Emotional Freedom for Success
The Sunday Mail today carries an interesting article about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and the application of this to overcome food cravings, depression, anxiety and emotional issues as well as to achieve career success. This technique was developed by Gary Craig and pioneered in Australia by Dr Peta Stapleton, senior lecturer at Griffith University in Queensland. Dr Stapleton used the techniques to treat people with bulimia and anxiety. Her recent research shows that after use of the technique all people in the trial reported that their food cravings disappeared. Very powerful. This modality is based upon the meridians of acupuncture and uses a tapping technique while thinking and speaking of the negative emotion that one wishes to clear.
Anyone working on self development will know that managing emotions is one of the most important and sometimes most difficult actions to master. Staying in a state of happiness and holding a positive attitude is always a challenge, particularly for those who may work in a highly negative environment or have a life history of being pessimistic. EFT is one possible solution.
Not only is this technique available widely from a number of qualified practitioners, but it can also be learned from the manual available from Gary Craig’s website. I am sure that the generosity in making this information available in such a way will return tenfold to Gary Craig. Once learned, the technique can be used at any time, anywhere and it is entirely possible to hold yourself in any emotion that you choose. What a bonus!
From the perspective of success, I use the technique to assist in embedding my positive affirmations. First I can clear any emotional blockages and then establish the affirmation. Now there is a very powerful tool for personal development.
Be Motivated and Make Money
Why is it that in this world the people who do the most helping often earn the least money? Compare a teachers salary with that of a prominent actor. Compare the salary of an ambulance officer with that of a professional footballer. Compare the salary of a child care worker with the salary of a pilot. How is it that this state of affairs exists? Should it not be that those carers and helpers earn at least as much money as our entertainers or pilots? They all have our lives in their hands.
I believe that this happens because society believes that doing good should be done for the sake of it and not for money. In fact at times the people who are doing the most good, taking care of others and seeing that those in need have food and shelter, might earn very little more than being regarded as saintly. There seems to be a view that making money is for the fatcats; the greedy ones who take care only of themselves.There is another way to consider money and what it stands for. Deepak Chopra writes about this in his book Creating Affluence:-
“M stands for making money for others and helping others make money. Helping others make money and helping other people to fulfill their desires is a sure way to ensure that you’ll make money for yourself as well as more easily fulfill your own dreams.
“M” also stands for motivate. The best way to motivate other people to help you fulfill your goals is to help them fulfill their goals”.
I am delighted to be involved with a personal development home business that places me perfectly to do exactly that; make money for the purpose of helping others, help others to make money, fulfill their desires and achieve their dreams. Can you believe that such a business exists?
Little wonder that I feel so happy.
Is being Positive the Same as Being Happy?
You will notice that I write a lot about both happiness and taking a positive attitude or learning to be optimistic. At times it seems that some people consider the two to be the same.; being positive is the same as being happy. People who take a positive view of the world; the optimists see adversity and difficulties as a challenge that they can overcome and that is short lived. The do not blame themselves, they just see these events as temporary setbacks. Pessimists on the other hand tend to take the view that it is their own fault, the event will set them back for a long time and will undermine everything that they do. Being positive or optimistic is a way of thinking.
Happiness on the other hand is an emotion.
Martin Seligman, well recognised author on both topics clears this up in his blog. It is a short and worthy read. Seligman, in his book, Learned Optimism, also offers a specific program on how to break the habit of pessimism and move both yourself and your children to optimism.
Why bother? It is good for your health and success as Seligman’s blog shows.
Enjoy a Lifestyle of Your Choice!
It truly is possible to enjoy a lifestyle that you choose and the first step to this is to know what you want. Now that may sound very simple but not everyone finds it that easy. So here is a little exercise to help. Right now, write down all of the things that you want to achieve in the next ten years. That’s right, you got it, everything and do it very quickly, it will only take ten to fifteen minutes. Write at least 50 things under the following headings – What do I want to do, to be, to see, to have – Where do I want to go – What do I want to share.
Now put the time that you would like to do it be beside each one eg one year, ten years and get a balance across the years. Choose your top four from each of the categories and wow!! you are getting close to knowing what you want.
Next step, take a little time and write one paragraph for each of your top desires in each of the categories. In this step you are writing exactly why you want to achieve this particular goal. What is it about that goal that sets you on fire and creates a heartfelt and burning desire to achieve it. Write also some detail about it, what it looks like, how it feels to have it. Build in your mind the picture of having it, start to see yourself with it.
This process will help you to choose the lifestyle of your dreams. You can then direct your thoughts and attention upon this in a conscious way instead of moving through life in an unconscious way, accepting whatever happens to come your way – sometimes good and sometimes not so good. Sometimes what you desire and sometimes not. Take time every day to read what you have written and start to find ways to break these big dreams down into small actions. Get started on some small actions and watch your dreams take shape. Do six things every day to bring your dreams to reality. Take action every day, believe that you will achieve your dreams and have faith in yourself to do that!
For a good read on the subject, try “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. The title suggests a book about making money, however money is not the only factor related to lifestyle and the book also covers those other things that people look for like happiness and contentment. Here is one last thought though – many people think of lifestyle satisfaction as having freedom and money does help to achieve freedom.
One of the Secrets to Success – Happiness!
Don’t you just love the way that things come to you at the most convenient time? Today I was occupying myself in a waiting room, practising patience and just enjoying the moment when out of the corner of my eye I noticed a gloriously pink book sitting on the shelf. Being a book lover I wandered over for a closer look and I found my gift for the day. happiness is… by Lisa Messenger.
Turns out that Lisa is a Managing Director, co-director, writer, national entrepreneur who encourages entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovation. Not only that but part of the profits from this book are donated to Kids Help Line. All sounds good to me. And the book is fantastic, uplifting and beautiful – the joy of happiness.
Here is one excerpt on spirituality, page 169 from Angie of Surry Hills, NSW – “that inner feeling of warmth. Friends, love and laughter. Being able to laugh and make others smile. I wish it was a paid profession. Dancing is my passion. I feel free and able to express so much using just movement. Dance makes me happy even if it’s only for a three minute song – I forget all my troubles”.
I so agree, if only smiling and your passion was a paid profession. For some it is and for the rest of us, it is good to feel such happiness and just let it be contagious. And guess what – being happy is also part of the personal development journey. How easy is that to do?
