Comeback Keys Blog

Playing for Your Personal Championship

2012-01-15T20:02:00.000-05:00

Keys to Setting Exciting Goals and Achieving Them Faster

2012-01-01T13:05:00.000-05:00

When Purpose is Declared, Time Will Be Managed

2011-04-22T22:19:00.000-04:00

When you declare a strong purpose to your day time will be managed.
When you declare a strong purpose to your day, self-control is a non-issue.

Most people automatically assume that they are dysfunctional or have some psychotic problem that no one else has when they can’t seem to manage their time.

I find that this is often not the case.

First of all, it may be better to manage your actions versus trying to manage time since time stands still for no man.

Really what we are trying to do is manage our life actions.

It is super simple to manage your actions and even your emotions when you have a strong enough sense of purpose about your day or whatever project you are working on.

My life coach, Steve Chandler, just published a phenomenal book called, “Time Warrior”.

In his book, he talks about how to slay procrastination and the perceived things that we think are holding us back from taking the actions that we should take.

One of the master keys that he talks about is simple and pure action.

People usually don’t take consistent, daily action on a certain task or set of tasks because they don’t really mean anything to them.

For example, laundry may not be a significant enough sense of purpose to get you moving.

However, if you have booked a flight to Santa Monica, California for tomorrow at 7:00AM, your entire life changes and rearranges to accommodate the flight. For some reason, the flight to Santa Monica was more than a sufficient sense of purpose to get you moving and to “manage your actions”.

You were fully packed 3 days ago, processed a stop mail delivery request at the post office, and laid out the close that you are going to wear tomorrow on the flight with the upcoming day’s itinerary of fun filled activities neatly laid on top.

It is not that you don’t know how to manage time; it is often that we have not created a strong enough sense of purpose. Revisit your goals daily and make sure to have a daily goal or sense of purpose that is exciting enough to get you into action. Make it fun, make it a game and things WILL get done.

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

www.craiglsanders.com

The Unlimited Self

2011-04-19T08:07:00.001-04:00

The Unlimited Self is that you that you really want to be.

The Unlimited Self is you without restrictions and doubts and fears.

The Unlimited Self is who you were really created to be.

The Unlimited Self is the confident you.

The Unlimited Self is the creative you.

The Unlimited Self is the fearless you.

The Unlimited Self is your real potential unlocked.

The Unlimited Self is the real you unhindered.

The Unlimited Self is when you feel completely at peace and completely fulfilled.

The Unlimited Self is the version of you that gets things done.

The Unlimited Self is the version of you that has the most fun.

The Unlimited Self is what you have always yearned to be.

Challenge yourself beyond the limits of expectations and trepidations.

Challenge yourself to create the kind of day and the kind of life that you know that you really want.

No one deserves to live an Unlimited Life more than you.

The only thing that is required is that you just “do”, just “do” you.

Live Unlimited.

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Accelerated Comebacks

2011-04-14T07:53:00.000-04:00

Boldness

2011-02-21T01:09:00.000-05:00

Focus

2011-02-12T18:18:00.000-05:00

Making Things Happen

2011-02-04T23:57:00.000-05:00

Simplify

2011-01-30T19:55:00.003-05:00

Confusion is counterproductive.

The vast majority of people seem to take what is simple and make it complicated.

If you want to stand out and be uncommon and be successful, become a master at making the complicated simple.

Find ways to make things easier on yourself and on others.

Making things simple is fun.

You can make a beautiful game out of taking what is complex and making it practical.

It has been said, if what you’re doing isn’t fun then you are not doing it right.

Most people run from the complex because it causes them mental and emotional pain and anguish.

You can be different by taking every day work tasks and breaking them down to their most basic component.

You may find that you don’t need half of what you have. If that is the case then get rid of it.

My definition of frustration is doing something over and over again that never needed to be done in the first place.

When you simplify your processes and your life you will reduce a lot of stress and strife.

It takes courage and intelligence to make the complex things into simple things. You have both courage and intelligence so there is no reason why you cannot get started simplifying your life right now.

As you simplify, you will clarify. As you clarify you will be more effective. As you are more effective you will accelerate your success and as you accelerate your success you will increase your joy.

Go ahead and get started right now. It is really very simple.

Question: Why do you think people make things harder than they need to be?

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Make Things Happen

2011-01-17T07:28:00.000-05:00

This is the moment to take action.
Excuses are irrelevant because your actions will always take precedence.

Everyone has dreams and challenges always seem to loom as impediments, but nothing overcomes a challenge like focused and consistent action.

No one has ever truly moved forward in a successful and relevant way by playing the victim.

It is the ownership mentality that gets things done.

Own your life, own your destiny, own this moment that you are standing in.

No matter what you are facing, you can win; you can overcome, if you will only take action on what you can control.

Never worry about what you can’t control or what you can’t do.

Only focus on what is possible for you and determine to do all that you can do now to move things forward in the most significant and efficient way.

If you focus on what you can do today and simply take small steps along that pathway, you will find yourself standing in the winner’s circle more often than you expected.

Make things happen one simple action at a time.

Question:

What is the single greatest challenge standing in the way of you achieving a significant goal?

What is the one thing that you will do today to overcome that challenge?

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Taking Time for Self

2010-12-31T11:30:00.001-05:00

Impress yourself, instead of trying to impress someone else.

Find the path that brings you authentic fulfillment.

It is time to stop doing tasks that never needed to be done in the first place.

Time is a precious commodity. Re-evaluate where you are investing time, based upon your return on investment.

Family comes before work.

Friends are important because they help you to unearth your potential and inspire you to be all that you can.

It’s time to start doing for yourself some of the things that you are doing for someone else.

You give, give, and give to others so that they can improve, but when are you going to celebrate yourself for the moves that are going to facilitate your own breakthrough?

The money that you generate from overtime and long hours on a project are no good if you have no time to spend with yourself and those that matter the most.

Reassess what projects you are presently involved in and see what you can cut away in order to be free.

There is no special badge or award that is reserved for those that work so hard that they run themselves into the ground, ruin their health, or never have time to spend with others or with themselves.

There is no need to beat up on yourself for over committing to projects in the past or present, just take steps now to change the course of those events.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, not merely endured.

You deserve the best; you deserve to have some rest.

Allow stress to roll off of your chest as you start moving away from the lesser things and choose to start moving with determination and focus toward the best things.

This is your year for dynamic, uncommon, and positive change.

Expect the best, get some rest, and I am confident that you will pass any upcoming test.

It’s ok to impress yourself sometimes, instead of trying to impress someone else.

If you don’t take time for self, you won’t have time for anyone else anyway.

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Action Plan

2010-12-02T06:41:00.002-05:00

One written plan that you act on is more powerful than a million thoughts that you only ponder on.
What ideas have been swirling in your head that you have refused to act on?

What one thing if you acted on right now would turn your world around for the better?

What is really holding you back?

What person have you been thinking about reaching out to for assistance?

Why couldn’t you experience uncommon success?

If it has been done before it can be done again.

There is no need to add “back-story”, guilt, shame, and blame to the fact that you have not acted on a thought, simply decide what you want to create and take action now.

Today is your life, now is all you’ve got. Don’t mess up now thinking about yesterday.

This moment is the most important moment in your life, for what you do in this moment will decide what future you create.

It’s time to write down your success thought and take action on bringing it to pass.

The most effective action plan is the one that you act on.

Make it a great day.

Comeback Question: What are you allowing to hold you back from taking effective action?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Master Your Time, Master Your Life

2010-11-11T07:11:00.000-05:00

Time is the new money.
If you can master 10 minutes, then you can master 10 years.

Never give your time to pursuits that take you off of your destiny path.

You reach your destination one decision at a time.

Do not worry about what you are going to do next week, take effective action in the moment that you are standing in.

Plan for the future but take action in the present.

The things that you often worry about in your future would be moved out of your way when you decide to take action in your today.

Take advantage of technology and other tools that help you to leverage your time.

Keep your goals in front of you anyway that you can, for what you see is what you desire.

Never beat up on yourself for falling off the path, merely learn the lesson and regain your focus.

If you can master your time, you can master your life.

Life is too important to waste, if you learn to master your time then you will be able to keep an adequate pace.

Comeback Questions:

What is the single greatest use of your time today?

What one thing if you did it right now would make a positive impact on your most important goal?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Be a Giver

2010-10-08T09:23:00.000-04:00

When you feel like being stingy, give more than you intended.

When you feel like withholding helpful information, find more people to share it with.

When someone needs a referral, don’t ponder too long, if it feels right in your “gut” go with it.

There is a breakthrough that takes you past any resistance when you choose to give to others.

What you make happen for someone else you are actually making happen for yourself.

Give without expectation that the receiver will give back to you.

It builds strength of character and uncommon confidence when you give knowing that it will eventually come back to you, but you don’t necessarily know through whom.

You will have more joy and fulfillment in your day when you choose to give to others in a positive way.

Lift someone’s spirit by giving the positive comment that you wanted to hold back.

Be the first to initiate a kind word or a smile to a friend, co-worker, associate, or total stranger, even if they don’t give it back.

Look at people when you talk to them today and really listen to what they have to say.

When you respond to that e-mail, take a little extra time and find a creative way to convey a soothing “tone”.

Your words and actions are more powerful than you could know. You actually don’t know exactly what someone else may be going through. On the exterior they may look like a kingly lion, but on the inside they may feel like a whipped pup. Go ahead and take the time today to give someone else a “pick me up”.

Forgive people more than they deserve.

Love people past their mistakes.

The return on your investment will overwhelm you in time, if you consistently pour positivity in to someone else and the challenges that they may be facing.

Be uncommon today, be a giver.

Comeback Question:

Who could use your kindness today?

What one small action could you do to help make a big difference for them?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Shift Gears

2010-10-07T08:31:00.000-04:00

The potential of an automotive engine is unleashed and increased by the action of gear shifting.
Regardless of the mode of transportation that you use on a regular basis there is no doubt some mechanism of acceleration involved. Otherwise, you would not be using that method of transportation.

The average person wants to get where they are going faster not slower.

The same is true for our personal and professional destinies. Destiny according to dictionary.com is “fate” or “a predetermined course of events.”

We can “predetermine” to have a positive “fate” or outcome by the actions that we choose to take on a daily basis.

We can accelerate the pace of the positive outcomes that we experience by choosing to shift gears.

We can take our innate potential, our natural strengths, our developed skill sets and shift to new levels.

When an NBA point guard is dealing with a full court press defensive scheme against him in the midst of a basketball game, he will often shift gears and “push” the ball forward faster to break the “press”. He will push against the thing, i.e., the defense, that is pushing against him in order to arrive at his desired destination, which is the other end of the basketball court in order to have an opportunity to score.

Sometimes you don’t have to “learn” something totally new in order to be effective, you just have to do what you know to do at a higher or more intense level. In sales, it is often necessary to make emphatic and convincing points with passion that effectively persuade the potential buyer. When you are speaking with a family member that doesn’t seem to respond to the 1st gear of your communication, you may find it necessary to shift up to 3rd or 4th gear until they understand where you are coming from.

Shifting gears in the midst of your day can be exhilarating and fun. It is exciting and reassuring to know that at any given moment, you have untapped potential at your disposal that you can put into play. All it takes is a decision and a corresponding action.

Assess your current situation, and determine if you need to shift gears and accelerate. It may be the very key that allows you to manifest your destiny at a faster rate.

Comeback Question:
What actions do you take when you need a “breakthrough” in a certain area of life or business?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Live in the Moment

2010-10-06T08:15:00.000-04:00

There is no better time than the present.
We cannot do anything about yesterday.

When tomorrow gets here we will call it “today”.

There is no need to worry about tomorrow, because we have enough to keep us busy today.

To be honest, this moment right here, right now is all we have.

Many people get “stressed out” or overwhelmed when they step out of the present moment and try to deal with the past or start trying to live in the future.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for processing the past and for planning for the future, but when we slip into anxiety and worry regarding the past or future we have slipped out of balance.

It is virtually impossible to be upset, anxious, angry, or worried if we focus on living in the moment. I’m not even talking about living in “today”. I’m talking about living in the very moment that you are in which happens to be encapsulated in a package called “today”.

When you catch yourself getting upset when you are speaking with a co-worker, vendor, associate, or family member, there is no need to escalate the situation. There is no need to “beat up” on yourself for realizing that you slipped into “upset” mode. Just simply take a deep breath, relax, close your eyes, and live in the moment.

Be right here, right now in every sense of the word. It is possible to control your thoughts and emotions. I find the most effective way to control my emotions is to say something positive out loud. When I am tempted to think a negative or fearful thought when faced with a sizeable task, or if someone says, “Wow, that’s a big challenge, I don’t know if you can make it.” I simply respond out loud, “We can do this!” or “We’ll figure it out!” I get excited about getting into the moment.

Change happens inside of the moment.

Answers arise inside of the moment.

Peace and calm come inside of the moment.

Your uncommon future unfolds inside of the moment.

I challenge you right now to live in the moment.

Comeback Question:

What is the most effective way that you have found to reduce your stress level on a daily basis?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Take Your Game to the Next Level

2010-10-05T07:43:00.001-04:00

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” –Peter F. Drucker

Regardless of if we have had a recent “win” or a recent “loss”, we can take our game, i.e., our businesses, careers, families, and personal lives, to the next level.

Winning teams and individuals find ways to elevate their performance through hard work, expanding their knowledge, or getting coaching on a particular area.

We can actually find inspiration in each situation regardless of whether it feels “good” or “bad”.

It doesn’t matter what the recent result was, it matters what we do after the result. The results, “good” or “bad” are what they are, but in order to improve results, we must improve ourselves.

We can turn any circumstance in our favor, especially if we learn from it.

We can learn what to do and what not to do. We can learn from watching the successes and setbacks of others.

We can actually maintain momentum in the midst of an apparent “defeat” and accelerate momentum after a recent “win”, especially when we extract the knowledge that the recent event is offering us. We can do this be doing reflection and self-inquiry.

We can ask ourselves, “What could I have done better…why did I get that particular result…what small change will accelerate my progress for the next go round?”

It is not always the big changes that yield big results, it is often the minor adjustments that seem to move insurmountable mountains.

Author and speaker, Mike Murdock says, “Small keys open big doors.” Use the knowledge from your most recent results, make minor adjustments, take your game to the next level, and enjoy continued success.

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Manage Change Daily

2010-10-04T07:37:00.003-04:00

“To change your life, change something you do in your daily routine.” –Mike Murdock

Change can be a challenge to our minds, our careers, our businesses, and our families.

Change is a lot easier to deal with if it is understood that change must happen and will happen whether we “like” it or not.

Change is a lot easier to deal with when we realize change does not have to be dreaded; we can actually welcome and look forward to change.

Change is a lot easier to deal with when we put systems in place to manage it.

The reason that we don’t have to fear chaos is that we do have the power to create order.

Creating order is a form of management.

We can manage change. One of the easiest ways to manage change is to manage it daily.

We can make smoother transitions in the midst of a course adjustment by daily oversight of our activity.

If we try to change one habit on a daily, gradual basis, we will make significant and accelerated progress.

Managing “problem” areas in our lives, careers, and businesses on a daily basis will take mountains down to the size of mole hills.

Areas of our lives, careers, and businesses that once seemed insurmountable and impossible now become accomplished areas of improvement and progress, all because we chipped away at the problem a little bit every day.

Take a significant area of your life, business, family, or career that you would like to see change in and act like it is a game. Act like it is not really a big deal and that it is a “project” that you will make progress on a little bit at a time. Think of it as a masterpiece that you are creating just like a world-class sculptor, painter, or composer. You make a little change here today, a minor adjustment there tomorrow, and before you know it the area that was once a problem now has found a workable solution.

Change may often “feel” uncomfortable but you can make it work for you if you manage change daily.

Be aggressive about making the changes that are needed in your life, business, or career. Get excited about it, put a plan and system in place, get to work on the area of challenge and make daily progress. Before you know it, you will likely make a beautiful masterpiece out of what was once a horrendous mess. Positive change can often happen for you when you decide to manage change daily with consistent and effective activity. You only have to commit to do it, one day at a time.

Comeback Questions:

What area of your life needs the most change?

What small action can you implement today that will bring change to this area of your life?

Simply commit to do this same action tomorrow and repeat the process daily until the area changes.

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Make Course Adjustments

2010-10-03T16:52:00.001-04:00

“Change is inevitable, misery is optional.” –Unknown

It is said that airplane pilots spend more time off course than on course. It is said that they spend the majority of their time making course adjustments.

It is not that they have done or are doing anything wrong. It is just that it comes with the territory.

Pilots are human. Humans are imperfect. We are all imperfect humans that live in an imperfect world.

Therefore, course adjustments are a part of the deal.

If we set out on a project with a certain end-goal in mind, it may be likely that several changes, adjustments, and modifications will be required to successfully reach the goal.

Making changes is not a negative thing. It is interesting that we often perceive change as being negative. We perceive it as a sign that something is wrong with us or our family or our company. We often take it intensely personal.

This is actually a “normal” reaction to change. However, it does not mean that it is “right”. We have to understand how our minds work. We are creatures of habit. Anytime our habit or routine is challenged to change our minds send a signal to our central nervous system that something uncomfortable is taking place. We sense a feeling of stress, a twinge in our stomach, a thought that brings displeasure, or something similar.

This is no big deal. We should never fear chaos because we have the power to create order. We can take authority over our thoughts, feelings, and emotions at any given time and take the actions that are necessary. We have the power to take the proper course of action that will “right the ship”, and keep us on the proper pathway of success.

I have found personally that once I can admit that I don’t “have it all together” and that I need help, and that change is a good thing, I find that I can make it through the process a lot easier.

Making course adjustments is a beautiful thing. It keeps us fresh, creative, and constantly growing. Change comes to make us better, not bitter.

I encourage you to welcome change. Don’t be thrown off kilter just because someone threw you a curve ball. Learn from whatever event that has taken place, make the needed adjustment, and move on down the road of success.

Pilots have to adjust what is known in aviation as there “attitudes”. If they do not adjust their attitudes, i.e., flying instruments, then they place themselves and their precious cargo at great risk. Pilots know the importance of adjusting to the atmosphere and the elements. The same is true for us. We should be confident and bold, but humble enough to make changes when needed. Our attitudes should be positive and pliable, not negative and brittle. In the long run it will help us and those that are with us to reach our desired destinations successfully and safely.

Comeback Questions:

What is your biggest challenge to accepting change?

What is the most effective way to overcome this challenge?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Make a Good Catch

2010-10-02T21:03:00.000-04:00

In football a good catch is not determined by how pretty, athletic, or elegant a catch was. A good catch is one that is caught, one that is held onto until the play is over. When a quarterback throws the football to a receiver and the receiver successfully catches the ball it is called a “completion”.
There are no extra points given for style or if you caught it with one hand, or almost dropped it but held onto it. The point is did you catch the ball?

The same is true for your personal pursuits or business ventures. Make a good catch, not a perfect catch, not a pretty catch, not an impressive catch; just make a catch. Start the project and complete the project.

Launch the business idea, get it started. Start the new initiative in your department. Lead your family in that exciting new direction. Go take the night or weekend class. Write the book. Start the blog. Create the new fashion line. Bake the cake. Go for the new position. Start the new fitness program. Take the vacation. Go get the new client. Whatever it is, just make a good catch. Get it started and get it completed.

Effective entrepreneurs, professionals, and people in general make good catches. They get things done. They do the best that they can at the time. They believe in excellence, not perfection.

Perfectionism may be responsible for killing more dreams than anything else.

You don’t have to be great, just good enough; good enough to get the job done with the best level of excellence that you can muster at that time.

If you were walking on a sidewalk and slipped on a banana peel but didn’t quite fall to the ground, that’s a good catch. If you did happen to fall to the ground you would probably get back up and go at it again. That is still a good catch because I am very confident that you would have learned from the slight mishap. Anytime that you learn from a mishap or a setback it’s a good catch. In our personal and professional lives there may be proverbial banana peels that seem to lie in our pathways, little “hiccups” along the way. There is no need to stop or quit, it’s merely a minor delay. Throw the ball, make a good catch, and advance your team and yourself into new victory.

Comeback Question: What is the best way to recover after a setback?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

You Can Do More Than What You Give Yourself Credit For

2010-10-01T08:53:00.000-04:00

You can do more than you give yourself credit for.

Failure is not final.

An attempt that does not align with your target does not mean you have to bail on your efforts.

If you slipped off your diet or missed an “important” appointment or whatever your blunder happens to be, stop adding “back-story” to it. “Back-story” is all the negative internal and external things that we tell ourselves as to what this failed attempt means. Like a virtual news reporter here are some of the back-stories we tell ourselves: “This happened because I’m just stupid…I can’t believe I was dumb enough to…I’m an idiot…I’m not good enough to win that account…”, etc.

Why does it have to “mean” something? Why can’t it just be a mistake? Why do we have to wrap your entire self-worth around an event that didn’t go the way we wanted it to? Why do we choose to get on the fear and self-loathing ride that is going nowhere but down, and really fast?

These things don’t have to be. The first thing that usually happens when we make a mistake of whatever nature it happens to be is that, we are complete and utter “failures”, unworthy of the air that we are breathing.

When we jump on this train of thought what usually happens is that we settle for things that we really don’t want.

We want more, we want higher and better but we can’t. Why? Well, because we “failed” of course. This is garbage. A failed attempt is nothing more than feedback on what may not be the best route to take in a particular endeavor. Rejection is nothing more than positive redirection.

Learn to give yourself credit for the good things that are in you, the good things that you’ve done, and the good things that you can create. To say that no one is perfect is stating the obvious. That is what personal development is all about. The people that get on in this life are those that acknowledge where they missed it and they simply take actions to fix it. It’s that hard and it’s that easy.

In business, career, relationships, health, finances, or whatever area you can possibly think of, give yourself credit. Every attempt may not be a home run, but if you don’t step up to the plate it is guaranteed that you will never hit one. Baseball legend, Babe Ruth said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” Every unsuccessful attempt brings you closer to a better result if you learn from it. So what if you failed on that particular attempt, at least you tried. Plus, look how far you’ve come, not how far you have left to go. Celebrate your progress.

Give yourself credit, stop wrapping twisted self-loathing stories around unsuccessful attempts and step up to the plate and take another swing. It’s time to play the game of life. Sitting on the bench because of a poor performance isn’t helping you or the team, i.e., the people that are counting on you.

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

www.craiglsanders.com

Your Comeback is Waiting on You

2010-09-28T07:57:00.001-04:00

Setbacks are a part of life. We all face them in relationships, career, business, etc.

The question is not whether setbacks exist or will they come? The question is how we deal with them when they do?

Setbacks is a term that has been coined for things that have been perceived as impeding progress toward a destination or goal, and usually viewed as a negative occurrence.

Most people when experiencing a setback entertain thoughts of doubt, fear, uncertainty, worry and a host of other emotions.

Setbacks are not necessarily negative. Setbacks can be one of the most positive things that ever happen to you, a business partner, a co-worker, a company, or a friend. Why? Because setbacks shake the nest so that we can spread are wings and fly.

Setbacks jolt us out of comfort zones so that we can use our creative ability to find new and better solutions.

Regarding our emotions, we must remember that we are effective owners. Emotions are like employees, they must be managed for optimum results. We must manage our own emotions; no one else will do it for us.

Regarding comebacks, you can have one anytime you get good and ready. Your comeback is not holding back on you. You are holding back on your comeback. How you may ask?

Comebacks are like teammates on a winning football team. You are the quarterback calling the plays. If you don’t call the play, give the team direction, and “hike” the ball then no one else on the field will move. As a matter of fact, when quarterbacks take too long to call and start a play the referee issues a penalty called, “Delay of Game”. Comebacks are simply waiting on your creative and effective daily activity. Don’t delay your own game by refusing to take action.

What actions will you take today to move yourself closer to the goals that you really want? The dream job or client that you want is waiting. You can create or improve any professional or personal relationship that you want. You bring great value to the table, go tell somebody about it. It all requires simple, consistent, and effective action.

Your past doesn’t matter; move into today with fresh creative action. The ball is in your hands. Call the play, get the ball moving, and rack up enough points to win for today. Your comeback is waiting on you.

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Be the Change

2010-09-04T11:40:00.002-04:00

Often times people feel in order for them to be happy, someone else needs to change.

Someone else needs to adjust, someone else needs to start doing something or stop doing something in order for there to be joy, productivity, prosperity, or serenity.

It is interesting that people seldom ever change enough to our liking. Business partners don’t always make the decisions that align with our preferences. Family members seem to know exactly which buttons to push on the console of our soul to set us off in a bad mood. It is almost as if our emotions are electronic dashboards or MP3s that people can push to bring up the selection or response that they want to see. These things don’t have to be. We can manage our emotions; we can live past our own feelings, and the undesirable behaviors of others.

There is a way to negate the influence of perceived negativity in our personal and professional lives. That way is to be the change that we would like to see in others.

I find that when I expect someone else to do something and they don’t do it, I am tempted to slip into a victim mindset as if they have some elusive power or control over me.

When I ignore the perceived negativity by doing the thing that I wish they would do, I find that an untapped power source is released. It’s the feeling of the entrepreneur, the business owner, the fulfilled professional, or the effective “Average Joe” that is decisive and effective. They simply will not allow the thoughts in someone else’s head to control their life, business, or destiny.

They are not rude, they are assertive and kind. They serve others by being true to their authentic selves. They are true servant leaders. A servant leader leads by being the change that they want to see in others. They do not get bitter when someone else “disappoints” them, they get better. They are not vindictive, they are supportive. They manage their relationships for optimum effectiveness and mutually beneficial results. Yes they are human but they never allow their emotions to run too high or too low. They are even keeled. They are strong because leading by example and being the change that they want to see in others builds emotional and mental muscle. They are stable, they are steady, and they are ready for whatever comes their way. They are ready because if something doesn’t align with their true desires, they are strong enough to bring change by being the change.

All of us have the uncommon ability to be change agents by the choices that we make inside of each moment. The next time you are tempted to “fly off the handle”, choose instead to be stealth and “fly under the radar”. Choose to be cool, calm, and collected”, the proper decision that you need to make will rise to the surface, it will naturally emerge.

The process of being a catalyst for positive change is powerful. Serving others by being the change that you want to see builds strength and resolve, enabling you to gain momentum on your dreams and goals. It also helps others to do the same. Guilt, shame, and blame fall helplessly to the floor when you take ownership and decide to be the change that you want to see in others. Go ahead and change your world by taking the positive actions that you want to see. Be the change agent that you were destined to be.

Question: What ways have you discovered that bring positive and effective change?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

The Power of Forcing the Issue

2010-08-28T15:46:00.001-04:00

I believe that persistence breaks resistance.

Author and speaker, Roberts Liardon says, “Progression breaks regression.”

Never be afraid to press through any resistance that stands in the way of a worthy goal.

It is said that doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is the definition of insanity. However, when you make minor adjustments and tweaks and apply steady forward progress you may often times arrive at a positive result, a breakthrough. You may find yourself stumbling over success more often than you fall into failure, when you learn to press the issue in the most effective ways.

Never be afraid to go for your dreams, desires, and goals.

Challenges are one of the beautiful things that make life interesting.

They cause your creativity to flourish and invigorate your soul.

Defeat is not a fact but rather an opinion. Choose to be of the opinion that setbacks are only minor delays along the road to a fulfilled destiny.

Enjoy your journey. Never be in a hurry. Take each instance as it comes. Notice the rhythm of life and recognize that your time will come. Live in the moment, live in the now. Decide to take your life, your business, your career, your health, your wealth, your family to the next level of success. This all happens when you decide to persist instead of quit.

Your destiny and your fulfillment are worth every hard fought victory. Never yield to the temptation to give up, instead press forward and snatch victory out of the hands of defeat.

If it was easy then everyone would do it. You’re paying the price for your success. You're passing the current life test that is before you and you will see the fruits of your labor.

I encourage you to persist. Learn to force the issue, especially when it really matters.

Question: What success keys have you used for persisting in the face of tough challenges?

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist
http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Breakthroughs Happen in the Moment

2010-08-09T12:41:00.000-04:00

This blog post is about breakthroughs in your personal and professional life and about seizing the moment. Each and every one of us to deal with challenges in our personal or professional lives. It could be a health challenge, financial challenge, or mental challenge. Regardless of what we're dealing with, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that change takes place in the moment. The power to change and make things better resides in the very moment that you are living in. All of us deal with challenges that have happened in our past; challenges that are pressing against us in our present and challenges that try to make us anxious about our future.

One of the most powerful questions that you can ask yourself is, "What do I want to create?” I learned that from Steve Chandler who is an author, speaker, and the leader of http://www.clubfearless.net/ . In regards to what has happened in your past always remember, it doesn't matter. All that matters is what are you going to do now?

It doesn't matter what your mistakes have been, it doesn't matter what your failures may be. Always remember, taking action in your present is a master key. Anxieties that seem as big as mountains turn to the size of sand granules, when you decide to focus on this present moment. Living in the moment is one of the most powerful skills that you can ever develop. All anxieties, find the quickest exit from your life, when you decide to shift your focus from your past or from your future, into the present moment, into this nanosecond.

When you think about the question, “What can I do right now to move myself forward?” all the creativity that is inside of you comes to the surface; solutions begin to emerge and worries begin to vanish; fears begin to evaporate. Live in this moment that is where true action takes place. Your next victory is connected to your next activity. Your next breakthrough, your next optimal result, is inextricably connected to your next action. Do not operate in fear, stay fearless. Decide to take consistent and wise action. Be persistent, be consistent, and you will move forward and be able to blast passed anything that has constrained you to this point.

What keys have you discovered for personal and professional breakthrough?

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
The Comeback Specialist
http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.S. I believe positive and accelerated changes are coming for you!

Powerful Reasons Why You Should Never Worry

2010-05-28T19:25:00.001-04:00

Worrying is to think negatively over and over about a certain situation whether it is actual or perceived.
Worry is a close cousin of fear.

Fear is to have confidence in a negative outcome.

Optimism is to have confidence in a positive outcome.

Regardless of what you, a loved one, an associate or close friend is dealing with, one thing is for sure; worrying will not help them or the situation.

Worrying is a waste of creative energy.

To worry is to abuse the mind.

Conversely, if we take creative action toward a solution then we lift our own mood into powerful positivity that things will work out.

To be honest, it does not take a great deal more effort to stay positive versus operating in the negative.

It is one small action step taken in a small moment of time. As a matter of fact, as we live in the moment, it is virtually impossible to be depressed or negative.

No matter how “bad” a situation appears, worrying or self-loathing is not going to help it.

Author Mike Murdock often says, “Nothing is ever as bad as it first appears.”

Take another look at your situation. Things are not really as bad as they “seem”. If things “seem” really bad, then take a mental trip through the circumstance of someone who has it a lot worse than you do. Think of someone who wants to eat 3 square meals per day but can’t even afford a bowl of rice and can’t get a cold glass of clean drinking water because the well that they drink from in their village is filled with sewage.

Even if you don’t have a job right now, you have a million and one options. You can get on the phone and call someone that may be able to offer you help. You can go to your local public library and use the internet, attend free classes, and develop yourself all for free.

You are not a victim of your circumstances. You are a proactive champion. Refuse to worry. We are all tempted to take negative paths when confronted with adverse circumstances. It does not mean that you are a loser because you “feel” like every other human when faced with a challenge. The key is the decisions you make moment by moment and day by day. Choose to be proactive. Choose to be creative. Choose to be compassionate toward yourself and towards someone else.

Things always get better when you refuse to worry.

Refuse to worry and decide what you want to create instead.

Exercising your creativity is one of the most effective ways to eliminate worry and fuel your life with energy.

Creativity is a beautiful thing.

Question: What ways have you discovered to effectively avoid worrying?

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

6 Ways to Turn Negative News into Positive Results

2010-04-30T23:53:00.008-04:00

You don’t have to allow your past to hold you from your future.

I am often amazed at the number of people that I encounter that allow themselves to be held victim to an event that took place in their past.

It is “normal” to feel the effects of your past but it does not have to control the direction and results of your future.

When you hear “negative” news, just remember that information is theoretically neutral until you assign a label, positive or negative to it. Remember, news is nothing more than information. The purpose of news is to Inform you. Information should simply be processed. We can choose what information we intake and we can choose how we will process it.

First and foremost, we don’t have to see things that happen in our past, present, or future as negative.

Some things are not positive or negative; they are just a “fact of life”. It is just something we get to deal with, an opportunity to create something beautiful. We can even make the events in our life a game. We can challenge ourselves and others to come up with creative responses to “challenging” situations.

Whether you laugh, sigh, or cry after hearing “news” or information in your personal or professional life, you still have to make a decision and take an action. Whether you choose to label the news negative or positive, you still have to process the information and decide what you will do about it. To not make a decision is still a decision; it’s just a decision to not act. Either way, there will be consequences.

Any product that was made by a human will eventually need to be repaired. It is not necessarily a sign that your life or business is “cursed” or that you are experiencing bad luck when a car or your laptop needs maintenance. There is such a thing as “wear and tear”. If you continue to wear the same blue jeans often enough, eventually they will wear out. Things that breakdown need to be replaced or repaired, pure and simple. It doesn’t have to be positive or negative.

History is replete with people that have experienced what many considered to be insurmountable odds, or devastating abuse, but were able not only to survive but thrive. The common denominator of most success stories is usually the person’s choice to rise above the challenge. They chose to see the opportunity instead of the obstacle. They looked for what was possible and not for what was impossible. They chose to have a positive spin on the situation. They sided with the positive view instead of a negative view. A positive perception can be your greatest protection in “negative” situations.

Whatever you have experienced in your life, family, or business, it does not have to be viewed as negative, and it does not have to hold you back. Refuse to let anything or anyone hold you back.

Stress does not have to be a part of your life like a bad roommate that you cannot get rid of. Choose to manage your stress by focusing on methods that will accelerate your success.

Stress is a choice and so is a positive perception. Choose to increase your focus on the tasks and activities that will accelerate success. Stress is nothing but a clarion call for greater focus. You can focus just as well as anyone else on the planet. It’s a simple choice.

You do not have to be the victim of anyone or anything. Being a victim is a choice; being an owner is also a choice. You have the power to own your situation and create a beautiful result, just like a property owner has the ability to change the property's landscape anytime they get good and ready. Get rid of the weeds on your property! Someone could have done something “bad” to you or something “unfortunate” could have taken place in your business. You can choose to say, “What’s good about this?” You can choose to say, “This will turn out for my good. I can make this work. I can do this!”

At any point, you can choose to rise up and say, “What happened in my past is irrelevant. What matters now is what I choose to do in this moment.”

Operate from a position of strength in all of your personal and professional dealings.

If someone refuses to acknowledge you, you do not have to add a label of “rejection” to the interaction. They simply did not acknowledge you, it is what it is, and it’s no big deal. There could be a multitude of reasons why someone did not speak to you, hire you, or do business with you. The reasons are what they are. The reason for someone’s action or inaction toward you does not take away from the value of who you are.

A $100 bill backed by the Federal Reserve has the exact same value whether it is spanking brand new or crumpled up in the corner of someone’s purse or front pocket. That $100 bill will spend just the same no matter where it came from, and no matter what happened to it before it got to you. Similarly, your value does not change just because someone did not recognize your value. Your are brilliant, period, end of story.

Events that took place in your past don’t have to last. Process the information that they provide and decide to simply glide into the beautiful future that is yours and yours alone.

“The rest of your life will be the best of your life.” –Dr. Dave Martin

Remember the following keys when processing “negative” news from your past, present, or future:

1) Nothing is ever as bad as it first appears.

This 1st key is taken from a quote that I cherish from author Mike Murdock. One of the principles that he shares in his book, “The Law of Recognition”, is that every season in your life has a purpose. It is up to you to discern the purpose of the present season that you are experiencing. Learn to extract the benefits of every season that you are in. If you are presently unemployed or in need of new clients, use this time as an opportunity to refuel and retool; upgrade your skills and services. The season for research is not the season for marketing. The present season you are in will change. It may initially feel bad, look bad, or sound bad, but nothing is really that bad. There is likely some positive benefit in the situation just waiting for your recognition. Remember, nothing is ever as bad as it first appears.

2) Change is inevitable, misery is optional.

Things will change; this is a part of life and business. One of the best ways to manage change is to prepare for it. The economy will change. Business will change. Human bodies grow older. Muscles that are not used will eventually atrophy. Change will come, how we deal with change is a choice that is ours and ours alone. We don’t have to be “negative” about change. Change can be one of the best things that ever happens to us, but we must perceive and negotiate change appropriately in order to fully benefit from it. Make a habit of preparing for and being positive about change. Remember, change is inevitable, misery is optional. Be positive, you can do this!

3) Rejection is nothing more than redirection.

It may have been the best thing for you that you did not land that position or account that you thought you really “had” to have. You later found out that the company hit hard times 12 months later and had to reduce their workforce by 50%. You did not know this at the time but now you are grateful that you did not land that position or account. You were protected from further financial setback. It may have been for the best that the relationship that you thought you had to have never developed. You later found out that the person had some major character flaws that would have significantly impeded the positive progress of your life. Your life was spared from the potential grief and heartache. Remember, rejection is nothing more than redirection.

4) Learn the lesson and forget the drama and the details.

It is our own choice to assign a label to a particular interaction. When a buyer or a manager or a family member corrects us we should see it as a positive thing. For the most part, people that we do business with or that are friends or family only want the best for us. In mutual business dealings, the other party does not truly benefit if you are not doing well. Friends and family only want the best for you. If your friends or family don’t want the best for you then you don’t have to call them a friend, or if they are family you don’t have to be victimized by them. You can choose who you allow access to your life. If an event takes place that most people would call “negative”, refuse to feed into it. Forget the irrelevant details and the emotionally charged discourse and choose to learn the lesson. What is the main point, what is the key takeaway? Take the lesson, apply it, and experience a better result in the future. It’s not deep, simply learn the lesson and forget the drama and the details.

5) Build a Buffer Zone.

A buffer zone as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary is a neutral area between hostile or belligerent forces that serves to prevent conflict. Build buffer zones in your personal and professional life. Allow people space to disagree without you having an emotionally charged response. The fact that two people do not agree on a certain topic does not diminish the value of either party. What building a buffer zone does is enable two differing parties to exist in an area that is safe for both entities. The fact that someone does not agree with your goal or pursuit does not have to impede your progress, simply build a buffer zone.

6) Build Margin into Your Life.

Stress will be significantly reduced when you build margin into your life. Expand the time frames in which you execute important tasks. Plan for the unexpected, some people have mounting stress in their lives because they try to get too much done in too little time. Many that feel like they have not completed half of what they intended for a particular day often have unrealistic expectations. Readjust your expectations and be realistic. Give yourself more time to do important tasks and stop trying to get "everything" done, and just get the most important things done. Margin is when you give yourself 45 minutes to get a 25 minute task done. If you get the task done in 25 minutes, great; if you don’t, no big deal, you built 45 minutes into your day for this task and it doesn’t throw your entire day off. Building margin into your life will make life more enjoyable and more effective.

Apply the above keys to your life, business, career, or family and enjoy the results of turning negative news into positive results!

Question: What methods do you use to turn "negative" news into positive results?

I really enjoy reading your comments.

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

7 Keys to Building a Stress-Free Lifestyle

2010-04-02T09:27:00.000-04:00

Reducing stress can seem like a monumental task.
How do you get on top of tasks that seem to be getting the best of you?

There are so many things to do in this life. There are seemingly a million things pulling at you from a million different directions. Extracurricular activities turn into over commitment and extra pressure that mounds and mounds and manifests in the form of frustration, indigestion, exasperation, and the list goes on and on.

There is a way to manage your life where you can actually experience more peace, joy, productivity, efficiency, and uncommon fulfillment.

One thing that I have learned over the years is that I must never complain about what I permit. You will either be an owner of your destiny or a victim of your circumstances. It is all a choice. It’s your choice and no one else’s.

One well known international author and speaker was complaining about how busy her schedule was. After complaining and blaming others and some extensive soul searching, she suddenly realized that she was responsible for making her schedule so busy. She is the one that agreed to all of the back to back speaking engagements and television interviews. She is the one that did not make room on her calendar for rest, exercise, and relaxation. She could not blame anyone but herself. What did she do? She took responsibility for her own choices (ownership). She took ownership and refused to become a victim of her own poor planning. She got back to doing one thing; one beautiful thing at a time. She began to schedule rest and recreation into her schedule.

She began to see that she was doing some things just to please other people, even though inwardly she knew she could not afford to over commit. She forgot the power of saying “no”. She forgot to say, “No, that does not work for me, but thanks for asking…No, I will not be able to do what you are asking.” “No” can be such a liberating word. People will actually respect you more if you have the strength and courage to say “no” when something does not work for you.

If you do not make the changes that need to be made in your life, no one else can or will make them for you. Actually, life is only as stressful as we make it. Steve Chandler says there is really no such thing as being overwhelmed; we just need to be bolder and get more focused. Take control of your life, career, business, fitness, family, etc. Be courageous. Be proactive. Be decisive. Be free. Be stress-free.

As you continue your daily quest to reduce stress, remember the following keys:

1) Practice mindfulness.

Stress if reduced when you get into what you are doing. Follow your passion instead of a distraction. When you are driving and in route to your destination, notice every little thing along the way. Notice the color of the leaves on the trees. Notice the person that is crossing the street while you are at the light. Take time to look the cashier in the eyes and give a genuine smile, and say, “thank you”. When you are in a conversation with anyone, give them your total and complete focus. If you don’t really have time to talk, don’t just keep filing papers while someone is trying to talk to you, just politely tell them that this is really not the best time for you. Be mindful of everything you do, it will help to keep you stress-free.

2) Do one thing.

This key that I learned from author Steve Chandler www.clubfearless.net has helped me and so many others. You really never have a million things to do at once; you only have the one thing that you are choosing to do in that moment. You can really only do one thing at a time. It doesn’t matter who you are or what activity you are involved in, you can only do one thing at a time. Even when people say they are multi-tasking, they are really only doing one thing at a time. Make a list of the “million” things that you need to get done, pick one and get it done. Put all of your creativity, all of your energy, and all of your focus into doing the one thing that you have chosen to do. Do it with joy, do it with craftsmanship, and do it with excellence. Feel the satisfaction that comes from completion. Enjoy the satisfaction, celebrate your achievement, and then pick another wonderful task from your list of opportunities to complete with joy and mastery. Doing one thing will help you to stay stress-free.

3) Learn the power of one hour.

Your day, your business, your family, your life really takes off when you learn to give every hour a definite, clear, and concise purpose. Give every hour an assignment. Decide what every hour or a series of hours is assigned to produce. Every 24 hours should produce a measurable product or number of products for you. Even if one of the products that is produced for a specific 24 hours is rest and relaxation, give every hour an assignment. Your life moves forward one hour at a time. Don’t just plan the next 10 months or 10 years, the real power comes in planning the next 10 hours! Learn the power of one hour.

4) Anxiety subsides when you learn to just enjoy the ride.

When I was a child and my parents were driving me and my brothers to wherever they were taking us, I would ask incessantly, “Where are we going? Are we there yet?” The answer was always the same, “Just sit back and enjoy the ride.” That was never the answer I was looking for. Even now, as I take the virtual journey towards the destination of my dreams and goals, I ask myself the same questions that I asked my parents. I ask myself, “Where am I going? Am I there yet?” The answer that rises up on the inside of me is still the same, “Just sit back and enjoy the ride.” I notice that when I stop trying to figure everything out and stop trying to force things to happen out of their proper timing, and just enjoy the ride, the anxiety and stress start to subside. Before I know it, I have arrived at my destination with peace and joy. Anxiety subsides when you and I learn to just enjoy the ride.

5) Write it down.

One personal development author said, “The dullest pencil is better than the sharpest mind.” Stop carrying all of your tasks, and ideas, and responsibilities around in your head. That is not what your mind is for. Use your mind for creativity. Use your mind to drum up creative solutions and strategies. Use your planner, PDA, iPhone, or legal pad to right down your tasks and responsibilities. Once you start writing things down you will notice almost immediately how your stress levels start to significantly decline. The dullest pencil (write it down), is better than the sharpest mind (trying to remember things that you can simply write down for future reference). Write it down and you will not experience the fear and anxiety of feeling that you are forgetting “something”. Write it down and you will be more apt to maintain a stress-free lifestyle.

6) Learn the power of saying “no”.

Be courageous enough to say “no” when something does not work for you. Resist the temptation to do things just to “please” people, especially when it is not in your best interests to do what they are asking. There are certain responsibilities that we all know are inescapable. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to serve your family and help your friends. However, never fear setting healthy and appropriate boundaries. “No” is a very effective boundary word that will help you keep your priorities straight, so that you are giving your time to the people and places that you should. Always remember, giving time to yourself is just as important as the time that you give to others. If you don’t take appropriate care of yourself, then there won’t be enough of you to help anyone else because you’ll be all used up! Don’t let this happen, learn the power of saying “no”, and refuse to allow anyone to send you on pointless guilt trips.

7) Don’t condemn yourself, just make the necessary adjustment.

Everyone makes mistakes including me. It’s called being human. The wonderful thing about being a human is we have the power and ability to acknowledge our mistakes, apologize where necessary, and make the needed changes. There is no need to add labels and stories of guilt, shame, condemnation, and blame to what has happened. You cannot unscramble scrambled eggs, either eat them or throw them away. Feeling bad about spilled milk is not going to help anything or anybody, the best thing you can do is clean up the mess, learn the lesson, and move on. Don’t condemn yourself after making a mistake, be humble and honest enough to admit where you missed it and go on. If someone else can’t seem to forgive you or get passed what you’ve done wrong, after you’ve tried to make it right, that is their problem, not yours. Just move on. Depending on what you’ve done, it may take some time to rebuild trust and reputation, but never the less there is no need to carry guilt and shame with you after doing your best to rectify a situation. Pick yourself up and keep on keepin’ on! Don’t condemn yourself, just make the adjustment.

As you continue to build your stress-free lifestyle, apply the above 7 keys and enjoy a greater sense of fulfillment.

Question: Why do you believe many people seem to experience such high stress levels? What ways have you discovered to effectively reduce your own stress?

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

Keys to Fearless Time Management

2010-03-25T22:34:00.005-04:00

No matter what time management tools you choose to use, the one thing a time management system cannot do is make you do something.

A time management system cannot choose your priorities for you.

A time management system cannot help you if you don’t apply it.

What is almost laughable is that the most effective time management system is something you cannot buy in a store or on-line. You actually have had it with you all the time. It’s in you, it’s actually the power you have to choose your own actions. It is the fearless choices that you make when you are at your best.

I actually learned some of the powerful, fearless, and effective time management principles that I am about to share with you from Steve Chandler. Steve Chandler is the author of, “The Hands-Off Manager”, which is one of the most effective management, mentoring, and personal effectiveness books that I have ever read.

He is also the leader of http://www.clubfearless.net/ which is an extraordinary business development and personal development success club that has made a profound impact on my life and business. Anyone can join and if you choose to, tell Steve that I sent you. Ask him for a free month in the club and you just might get it!

The time management system that I am about to share with you can virtually change your life and business in a relatively short period of time. Anyone can develop the skills that I am about to share with you.

It doesn’t matter if you are a stay at home parent, a small business owner, a corporate CEO, a student, or a retiree. I am going to lay this powerful principle right out in the open where you are free to choose to use it or leave it.

The powerful principle hinges primarily on two things: purpose and boldness.

To be effective at completing an important project or achieving a worthy goal, you must first have a clear and concise purpose.

Steve Chandler says, “When you declare a definite purpose to the day, things will just fall into place.” For example, if you had to catch a flight to New York, you have a clear purpose with a precise deadline! If you are not at the airport ahead of time, then you will miss your appointed flight. We can call this disappointed! To be on time for a flight there are a cascade of events that naturally fall into place. You will pack your suitcase. You will set things in order at the house. You will lay your clothes out the night before. Basically, you will carefully guard this most important appointment. You will remove and prevent any impediment to the successful completion of the goal of getting to the airport ahead of time. By the way, we get ahead on projects, instead of falling behind, when we have a written plan that we refer to and adhere to.

To remove and prevent any impediments to the successful completion of this important task, you have to be bold. If someone says, “Hey, let’s go to lunch or can I stop by or let’s go to a movie, etc.” You immediately say with all outspokenness, “I can’t, that doesn’t work for me, I have a flight to catch.”

The event of catching an important flight made its way on to your calendar. This is a master key to effective time management, i.e., guarding your calendar. Only put things on your calendar that you are going to commit to do. If you are not planning on doing something, then don’t put it on your calendar. But if you put it on your calendar, then you must commit to do it.

Guard your time like it is money. Time is the new money. If you wouldn’t let someone steal your money than don’t let them steal your time!

Even if your time is allotted for relaxing; don’t let someone steal your relaxation time. If it’s on your calendar then commit to do it.

Steve Chandler says, “Things happen when you make time for them and when you commit to them.”

The last powerful key that I will share is the kicker. This key can almost instantaneously change your effectiveness for the better. The key is to do only one thing. That’s right, do only one thing.

When you are in a conversation with a friend, co-worker, or family member, be fully engaged in the conversation. Do one thing.

When you have set aside time to do an important project, whether that is to clean your basement or to create a business proposal; just do that one thing.

Act like whatever you are doing is the only thing you have to do all day; do it beautifully, relax into it, do it with all of the joy and creativity that you can muster. When that one thing is done, pick one more thing off of your list and act like it’s the only thing you have to do. Stress will consistently roll off of your back like water off of a duck's back, when you practice the art of doing one thing. If there are seemingly a "million" things that are staring you in the face, simply pick one, refuse to let your feathers get ruffled, and get it done. Just the one thing; do it peacefully, do it creatively, do it completely. Before you know it, it will be done, and while you were doing it you may find that you had fun. It's so easy!

No matter who you are or what you do for a living, no matter what age or stage of life you are in; if you practice the above powerful keys, you will improve your effectiveness and efficiency.

In review, remember the following keys for effective time management:

1) Declare a definite and clear purpose to your day and everything else will fall into place.

2) Don’t place things on your calendar unless you intend to do them. If it’s on your calendar then you must commit to do it. If it’s important to your life, family, career, or business then put it on your calendar and do it!

3) Practice boldness in protecting your plan and focus for the day. Stay on course. Plan your work and work your plan. Act like every task is a proverbial plane you have to catch. You would rarely miss a flight. Therefore, treat every task that you place on your calendar as equally important as catching a flight. If you do this, then you will set in motion the proper cascade of events that will help insure successful completion of your task (declared purpose).

4) Treat time like it’s money. If you wouldn’t waste money, then don’t waste time. If you wouldn’t let someone steal your money, then don’t let them steal your time.

5) Learn the power of doing one thing. Even if you say to yourself that you have a "million" things to do (which very few people actually do), just pick one thing and do it with complete focus, creativity, and joy. Act like it is the only thing that you have to do all day. When you successfully complete that one thing, then pick one more thing. By the end of the day, the week, the month, or the year; you will be a pro at effective time management. Even in “hectic” environments this can work wonders and reduce stress.

Try the above keys and see what amazing things happen for your life, family, business, or career.

Question: What keys for effective time management have you discovered or what is your greatest time management struggle?

I always look forward to reading your response!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

8 Ways to Benefit from a Crisis

2010-03-19T10:51:00.002-04:00

A crisis is nothing more than concentrated information.
In spite of any situation you are facing in your personal or professional life, you can make it through with flying colors.

One of the things that I have noticed when I observe or help someone who is experiencing an adverse circumstance is how they often label what they are going through as negative, debilitating, impossible, etc.

Whatever you are dealing with regarding your circumstance, always remember that a crisis is merely providing you information, that’s all. It does not have to be labeled as positive or negative.

You got a flat tire, that’s not necessarily negative. It actually is a positive. Would you rather have had a blow out on the freeway where your life could have been at risk or would you rather walk out to your driveway or the parking lot and see that the tire is low or flat and change the tire? Many of you will only have to make a quick phone call to your road service operator and they will send someone out to change the tire for you!

No matter what the “crisis” is that you are facing, purpose to not “flip out” about what is happening. Life happens. It does not mean that something is wrong with you or that you are necessarily getting “payback” for something you did.

Author Mike Murdock says, “Crisis always occurs at the curve of change.”

I like to say that crisis occurs at the curve of positive changes.

Have you ever noticed that the world does not stop when you are experiencing a difficult circumstance? The world does not stop when you are experiencing a positive circumstance either. Traffic lights still turn green, yellow, and then red; business carries on as usual. Remember that crisis is nothing more than concentrated information, that’s all it is.

You stubbed your toe on the dining room table, your central nervous system sends a message of pain to your feet, the information let’s you know, “I need to be more careful next time and watch where I’m going.” The pain eventually subsides. No big deal. Virtually every area of your life has a similar modality.

As you or someone you know works through a crisis, remember the following keys:

1) A crisis is simply concentrated information.

2) Information is given to you so that you can process it and take appropriate action.

3) A crisis is not pervasive; it does not take over your entire life.

4) Deal with crisis appropriately.

5) Refuse to put labels of negativity on crisis. It is what it is.

6) Learn from the crisis.

7) Help someone else with what you have learned

8) Stay positive and stay proactive.

Apply the above keys to any challenging situation that you may be facing and increase your chances of having positive outcomes.

Question: How do you deal effectively with a crisis or a challenging circumstance?

I look forward to reading your response!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

3 Ways to Overcome Worry

2010-03-03T11:19:00.002-05:00

No matter who you are, or what your experiences have been, everyone deals with worry.

Worry is to think about something negative over and over. Worry is a form of anxiety. Worrying is an ineffective use of our creative genius. Many people worry about things that are beyond their control. The majority of what people worry about never happens. So why do people choose to worry?

It’s almost as if people act like worry is a person that forces them to think worry thoughts. Worry is not a person, worry is a choice. Worry is not a person that comes to sit down next to you to say, “Hey, why don’t you worry about how this situation is going to turn out? Come on, it’ll be fun.” No, worry is a thought path that we choose to take; no one can make us choose to worry. Even if it were possible for worry to be a person that spoke to us, we could always choose not to listen!

People worry about all kinds of things. It could be a situation at work, a challenging relationship, a problem with a key client, or a new customer. It could be your kids, grandkids, or some other family member. The list of things that people worry about is virtually endless. For most people, once they entertain one drop of worry it opens the flood gates for worry to overwhelm their mind. Worry gnaws at your insides like a termite gnaws on wood. It scratches you like a proverbial piece of sandpaper. It bothers you like a leaky faucet that won’t stop dripping in the middle of the night. We all know how worry makes us feel, and how unproductive it can be. This begs the question, how do we deal with worry thoughts effectively?

Here are three (3) effective ways to deal with worry:

1) Find a positive distraction.

One of the best ways to get rid of a bad habit is to focus on creating a good habit. The same is true for worry thoughts. You cannot really get rid of a thought as much as you can replace it with a positive thought. Instead of worrying how a bill will get paid, use your creative energy to discover ways to create wealth. Is there an additional service that you can provide to clients that will enable you to raise your rates? Instead of fretting over whether you will gain 5lbs or not, why not go for a brisk walk or stop by the gym before or after work for a 30-45 minute workout. Don’t sit and stew in your unproductive thoughts, get up and find a positive distraction that will spark your creativity, and make you feel better in the process.

2) Take action.

No matter what your situation is, sitting and feeling bad about it is not going to help anything. Do the required research, talk to whoever you need to talk to, brainstorm by yourself of with a creative group of friends, but at the end of the day, you need to make a move. Act on the plan that you have. Even if you don’t feel like you know what to do, figure out what the best move is for the time being, and set out on that path. You may not have all of the information that you feel that you need, but you probably have enough information to make a solid decision. Make your decision, and take the action that is needed.

3) Filter your communication.

One of the secrets to breaking a cycle of worry thinking is to stop talking about the thing that has you feeling worried. Brian Tracy says, “Never say something about yourself that you do not sincerely want to be true.” For example, if you are dealing with a financial challenge in your business or personal life, don’t go around saying I’m broke, I can’t afford it, I’ll never get out of this financial problem. Cut that out! Instead of complaining, say something like, “I may be dealing with a financial challenge right now but I have a plan in place and I am working out of it. Things are turning around for my good.” You can use a positive attitude and a plan to turn almost any situation in your favor, whether it’s in your business, your career, your family, or your health. Speaking negative, perpetuates the negative. Speaking positive, short circuits negative outcomes, and fuels positive results. If you catch yourself speaking negative, just correct yourself. Don’t condemn yourself or call yourself stupid, just say, “Oops, that’s not what I meant to say. I meant to say things are going to work out just fine.” If you find it too difficult to counteract the negative talk with positive talk, then just don’t say anything at all. By the way, we begin to believe whatever we repeatedly hear ourselves say. Therefore, we should continually think and speak positively, since staying positive can only help. Put a positive filter on your communication. If you are thinking or speaking negatively about yourself, other people, or your situation, just filter it by choosing to speak and think positively. Filtering your communication will help you to eliminate worry. Worry is nothing but a habit, and habits can be changed. Worry is like spam, you don’t have to receive it if you don’t want to.

Practice the above three keys and you’ll be able to effectively deal with worry.

Question: Why do people seem to find it so difficult to stop worrying? What methods do you use to counteract worry?

I look forward to reading your answer.

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

10 Keys to Breaking Negative Cycles

2010-02-21T20:01:00.004-05:00

All of us deal with patterns of behavior or results that we and others may feel are undesirable.

It could be how we communicate with a difficult co-worker or vendor.

It could be how we seem to continually misunderstand a loved one or a friend.

It could be a test of life that we continually seem to fail every time it comes around.

Here are 10 keys on how to break negative cycles:

1) Realize that everyone deals with setbacks.

You are not alone. You are special, unique, and gifted. However, you are not so special, unique, and gifted that you are exempt from failure, setbacks or challenges. Setbacks are some of life’s greatest reality checks. Stay level headed and don’t panic. Realize that making mistakes, learning new methods of success, and trying to figure out how to break negative patterns are a part of being human. You will not only survive, but thrive if you persist.

2) Realize that you don’t have all of the answers.

There seems to be a wonderful feeling that feeds the human ego when we can say, “I did that all by myself. I figured that out on my own.” The truth is we need the help of other people more than we sometimes realize. For example, did you teach yourself how to walk as an infant? Did you catch yourself when you fell or did someone assist you? How about reading? Did you teach yourself how to read or did someone help you? Even if per chance you did teach yourself to read, did you write the book that you taught yourself to read from or did someone else write it? My point is we need the help of others when trying to achieve our goals. Working together with others on major and minor tasks often gets them done faster and with less effort. Even if you do feel you have everything covered, there are other people that can see your blind spots. They may see something that you don’t see and what they see can make all the difference in the world. Realize that others may have answers, skills, and resources that may be able to accelerate your progress; challenge yourself to reach out to them.

3) Previous successes can be deceptive.

Sometimes when we have had a string of victories, we can subconsciously think that we are invincible. As though, we will emerge from every battle unscathed and without any effort. There are times when world-class athletes enter “the zone”, and everything seems to flow like an unimpeded river, no problems or hiccups. However, the truth is no one really lives in the zone. You and I will not always have a perpetual string of mountain top experiences or emotions. If we did, we would never grow. When a string of successes is snapped, when we have a challenge in our personal or professional life, it causes us to pause. It causes us to retrace our steps, to recalibrate, and reconsider our actions and our strategy; improvement is often the result. Don’t take past victories for granted. Realize that you are very gifted but you are not invincible. Prepare for your goals like a world-class athlete, and you will bounce back from setbacks, and experience more success.

4) Learn the lesson and forget the details.

When we realize that we are human and that we are fallible, we can position ourselves for uncommon growth. Even though a setback or a glitch or an unsuccessful attempt may cause us to feel discouraged or dejected, it does not have to derail our progress. Feelings are fed by our thoughts. If you want to change how you feel, just change your thoughts. Instead of focusing on how embarrassed you feel, focus on what the results have revealed. The results may show us that we have some room to improve in how we execute the task. Maybe we were not as focused as we could have been or maybe we can improve in how we communicate. Maybe we need to improve our leadership skills, or simply learn how to ask for help. Whatever the occurrence, the main point is to learn the lesson, apply it, and go on with your life.

5) Relapses are no match for comebacks.

You may have slipped back into an old negative behavior; you may have dropped the ball on a major project, big deal! Get over the mistake, and get over yourself. People are not thinking about you as much as you think they are. Even if they are, what difference does that make to you, and what you need to do? Relapses, backsliding, or whatever you want to call it is no match for your next action. You may have gained 5 or 10lbs, so what! What are you going to do now? Your comeback is waiting on you. A relapse is virtually irrelevant when you start focusing on your comeback. What’s even more important is the fact that you recognized that you relapsed! This is called progress, whether you know it or not. To be aware of something that previously went unnoticed is progress. At least now you can do something about it. Get back on the path to your comeback immediately, no matter what the setback has been. Relapses are no match for comebacks.

6) Expose negative cycles before they expose you.

When you notice you are doing something that is derailing your success, get some help. It can be a major issue or a minor issue. Squash problems when they are the size of acorns, that way they don’t have a chance to grow into a forest. Pull your problem out of the darkness and into the light of someone that can help you. Negative cycles gain strength when they remain a secret. When we try to keep a problem a secret it eventually brings itself out for all to see. This happens with major corporations, small businesses, celebrities, and average Joes. You don’t have to tell everybody, but share your problem with a trusted friend, coach, business partner, family member, or co-worker. There are also resources through employers or professionals that you can access via the internet that are completely confidential. Find someone to tell. When people keep things in they often explode like a bomb or they sink like a rock. Whether it is personal or professional, don’t let your problem take you down.

7) Never share your problem with someone incapable of solving it.

One of my mentors has helped to drill this thought into my head. No matter what your problem is there is someone who has been through what you are presently experiencing. Regardless of your income or background, someone has walked where you have walked, find them. Don’t share things with people that you cannot trust. They may damage your reputation or misjudge you. Find someone who has proven themselves trustworthy and someone that can help you with your specific challenge. There are obviously some things you would not share with your 5 year old child that you will share with your 55 year old trusted friend. Be wise, but don’t be afraid to share what you’re going through with someone that can help you. Never be too proud to talk about it out loud, in the right environment. Taking this action can transform your life, your business, and your family.

8) Stop believing a lie.

Just because you have failed, experienced a setback, disappointed yourself or someone else, it doesn’t mean that you are a “failure.” What it means is that you are human. Stop accepting the labels that other people try to place on you or even the ones that you place on yourself. Refuse to attach additional baggage to what happened. Whatever it was, it just happened. It’s over now. Take ownership and resolve to do better next time. Put systems and accountability in place to insure that success has a greater chance of happening next time. But don’t make up some story that you are an idiot, stupid, incapable, doomed to be like this for life or whatever story you or someone else has contrived. The truth is today is your life. Decide what you want to create today. Forgive yourself and others; repair what you can, and don’t worry about the rest. Your past is no match for your future, but you are the only one that can initiate your next success. Decide to break the negative cycles, no matter what they are and no matter how many times they occur. Decide to never give up. Don’t give up, get up!

9) Get to the root.

Don’t just remove the rotten apple from the bushel; find the rotten tree that it came from. All of us have certain negative results or behaviors that resurface from time to time. It may be due to negligence, or allowing ourselves to get distracted, or a whole host of other reasons. The key is to find the root of the problem. If you or your landscaper does not remove the weeds in your garden from the root, they will reemerge, and possibly come back even stronger with other friends. What is the root of your problem? Is it a lack of discipline? Is it a lack of knowledge? Is it a refusal to address the “white elephant” in the room? Is it your ego? Always remember that your ego is your enemy. Confront your enemy. Author Roberts Liardon says, “Only what you confront will change; what you refuse to confront will remain the same.”

10) Give it time.

After you have been derailed, give yourself a little time to be realigned. When you experience a setback you should focus immediately on making a comeback. However, even though you are on the road of your comeback, it may take you a little while to get your bearings. It may take you a little while to fix your alignment after you have hit a virtual pothole. Your alignment may include your feelings, emotions, strategy, mentality, resources, etc. Also, give yourself some time to get it right. Your challenge or pattern or negative results may not go away over night. However, you can track your progress. Any step forward is a step of progress. No matter how small the change, change is still change. Progress should be acknowledged and celebrated. Don’t wait for someone else, acknowledge your own improvements. Celebrate your own success. Give yourself time to change. This is also known has having patience. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with others who are trying to change. Developing patience builds inner strength just like lifting weights builds muscle. If you have dealt with a negative cycle for an extended period of time, then it will probably take some time before you see the complete transformation. The process of change can be very exciting, but you must give it some time.

I encourage you to apply the above keys and break the negative cycles in your life, business, family, or career.

Question: Why do you believe people repeat negative cycles or slip into old failure habits? What do you believe is the key to breaking a negative cycle?

I look forward to reading your response!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

3 Ways to Break Negativity

2010-02-16T23:46:00.001-05:00

When you experience something that you label negative, how does it make you feel?

When you make a mistake or if someone “tells you off”, do you have a sinking feeling inside?

When you or someone else does not produce the results that you were expecting, how do you react?

The fact is most of us have a negative response internally, to a negative occurrence that took place externally. It is the basic stimulus response modality. Something happens, positive or negative, and we have a reaction, positive or negative. It seems pretty simple. The problem is when our own negative responses are causing problems in our lives, families, businesses, or careers.

The difference maker is that we actually can control our own reactions. We don’t have to respond the way that we feel, especially when we feel like responding negatively.

When you hear that a key client is upset and is considering doing business with your competitor, you don’t have to “lose it.” Calm down, settle yourself. Instead of getting upset, examine the situation, look and see what opportunities are at your disposal. This may be a wonderful opportunity to turn this disgruntled client into a raving fan, by simply asking a few questions and addressing a few problems. It could have been a huge misunderstanding or the client could have just been having a horrible day. Maybe the client heard some negative news and they were taking it out on you! That is the stimulus response modality. It happens all the time. You may never know what the root problem is with a client, coworker, family member, or a particular situation; unless you take the high road, stay positive, and are bold enough to ask.

We must understand that problems are not pervasive. In other words, just because you have a problem in one area of your life, it does not mean that it has to take over your entire life.

I know of one person that explained some of the tremendous problems that they were facing in their professional life. The problems they outlined would have made most people’s head spin. However, this person did not have one bit of indigestion and did not lose one bit of sleep. They were operating in total peace and serenity. Why? They learned to compartmentalize their life. Problems in one area of your life do not have to destroy the other areas of your life. Put systems in place that help you to deal with problems, and establish and maintain healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life.

E-mail does not have to ruin your day. Put a system in place. I respond to e-mail once a day, i.e., before 10:00am or after 4:00pm every day. Or whatever will work best for you, but whatever you do, create a system that will reduce the stress and keep you from getting negative. Delete the negative aspects of your life. Maintain a ruthless focus on staying positive. Don’t let negativity creep up on you. When it does, deal with it tactfully and effectively, and keep moving forward. Always operate from a position of strength, never weakness. Stay upbeat and expect even negative occurrences to turn for your good. Keep a smile on your face, walk with a purpose, and project the confidence that is resident on the inside of you. Negativity has a way of raining on your parade. However, you have enough positivity and sunshine in you to evaporate every drop of negativity.

Many things come out in the wash. Some things are not worth the time that you worry about them. Why? Because some things just don’t matter. You cannot control people, their attitudes, actions, or opinions. What you can control is how you process what happens to you and how you choose to respond. That is where your power lies. Your attitude is your choice; no one can take that away from you.

At the end of every day, make sure to archive all of the positive occurrences, put a plan in place to deal with pertinent opportunities, and choose to delete all of the negatives. You will be able to start the next day with a clean slate, fresh energy, and a plan that will accelerate positive results.

The next time you experience something negative ask yourself the following questions:

1) What thought am I choosing to believe that is causing me to feel uneasy?

Most fears are caused by a thought. Worry is a thought. It is obsessively thinking in the negative. Find the negative thought, identify it, and get rid of it. Just because 500 other people lost their job doesn’t mean that you will lose yours. And even if you did lose your job, you will not only survive, you will thrive. But only If you get your mind right; you actually have the power to create whatever you want. Find the negative thought that is messing you up and choose to replace it with a positive thought. You will feel more at ease when you do this.

2) What is good about this?

Always ask yourself what is the benefit of this situation. What good things can I pull from this experience? If you stay with this question, if you stay positive and persistent the answers that you arrive at will astound you. Maybe it’s good that you did not get that client that you felt you had to have, because 3 months down the road you heard how they made your competitor miserable with their unreasonable and incessant requests. That company that you felt you just had to work for went “belly up” the year after they turned you down for a position. Are you upset that you did not get that job now? Always ask yourself, “What is good about this?”

3) Is it true?

Everything you hear is not necessarily true. Every criticism that is hurled at you is not necessarily appropriate or applicable. You can deal with negatives more effectively if you examine to see if they are true, and if they even apply to you. There are crooked people in the world. There are dishonest people in every profession that you can name under the sun. However, there are also good people everywhere you look, and there are people full of integrity in every profession that you interface with in your daily life. You just have to find them. Don’t lump everyone into one category. Don’t let people put a label on you that does not apply to you. Never forget, you don’t have to agree with everything that is said to you. And you don’t have to get upset over anything if you don’t want to. It’s all in how you choose to respond. Just ask yourself, “Is it true?” If it is true then you can deal with it appropriately; if it’s not true then keep on keepin’ on!

A question for you: Why do you believe some people allow negativity to stop them?

I look forward to reading your response!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

It Only Takes 5 Minutes

2010-02-14T21:30:00.008-05:00

Instead of thinking about finishing the entire project; just try to do it for 5 minutes.

I use this as a tool to get any project started or to keep it moving.

I am currently writing another book. I can actually write for 2 – 3 hours or more at a time every day if I want to. I love writing. But writing is still challenging. Anything worth having or doing is a challenge. World champion athletes love the results that their efforts bring and may even enjoy their preparations and rigorous workouts. However, getting into their daily routine is still a challenge. Even though it is something that they are good at, it’s still a challenge.

For me the task of creating a book seems a lot easier and more fun to handle if I think about it as a game. A game of 5 minutes a day, that’s it. Just 5 minutes.

The funny thing is that when you commit to do something for 5 minutes, in all likelihood you will end up doing the project for a lot longer. This mental game is a way of tricking yourself into doing something and enjoying the entire process at the same time. I start for 5 minutes. I get into a zone before I know it. When I look up from typing on my laptop I smile and say to myself, “Wow! Where did the time go?”

What daunting task are you dreading? What project is trying to stare you down? Don’t think about trying to do it all at once. If you need to clean your home or apartment, do laundry, write a business proposal, review some case files, or whatever. Just take 5 minutes right now and get it started. Don’t worry about trying to finish the whole thing. Don’t worry about how big the task is and don’t fret about high pressure deadlines. Those pressures are usually created in your mind anyway. How does that image or pressure in your mind serve you?

You don’t have to feel strong and super confident. Start low and move slow. You will eventually rise higher and catch fire. The project will soar to completion before you know it.

Just try it for 5 minutes!

Question: What methods work best for you when trying to start a "tough" or "dreaded" task?

I look forward to reading your response!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

5 Reasons to Get Started Right Now

2010-02-12T09:32:00.002-05:00

Like Shaq says in his commercial, Are you on demand or are you on delay?

When it comes to your dream, goal, project, or passion, what are you waiting for?

What’s really holding you back from launching that new business venture? What’s stopping you from starting that new fitness routine? When are you going to take that vacation? When are you going to write that book? When are you going to apply for that job, or start that new career? When are you going resign from that position, or organization that you know you should have left 3 years ago? When are you going to confront that situation that needs to be addressed?

“Only what you confront will change. What you refuse to confront will remain the same.”–Roberts Liardon

What’s the delay? The demand is evident. You’re tired of the status quo. The passion for the new venture is about to leap out of your chest! What are you waiting for? Your passion is your permission. You’ve drawn up plans and edited those plans 800 times. It’s time to implement the plan.

Make a decision. Put your plan in place. Take an action.

Get ready to enter a new race. Follow your true passion. It’s your time to be free. You’re going to feel like a 10 ton weight has fallen off of your shoulders. But first, you must get started.

Consider these 5 keys when you are launching any new endeavor:

1) Start badly.

Don’t worry about how you’re going to finish the entire project. Don’t worry about being flawless. Just get started. Your initial attempts don’t have to be perfect. Author, Steve Chandler says, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” What this means is you are going to make some mistakes in anything you do, but don’t let that stop you! Don’t worry, you’re not going to settle for mediocrity; because you’re passion for excellence is too strong. This is why you consistently succeed against the odds. So just get started, even if your initial results are less than desirable. Most authors will tell you that their first drafts were terrible; I know mine were. But the end result was wonderful. It would not have happened if I didn’t at least start badly. Start badly if you have to, but just make sure you get started. Excellence will rise through your persistence.

2) Put your time in.

Author, Malcolm Gladwell shares in his book, The Outliers, that anyone who has achieved world-class success in virtually any area, i.e., sports, business, technology, career, etc., has had at least 10,000 hours of practice. He cites business tycoon, Bill Gates. He shares that Gates really is not much different from you. It’s just that he started computer programming when he was in about the 7th grade. He had access to a computer lab that just happened to have the highest level of computer technology in the world at that time. The only difference is, once Gates started computer programming around the 7th grade, he never stopped! No wonder he dropped out of college. He was a world-class computer programming expert (10,000 hours of high level experience) by the time he was around 18 or 19 years of age! For most of us, 10,000 hours of practice equates to 10 years of experience in developing a certain skill. That’s why you should get started, and never stop. If you are an author or want to be one, start writing and don’t stop. If you want to be in the best physical shape of your life, get in the gym and be consistent. If you want to get a higher degree, persevere through the required academic process. No matter how tough it gets, if it’s your passion; hang in there. Never be discouraged at your results, they will improve over time. The key is to get started. How many hours have you logged when it comes to your dream, goal, or skill? Be determined to put your time in.

3) There is no “perfect time”.

If you are waiting on “perfect conditions” before you get started, then chances are you never will. Avid golfers know that no matter how “clear” the day looks, there is always some challenge that factors in to how they will execute each golf shot that day. I have never seen one golfer walk off the tee box and say, “Nope, I’m not going to hit that shot, I’m not going to play today, it’s too windy.” No, just like the avid golfer, you make adjustments. You make decisions, and you take the required actions. You may not have every piece of information that you want, but you probably have enough information to make an educated decision. Once you make your decision, it’s time to take an action. It’s time to execute the shot. Follow your “gut”. Don’t wait for the “perfect time”. The “perfect time” is when you decide to make it happen; it’s when you decide to take action.

4) Someone is waiting on you.

Do you realize that if you don’t get started, if you don’t follow your passion, that you could be robbing someone of an answer to their problem? You’ve got the answer to a question that they’ve asked for a lifetime, but your holding on to the answer by not creating. Someone is waiting to read the book that may change their life or business. Have you written it yet? Someone wants to pay you for the knowledge and skills that you possess. Have you created the business yet? There is an opportunity, or a connection with your name on it. It’s just waiting for you to grab it. Someone is waiting on your encouragement and feedback. Have you given it to them? Who is it that may be waiting on you? Go ahead and do what only you can do. Someone is waiting on you to help set them free.

5) Do the thing.

Nike says, “Just do it.” But some of us just don’t get it. Steve Chandler says, “It’s the doing of the thing that gets it done.” The way to become anything is to do the thing. If you want to be a coach or a consultant, just get started. Go help somebody. Whatever you want to become, just start where you are. Start with the opportunities that are in your life right now. Don’t wait for a “big break”. Stop taking a break and go motivate. First, motivate yourself, and then go motivate someone else. This works in any area, i.e., career, academics, fitness, business, cooking, relationships, or breaking bad habits. It works for anything. All you have to do is, do the thing.

Take the above keys and insert them into the ignition of your new endeavor. Start the engine of internal motivation. Shift the gears out of park, and into drive, and then accelerate. You will feel a tremendous sense of fulfillment, begin to build up on the inside. Measurable results will begin to ramp up on the outside. All because, you challenged yourself to just get started.

Question: What do you think really holds people back from following their true passion?

Let me hear back from you.

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

7 Reasons Why You Should Set High Expectations

2010-02-07T23:43:00.002-05:00

No matter what difficult situation you have been dealing with and no matter for how long, you should always have high expectations for yourself and any endeavor you are involved in.
Expectation is an intense anticipation of a particular outcome.

You should always have corresponding actions that say you are expecting to see high yield results.

“Never say something about yourself that you do not sincerely want to be true.” –Brian Tracy

Do not think or say things that you do not really want to happen. If you don’t want to lose a particular account, then don’t say, “I guess I’m going to lose that long standing client. I guess there is nothing I can do about it.” If you don’t really want to lose the client, then get enthusiastic about creating a plan to keep them. If you eventually do lose the client after executing a plan to keep them, then at least you did your best. But don’t ever enter a competition or embark on a project without the expectation of winning. Without the expectation to win, you are automatically planning to lose.

Don’t fight battles that don’t have rewards.

You are highly gifted and valuable; you don’t have time and resources to waste. Choose your battles and projects wisely, and expect to succeed when you begin and end them.

Champions expect to win. I like how baseball superstar Derek Jeter says it, “I wouldn’t want to play for a team that wasn’t expected to win.”

Even if you fall back occasionally, don’t let that stop you. Get back up and start right where you left off. You are human, that means you make mistakes like the rest of us. However, humans also have the unique ability to correct mistakes. It is called the power to make a decision. Your life, business, or career will often follow the path of your decisions.

One of the most powerful decisions you can make on a daily basis is what you choose to expect for the efforts you put into a project. Expect to win. It has been said by world champion athletes that 2nd place is 1st loser. Even though we should not take this too seriously, and even though losing doesn’t make us less of a human; we should never go into a situation expecting to lose. Your body language is even different when you don’t believe you will perform well at something. When you have ultimate confidence that you will achieve a good result, everyone knows it. Even without you saying a word, people can see it.

If you are expecting to lose weight or get in shape, you should expect to succeed.

If you are trying to break a bad habit or an addiction, you should expect it to be broken.

If you are starting a new job, career, or business you should expect to be highly successful.

Put plans in place to help you succeed. Solicit the support of people who can help you, and involve people that are smarter and more successful than you. This helps to keep expectations high.

Never expect to lose, expect for difficult situations to work out for your good.

No matter how long you have been challenged in an area regarding your personal or professional life, expect for the tide to turn in your favor starting today!

Here are 7 reasons why you should always set high expectations:

1) Expectations are magnetic.

It’s amazing what happens when you have a definite purpose in mind. When you are clear on what you want and can articulate what you need in 30 seconds or less, the resources and support that you need, will flood into your life.

2) Expectations provide guidance.

Your expectations actually carve out a path that you will likely follow. Expectations are like a tour guide. A successful tour guide will lead you in the right direction and help you enjoy the ride immensely. A bad tour guide will fail to get you to your destination, and the ride will be absolutely miserable. Set high expectations that will serve as good tour guides, accelerating you toward your desired destination.

3) Expectations build motivation.

You will seldom exceed your own expectations, especially if your expectations are too low to start with. You don’t pursue goals that don’t mean anything to you. Do something about that today. If you have a goal that is not high enough to move you to action, then raise the stakes by setting a new goal. Raise the level of your expectations, and you will raise the level of your motivation.

4) Expectations fuel productive action.

You are more likely to follow through on a commitment if there is something at stake. If a key client is expecting you to deliver on a promise, then you are more likely to make it happen at a high level. Conversely, if you are considering the time and effort it will take for you to complete a trivial activity; you are less likely to follow through. High expectations will fuel productive actions that bring a big return on your investment.

5) Expectations provide clarity.

Setting low expectations is like trying to drive on a foggy day; you can’t see very far. Having low expectations for yourself or others leaves room for confusion and mediocre results. Having high expectations for yourself, a family member, an employee, or a vendor is like driving on a clear sunny day; you can see how to get to the goal very easily. High expectations clears the fog, providing a beacon of light for the pathway to accelerated results.

6) Expectations increase your success rate.

Expectations determine what targets that you hit. One way to set expectations is by what you continually say and visualize. If expectations are low, then no goals or low goals is what you will hit. Set high expectations for reaching worthy goals, and you will be more pleased with your results. High expectations help to increase your success rate.

7) Expectations are transformational.

You can transform a person, family, career, or business by setting high expectations. People will usually rise or fall to the level of expectations that are set for them. There are countless stories of people who had meager beginnings. But because someone believed in them, they were able to transform their life and change their world. You can do the same for yourself and those in your circle of influence. Transform lives by setting high expectations.

Use the above 7 reasons to set high expectations to help raise the level of your game!

What’s your answer to the following question?:

Why do you believe people often set their expectations so low?
Let me hear back from you!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

7 Keys to Breaking Any Fear

2010-01-31T23:29:00.006-05:00

One of the most common impediments to achieving any goal in life, business, or career is fear.

Fear often causes a gnawing feeling in your gut. It can make your insides feel like they have been scratched by sand paper.

Fear causes many to walk in a lack of confidence. They may take steps toward achieving a goal but their steps are unsure.

Every human on the planet experiences fear. Whether, it is regarding your health, your family, your money, or a major decision that you must make. Fear is a challenge that we all face.

Where does this uneasy feeling of fear come from? How can we blast passed it every time we face it?

Fear often comes from a thought. Fears are often fueled by something your thinking. Fears are kept alive by your speaking. The more you think of something, the more likely you are to speak about it. The more you speak about something, the more life you give it. This works in the positive and the negative. Fear feeds off of negative thoughts and words. People often fear because of a negative experience that they or someone they know has had in the past. They think about the negative experience that they have had or heard about, and it causes a reaction.

Your thoughts cause physical and emotional responses. That’s why some people’s palms get sweaty when they get ready to give a public talk. That’s why even some professional athletes get a queasy stomach before a big game.

If I told you to close your eyes and imagine you were in a peaceful, quiet room with a table and a chair and a tall clear glass of cold water. You would probably be feeling pretty calm right now. Staying with this same imaginary scenario, what if I told you that in the room next to you there is a hungry lion that hasn’t eaten for three days? How do you feel now? Also, I forgot to mention that the lion I was referring to in the next room was toothless, declawed, and is actually a documentary playing on cable TV. Now how do you feel?

This is what happens when you break your fears down. You see how ridiculous and powerless they are to hinder or harm you.

Here are some keys that you can use to break fear the next time you are faced with it:

1) You can control fear by controlling your thoughts.

Just because you failed before does not mean you will fail again. Who cares if you had an unsuccessful attempt before? That was just practice. That was then. This is now. The chance of failing again is no reason to be afraid of trying again. Your mind will process whatever you put in it, positive or negative. Stop re-playing failure scenarios in your mind and start pre-playing images of you succeeding at a certain task. If you find a thought difficult to control, then speak out loud to yourself a positive affirmation until the positive thought is ingrained. For example, I will lose 10 lbs by this date… or I’m going to do an excellent job on that presentation next week.

2) Fear retreats when you take action.

If you act in spite of how you feel, then you will see how little power fear has. One of the most effective ways to break intimidation is to take bold action. You stop fear in its tracks, when you take huge loads of action. Fear may seem to hinder you, but the truth is it cannot stop you; unless you allow it. Fears are like flies. They can bother you but they can’t stop you.

3) What’s the worst thing that can happen?

Ask yourself these questions: What’s the worst thing that can happen to me, if I do or don’t take action? What’s the best thing that can happen to me, if I do or don’t take action? Examine your answers to these questions and you will likely be filled with the courage for whatever appropriate action you decide to take.

4) Dismantle the thought.
Since most fears come from something you are thinking, break the thought down. Ask yourself, what or who am I afraid of? Why? Sit in a quiet place with a pad and a pen or your laptop and get to the bottom of this “fear” that has seemingly immobilized you. Finding solutions to your problems on paper dismantles and destroys the thought that was fueling the fear. Get the fear out in the light of day through writing or brainstorming. Dismantling the thought that fuels fear exposes it for the weakling that it is. Your fears are actually declawed and toothless lions.

5) Stop believing a lie.

“Nothing is ever as bad as it first appears.” –Mike Murdock

Fear has been described by many as the acronym, F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real). After you’ve dismantled the thought that had you afraid, you will see that it was just a lie. Dread is a close relative of fear. How many times have you absolutely dreaded a particular task, only to see that you actually enjoyed it? You thought that the meeting with a particular person or organization was going to be one of the worst things you’ve ever done. After you completed the meeting, you found out it was one of the best things that you’ve ever done. Don’t let F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real) hold you back. It’s just a lie.

6) Make it a game.

Since fear is a lie, do the opposite of what you fear. Perform reverse psychology on fear. For example, if you are a person who typically is afraid to speak in front of an audience, act like you love it! Act like you can’t wait to do it. Practice as much as you can. Make it a game and see how well you can outsmart fear by acting like you are an “old pro”. Act like this is no big deal for you. You’ve done this a thousand times before or at least you’re acting like you have. Prepare like an actor who is preparing for a role. Laugh, sing, and dance about it. This is nothing but a routine exercise. If you approach the dreaded task like this, you will increase your chances for a positive outcome.

7) The thing you fear usually never happens.

Since the things you worry, fret, and fear about usually never happen anyway. Why in the world would you want to obsess over them? Someone said worry and fear is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere. The energy you spend fearing can be more effectively used taking positive action on achieving a goal. List all of the positive things you could be doing to shift your cause forward instead of wasting time being stuck in the gear of fear.

The voice of fear tries to get the attention of both champions and losers. Champions ignore the voice of fear; losers listen to it.

Use the above 7 keys to break any fear in your life.

What’s your answer to the following question?:

Why do you believe people allow fear to stop them from reaching their goals?

I look forward to reading your responses!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks!,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”

I also talk about dealing with fear in my book, “Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny”.

P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:

Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5

Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

7 Keys to Setting Goals That Move You to Action

2010-01-26T20:08:00.004-05:00

Now is the time to set your course for accelerated success. One of the challenges that many encounter on the pathway to goal attainment is a sluggish start. In the process of success, there are times when progress seems non-existent. We may even feel like our feet are stuck in “quick sand”. There are several ways to counteract this feeling of inertia.

One of the tools that we can use to break negative inertia is to “clean house” when it comes to our motives and goals. Sometimes your goals need an audit. Having too many goals can be stressful. Having goals that are too big can be discouraging. Having goals that do not mean anything to us can cause a feeling of mild depression.

One way to stir your inner fire for achievement is to take a closer look at your goals. Focus more attention on how you set goals. Be attentive to eliminating goals that are ineffective and unnecessary.

Completing this exercise will be like pouring fuel on a fire. You will experience more accomplishment. You will feel happier, lighter, and more effective. You will have more fun.

In your quest to setting goals that move you to action, consider the following keys:

1) Stop following goals that don’t motivate you.

“It’s not what a goal is that’s important; it’s what a goal does.” –Steve Chandler

This is one of the most liberating experiences you will ever have. If you realize a goal no longer moves you to action, stop following that goal! Don’t do things that you are not passionate about. Following goals that don’t motivate you can cause you to lose ground through inactivity. Some goals may have made sense at the time. But what about now? Take time to re-evaluate the goal. We must live in the “here and now”. How does the goal serve you now? If the goal does not move you, then it ceases to be a goal and becomes an obstacle. Meaningless goals are like statues in the middle of a race track. They are needless roadblocks that are hindering your progress. It’s time to put a stop to the madness. Stop following goals that don’t motivate you.

2) Set goals that have bigger rewards.

Another reason why we often experience sluggishness on the way to reaching a goal is, the reward for the goal we are pursuing is not big enough to move us to effective action.

When you set significant goals for your life, business, or career they should strike excitement inside of you. High achievers set goals that have high stakes. Your body language, vocabulary, appearance, and activity are much different when a goal has a big enough reward attached to it. Some individuals that were never serious about fitness and nutrition got real serious when a health professional told them, “If you don’t make some changes now the results could be life threatening.” In the blink of an eye, they instantly had a goal with a big enough reward. Figure out what kind of reward you really want and the goal that will help you get there will naturally emerge. Set goals that have big enough rewards to move you into action.

3) Set goals that benefit others

Virtually everyone on the planet longs to make a difference in the lives of others. Have you ever overheard someone ask another person for directions to a certain location that you were familiar with? If you were like most people, you probably couldn’t contain yourself and blurted out the answer. They were not even talking to you. It didn’t matter. Why? The desire to make a difference was so strong! Set goals that will provide solutions to someone else’s problems. When you set goals, use the desire to make a difference in the lives of others as a goal setting tool. Ask yourself, “Who will this goal benefit besides me? What could I do to have the greatest impact on others, while doing something that I really enjoy?” You can probably already feel the wheels of creativity and motivation turning inside of you. Your desire to help others will help move you to action.

4) Set goals that make you feel like all of your gifts and skills are being utilized.

The more you use the gifts you have, the more you will enjoy your life. The more goals you have that require your specific gifts, skills, and expertise, the more likely you are to have sufficient motivation to reach those goals. This is another tool that helps you filter out unnecessary goals. You can ask yourself, “If my core gifts and skills are not being used, then why am I pursuing this goal?” Set and pursue goals that use your gifts, talents, and skills and your success rate will likely increase.

5) Set goals that require the assistance of others.

“Teamwork makes the dream work.” –John C. Maxwell

When you involve others in achieving your goals there is accountability. When others are helping you, things get done faster. When others are helping you it is more fun. There are many benefits to setting goals that are so big that you cannot accomplish them on your own. This also helps others to fulfill their need to make a difference. Set goals that require others to get involved and a lack of motivation is less likely to be a problem. Motivation is contagious.

6) Decide what you want to create.

Some people have achieved so much success in their lives, businesses, and careers that they struggle with goal setting because they feel they have nothing else to accomplish. One of the best questions you can ask yourself in this situation is, “What do I want to create?” Whether you are age 9 or 109, you can draw uncommon motivation from this powerful question. Whether you have had exceptional success or exceptional failure, this question is appropriate. Creating something that has never existed before or doing something in a way that only you can do it is extremely motivating. Deciding what you want to create can move you to action.

7) Stop comparing your goals to the goals of others.

“The only reason men fail is broken focus.” –Mike Murdock

One of the most dangerous activities you can engage yourself in, is comparing your goals to someone else’s. You can feel your heart sink when you allow yourself to be distracted by what someone else is pursuing. You begin feeling like a colossal failure. This is a waste of creative energy. Stay focused on your race and your lane. It’s ok to look to others for ideas, motivation, or admiration. However, the moment you start feeling bad about your own goals because of being captivated by someone else’s, there is a problem. Simply refocus your attention on your own goals and refuse to compare yourself to others. Your goals are worthy of your full attention. If you feel you can’t focus on your goals because of someone else’s goals, then you probably need to set more compelling goals.

Use these 7 keys to setting goals that move you to action and surprise yourself with the results.

Question: Why do you think people follow goals that don’t motivate them?

I look forward to reading your answers.

I wish you uncommon success!

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
http://www.craiglsanders.com/

To inquire about Craig's coaching packages or to have Craig speak for your company or organization, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

7 Keys to Following Your Passion Instead of a Distraction

2010-01-18T00:06:00.001-05:00

It’s time for you to stop doing things that you are not passionate about.

Are you following your passion or just a distraction?

If you have goals that no longer excite you then it’s time to get some new ones. Why would you do things that don’t really matter to you? Obviously, I’m not talking about things that are inherent responsibilities, i.e., being a great parent, fulfilling responsibilities to your family, employer, or employees, etc. I’m talking about extracurricular activities. I’m talking about how you spend your time after your responsibilities to family, business, or career are fulfilled.

Now is a great time to reassess what you are doing and why you are doing it. At the center of frustration, you may find things that have been done out of obligation. Where do you spend your time, both physically and mentally? Where is your focus?

It’s ok to help someone else fulfill their dream but this should never be to the demise of your own.

There is no better time than the present to begin working on the things that you really want to do.

Do you want to start a non-profit to help battered women? Do you want to write a book or record a professional music CD? Do you want to lose 15 lbs or begin a new exercise routine? Do you want to take a cruise? Do you long to be in another career? Is there a business deep in your heart that is leaping to get started? Do you want to reinvent yourself with a new wardrobe? Do you desire to act or to produce your own stage play? Do you want to write a movie script?

It’s not selfish to follow your dreams. It is actually unselfish. Whether in business or life, a real dream is going to help many more people than just you. You must pursue the thing that makes you come alive. There are several benefits to following your passion. Consider the following 7 keys as you pursue the things that matter to you:

1) Find the balance.

Sometimes we do things just because we have always done them or because someone asked us to. Just because you can do a certain job or task doesn’t mean you have to be the one to do it. Certain tasks were appropriate for a season. However, just because you have always done it doesn’t mean you have to always do it. It may have been the right thing to do at the time but what about now? Reassess and recalibrate your life at regular intervals. Ask yourself every 3 to 6 months or so, “Is this present pursuit something I am truly passionate about? Is this something that I really want to do? Is this endeavor moving me closer to my goals or is it distracting me from them?” There are times when you may have to tell certain individuals or organizations “no”. Sometimes you have to say “no” to a “good” thing in order to follow the “best” thing. Never be afraid to set healthy boundaries. There is a place for self-sacrifice and helping others. However, when helping someone else means “killing” yourself, it’s time to reconsider a few things! Find the balance between serving others and following your own dreams.

2) Stay in the center of your expertise.

If you are going to follow your passion instead of a distraction, you have to do what your good at. One of the ways to minimize stress and confusion is to make a conscious decision to focus on what you do best. Build your life around your area of expertise. It will make you more efficient and effective. Make your expertise the center of every conversation. Build your personal library around your expertise. Find creative ways to help others by exercising the unique gifts and talents that make you come alive. Fresh energy and uncommon opportunities will emerge when you focus on developing your expertise.

3) Don’t take guilt trips.

If other people are “disappointed” in you because you choose to follow things that matter to you, than that is their problem. Never allow guilt trips to lead you away from your destiny path. You have to be on the lookout for people who don’t want you to follow your own path, because they feel that their path is more important. It’s time for you to tell the “guilt trippers” in your life that the ride is over.

4) Don’t wait for a big break.

You don’t have to wait for a big break. Take advantage of the everyday opportunities that are in your face. You may not be able to start your restaurant today but you can start by offering catering services to family and friends for pay. It will fuel your passion and help you fine tune your craft.

5) You have a right to be happy.

No matter what age or stage of life you are in, you have a right to be happy. You have a right to do things that are fulfilling to you. Ask yourself, “Do I truly enjoy this activity or pursuit?” Deep down inside, if you don’t truly enjoy the activity then why are you doing it? It’s ok to admit that you don’t enjoy a certain activity any more. Take the chance to be creative and pursue a new venture. Don’t do things out of obligation. Do things out of your passion. You’ll be happier.

6) Never undervalue your dream.

The dreams that are in your heart are just as important as the dreams of anyone else. When you undervalue your dream, you are actually undervaluing yourself.

7) Don’t wait for permission.

Sometimes people ask me, “How do I know when it’s ok for me to go for my dream?” Your desire to follow a dream is there for a reason. A persistent desire to follow your dream is the permission you seek. Don’t wait for permission, follow your passion and take action.

I challenge you to get busy with following your dreams right now. Implement the above 7 keys and you will be on your way to following your passion and not a distraction.

A question for you: What is the #1 reason why you think people follow a distraction instead of their passion?

I look forward to your answer!

Follow your passion,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
http://www.craiglsanders.com/

To inquire about Craig's coaching packages or to have Craig speak for your company or organization, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

5 Reasons Why You Never Quit After a Setback

2010-01-08T02:08:00.006-05:00

Setbacks come in many different forms. For some, a setback can be the loss of a job or a bad business decision. For another, it can be a recurring bad habit. For an athlete, it can be making a mistake at a crucial time of the game. For someone else, it could be difficulty in a relationship, a health challenge, or mental conflict. No matter what form your setback takes, there are benefits to successfully coming through them. When you are standing in the midst of a manifested comeback, you may discover that the following five reasons are why you did not quit:

1) Brilliance
You will often stumble upon your best when you successfully endure a tough test. You were made for comebacks. Setbacks help place you in situations where your genius can emerge. The brilliance of eagles can be seen soaring high above turbulent winds. The powerful fins of certain fish allow them to swim upstream against powerful currents. Your creativity will often surface when situations try to submerge you. Setbacks help you develop brilliance.

2) Resilience
“Struggle is proof that you have not been conquered.” –Mike Murdock
Making comebacks is a skill that anyone can develop. You may find that outward challenges help you to develop your inner game more than anything else. Because you are human, it is natural for you to “feel” like quitting when times get tough. However, the reason that you do not quit is because you are continually developing your “resilience muscle” with every challenge you overcome. Just as resistance builds physical muscle in weight training, persistence builds “resilience muscle” in your mental training. This is why no matter what comes against you, deep down inside you expect to win. You are increasing in resilience.

3) Confidence
Confidence, like electricity, is invisible energy. For electricity to be seen there must be something that taps it’s energy. Confidence is the same way. A natural byproduct of winning is confidence. Overcoming setbacks taps your inner resources and it shows up in the form of confidence. The more confidence you acquire the more you win. The more you win the more you expect to win. Confidence is a positive and powerful magnet that pulls you closer to your end-goal. Building unstoppable confidence within is another reason why you should stick things out until the end.

4) Experience
Some of the most valuable life and business lessons that you discovered came through an experience you had. Many learned not to hold their hand over a hot stove because of an early experience. Others learned how not to choose a business partner because of something they experienced. Some decided to become their own boss because of something they experienced. Experience is invaluable. Your early experiences of winning and losing taught you that winning is exponentially more rewarding than less desirable outcomes. Your experiences are like a personal school of success. You learn to succeed from your mistakes. You learn what not to do and you learn how to improve. You learn things through experience that are not taught anywhere else. Priceless experience is another reason why you can never quit after a setback.

5) Reward
Never fight a battle that has no reward. Remember why you entered the endeavor. You would not start something if you did not intend to succeed. Don’t stop until you do. There are many people who will benefit from your success. Achieving your goal will have a positive impact that will travel far beyond you. The reward you will receive is reason enough to never quit after a setback.

The next time you are tempted to quit after a setback, remember these five reasons and keep moving until you are standing in your comeback!

Question: What other reasons can you think of for not quitting after a setback?

Let me hear from you!

I wish you uncommon success,

Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
http://www.craiglsanders.com/

To retain Craig as your coach or to have him speak for your company or organization give Craig a call at (888) 333-5821 or visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

10 Things You Can Do To Make a Comeback In 2010

2009-12-30T20:22:00.002-05:00

1) Forget the drama and the details and remember the lesson
Take all the emotion out of the heated conversation that you had with a coworker, business partner, or loved one and just make whatever adjustments that are necessary. Forget the minor details that didn’t matter and remember the major points that will help move things forward. There is no need to psychoanalyze your last failure, just make the needed changes. What was the lesson that you learned? Simply apply the lesson and move on.

2) Live in the moment
Dwelling on past failures is one of the biggest de-motivators that people encounter. Even dwelling on previous victories cannot help you much if you refuse to take action in the present moment. Decide to be done with the past and create something new by living fully in this moment.

3) Be patient
Rome was not conquered in a day and neither will your dreams be totally fulfilled or your goals accomplished right away. Be determined to take small steps everyday and don’t get frustrated with your progress. Be patient with the process. Beating up on yourself will not help anything. Encouraging yourself will help a lot. Patience is another word for persistence.

4) Be positive
Be an optimist. What do you have to lose? Being positive motivates. Being negative is like having a heavy weight on your back that hinders progress. Expect the best. Look for things to change for the better even if you don’t know how they will. Smile when you are tempted to frown and things will eventually come around!

5) Help someone else make a comeback
One of the greatest ways to pull yourself up is to help someone else up. What you make happen for someone else, you are also making happen for yourself. Helping others gets your focus off of your own challenges. When you help others you will also feel better. Helping others is a win-win situation.

6) Get a coach or a mentor
“There are two ways to learn, mistakes and mentors.” –Mike Murdock
A coach or a mentor will shorten the distance to any goal. When you talk to someone who has been where you are trying to go or knows more about an area in which you are struggling, your frustration factor will be significantly reduced. Your odds of being successful increase exponentially the moment you connect with a mentor.

7) Network
“Teamwork makes the dream work.” –John C. Maxwell
Some of the greatest businesses and products that were ever created took place because someone stepped out of their comfort zone and networked. Actively network with others in your field of interest. Make a practice of reaching outside of your circle whether in person or via social media. If you are the smartest person in your circle, than you are probably hindering your future growth.

8) Read
Leaders are readers. If you are going to get better at anything then you must expand your knowledge. Whether it is taking a class, reading a book, or doing on-line research recommit to being a lifelong learner. It will earn you residual benefits in the future.

9) Exercise and eat right
Commit to a consistent exercise program, even if you only walk for 30 minutes per day. The benefits of consistent exercise and proper nutrition are well documented. One of the benefits of exercise and nutrition is you will feel better. When you feel better you will want to achieve more of your goals and will have the energy to follow through.

10) Reposition yourself
Your identity is separate from your position or performance. You are not a failure just because you failed at something. You are not less of a human because you lost a contract or a job. You still have high value to offer to others. You can change your life or position or endeavor anytime you get ready. If one venture did not work out try something else. Have fun being creative with what you can be and do. Repositioning your life is simply a choice that you make. Sometimes failure is not so much about you as much as the methods that you were using. Change your methods and you can change your life.

Implement these 10 Keys and make your comeback in 2010.

Tell me your answer to the following question:
What do you think most often holds people back from achieving their goals?

Let me hear back from you.

2010 is the year for your comeback!

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

To retain Craig as your coach or to have him speak for your company or organization give Craig a call at (888) 333-5821 or visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Copyright 2009 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC

Reposition Your Mission

2009-12-26T17:41:00.002-05:00

As you prepare to move forward into 2010, take a close look at the results of 2009.
Look at what worked well.

Look at where you can improve.

Look at the mission statement for your business, organization, or life.

If you don’t have a mission statement, consider writing one now.

If you were pleased with your results for 2009, be grateful but don’t settle.

Figure out what you can do to take things to the next level.

If you are not pleased with your results for 2009, you may not need an entirely new mission but rather reposition the one that you currently have.

Companies and celebrities that do well over a sustained period of time have learned one major key.

That key is to stay relevant.

Figure out what your customers really want. Figure out what you really want and target that with your mission.

If you do this than your mission will effectively be repositioned.

Check your results over a period of time and then repeat this process as necessary.

Manifest Your Destiny in 2010!

Craig L. Sanders

The Comeback Specialist

Author, Speaker, Business/Personal Development Coach

www.CRAIGLSANDERS.com

Copyright 2009

You Are Priceless

2009-11-24T18:54:00.002-05:00

Gratitude is one of the most powerful qualities that we can develop.

Gratitude increases your ability to be creative.

Gratitude fills you with excitement and energy.

Gratitude gives you leverage to reach to the next level.

When you search for things you can be grateful for on a daily basis you realize how wealthy you actually are.

Partly due to the hustle and bustle of life we are not always cognizant of the good things that we have.

If you are alive and breathing and your heart is still beating it’s a good day.

If you have the ability to think and the ability to act you have more than enough to be grateful for.

If you can think than you can get out of any “negative” predicament that you may find yourself in.

I encourage you to make a list of things that you can be grateful for. Don’t take anything for granted.

If you can move your fingers and wiggle your toes you are wealthy.

How much money could someone offer you for the ability you possess to see or use your use your hands?

If someone offered you any sum of money that you can imagine for your ability to think what would you give in exchange for it?

Whenever I ask a group of people this series of questions the answer is usually the same. There is no sum of money that could buy their ability to think and act. They would not give up their mental or physical capabilities for anything!

Instead of being discouraged over something that you “think” you don’t have just remember what you do have. The cost of your life and abilities is inestimable.

Be encouraged my friend, you are absolutely priceless.

Be grateful for what you have and go create what you want.

Your possibilities are limitless.

Turn your setbacks into accelerated comebacks!,
Craig L. Sanders

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Copyright 2009

The Secret to Getting Unstuck

2009-11-02T18:58:00.001-05:00

Everyone deals with it. Call it writers block. Label it, “I don’t know what to do.” Some may say, “I know what I want to do but I don’t know how to get it.”

Many of us have uncommon dreams, goals, and aspirations and a vast majority deal with the same problem. It is the uncomfortable feeling in your gut that sits like a knot of confusion, fear, or uncertainty. It’s the feeling you get when you feel stuck because you know what you want but you don’t know what to do to manifest your desire.

This problem is very common among achievers. Most achievers know what they want. However, the major struggle is figuring out how to bring what you see in your mind’s eye into your reality.

I may not be able to tell you in this writing exactly what to do. But I can tell you the most important thing you need to know.

The most important thing you need to know is: What to do next.

No matter what you are attempting, really all you need to know is, “What is the next step that will get me closer to my end goal?”

What’s interesting about answering this question of “What is the next step?” is that once you take one step it helps to facilitate and accelerate the other steps.

The secret to creating momentum is learning to take the first step.

It’s like sticking the key to your car into the ignition and starting the engine. Whether you know it or not, the courageous action of sticking the key into the ignition and firing the engine up sets off a series of powerful steps that are required to get you moving.

The same is true for whatever major or minor project you are working on whether it is growing your business, searching for a new job, or starting a new health and fitness program. All you need to know right now in this moment is, “What is the next step?”

Here are 5 keys to Getting Unstuck:

1) Ask yourself what is the next logical step?

Ask yourself this question and see what you come up with. Even if you have no clue, ask yourself, “If I did know exactly what needs to be done next, what is it that should be done?” This technique is useful in sparking creativity.

2) Ask an expert

Ask someone who knows more about the endeavor than you do. Find a mentor or a coach to help you tap your inner resources. “The shortest distance to any goal is a mentor.” –Mike Murdock

3) Seek Solitude

Get a pen and a pad and shut yourself off from the rest of the world for 10 minutes or 10 hours. Do whatever you need to do to get in a place where you can think and brain storm freely. Relentless focus on a single endeavor accelerates results like nothing else.

4) Find a Positive Distraction

Find a positive distraction for a period of time and come back to the project with fresh inspiration and ideas. Go for a walk, go for a drive, watch your favorite television program for a few moments, go exercise, or call a friend or family member that you enjoy talking to and then come back ready to create.

5) Take Action

After a certain period of time, the best thing is often to take what information you have compiled and just make a decision to act in a particular direction. All things being equal, there will likely be "no harm and no foul" because if you strike down the wrong path you can always make a u-turn or recalculate like a GPS unit. Always remember, it's easier to steer a car that is moving than one that is standing still.

Insert these keys to getting unstuck into your life and accelerate down your destiny path!

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

Author, Speaker, Business/Personal Development Coach

To sign up for Craig’s free e-newsletter, hire him as your coach, or to bring Craig in to speak for your company/organization visit:

http://www.craiglsanders.com/

Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC Copyright 2009

Seeing Your Dream

2009-10-25T21:28:00.006-04:00

Just because the nation is experiencing an economic downturn doesn’t mean you have to.

It’s time to shake yourself from the proverbial deep sleep that seems to encapsulate those around you.

Don’t look for encouragement from the media. You need to encourage yourself.

No one said that you had to stay where you are. If you are not happy with your current situation, your situation is just waiting for you to decide to change it.

If you are at a job or in a career that does not fulfill you than make plans right now to start moving towards your passion. If you have been displaced, downsized, right sized, or ostracized this is the perfect time to reposition yourself towards the direction that you really want to travel. If your business seems stagnant and static, it may be that you have not assessed the wonderful opportunities that this present economy is presenting to you. It’s time to dream. Reexamine your life, your career, and your customers. See what you’re not seeing. Make it a game and look for the hidden treasure. There is a space in the place that we call this present economy that is tailor made just for you.

Sharpen your vision. Refine your skills. Develop yourself and your business. Whatever you do, don’t stop dreaming. See your dream. Feel your dream. Work on your dream. Make your dream a magnificent obsession!

Your dream is worth the price of admission.

“Your imagination is the preview to your life’s coming attraction.” –Albert Einstein

What do you see?

Do you see lack or abundance, failure or success, opposition or opportunity?

What is your passion?

What is it that makes you come alive?

What do you think about all day?

When you are at work where would you rather be or what would you rather be doing?

Make plans right now to start moving towards your dream.

There are people that need the product that you have not created yet.

These customers are not moving towards you yet because you haven’t taken what you saw in your dream and put it on paper.

Begin the process of moving towards your true passion today.

Here are 7 Keys to Seeing Your Dream:

1) Decide what you want to create

2) Document your dream

3) Talk to yourself and everyone else about your dream everyday

4) Do one small thing every day that moves you closer to dream fulfillment

5) If the dream you just wrote down doesn’t excite you or make you uncomfortable scrap it and start a new dream

6) Place pictures of your dream all around you

7) Play music that motivates you towards your dream

Use these keys to Seeing Your Dream and enjoy the results!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

Author, Speaker, Business/Personal Development Coach

To sign up for Craig’s free e-newsletter, hire him as your coach, or to bring Craig in to speak for your company/organization visit:

www.CRAIGLSANDERS.com

Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC Copyright 2009

6 Keys to Building Motivation

2009-10-18T20:47:00.002-04:00

Your business, career, relationships, or dream is just like a human body. If you feed it nutritious food, exercise, and get proper rest it will be strong and healthy. If you feed it junk food, don’t drink enough water, or get enough exercise and rest it will operate at a diminished capacity. So it is with anything that pertains to you or your business. Your life, business, or career will be positively or negatively impacted by the input that you receive from those around you. More importantly, the inner circle that you establish can literally make or break you. Author and speaker Mike Murdock says, “The atmosphere you permit determines the product you will create.”

One of my favorite comeback keys is:

Reduce time with de-motivators, spend more time with the motivated, and productivity will increase.

One of the secrets to success that I have discovered is being careful who I listen to. Whether it is a book I’m reading, a motivational or inspirational CD I’m listening to, or a conversation on-line or in person, I guard my “motivation tank”. I don’t want any tainted fuel in my engine. My journey and your journey is too precious to allow anything but pure destiny petroleum to be poured into us.

If you have a strong inner circle via friendships, coaches, mentors, and advisors seek to strengthen them. If you have experienced a setback as a result of a series of de-motivators pouring junk into your “motivation tank” here are some steps you can take to make an accelerated comeback:

1) Build your personal library around your dream or passion.

If your dream is to open a restaurant or a catering business than I suggest a large portion of the books, CDs, and materials that you buy be focused on that subject.

2) Use down time to build your motivation and expertise.

Any time that you spend commuting or waiting can be learning time. I rarely listen to the radio when I travel in my car. Instead, I listen to CDs that nourish my passion for helping people to turn setbacks into accelerated comebacks. When I’m in a waiting room or in an airport I have a book handy or positive media playing in my ear.

3) Take inventory of your inner circle.

You don’t have to be rude or cut people off abruptly but you can decide to spend less time with those that do not add to your life. There are some relationships that you may not seemingly be able to avoid, i.e., family, etc. However there are optional relationships in your life, i.e., vendors, acquaintances, etc. If one of these individuals consistently leaves you feeling empty, discouraged, and depleted than you can put a plan in place to eliminate this undesirable outcome. You can decide to spend little or no time with those that bring you down and increase time with those that build you up. Remember, no one is making us suffer but ourselves.

4) Take inventory of your extracurricular activities.

There may be some activities you were involved in that were good for a season. The season for that activity may be over. Check your gut and see what season you are in. Stopping one or two activities may be the very thing that propels you forward. Some activities can become a liability instead of an asset if you are not careful.

5) Schedule regular meetings or phone calls with those that motivate you.

This key may sound simple but it is profound. After you determine who the motivators in your life and eliminated the de-motivation factors it’s time to create a plan. You can make a motivation plan that includes regularly scheduled meetings whether in person or using technology. This way positive intake is effectively systemized in order to maximize your success. Being intentional about positive intake can accelerate your success.

6) Record your favorite music or television shows.

If there are certain shows that positively stimulate you or certain music that helps you to reduce stress than put a system in place for experiencing it regularly. Download the music that gets you going on your MP3 player, make a special motivation music CD, or record your favorite TV show to view when you need to recharge. Personally, I like to by my favorite TV shows on DVD so I can watch them whenever I want. Use technology to your benefit and stay motivated through planning for it.

I encourage you to insert these comeback keys into your life, business, or career. They will help you build motivation and stay motivated for the completion of your dream or goal. Share them with your friends and let me hear back from you!

Turning Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks!

Craig L. Sanders

“The Comeback Specialist”

Author, Speaker, Business/Personal Development Coach

www.CRAIGLSANDERS.com

Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC Copyright 2009

7 Keys to Experiencing Total Transformation

2009-10-01T16:23:00.004-04:00

There comes a time when trying is not enough and total transformation is the only solution. Some of the problems you face would evaporate with a committed decision to change. Whether it is making your business more relevant, starting a new project at work, or creating a new personal development habit, a committed decision to change will accelerate the process.

The following seven keys will help you to experience total transformation in any endeavor:

Get Clear
Make a list of pros and cons. See your end goal with total clarity. If you are clear on what you want and why you want it than your odds for success automatically increase.
Get a Plan
“If you fail to plan than you plan to fail.” –Unknown
Write out the necessary steps that will bring about the desired change.
Take Action
“Change isn’t change until you change.” –Unknown
Do not wait, start the process right now. Find a way to take action immediately, it will increase your confidence immensely and move you closer to your destination.
Start Small
“Small hinges swing open big doors.” – Mike Murdock
Break your big project into small steps. It is easier to keep your balance and avoid falling when walking up a set of stairs one step at a time. It may take you a little longer than running up the stairs but you still get to the top floor without over exerting yourself.
Bounce Back
“It’s difficult to drive forward when you are looking through the rear view mirror.” –Anonymous
Mistakes do happen. Learn the lesson and forget the drama. Pick up right where you left off and continue to press forward. Failure is nothing more than a chance to start over with a better strategy.
Celebrate your Progress
“Never feel bad about your progress no matter how slow or small. Only be wary of standing still.” – John L. Mason
Acknowledging and rewarding small successes helps to build momentum for future battles.
Continue the Win Streak
Now that you have experienced total transformation in one area pick a new challenge to overcome. Your string of successes will make you absolutely unstoppable.

Implement these 7 keys and enjoy the turnarounds that you truly desire.

I welcome your feedback!

Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks!,

Craig L. Sanders
The Comeback Specialist

http://www.craiglsanders.com/
Copyright 2009