SELF-CONFIDENCE FORMULA [By Napoleon Hill]
April 24, 2009
First. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life, therefore, I DEMAND of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.
Second. I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality, therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for thirty minutes daily, upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.
Third. I know through the principle of auto-suggestion, any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it, therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of SELF-CONFIDENCE.
Fourth. I have clearly written down a description of my DEFINITE CHIEF AIM in life, and I will never stop trying, until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.
Fifth. I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice, therefore, I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself.
I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full FAITH that it will gradually influence my THOUGHTS and ACTIONS so that I will become a self-reliant, and successful person.
[If you make a commitment to yourself to read this daily it will do wonders for you.]
Christina Helwig
Muhammad Ali “This I Believe”
April 6, 2009
I heard this piece this afternoon while driving home. If this does not intimately describe Napoleon Hill’s philosophy I don’t know what does. Its magical.
Christina Helwig
As heard on NPR’s All Things Considered, April 6, 2009. Essay read by Lonnie Ali.
I have always believed in myself, even as a young child growing up in Louisville, Kentucky. My parents instilled a sense of pride and confidence in me, and taught me and my brother that we could be the best at anything. I must have believed them because I remember being the neighborhood marble champion and challenging my neighborhood buddies to see who could jump the tallest hedges or run a foot race the length of the block. Of course I knew when I made the challenge that I would win. I never even thought of losing.
In high school I boasted weekly—if not daily—that one day I was going to be the heavyweight champion of the world. As part of my boxing training, I would run down Fourth Street in downtown Louisville, darting in and out of local shops, taking just enough time to tell them I was training for the Olympics and I was going to win a gold medal. And when I came back home I was going to turn pro and become the world heavyweight champion in boxing. I never thought of the possibility of failing—only of the fame and glory I was going to get when I won. I could see it. I could almost feel it. When I proclaimed that I was the “Greatest of All Time,” I believed in myself. And I still do.
Throughout my entire boxing career, my belief in my abilities triumphed over the skill of an opponent. My will was stronger than their skills. What I didn’t know was that my will would be tested even more when I retired.
In 1984, I was conclusively diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since that diagnosis, my symptoms have increased and my ability to speak in audible tones has diminished. If there was anything that would strike at the core of my confidence in myself, it would be this insidious disease. But my confidence and will to continue to live life as I choose won’t be compromised.
Early in 1996, I was asked to light the cauldron at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Of course my immediate answer was yes. I never even thought of having Parkinson’s or what physical challenges that would present for me.
When the moment came for me to walk out on the 140-foot high scaffolding and take the torch from Janet Evans, I realized I had the eyes of the world on me. I also realized that as I held the Olympic torch high above my head, my tremors had taken over. Just at that moment, I heard a rumble in the stadium that became a pounding roar and then turned into a deafening applause. I was reminded of my 1960 Olympic experience in Rome, when I won the gold medal. Those 36 years between Rome and Atlanta flashed before me and I realized that I had come full circle.
Nothing in life has defeated me. I am still “The Greatest.” This I believe.
Muhammad Ali won the world heavyweight boxing championship three times. He retired in 1981 and became active in humanitarian causes, including goodwill missions to Afghanistan, North Korea, and Cuba. Ali married childhood friend Lonnie Williams in 1986.
Independently produced for NPR by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with John Gregory and Viki Merrick.
Ali photo by John Lair. Photo of Muhammad and Lonnie Ali courtesy Celebrity Fight Night. Special thanks to the Muhammad Ali Center, an international education center and cultural attraction in Louisville, Ky., that preserves and promotes Ali’s Legacy.
Set Physical Challenges
March 10, 2009
When most people think of setting goals they focus on increasing income or buying some material possession. Setting a goal that focuses on a physical challenge can be just as rewarding. Indeed these types of goals can give you a huge mental boost because they do not focus on things that you cannot control. Your body is under your dominion. Now I am not talking about setting a goal related to releasing weight. When I talk about a physical goal I mean something like hiking up a mountain, competing in a race, swimming a certain number of miles or any other physical challenge you can think of.
You can also combine the goal with raising money for a charity. The Walk for the Cure even gives you a solid training program and support throughout your training period. Each portion of your physical goal can be broken down into measurable increments. Take a look at my last post on Conquering Half Dome for my own challenge I completed.
The first place you should start is picking a challenge. Then take an assessment of where your fitness level currently is. Can you hike 4 miles without getting too sore or tired or can you only do one? Then take your calendar and build a plan from now until the date of your event. Each week add a little more to your schedule. The last few weekends before I hiked half dome I was hiking 12+ miles each weekend to prepare for the 17 mile hike. Each week you will get stronger and faster. We started to blast through the 12 miles faster and faster. A full day ordeal starting taking a little over a half day to complete and I did not feel horrible at the end, I felt invigorated. Within a short amount of time you will start to marvel at the progress you’ve made and your self confidence levels will skyrocket.
Christina Helwig
www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
Conquering Half Dome
March 9, 2009
This picture was taken after a day long hike up Half Dome in Yosemite. At the beginning of the summer we set the intention to hike up the mountain. We started at 6:00 am and then finished way after dark at 9:00 pm. It was 17 miles long and one heck of a hike. The same day my brother rock climbed the side of Half Dome. Almost every weekend we got up early and went out to train. We got blisters, shin splints and every other horrible ache you could imagine. But we also got closer and learned our limits and strengths. It was an amazing experience and journey. The journey really began the day I decided and pictured myself standing on top that mountain. I was determined to do it no matter what. I convinced my boyfriend to hike up the mountain and worked my tail off to make it happen. At one point we decided it was just too dangerous to go all the way to the top. Sitting there on the gravel steps I was so upset I started to cry. I begged him to go all the way to the top and we pressed on. Then after another hiker pushed past us coming down I came to my senses and redirected the goal. I gave up “perfection” and enjoyed the experience of getting to that spot.
Christina Helwig
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
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
Are You Providing Real Value?
January 23, 2009
“The Law of Value. Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.” ~ The Go-Giver.
Ask yourself today what are you doing to provide more value to the people around you? How are you improving the lives of your family, friends, co-workers and customers? Without providing value we stagnant our growth. We can fall into the trap of thinking that we will “never make it” or that we cannot do that which we most deeply desire.
To really live on purpose you should be providing value to as many people as possible. But remember that it is about quality, not quantity. For some time your business will only be able to provide the highest quality service to a few people. As you grow that will expand and then so will your economic power and reach.
Take a few moments today to think about how you can improve the level of service you offer to the people around you. Often a simple change in behavior brings huge results.
This is the very first law discussed in the book “The Go-Giver.” Again this book is a critical component of your library.
Please post how you will provide more value to cement your commitment inside your mind. Once you put something in writing it is 100% more effective at creating a change in your life.
To your success,
Christina
P.s. If you have not done so already you can join me in my Facebook group “Living on Purpose with Christina” for great discussion topics, homework assignments and questions to really make you think.
Napoleon Hill on Franklin Roosevelt
January 23, 2009
What Is Character?
January 10, 2009
“Character is the ability to carry about a worthy decision once the emotion of making that decision has passed.” ~ Hyram Smith
I heard this from Hyram this morning on a call. It is the absolute truth. How often do we decide to do something and then after a few days or weeks our excitement wears off and we let that decision fall aside. We drop those special promises we made to ourselves or to others and give up because the task is hard or because we have not seen the progress we want. Things take time. They do not happen overnight.
All great things you want to accomplish will require you to work. Money does not rain down from the sky into your pocket. You have to provide people with a valuable service that helps them. This is the only way you make money. This also goes for your health too. When you make a decision to get fit you need to stick by that decision.
My 30th birthday is coming up and I made a rock solid decision to change my health. I eat NO starch right now. Only vegetables, clean protein, some fruit, healthy fats and I consume fresh water and tea. I don’t care what others are eating, where I am at or what else is going on around me. I made the decision and I am sticking to it. You have to act on your decisions like your life depends on it.
Quite often your life does depend on it. Your health, financial freedom and relationships all depend on the quality of your decisions and the actions you take or don’t take. Stick to your goals and you will be well rewarded.
To watch videos from Hyram Smith visit: www.GlobalSuccessILG.com
My Favorite Billionaire
January 8, 2009
6 Keys to Success from billionaire Bill Bartman. Now a word about Bill. He is the least known billionaire out there. And he did it all himself. He was in the poor house being hounded by collection agencies and decided he did not like how he was being treated. He and his wife started a collection agency and grew it into a multi-million dollar business. His attitude catapulted him to even more success and now he is a billionaire. Look him up on the web if you don’t believe me. These are his 6 Keys to Success I learned from watching him on iLearningGlobal.tv:
1. You need to learn how to think big
Bill explained that thinking about increasing by just 10% growth is not enough. You have to think in terms of 200% or more. Shoot for the stars not a street light. I like to say think of adding a zero to your income.
2. You need to believe in yourself
You need to learn how to accept yourself for who and what you are right now. Learn how to apply what you know. You already have what it takes to succeed and you know what you have to do.
3. Share the vision.
Communicate your beliefs about yourself to others. Share what you want and your dream. Ask for help. Not everyone will help, but some will. Without reaching out you will stay in your spot and will not be able to take large leaps forward.
4. You need to execute
Get off the couch, talk is cheap, action is king. You must be willing to move without knowing everything about what you are going to do. Take the first step in faith. Nothing will happen until you get moving on your dreams.
5. You must be able to focus
Bill never met any successful person who was trying to do two things at once. Chase one rabbit at a time. Do one thing to conclusion and success and then start the next thing.
6. Never, Never give up.
You will run into challenges you do not expect. It doesn’t matter how things happen, they will occur no matter how careful you are or how much you plan. When these things happen, we have to know we still have the strength to persist.
All these steps are entirely up to you. No one can control any of these steps except you. This is the beauty of the 6 Keys to Success. They all rest in your pocket.
To learn more from Bill Bartman visit: http://www.GlobalSuccessILG.com