The Power Of Passion
February 28, 2009
Never underestimate the power of passion.
- Eve Sawyer
I ran across this fantastic quote a few moments ago and I really love it. Passion is so important to your goals and projects. Without it they are never going to get done or materialize in your life. My college literary professor said that the correct definition of passion was “to suffer” and that most people used the word incorrectly. So some extent I agree with this definition but only in the context of your goals.
When you have passion for a goal and you work towards it you are by default giving up something else at the same time. This can be thought of as suffering i.e. no chocolate cake for a firm body or no t.v. so you can finish writing your book. I think however it is deeper than that. What you are really doing is choosing an activity with a higher value. You only place a higher value on an activity or a task related to a goal if you deeply value that goal.
This is where the power of emotions come in. You have to really want the goal. It has to speak to your heart and pull you off the couch and out of bed in the morning. I frequently look down at the clock at night and think “oh no” its 12:00pm I really have to go to bed. I am so excited about working on my projects however that I could keep going. So to go back to what my college professor said about passion. Make your “suffering” one of excitement and anticipation. Be so in love with your goal and ideal that you simply can’t wait to have it. Suffer with the love of your goal and never underestimate the power of passion.
Christina Helwig
www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
Accepting Failure & Moving On
February 28, 2009
Last year I tried to start a business. It was one that I was very familiar with. I had worked in the field for over six years and I was a rockstar in it. I formed a collection agency business that focused on construction companies solely. That was going to be my niche. My brother had a tile business and had to close shop when a large customer refused to pay him. I thought the model was great. We ramped up and spent money to advertise. We invested countless hours in calling and working on the business. At night you could find me adding mailing labels to postcards etc.
By all appearances I thought the business would be great. I knew however in the back of my mind that there was a problem with my model. Collections is fundamentally a negative experience. I would be exposing myself and more importantly my employees to a negative interaction with another human being. If you have read my posts before you know that negativity is just not in my life sphere.
After about 6 months and countless dollars spent I pulled the plug and told the people involved that we needed to circle the wagons and regroup. They were upset and wanted to continue to chase something that was just not working. I told them that sometimes we have to let go of something to allow a better opportunity to come to us. About 5 months later a better one did and I am so happy. The business is based on helping people better themselves and realize their dreams. It is right in alignment with my purpose and is a hobby / business for me. It is not a chore. The model has a direct one to one pay ratio and is not dependent on getting unhappy people to pay debts they don’t want to pay in the first place.
I view the first business as a stepping stone and a pathway to something better. There are probably many things that you can look back on in your life that had the same characteristics. The more important thing for you to do right now is evaluate whether your current projects and plans are really working. Can they be redone? Or are you simply chasing the end of a rainbow out of pride? If its the later please stop, circle your wagons and keep your eyes and heart open for a better opportunity. It will come in time.
Christina Helwig
www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
Are You Willing To Pay “The Price”
February 23, 2009
Often we set our hearts on a goal or something we would like to have in our lives and we consistently fail to realize it. For some inexplicable reason we stumble and the dream never materializes. We look back and blame external circumstances or people and events. For a select few they also look within and see that their own habits, thoughts and actions played a role in not achieving what they wanted.
There is a very fundamental question you should be asking yourself in these circumstances. Was I willing to pay the price? Paying the price of having your goal involves more than merely going through the motions. It requires a deep unyielding commitment to achieve your goal no matter what it costs you in terms of money, time, habit changes, thought pattern changes and release of unserving beliefs and activities. It’s that extra push of energy that a champion exerts to win a race or the last steps of a grueling walk to freedom.
There is also something very special about “the price.” The price is personal its not based on what others have done to achieve what you want. The price is solely determinate on what you have to do to achieve your goal and nothing else. Your price might be more or less than what is required of another individual.
You lose ground when you start making comparisons. Another person’s actions and thoughts can serve as a guidepost but they should never be set up as the standard for what is necessary to achieve YOUR goals. Your price is personal and should always be treated as such. Stop feeling sorry for yourself when you have to work harder to achieve something. There are a great deal of things you do with minimal effort that others struggle through.
Remember this and rexamine your recent setbacks to see if you were really paying YOUR price.
Christina Helwig
www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
Twitter’s Favorite Personal Development Books
February 19, 2009
Here is a list of favorite books from my twitter followers:
“Excuse Me , Your Life is Waiting” by Lynn Grabhorn: www.twitter.com/sariantra
“The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell: www.twitter.com/Kozwell
“Success Principles” by Jack Canfield: www.twitter.com/drwrightdc
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky www.twitter.com/jakeofalltrade
“The Go-Giver” By Bob Burg and John David Mann and “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle: www.twitter.com/BradleyWill
“Ask and it is Given” by Abraham-Hicks and “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie: www.twitter.com/PetParentAuthor and Lisa on Facebook.
“7 Simple Steps” by Jonathan Wells: Johnathan Wells himself 
www.twitter.com/mrjWells
“You Can Heal Your Life” by Louis Hay: Bryn on Facebook
“Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace Wattles: Bryn on Facebook
“I Will” by Ben Sweetland: www.twitter.com/screamingeagle1 [P.s. this man is one of my all-time favorite tweeps]
I have posted the links of the twitter people. Out of respect for the privacy of my Facebook friends I have not posted a link to you. I will post one if you ask me too. Please enjoy these books.
What is Character?
February 11, 2009
Hyram Smith defines character as “The ability to carry out a worthy decision after the emotion of making that decision has passed.” This is what I like to call living in integrity with your goals. It is at its core doing what you say you are going to to when you say you are going to do it.
I have realized something about myself over the last few weeks. I have simply taken on way too much. I have a bunch of different projects competing for my time and I have spread myself a little thin. Did I cause this to happen, absolutely. Can I fix it? Yes, but I have made promises in the process and I have to honor those commitments. Regardless of how much I have going on at any one time I know that other people are counting on me to follow through with projects and tasks I agreed to complete. So even though I am very busy and a little tired I will stay up and finish what I started.
This leads into another thing that Hyram Smith said in his video on ILG: “If you develop a reputation for doing what you say you are going to do in the corporate world you can write your own ticket, because people know when you say something is going to happen it happens.” All businesses, bosses, spouses and even your friends are looking for one thing: dependability. When they need you and it matters can you deliver and can you stay true to your promises. Dust off those lingering promises and fulfill them. Trust me it will make you feel better [even if you are a little tired].
Christina Helwig
To learn more about Hyram Smith visit www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
Twelve Priceless Qualities of Success
February 10, 2009
1. The value of time.
2. The success of perseverance.
3. The pleasure of working.
4. The dignity of simplicity.
5. The worth of character.
6. The power of kindness.
7. The influence of example.
8. The obligation of duty.
9. The wisdom of economy.
10. The virtue of patience.
11. The improvement of talent.
12. The joy of originating.”
~Marshall Field
Stop Calling Your Income Disposable!
February 6, 2009
While driving home tonight from dinner I was having a conversation with Ray Stendall about how I built up disposable income for my new car. It struck me that the term “disposable” is a terrible term for individuals to use. It inherently makes you think of money as something that gets thrown away. Stay with me on this thought… If you think of money as something to be thrown away it means that you do not value it or respect it because its “trash.”
When it comes time to allocate where you spend money and how you decide to manage your income you will make different decisions if you change the way you talk about money. I challenge you to think about money as an investment. Say “I invested” in buying, food, clothes, paying rent, buying books or spending money on building my business. The fundamental shift in your thinking will over time change the way you spend money and your relationship to it.
By respecting money and taking it from being disposable to an investment you will have much better control of what happens when it comes time to balance the checkbook at the end of the week. Eventually you will also start to make mental choices you never thought possible. I personally want to continue to build my business. When I go out or make choices about where to spend my money, I think to myself “can I invest this” in my business or am I going to take the instant gratification that this purchase provides. It makes a difference. Often the smallest change in habits, especially your thinking habits, pay the biggest returns.
Christina Helwig
www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
A Healthy Affirmation
February 5, 2009
This is a great affirmation video to help keep you on track with your fitness goals. Our self-esteem is often very closely tied to our body image. Watch it whenever you feel yourself needing an extra boost. Its a great way to start the day. If you find yourself needing any extra help reaching your fitness goals just e-mail me at tinahelwig@gmail.com. I am always happy to offer suggestions and help. Your transformation does not have to be an uphill battle.
Christina Helwig
Are You On A Life Journey?
February 3, 2009
I listened to Kim-Gould’s Blog radio show this evening and she mentioned a very interesting term “Life Journey.” This concept is something I am going to be integrating into my being. My life is a journey with a series of challenges, trials and wonderful events. Thinking about your life in this way also helps you to remember that you do not have to reach any certain point by a certain time. You can let go a little bit and enjoy the ride.
We get so caught up in the hustle of daily life and “to-do lists” that we often forget to stop and enjoy ourselves. I saw a beautiful sunset tonight as I drove home in rush hour. I would not have gotten that gift had I not been sent out to a deposition that was a couple hours away. I also got extra time to listen to my affirmation cd and think about my vision of what I want to create in my life. So take time to notice the little things that make your life special, even in the middle of rush hour.
Christina Helwig