My first reaction to this book was not very good. Like most youngsters of my age, I thought it to be a book where some gray-haired would share their success stories. Despite the initial hitch, I opened the book only before the deadline of the project almost two months after simply staring at the cover.

The first chapter I skimmed through uninterestingly, it was only while reading the second habit that the power of this book rubbed on me.

Habit # 2 – Begin with the End in Mind

“The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement or philosophy or creed. It focused on what you want to be (character) and to do (contributions and achievements) and on the values or principles upon which being and doing are based.”

It is important in life to be self-aware of our goals and vision. Until and unless we know our vision we cannot formulate a way to make it happen. Despite of all the philosophy that one should live in the present, this made sense because it is giving wings to our imagination and to visualize our future. Everybody should have a purpose, a dream or a goal in life otherwise life would just become a survival game.

Stephen Covey further explained on how you can practically develop your own mission statement. In the end, you would realize what you want to be, what you will do to achieve that and your core values and principles.

Habit # 1 – Be Proactive

Influenced by the self-improvement tips discussed in the second lesson I started to read the book again and this time with much more concentration.

“Look at the word responsibility—“response-ability”—the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling.”

Our responses to different situations are just the learning that we have developed over the years. We may feel that this is how I am programmed to react and I have no control over this whatsoever. However, this is not true. We are the masters of our thoughts and we can determine how we wish to respond. In short, we can change our script with constant efforts and for that we must be proactive.

To start with analyze your responses, do you come across as a person in control of your responses or the one who is influenced by other’s actions. To gauge this, Stephen Covey developed ‘Circle Of Influence’ and ‘Circle Of Concern’. Follow the exercises mentioned by him and you would soon realize how dependent you are on other people’s actions.

Many other helpful lessons can be learnt from other habits – Put First Things First, Think Win/Win, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, Synergize and Sharpen the Saw.

After reading the book twice, I was ready to give my presentation. I had visualized how I would go with it and the end result before preparing the key points to be presented. Surprisingly, it went just as planned. 7 habits of highly effective people can guide you to the road to success, it is you who has to be proactive and start the journey.

In my case, I always believed in the power of positive thinking, but never practiced it when in difficult situations. Like me, there are several people who learn the important lessons of life the hard way.

Few years ago, when I was diagnosed with a rare skin disorder, which had no cure, I went into a self-imposed exile. As the disorder was progressing with each day, I shunned the world out of the fear of isolation and antagonism from the society. Although, I knew stress and negative thinking was weighing down the treatment results, I couldn’t stop myself from imagining me in a rotten state. This mental breakdown perhaps made my family introduce me to this life changing book named, As a Man Thinketh.

Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes
The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: —
He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking-glass.

For me, these inspiring first lines by James Allen set the tone of a book that could literally change my destiny. The book tells us that our thoughts control our actions and make us what we are. If our thoughts are pure and generous, our actions would be so and if our thoughts are loaded with greed, we would come across as a selfish and paranoid person.

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces the whole of a man’s being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”

Consider the case of a plant. Without a seed, a plant would not come into life. Similarly, the seeds of your thoughts are responsible for any act you do. Even the unplanned or spontaneous acts are a mirror to your thoughts.

“As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them. This applies equally to those acts called “spontaneous” and “unpremeditated” as to those, which are deliberately executed.”

James Allen’s practical way towards life has inspired several millions of people to attain success in their endeavors. As a Man Thinketh is a book that stresses the power that each individual has towards shaping his/her own character and living with peace and happiness.

“As a being of Power, Intelligence, and Love, and the lord of his own thoughts, man holds the key to every situation, and contains within himself that transforming and regenerative agency by which he may make himself what he wills.”

In short, all of us possess the power and wisdom within us to transform ourselves to what we aim to. Luck or destiny is not what determines your life, it your thoughts that has brought you to this state and in future also it will guide you to what you visualize.

“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying that nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but nettles. Men understand this law in the natural world, and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world (though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating), and they, therefore, do not co-operate with it.”

As you sow, so shall you reap… if you can understand this, your life would change overnight. It has certainly for me. Whenever you feel like you are stuck, re-visit the book and learn your lesson. After all, you are what you think of yourself…winners swear by this phrase As a Man Thinketh…

1. Stop spending

2. Worry

3. Blame someone or something

4. Give up

5. Go further into debt

6. Sell a possession

7. Become depressed

8. Complain

9. Cheat or steal

10. Hope someone will just give you the money you need

Of course, none of these solutions help you gain more money.

However, this solution is effective.

“I answer money problems with lots of money, not with worry or sadness or impractical hope.” — L. Ron Hubbard

You solve your money problems by making money. No other approach is a solution. An abundance of money is your only solution.

Recommendations

1. Figure out how much money you need. Write the total at the top of a page. For example, “I need to earn $10,000 per month.”

2. List all of your assets. Include all of your possessions, your skills, your knowledge, your contacts and your passions. These are some or all of the ingredients to your ultimate success, so make the list as complete as possible.

Examples: You have a truck, a camera, an empty bedroom and $11,225 cash. You are good at organizing, listening, learning, speaking and making people feel important. You know all about horses, word processors, furniture building, the State of Texas, Internet auctions and using e-mail. You know Jennifer, Robert, Tim, Ruth, Steve, Dave, etc. You have a passion to help others, build model airplanes, solve complex problems, learn new things and more.

3. Dream up every way you can use your assets to make money. Make a list. Old methods, new methods, any combination of assets that produce income.

Examples: Use your empty bedroom to start a small business selling cameras, furniture and jewelry for others at Internet auctions. Learn how to prepare tax returns. Help your boss make deliveries with your truck.

4. Select a method that is proven. Does this method already make money for someone else?

If so, it is a good candidate.

If no one has ever made money with your idea, look for something else. Stick to methods that already work and invent new methods as a hobby at some other time.

5. Verify that others would pay you for the product or service.

For example, ask your boss, “Did you know I know 150 horse owners. They need shelters for their horses. What if I tested the market to see if we could add portable shelters to our product line. If it works out, I would be willing to run the new division.”

As another example, you are thinking of taking pictures as a profession. So you meet with professional photographers to see how much money they make.

Ask around. For instance, ask your friends “If I had my own insurance company and could save you money on your car and home insurance, would you be interested?” “If I made a video on how to cut children’s hair, would you buy it?”

6. If all the signs are good, test the idea in the real world before devoting much time or energy to the idea. For example, run a part-time business from your house to ensure it will be popular and profitable. Make a few products or services to see if anyone will buy them. Try the new ad campaign with a small newspaper. Dip your toe before taking the plunge, especially if the idea is new.

7. Once the idea is certain to work, then and only then should you invest significant time and money into the project.

8. If you cannot work out a workable income source, work out a plan to increase your assets. If you have the right ingredients, creating new income sources is much easier.

For example, you may need additional education, apprenticing or experience in certain fields before you can earn more income. You may need to become more responsible. You may need more familiarity with a subject. You may need to make more contacts.

9. Once you have a plan you are certain will work, work long and hard to make it happen. You will solve your money problems by making more money on your own.

10. This final step is rarely taken, but is key to becoming wealthy.

“I never count on any one source. I always plan to get the total sum of all the money I need from each one of three or four ways or sources.” — L. Ron Hubbard

After you have one steady source of income, look for another source by repeating these steps.

Copyright © 2009 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard

Answer: Anything you want to be! A cheerful friend, a businesslike executive, a caring listener. Whatever is best at the time. Different circumstances require different attitudes.

For example, to be a bossy manager at work might be appropriate, but you might drive your spouse crazy if the identity continues at home. To be a rowdy sports fan at a game is great, but not what you should be when asking for a raise.

The reason people have trouble determining who or what they should BE is because they don’t start with HAVE.

“Children in the West are commonly asked `What are you going to BE when you grow up?’ It is a silly question and can drive any child up the wall. Because it’s the wrong question—hits the wrong end of the cycle.”

“A lot of people and businesses fail because they don’t do this.” — L. Ron Hubbard

Example: A young man likes to cook and make people happy. He may decide the product (HAVE) he wants to produce is: “Properly fed, happy people who pay a lot of money for the dining experience at my successful restaurant.”

Based on this decision, he works out his career by listing the steps (DO) which include enrolling in a cooking school, working at several restaurants for the experience, saving money, and so on. His planning is accurate and efficient. The young man then works out the best identity for the job (BE). He needs to BE a successful restaurateur: proud, charming, service-oriented, smart and wealthy.

To put his plan into action, this young man starts the cycle with BE and assumes this identity as the first step. He strolls around BEING a successful restaurateur from day one. He’s proud, charming and service-oriented. He even feels wealthy.

He can then easily DO the steps needed to get what he wants to HAVE: a successful restaurant with happy customers. He accomplishes this much faster and more easily than a person who cannot BE a successful restaurateur until he owns the restaurant.

If you want success and wealth, BE wealthy or successful before you get there. It’s fun!

Assume a wealthy identity. Test drive a big new Mercedes. Stroll through a $10-million building as if you own it. People will want to be around you. Bankers will try to lend you money. You’ll feel great!

Exercise

While this exercise focuses on making money, you can do this with any goal.

1. Take out a blank piece of paper. At the bottom of the sheet, write down how much money you want to earn per month, one year from now.

2. Above the dollar amount write down what you need to produce (HAVE) that someone would pay you that much money for. What final product must you produce that is worth the amount of money you want to earn?

For example, a plumber wants to earn $8,000 per month in profit. He calculates his overhead costs and determines he needs to produce or HAVE “$20,000 per month in high-quality plumbing work to happy customers who refer.”

A dental receptionist who wants to earn $3500 per month might determine she needs to produce much more than “scheduled patients.” She talks to the dentist and decides she needs to produce “a dental practice that doubles in productivity through my clever scheduling so I can earn $3500 per month.”

The partners of a law firm decide they want their group to bill and collect $500,000 per month.

What do you need to produce to earn the money you wrote in step 1? Write this down.

3. In the middle of your sheet of paper, write down what you need to DO to reach that level of productivity. This is planning at its finest; you start with the final result and work backwards.

Before you achieved the above product, what would you do? Before that? Before that? Plan your steps from this future point in time back to the present.

For example, the plumber needs to DO more promotional actions, delegate responsibility to his assistants and make sure every customer is completely satisfied.

The dental receptionist needs to organize the schedule better, make more reminder calls to patients and keep the doctor busier.

The law firm needs to hire more associates, attract wealthier clients and win more cases.

4. At the top of the page, write what you need to BE to accomplish the plan and obtain the final product.

The plumber might need to BE a responsible manager and not a fun-loving worker. He may decide he needs to BE a successful business owner.

The dental receptionist needs to BE the boss of the patients’ and doctor’s time, not just be a receptionist. She needs to BE a successful manager.

The law firm needs to BE the most powerful law firm in town. It moves to the biggest building in town, hires the best decorators money can buy and gives an overwhelming feeling of strength.

Whatever you write at the top of your paper is what you need to BE. It’s the most effective identity you can assume. BE THIS PERSON RIGHT NOW.

Now that you are BEING the correct identity for this goal, DO the action steps. You will then HAVE the money or goal.

Use this exercise in other areas of life. For example, to HAVE a successful marriage, what should you DO and BE? What do you need to DO and BE to HAVE a cheerful family, a successful business, a happy life?

Copyright © 2009 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard

Angeles, CA February 1, 2010 – in today’s world, everyone wants to rise ahead; they work smartly and the management loves them. But rarely are these winners the smartest or most competent according to personal branding experts. For those looking forward to a high trajectory career, great job offers, and big raises, read on below to take cues from Hollywood’s biggest personal brands and rock star politicians to get early promotions and big paychecks

Career Secret No. 1 – Train to Communicate Like Sara Palin

In less than two years Sara Palin catapulted from backwater governor to highly-paid Fox commentator, best selling author, and conservative darling. Whether you like her politics or not, anyone would agree her career is nothing short of stratospheric, but what can a mid-level corporate manager learn from Sara Palin about getting promoted? Plenty, says Jay Jessup, a personal branding expert.

“Great communicators are elevated much faster than the norm, whether it’s Governor Palin or a quickly promoted manager at any American company” said Jessup. “Listen to the leading voices of any industry; they have great storytelling and messaging skills and that is the sound of intelligence. These are learned skills.” Jessup recommends that any corporate manager should spend some off-duty time developing speaking skills and even doing some media training for assured career adrenaline.

Career Secret No. 2 – Plan Ahead Like Oprah Winfrey

Oprah’s trek from local weathergirl to the world’s most powerful woman didn’t happen by accident; she planned every step and is still thinking ahead 5 years. “America’s most-successful, whether it’s Oprah or high level corporate executives, know where they want to be in 1, 5 and 10 years” said Jessup. “When someone asked Oprah Winfrey what was next five years ago she said she wanted to have her own network; insiders knew she would have it and voila – this year she has more ‘overnight’ success with a network.”

At companies the same thing happens; employees are rewarded for planning ahead. In his new personal branding book Fame 101, author Jessup says most employees, low-level managers to top vice presidents, are taken by surprise when promotion opportunities arise. The people who actually get the best jobs have been planning their strategy for one year or more. Upward mobility requires looking ahead Oprah style. Great personal brands and careers aren’t built on-the-fly.

Career Secret No. 3 – Go Outside Your Company like Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart could easily spend 100% of her time running her media empire; magazines, television shows, endorsements and such. However, Martha knows a key secret to career and business success is to connect directly with the people who made her company successful. This zillion dollar personal brand steps away from Martha Inc. to become simply “Martha” on talk shows, speaking to women’s groups, and writing books to inform and connect with her upscale female fans.

Taking a page from Martha’s playbook, the fastest rising stars at every company invest much of their time meeting the people who provide revenue to their employer. “A Home Depot manager who wants a spot at corporate should be active in his state’s construction and home improvement industries; as a personal brand who speaks, writes articles, and is known by everyone” said Jessup. “Careers flounder when you focus solely inside your company. Learn the secret from Martha and let your fellow employees fight from within while you build a power base on the outside.”

The bottom line on all this: just like brand Sara, brand Oprah, and brand Martha, the people who get the best jobs, quick promotions, and corresponding great income do what their competitors aren’t doing. They develop their communication skills, they plan for the job they want (and the one after that), and they become leading voices within the community that supports their employer. Do these things and fast-track your career. For more career secrets and personal branding tips www.fame101book.com

Media Contact: 360.521.0437

About Jay Jessup: Jay Jessup is America’s leading personal branding expert. He heads Platform Strategy, a branding and publicity boutique. His new book Fame 101 (www.fame101book.com) profiles 75 most-notable personal brands, ranging from Suze Orman to President Obama, to distill a common success formula. It’s the playbook for anyone to join the elite 1% of their profession. Sample chapter, author bio, and more information at www.fame101book.com

Personal Semiotics Book Cover

As a companion to the book, a new Web site, www.PersonalSemiotics.com, is being launched as a blog and early-stage social networking site. It will be a place for devotees of the Personal Semiotics methodology to create an ongoing discussion between the author, the book’s readers, and newcomers to Personal Semiotics. Site registration is free, and provides members with access to ongoing content related to solving life’s challenges and decisions using the Personal Semiotics process, mindset and templates.

Advantages for 7 Life Areas

Personal Semiotics helps people to better understand their current situation, identify trends and map their ideal path in 7 core life aspects. The advantages of Personal Semiotics can be applied to career, relationships, finances, physical health, intellectual health, emotional health, spiritual health and more.

In discussing his work, Harold Kelley said, “In today’s challenging economy, where so many people have lost jobs or income, it’s important to focus your energy and efforts in a positive way so as not to lose heart. Personal Semiotics can help each person to develop their ideal life path and ensure that in all aspects of life, good decisions are consistently made – whether related to career, relationships or personal development. It is my honor to be able to serve people in any small way on that journey.”

Harold Kelley saw the power of semiotics in corporate branding where it is used by major international consumer, technology and media brands to identify cultural trends, to learn how brands are perceived in the marketplace and to create an ideal marketing position. Like brands, individuals sometimes need help understanding their current position and desire direction toward a better path. Harold Kelley’s innovation was to adapt the semiotic methodology to help individuals discover within themselves the answers to similar questions.

Praise for Personal Semiotics

Kim Giangrande, principle of Intuitive HR, Woodbridge, CT, is an expert in human resources and organizational culture. She notes, “Personal Semiotics provides a powerful framework for analyzing the obstacles that impede our success and happiness in any area of our life while also being a unique tool for discovering our success codes. Harold Kelley has done an extraordinary job of translating this valuable and timeless analysis tool into a clear set of steps anyone can use to tackle their greatest challenges and goals as they pursue their quest for a better life. I plan to use this methodology with my clients, family, and friends.”

Click here for other readers’ praise of Personal Semiotics.

Book Availability

Personal Semiotics is available as a 272-page, paperback book through Amazon.com for $22.95. Visitors can preview excerpts of the book for free using Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature. Click here for the direct link to Personal Semiotics on Amazon.com.

The book is also available for immediate download as an ebook for $16.95 via PayPal. Click here for the direct link to the Personal Semiotics ebook.

Media Support

Qualified, established media entities and blogs that wish to review the book can request a complimentary electronic review copy of Personal Semiotics by registering on the Personal Semiotics site. Click here to register as a media representative.

About the Author

Harold Kelley is a creative thinker, author, and marketer living in Connecticut, U.S.A. He has worked for more than 25 years in the fields of publishing and high tech, most recently in market research, where he became fascinated with semiotics. Personal Semiotics, as a methodology for self-development, is his creation. Personal Semiotics – Discover the Secret Success Codes to Your Ideal Life Path is his first published book.

About the Publishers

Personal Semiotics – Discover the Secret Success Codes to Your Ideal Life Path is published by BookSurge Publishing, LLC, an Amazon.com company. Insight Loft of Gaylordsville, Connecticut, U.S.A., owns the publishing and media rights to the book and to the Personal Semiotics Web site. Insight Loft welcomes partnership opportunities with hard-cover, retail, new media and international publishers.

Source: PRWeb

Eliminate All Distractions
During this working time, you turn off the telephone, eliminate all distractions and work non-stop. One of the best work habits of all is for you to get up early and work at home in the morning for several hours. You can get three times as much work done at home without interruptions as you ever could in a busy office where you are surrounded by people and bombarded by phone calls.

Create an Office in the Air
When you fly on business, you can create your office in the air by planning your work thoroughly before you depart. When the plane takes off, you can work non-stop for the entire flight. You will be amazed at how much work you can go through when you work steadily in an airplane, without interruptions.

Make Every Minute Count
One of the keys to high levels of performance and productivity is for you to make every minute count. Use travel and transition time, what is often called “gifts of time” to complete small chunks of larger tasks.

Remember, the pyramids were built one block at a time. A great life and a great career is built one task, and often, one part of a task, at a time. Your job in time management is to deliberately and creatively organize the concentrated time periods you need to get your key jobs done well, and on schedule.

Action Exercises
Here are two steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, think continually of different ways that you can save, schedule and consolidate large chunks of time. Use this time to work on important tasks with the most significant long-term consequences.

Second, make every minute count. Work steadily and continuously without diversion or distraction by planning and preparing your work in advance. Most of all, keep focused on the most important results for which you are responsible.

Article by Brian Tracy. Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations.