Monday, January 29, 2007

Issue 402 - I Can't Commit An Hour A Day!

I am in the process of moving autoresponders, so to receive the newsletter in your inbox, please send a blank email to: thegreatgordino@getresponse.com

Hi,
I hope Monday finds you well.

Marathon update - 12 weeks to race day, although 'race' might be a misnomer since I'm the only bugger running - does that mean I come last or first?
Yesterday I did a half marathon in 2 hours 32, which is nicely on schedule.
Unfortunately I had forgotten to wear my padded cycling shorts, so there was some fearsome chafing going on downstairs I can tell you.
Let's just say I'll be wearing extra baggy joggers for curling this week...

Apart from my long run on Sundays and a day off on Saturday, my training consists of around a half hour a day, which when you account for warming up, and warming down etc. goes over the hour mark.
The one hour a day technique is a great one for goal achievement, and it's the focus of the following article I wrote after someone told me they couldn't commit an hour a day.
I called it 'I Can't Commit An Hour A Day!'

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I Can't Commit An Hour A Day!
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Committing an hour a day to your goal is one of the strongest techniques in goal achievement.
As with most of the steps to achieve any goal, it may sound glaringly obvious that if you spend a minimum of 1 solid hours a day working towards your goal, you will make progress.
In fact, you will make *leaps and bounds* towards your goal which you never would have thought possible, so why do most people not do it?

I was talking to someone about this the other day.
I was talking to her about another article I had written about how astronauts spending 6 months in space have to do 2 hours workout every day just so their body can keep up with the effort our body makes to move in the gravity of earth.
That's 2 hours every day for 6 months, not make progress, but just to keep up!
After making the point to my friend, she came up with a response that I often hear, and it's a perfectly natural one -
'I'm wary of committing, or cannot commit 1 hour every day.'

Here's my answer to that thought...

'You say you can't commit an hour every day, or are wary of making the commitment, but you already *do* commit hour after hour, day after day!'
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and believe me, you commit plenty of those towards goal ahievement, it's just that you don't know it!

The trick is to do an analysis of what you commit your hours to, what are the goals that you have been inadvertedly working towards?
Once you've done this, you can decide if those goals are ones you want to stick with, or if some of those commited hours can be diverted to your desired goal.

Remember, I'm only suggesting 1 hour a day!
If after an honest assessment of what you send your time on, you still think you cannot give a solid 1 hour daily to your goal, the next step is to ask someone else to do the same analysis with you.
It needs to be someone who will be honest with you about it.

If this still doesn't produce a daily 1 hour slot for your goal, then it is unlikely your goal will come to pass.
This brings in 2 more theories that I have always used, and write about in my book - responsibility and acceptance.

Take responsibility for yourself, your actions, and your time.
If you honestly havn't got this hour to spare, don't blame others.
Don't blame yourself either, but take responsibility about your situation, and be prepared to change if it needed.

Then there is acceptance.
Accept that your goal will not happen, and fully understand the reason why.
Accept that you have decided to not take the necessary steps.
This isn't a bad or negative thing, in fact it's the opposite.
It can lead to a happier life, because you have accepted the circumstance after proper consideration, and have also accepted that ultimately, the possibility for change is in your hands!

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Let me know what you think!

Ok, that's it for this week, and here's the thought - where do you commit your hours?

'Til next time,
Health and Happiness,
Gordon
Grab my free 8 Step Goal Achievement Plan by sending a blank email to:
mailto:transform@getresponse.com

Monday, January 22, 2007

Issue 401 - Ponder Your Percentages

Hi,
I hope everything is ok where you are.

Right then, 3 things today as we crack on into the 400s of this newsletter.

Firstly, I am moving my autoresponder.
I'll gradually be taking people off the current responder and then closing it down, so to keep receiving the newsletter in your email, please send a blank email to:
mailto:thegreatgordino@getresponse.com
You should then get an email which will have a confirmation link.
Of course you can always read the issues on the blog here as usual.

Secondly, I had a good training run yesterday.
The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and birds were chirruping as I did 10 miles in 1 hour 57, nicely on target.
Don't forget that you can donate to your own choice of charity to sponsor me at:
http://www.thegreatgordinomarathon.com
Since I didn't get into the London race, I don't have to raise any sponsorship at all, but it would be nice - even 1 dollar would help!

Thirdly, I've got an article today which I came up with as a tool for helping with goal achievement.
This is a major foundation of this newsletter, that anyone can achieve great things by simply following a formula, and this idea of mine should help.
I called the article 'Ponder Your Percentages', and it's as fitting a way as any to mark the start of the next 100 issues!

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Ponder Your Percentages

Regular readers will know that goal achievement is a huge passion of mine.
I've used the theories for well over 20 years, and continue to use them to this day.
I wrote about them in my book 'Transform Your Life in 21 Days!' back in 2003, and they are as valid now as they were then.
I'm always trying to think up new ways of framing the same ideas, because sometimes looking at the same idea from a different angle is all someone needs for the light bulb to go on, and extraordinary results to follow.

As I write it's early January 2007, and over the recent holiday period I came up with what I think is a cracker.
It's a simple method which includes several of the essential steps in the goal achievement plan.
Those are goal definition, visualisation, action planning and taking responsibility.
I called the idea 'Ponder Your Percentages'.

We all know that 'per cent' means out of a hundred, and the possibility of any circumstance happening can be measured on this scale.
There are 2 absolutes at either end.
100% means the outcome will definitely happen, no question, unavoidable, inevitable.
Zero% means the outcome will definitely *not* happen, no question, unavoidable, inevitable.

So we can start with those absolutes and turn to your goal...
Ask yourself 'what is the percentage chance of my goal happening?'
It's unlikely to be 100% or zero%.
If you think it is either of those, you probably need to work a bit more on your goal definition, (methods in my book!)
It might make it easier to give yourself an initial choice of 3 spots - is it 25% likely to happen, 75% likely, or 50%?
Once you pick one of those, you can then adjust in your head to get to the figure you are happy with.

You cannot get to this stage without a definition of your goal, visualising it, and having an idea of the difference between where you are now and your target, all good things.
Say you pick a figure of 20%.
This means you think there is a reasonable chance of it happening, but there will be a lot of work involved, a long way to go.
20% may sound low, but any figure is excellent, and here's why...

You can now work out what you can do to increase your estimate to 21%
This brings in the step of planning action.
If you don't know what the next step needs to be, your next step is research - go and find out!

Once you've done that, you can definitely increase to 21%.
You then repeat the process, which brings in the taking action aspect of goal achievement, and taking responsibility.
If you take no action, your percentage chance will not move upwards, and the responsibility for that is yours, no-one elses.

As you move your percentage up, you will find yourself motivated, and you'll gather momentum, with that 100% target getting ever closer!

This is a technique you can apply to *any* goal. It works, and if you use it, you can achieve things which you would have found unbelievable before, so I ask you, right now, to ponder your percentages!

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Let me know what you think.

I hope you enjoy it, it's a technique which works, I use it today (in fact there is no reason why I couldn't write a book around it!)

Ok, that's it for today - make sure you ponder your percentages, and I'll see you next week.
'Til next time,
Health and Happiness,
Gordon
Grab my free 8 Step Goal Achievement Plan by sending a blank email to:
mailto:transform@getresponse.com

Monday, January 15, 2007

Issue 400 - The Desiderata

Hi,
I hope Monday finds you well.

It's the 400th Issue of this newsletter today, more of that later.

I must just quickly tell you how I got on in my first curling competition.
Er, not particularly well in truth.

Towards the end of the first match on Friday evening I could feel the first symptoms of a migraine.
My heart sank as I knew I was looking at 36 hours in bed.
I got to the end of the game, told my team-mates, and set off home.
I got about half way home before the next stage of migraine set in, the vomiting.
What is it with me, sport and vomit?

I then had to drive 15 miles stopping every mile to paint the pavement.
My artistic approach would have to be described as 'scattergun', if you know what I mean.
Mt team mates were reassuringly understanding, and I took no further part in the competition which was frustrating in the extreme, but such is life I guess.
I have written an article about it, which I'll feature in a future issue, but back to today, and it's Issue 400.

I'm also fast approaching 4 years since I started the newsletter, and in the past 399 issues I've waffled and rattled on about the same things - goal achievement, self improvement and wealth creation.
It is amazing how many examples you can see all around, and noting them all for newsletter material has kept me topped up with enjoyment.

I have only used one item not written by me.
I've used it a few times, and I make no apology for it.
I like to feature it every 50 issues, and today is no exception.
Written in 1929, it's a piece of writing chock full of nuggets for a more contented life.
You could take each sentence and absorb it for a week.
Ok, enough from me, here it is:

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The Desiderata
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Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

--- Max Ehrmann, 1927
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
As ever, feel free to email me with your opinions, and as we crack into the next century of issues I wish you,
Health and Happiness,
Gordon
Grab my free 8 Step Goal Achievement Plan by sending a blank email to:
mailto:transform@getresponse.com

Monday, January 08, 2007

Issue 399 - Move Your Bloomin' Arse!

Hi,
I hope everything is ok where you are.
I'm calling today's issue 'Move Your Bloomin Arse.'

Things are ploughing along nicely for me.
My motivation is back for my marathon training.
I wrote in December that it had taken a kick in the knackers when I learnt I hadn't got in the London Marathon, but I followed one of my goal achievement ideas - when your motivation takes a down turn, make sure you don't take any negative actions.
Acknowedge the down turn for what it is, just a blip, and wait for it to come back.
That's what I did, and that's what happened, so I am back pounding the streets.

My curling is also coming along.
I am playing in my first competition this weekend.
There is a cash prize too! I suspect that there will be other teams too good for us, but curling is one of those games where strange results can happen.

Ok, today's main subject - Move Your Bloomin' Arse!

It's a line from a multi Oscar winning film from 1964, do you know which one?
Well it was My Fair Lady, starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.
I'd even go so far as to call her the scrumptious Audrey Hepburn. Maybe you might think of Rex Harrison as scrumptious, but I'm sticking with Audrey.
She could round off my vowels anytime, if you know what I mean...

Anyhow, back to the film, and why it's a great model of goal achievement.
In the story, the common flower seller Eliza Dolittle has a chance encounter with Henry Higgins, a professor of speech, and Higgins jokes that he could pass her off as a lady within 6 months.
(goal achievement note - belief in ability)

The next day out of the blue, Eliza presents herself unannounced at Higgins' house, having overheard his address the previous night, and tells him that she is there for the lessons she had mentioned.
(goal achievement note - taking action with no guarantee of success)

Despite initially rejecting the idea out of hand, Higgins considers it, and decides it would be a fun experiment for himself.
(goal achievement note - Eliza's action getting a result that would never had occurred otherwise).

Hours after hours, days after days of work seem to produce no progress whatsoever.
(goal achievement note - progress may seem slow, but persistence is the key)

Just as they are about to give up, Eliza speaks a sentence in perfectly pronounced English.
(goal achievement note - the subconscious takes time, but will always soak up what you tell it.)

They try the new Eliza out at Ascot races, but despite a good accent, her manners let her down, culminating in her yelling at a horse to 'move your bloomin' arse!'
(goal achievement note - at some point, your progress must be tested in a real environment.)

Six intensive weeks later, Eliza passes herself off flawlessly at a high society ball.
(goal achievement note - you can do exactly what you aim to do!)

Eliza and Higgins realise they have formed a close bond with each other.
(setting out towards one goal can lead to all sorts of surprises).

I hope you can see why, as an author of a book about goal achievement, that My Fair Lady is the kind of film I love to watch over and over, it's a perfect example of how to achieve goals and improve yourself.
(Plus of course, it has the bonus of Audrey Hepburn!)

Ok, that's it for this week, how can you relate 'Move Your Bloomin Arse!' to your life?

I'll see you next week for Issue 400.
Regular readers will know you are in for a treat, and newer readers, er, well you're in for the same treat!

'Til Next Time,
Health and Happiness,
Gordon
Grab my free 8 Step Goal Achievement Plan by sending a blank email to:
mailto:transform@getresponse.com

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Issue 398 - On The 9th Day Of Christmas

Hi,
I hope this Tuesday finds you well.

It's the first Tuesday in 2007, so Happy New Year to you and yours.
I guess everyone and his dog are writing about New Year Resolutions at this time of year.
As a result, my contrary nature kicks in, and I get the urge *not* talk about it, but since this newsletter has always focused on self improvement, goal achievement and wealth creation, it would be a bit remiss if I didn't.
We'll see how it goes...

By the way, the sharp witted reader, (and of course by that I mean you!) will note that I don't normally send a Tuesday newsletter.
Well I took the Christmas holiday off, and had a bucket load of ideas come to me.
I couldn't be arsed to wait another week, so I thought I'd write today.

My ideas for titles include -

'Move Your Bloomin' Arse!'
'Ponder the Percentage Postulation'.
'Article Writing IS Rocket Science After All!'
'Traffic Generation Can be Fun!'
'On The 9th Day Of Christmas!'

So all of that is to come, plus Issue 400 is only 2 weeks away, and I have something lined up for that.
Ok, let's crack on with today's waffle, called 'On The 9th Day Of Christmas'...

According to THAT song, on the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 9 ladies dancing.
Not forgettting the 8 maids a milking, 7 swans a-swimming, 6 geese a-laying, 5 gold rings, 4 calling birds, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

In fact, the correct lyric is that on the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a note saying 'Right, that's it! Christmas over, everything back to normal!'

It gets me every year.
As much as seeing Christmas fare in the shops in sodding September, by now you won't see any sign of Christmas in the shops.
In such a commercialised world, how is it that the last fews days of Christams are completely ignored, as if they don't exist?
For the shops to create a 3 month hype to Christmas, and then cut it short just seems ludicrous to me.

Can anybody please point out if I'm missing something here!
In fact on Sunday, New Year's Eve, I was in a shop and saw a big display of Easter Eggs.
I can tell you, I was THIS close to kicking the whole thing down, but I was stopped by the thought of some poor little 16 year old who didn't go to school every day, and was turned down by McDonald's, who had to create the display, and would no doubt have to rebuild it on New Year's Day if I booted it down.

Hmm, I can feel another letter to Tesco's coming on...

Ok, that's just about it to start the year, so here's a quickie about New Year Resolutions.

If you're going to make New Year Resolutions with your tongue in cheek, aiming fully to fail with them, please don't.
It's what most people do, and although it is food for a quick laugh, it is actually a slap in the face of one of the most simple and effective ways of creating the life you always wanted.

We follow the same goal achievement formula every day many many times, it's just that most of us don't realise it.
I don't have to tell you it's huge passion of mine to get people to flick the switch in their brain, to fully realise what they can do with their lives, and I don't like to see people acknowledge the method and then poo-poo it in the same breath.

Let me know what you think.

I wrote my book, 'Transform Your Life in 21 Days!' back in 2003.
It was a gathering of all the theories and ideas I have used in my time to achieve things I look back on with great pride.
Actually the book itself is one of them, because as I read in now in 2007, I consider it as valid today as it was in 2003 - no update required!

I'm giving it a push this year, so if you fancy taking a peek to see what I keep wittering on about, go to:
http://www.transformyourlifenow.com

Ok, that's it for this week - don't tell me your New Year Resolutions, but DO tell me what your plans are for this year, I may be able to help you more than you know...

'Til Next Time,
Health and Happiness,
Gordon
Support your own favourite cause at:
http://www.thegreatgordinomarathon.com