with money include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Healing your family’s money legacy</li>
<li>Forgiving debt and other guilty money issues from your past</li>
<li>Claiming your money power</li>
<li>Creating accountability and action</li>
<li>Experiencing an improved relationship with money that creates prosperity</li>
</ul>
<p>Only you can be accountable for changing your negative attitudes about money, which is really just adhering the powerful and life-changing <em><strong>Principle of Personal Responsibility</strong></em>. Doing so will enable you to reduce the mental blocks that are preventing you from effectively doing the work to create the financial stability and profitability that is truly your destiny!</p>
<h3>Resetting Your Relationship with Money</h3>
<p>To reset your money mindset, the first step is to genuinely examine and shift your inherently negative thoughts about money. Much like physical conditioning, your financial conditioning is something you must begin to self-manage and be attentive to for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>First, take some time to jot down your beliefs about money. See T. Harv Eker’s <a href="http://www.b-betternow.com/downloads/360-Money_Mindset.pdf" target="_blank">worksheet</a> if you need some guidance. Then closely examine the list and truthfully asked yourself which of your beliefs are continually sabotaging you.</p>
<p>Remember the words of Napoleon Hill, “Both poverty and prosperity are the offspring of thought.”</p>
<p>Next, make a second list of how you would like to think differently about money. Start keeping those lists with you, preferably in your planner, wallet or at your desk.</p>
<p>Now, whenever you find yourself thinking a thought from the negative mindset list, stop yourself. Make a conscious decision to shift that thought to one of your new, empowering beliefs. Before you know it, your new thinking will become habit. According to research, this takes about one month! And, you’ll experience better money outcomes that will continue to support and energize your new money mindset!</p>
<h3>Finding a Spiritual Solution to Money Problems</h3>
<p>Maybe most important of all, we can challenge ourselves to view money from a more high-level, spiritual position, which sometimes helps elevate our thinking about the possibility of creating prosperity for the good of people and the planet. One spiritual source of positive prosperity thinking is found in the book, <em>The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life</em>.</p>
<p>Remember Proverbs 10:22 &#8211; &#8220;God’s blessing is our greatest wealth; all our work adds nothing to it.&#8221; With the Prayer of Jabez, we tap into a much higher power than ourselves and release God’s supernatural ability to accomplish miracles and new beginnings despite hardship and improbabilities.</p>
<h3>Reading List for Prosperity Thinking:</h3>
<ul>
<li><em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/16/secret-of-the-millionaire-mind/">Secret of the Millionaire Mind</a></em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/16/secret-of-the-millionaire-mind/">, by T. Harv Eker</a></li>
<li><em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/16/the-prayer-of-jabez/">The Prayer of Jabez:  Breaking Through to the Blessed Life</a></em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/16/the-prayer-of-jabez/">, by Bruce Wilkinson</a></li>
<li><em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/16/think-and-grow-rich/">Think and Grow Rich</a></em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/16/think-and-grow-rich/">, by Napoleon Hill</a></li>
<li><em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/18/the-power-of-positive-thinking/">The Power of Positive Thinking</a></em><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/18/the-power-of-positive-thinking/">, by Norman Vincent Peale</a></li>
</ul>
<p>What ideas can you share about prosperity thinking? Share your feedback <a href="#respond">here</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/the-joy-of-prosperity-thinking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Think and Grow Rich</title>
		<link>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/think-and-grow-rich/</link>
		<comments>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/think-and-grow-rich/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:44:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Naylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading List]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://b-betternow.com/blog/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Napoleon Hill’s classic mental-exercise book teaches you everything you need to know to empower yourself for success. Drawing on the experiences of not only the author, but famous U.S. businessmen, Hill makes real-world lessons which anyone can follow. One of the great self-help books of all time.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/think_grow_rich.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-33" title="Think and Grow Rich" src="http://b-betternow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/think_grow_rich.jpg" alt="Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill" width="120" height="208" /></a></p>
<h3>Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill</h3>
<p><em>Napoleon Hill’s classic mental-exercise book teaches you everything  you need to know to empower yourself for success. Drawing on the  experiences of not only the author, but famous U.S. businessmen, Hill  makes real-world lessons which anyone can follow. One of the great  self-help books of all time.</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.b-betternow.com/blog/2010/10/think-and-grow-rich/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

