To Believe in Oneself is the Beginning

Over the weekend I watched the movie “Peaceful Warrior,” which tells the story of a young, arrogant gymnast who encounters a wise mentor. The movie is based on the book “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman. The movie received only two stars (I actually thought it was better than two stars). However, its message should definitely be rated five stars.

A serious accident puts the gymnast out of commission. His doctors tell him that he will not be able to return to the sport of gymnastics. His coach no longer believes in him. Worse, he no longer believes in himself. He meets a wise man who guides him to see the way – that there is a purpose to all events. In short, Dan lets go of his mental baggage, realizes that you don’t give up on what you love, and understands that life’s journey is important and that through the journey one learns about oneself.

The message is simple—believe in yourself. Many of us don’t succeed because we don’t have the approval or support of our families or friends. How many times have you shared a dream or goal with a family member or friend, only to have your words shot down? When this happens, we often begin to lose confidence in ourselves.

The solution is to look inside and believe in yourself. I know that sounds so cheesy, but it’s the truth. And this takes practice. One has to develop the habit of believing in oneself. And you can say affirmations and think positive all you want, but you must also “do”. You must take action.

This belief is best demonstrated by athletes and how they compete. Regardless of your sport, the repeated coaching line is “get your head in the game”. This should be your mantra whether you are starting a business, building or maintaining a relationship, working to complete a goal, attempting to lose weight, exercising, or trying to achieve happiness. Keep your head in the game and be mindful of your thoughts and actions.

When you look at those who have succeeded (however success is defined for each), you will find that they never gave up on their dream or on themselves. And you should never give up on yourself.

This leads me to a brief story I want to share with you. Over twenty years ago I met with a practice management company to learn how to build my practice. I met with the president of the company who told me that if I didn’t sign with them I would always be in debt and I would never succeed. Well, he was incredibly wrong.

When someone tells you that your idea, goal, dreams or aspirations won’t work, don’t succumb to their thought process or lack thereof. Keep in mind that you just have to try. And if it doesn’t work, try a different way. Remember when facing a mountain you have four choices: turn away, go over it, around it or through it. What would you do?

If you get a chance, log on to www.danmillman.com

Take care of yourself. Believe in yourself.

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Dr. Michael J. Kaye
Knowledge, Action, Results

P.S. If you need help creating your life map e-mail me at Michael@frompaintopersonalgain.com for your FREE 30 minute coaching session.

Life is as Sweet as a Marshmallow

In the last broadcast I promised I would share my thoughts onthe book, Don’t Gobble the Marshmallow Ever-the Secret to SweetSuccess in Times of Change, written by Joachim de Posada andEllen Singer. This book delivers a compelling message and is worth the read.

The protagonist in the book is Arthur. This story begins with Arthur, who was introduced in Joachim de Posasda’s first booktitled Don’t Eat the Marshmallow…Yet!, graduating from college. Joachim de Posada writes, “Although the former chauffeur(Arthur) has been learning, practicing and preaching themarshmallow principle for five years, his goal-seeking practices fall apart when his life becomes irrevocably altered by success! That’s right—getting what we want (or think we want) can be as uncomfortable, distracting and depressing as failure.”

“This story is a fictional tale based upon a StanfordUniversity study. Children were left alone in a room with a marshmallow and given the choice of eating it then or fifteen minutes later, when they were promised an extra marshmallow as a reward for waiting. Interestingly, the significance of the study came years later when the researchers discovered the children who held out for the reward had become more successful than the children who had eaten their marshmallow immediately.”

In essence the story is about an individual who learned the importance of delayed gratification, then lost his way and began living a life of immediate gratification.

Succumbing to immediate gratification can compromise your goals. One of the best ways to achieve your dreams is to learn discipline and not to give in to your immediate wants and desires.

Delayed gratification can help you to become wealthier and healthier. With respect to nutrition, delayed gratification is the act of avoiding foods that are high in fat and sugar, thereby improving your chances for a healthier life.

With respect to wealth, the simple act of refraining from purchasing the latest fad may increase your bank account (less money out, therefore more money stays in the bank account).

I had written a broadcast some time back asking what you would be willing to give up to attain your goal. And this is what delayed gratification is all about—the ability to give something up for the long-term goal.

If you seem stuck in your station in life, try to figure out what actions you are performing that can be delayed to give you more time to pursue your goals. It’s not easy to give something up, but, if you want something badly enough, you can make the sacrifice to live your dream.

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Dr. Michael Kaye
Knowledge, Action, Results