If you’ve read this month’s book summary on The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles, you know how i
mportant mindset it when it comes to managing your money and taking care of yourself financially.
This is a lovely personal reflection to help you manage your thoughts and focus on strengthening your financial situation, regardless of the economy.
Download your personal reflection here.
Today’s post is written by guest author Laura West, an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. I’ve known Laura for years and have long admired how much she shares about herself and what she learns.
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Laura Howard West
I like to think of my business and my life as flowing in the Universal Abundance Current. When I am aligned, this current flows naturally and easily, full of abundance, success, and joy no matter what is coming my way.
But too often we find ourselves fighting against the current, paddling upstream by reacting to our circumstances, sure that if we just work hard enough and long enough that we’ll get to where we want to go… which is actually located somewhere downstream!
It takes a lot of effort to paddle hard, trying to fight the natural stream and “make” things happen when, where and how we want them to happen. But it takes a huge amount of trust to let go…. to surrender to the flow and trust the Universal Abundance Current.
Letting go. Honestly, whenever I used to I say that (and sometimes it still happens), I would shudder and roll my eyes. I felt irritable right away. I mean, how in the heck do you “let go” anyway? If I let go of my “hard work”… then what will happen? I may lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.
The dichotomy is that if you can let go forcing and resisting and allow the current take you where the energy is naturally evolving, you’ll get to where you want to go without struggle, and it will probably be even more fantastic than you imagined.
How do you let yourself trust the UAC?
Here are four simple tips to help you feel into the current and trust your letting go.
1. Feel into the Flow. Notice what is moving. What opportunities are in front of you? Where is the energy stuck?
2. Stop Resisting and Forcing Your Will. Trying to push your way through is a short term strategy and often doesn’t work. Stop trying to force a project into form when it’s obviously not ready or getting impatient that a certain milestone isn’t happening on “your” timeline.
3. Trust the Process. For most of us it scares us to let go and trust. We are trained to have deadlines and to stick to our deadlines no matter what. If you’ll allow yourself to trust, amazing opportunities will arise when you relax and trust.
4. Swim Downstream. You don’t just surrender and sit still. You take the inspired actions that are in front of you. Actions that are in alignment with the flow of energy, opportunities and feedback.
It’s time for you to tap into the Universal Abundance Current. Anytime you are starting a new project, feel stuck or notice that you are not having fun because you are trying to force an outcome, surrender (yes!), let go, and flow into the Universal Abundance Current.
Written by Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business, www.joyfulbusiness.com. ©Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
For millennia, people have sought methods to quiet their minds. Meditation and mindfulness have become very popular. But long before modern technology introduced new distractions into our lives, humans have pursued inner peace. If you’re seeking a method to quiet your mind and achieve inner peace, these four ancient techniques have proven effective even by today’s standards.
1. Practice breathing meditation. Breathing meditation is a simple and effective method for calming your mind. Start by finding a comfortable and quiet place where you can sit and observe your breath. With practice, you’ll be able to meditate longer periods or place your mind on your breath in any surroundings. Remember, meditation is a “practice”. That means you don’t have to do it perfectly – in fact, trying to do it perfectly actually gets in the way.
2. Develop single-pointed concentration. For many people it is difficult to slow your mind down. You’re constantly thinking about the things you need to take care of, what’s not finished yet, etc. Not only are these thoughts stressful and draining over time, they make it difficult to slow your mind down enough to experience the Quiet. Consider using something to help you focus. Train your mind to rest upon your object of meditation whether it’s a candle or a spoken mantra. Note any distracting thoughts but let them float on by. The practice of meditation is that you notice these thoughts and let them go, not that you prevent yourself from having them to begin with. Bring your mind back to your chosen object.
3. Learn to visualize. Select images that promote happiness and serenity. Perhaps you may want to picture snow-capped mountains or sheep grazing in a meadow. If you don’t have a favorite image in mind, take a look at the photos at iStockPhoto or Getty Images. You can use search terms to help you narrow down the images.
Here are two of my favorites:
4. Focus on positive thoughts. If your meditation is part of a spiritual practice, you can follow the prayers taught in your tradition. Alternatively, you can soothe your mind by repeating any thought or quote that is meaningful for you.
1. Take a bath. Cultures all over the world have long appreciated the calming effects of water. A simple warm bath can soothe your nerves. Rest your head on a bath pillow and add some comforting scents like sandalwood or lavender. Turn the lights down low and play soft music.
2. Surround yourself with the sound of water. Eat your lunch by a park fountain or install a solar device in your own backyard. You can find recordings of waterfalls online or get a CD with aquatic effects that you can play anywhere you go.
1. Go for a walk. In some eras, it was common for people to go on long retreats into the wilderness. When I was in South Korea, every morning people would take a slow walk to the top of a mountain – a sort of walking meditation. Even a short break can do wonders to restore your peace of mind. Visit your local state park or take a quiet walk around your neighborhood. If you work indoors all week, use the weekend to explore scenic trails for biking and hiking.
2. Cultivate a garden. Gardening is a great way to slow down and appreciate nature. Devote a section of your backyard to growing flowers and vegetables. If you live in an apartment setting, select plants that will flourish indoors or on a balcony, like some species of palm trees and herbs.
3. Spend time with animals. Spending time with animals is so therapeutic it’s even been proven to help people recover from surgery faster. Take your dog for a walk. Watch your cat at play. Sign up for horseback riding lessons. Or volunteer at an animal shelter!
1. Put the past behind you. Dwelling on the past can make it difficult to feel composed. If you’re thinking about past misfortunes, decide if you’d rather devote your energy to more constructive activities.
2. Adopt a positive view towards the future. The future always carries some uncertainty. Focus on creating causes for a better future and patiently accepting whatever outcomes arise.
3. Enjoy the present moment. Give your full attention to what is happening now. Take advantage of the opportunities before you and delight in the good things that surround you. Steer your mind towards wholesome thoughts and actions. Engage fully with the people who share your life.
What other techniques do you use to quiet your mind?
As personal growth enthusiasts, we spend a lot of time thinking about and preparing for the future. Yes, we intend to live in the here and now, but it’s easy to get caught up in planning your future. Planning for a secure and happy future is an important undertaking, but too much attention to a time that is yet to come can greatly inhibit your ability to focus on the here and now.
One of my favorite quotes on this subject comes from Abraham Hicks:
“Satisfied with what is and eager for more – a perfect recipe.”
Right now, at this very moment, you can begin to enjoy your everyday life that is currently flashing unnoticed right before your eyes. There’s something beautiful about letting the future come naturally and living joyfully and willingly in the present moment!
If you’re having a hard time letting go long enough to be fully present in the moment, consider these five reasons that you should start living in the here and now:
1. Each day, you grow older. Yep – happens for all of us. Each day of your life has the ability to be monumental, but each day only happens once. Every moment of every day, you’re given a chance to make a lasting memory. Create a memory that you’ll be proud to share.
This month’s featured book summary is the very popular Persistence Pays: How getting what you want is easier than you think, by Lori Raudnask.
As we approach the end of the year, inevitably we turn to thinking about our accomplishments and failures…as well as the soon-to-come New Year’s Resolutions.
Persistence Pays is the perfect resource for this annual journey.
When it comes down to it, most of us know what we want. And we know the actions we can (“should”) be taking to move us toward it, but we just don’t follow-through on a consistent basis.
That’s where Persistence comes in. In her interview, Lori Raudnask shares stories and experiences she has never shared with a group before. It’s these experiences that help you understand why persistence has become so important to her, and how you can tap into your own natural ways of persistence.
(As always, you can listen to the interview, or read the transcript – all in your members area.)
The book was originally written for sales people, to help them with their persistence, but it has quickly become a guidebook for anyone wanting to up-level their own persistence-ability. Ultimately, after all, the biggest sale you have to make is the one you make to yourself.
When you read the book summary, you will gain access to Lori’s strength in persistence as well as:
Included in this month’s material are two bonus items:
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Want a copy of the book summary and the Vision Workshop Workbook but aren’t a member? That’s easily remedied! 
Simply go to the Join page and register. You’ll receive IMMEDIATE access to all the resources and tools, as well as be enrolled as a Founding Princess, which means your registration rate at this level is locked in for life, plus you will receive an autographed copy of the best-seller The Think Big Manifesto by our own honorary princess, Michael Port.
*Plus you’ll also receive a very special Princess Welcome Basket – but you’ll have to wait until you get it to see the surprise. 
Remember, just click on the Join page and it’s just 1-2-3 and a princess you will be!
Are you a list maker? If so, you already know how helpful – as well as how distracting – they can be. If you aren’t a list maker, chances are you think they are a waste of time at best, and the sign of an empty life at worst.
I admit it – I’m a list maker. I’ve even been known to add something to my list that I just completed, just for the pleasure I get from marking it off. That’s a perfect example of how lists can become distracting.
Of course, that’s not the kind of list Atul Gawande is talking about in The Checklist Manifesto – How To Get Things Right. A “checklist” is not the same thing as a “to do” list. A checklist is used for routine or repetitive tasks, where getting it right makes a difference.
![checklistmanifesto1 The Checklist Manifesto how to get things right [book review]](http://personalgrowthprincess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/checklistmanifesto1.jpg "checklistmanifesto")
The Checklist Manifesto is a scientific examination of how checklists can help. Gawande is a surgeon, so he was looking specifically at how using checklists for medical procedures or processes could make a difference in terms of accuracy and care. He shares some rather remarkable statistics – such as how implementing a checklist for one routine procedure in one hospital reduced infection rates from 11% to 0%, saving 8 lives and $2 million in costs.
OK, so it makes sense to use checklists in order to get things right when you’re talking about people’s lives, right? You can see how it would be helpful to use them in medicine, fire prevention, airline pre-flight checks, etc.
But what about for regular people living regular lives? Can using checklists actually make enough of a difference to matter? Are there really noticeable benefits to using checklists? Read More→
Last month’s self-help book summary was on The Trophy Effect: Destroying Self-Doubt, Discovering Your True Self, & Taking Control of Your Life Forever by Michael Nitti.
(If you haven’t had a chance to read the book summary, it will be available for 2 more weeks in the members only area.)
Michael Nitti is making it easy for you to get the Trophy Effect experience first-hand. You may remember me talking about the individual Trophy Effect coaching session I had with Michael. It was powerful in that it provided such a simple reframe – that resulted in an overwhelming shift. I continue to use the lessons from the Trophy Effect – sometimes laughing at myself for the silly traps I get myself into.
Michael is offering a teleclass on The Trophy Effect – this time for free. He says this will likely be the last time it is free. My guess is that after hitting the best-seller list, and handling the swell of coaching clients at the Anthony Robbins Companies that have flowed in since the launch of the new television series, he isn’t going to have a lot of time in the future for doing a lot of “freebies”.
During this transformational teleseminar, Michael will be leading you on an extremely revealing (and entertaining) tour of your own mind, where you will not only observe first-hand the source of that “little voice” that seems to thwart your every intention, but will actually learn how to over-ride it every time! In less than an hour, you will discover how to break free of all your fears and to move toward your future with clarity and purpose. After the seminar, you will be provided with access to an amazing series of Exercises (also free), which will empower (and condition) you to live “intentionally” rather than “in reaction” to your circumstances; resulting in a greater sense of freedom, connectedness, and joy!
I highly recommend registering for the teleclass which will be held on Thursday, August 26th, 6pm Pacific time (7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern).
p.s. You can participate in this class whether you are a member of Personal Growth Princess or not, though I highly recommend reading the book summary prior to taking the class. You can become a member of Personal Growth Princess by going here.
(Remember, for a limited time, new members will receive a copy of The Think Big Manifesto by Michael Port as a special Founding Princess gift!)
If you’re like most people in western culture, you’ve been taught that jealousy is a bad thing. You may have even been told that experiencing jealousy means you are a bad or ungrateful person, or that being jealous makes you weak or less spiritual. For most of us, when we experience jealousy, we try to eliminate it or prevent it from ever coming up. Given that jealousy is a natural emotion, this is a pretty futile effort. 
There is an important distinction that needs to be made in order to have a more helpful understanding of jealousy, one which can actually raise your self-esteem…
Jealousy is a mental uneasiness about something or someone, usually triggered by seeing or experiencing something you wish you had or wish you could do. It is an awareness of difference, and a wishing for something similar to be in your own life.
Jealousy has developed a negative connotation in part because of general cultural perspectives, but also because of the inappropriate behavior that sometimes follows. We tend to get emotion and behavior mixed up, but, jealousy, as a feeling, does not have to be negative. In fact, it can be quite positive and empowering if you look at it the right way.
Resentment, on the other hand, has a bite to it. It involves a sense of indignation, of having been wronged by the other person, and even the belief that when they have something you do not, whether it be a skill, a relationship, or a tangible item, that it has somehow made you “less than”.
Words, and therefore feelings, are defined by other words. How you define something gives it its meaning. The word “resentment” is often used to define jealousy, but that doesn’t have to be so.
If you were to choose to eliminate the word “resentment” from your definition, and experience, of jealousy, what might be different?
If you believe that you are “less than” someone who has what you do not yet have, or if you believe their having it reduces your chances of ever having it, then you are experiencing Resentment, not jealousy. Resentment has a definite self-esteem lowering quality. Not only do you feel bad about yourself because you don’t have what the other person does, you may even feel guilty for feeling resentment, setting off a downward spiral of lower self-esteem.
What if jealousy were just a signal to you about something more you want to be, do, or have? The actual person who triggered the jealous response is not as important as the desire it brings up in you. Jealousy can give you clarity about what you really want. It can help you define precisely what you want to create in your life or business. The more clear you are about what you want, the easier it is to take productive action – and one of the greatest self-esteem boosters is taking effective action.
If you believed this about jealousy, how much more gentle would you be with yourself? How much more understanding would you be of other people? How much more likely would you be to get into action because you have a “possibility” mentality versus a “lack” mentality? How much higher could you raise your self-esteem by defining jealousy in a positive way, rather than trying to eliminate it?
Leave a comment below – I’d love to know what you think!
You Are A Spirit: Nine Steps to Heaven on Earth, co-authored by Kayhan Ghodsi and Stephanie Gunning (one of our Fairy Godmothers), has just been published by Yaas Press. In fact, Wednesday, May 19th, is the official launch of the book.
This is a simple, yet deep, guide to help you become more aware of who you really are – more than just a physical body existing here on earth. You are more than what you think you are – you are a spirit, and your body allows you to exist and experience in the physical realm. For those who are more “new age” minded, you will likely have the experience of thinking “Ah, yes, this makes perfect sense now.” F![bookcover You Are A Spirit [Book Review]](http://www.stephaniegunning.com/img/bookcover.jpg "You Are A Spirit")
or others, the stretch will be bigger. The beauty in the book is that it is not dogmatic, nor are you expected to believe anything the authors say. In fact, they encourage you not to take their word for it, but to check it out for yourself.
Each of the nine steps (such as “You are Perfect in the Present”, “You Are Not Your Body”, “You Can Choose Joy”) requires you to stretch and consider possibilities or ideas you may not have thought of before. Each step ends with a meditation. The simplicity of the meditations make them great for the beginner who is not familiar with meditation or may be a bit intimidated by it, but don’t let the apparent simplicity lull you into thinking they are “easy” or that nothing is happening.
In the first step, “You Are A Creator”, the authors state:
Here’s the secret to living as a spirit in a body: If you consider that you are the creator of your life – in other words, the cause, rather than the effect of your experiences – just by considering this idea, your life changes.
(This statement connects with how Kim Marcille Romaner talks about the role of the observer in scientific experiments – that the act of observing automatically affects the outcome. See the book summary for The Science of Making Things Happen in the members area for the full story, or read the post about The Science of Making Things Happen and the Dynamic Opportunity Model.)
There is a lot of hype out there about being in the “now”, yet rarely are we given any ways to experience this in a way that make sense to the average person. After all, if you haven’t been living in the “now”, how would you know how to do it? That is where I found this book to be most valuable.
The authors give examples of how to know you are not living in the present moment, such as when you are worrying (the future) or ruminating (the past). By projecting yourself into the past or future, you are disconnecting with the present moment, and disconnecting from your ability to create your reality.
The meditations accompanying each step not only show you how to bring your awareness into the present moment in ways you can relate, they are designed so that you actually experience it right then, in the moment. Of course, as with all meditation, the authors remind you that it is practice over time that will make it easier and more automatic.
The ultimate message of the book is to release judgment and trust yourself to be guided in your choices and actions – because after all, you, as a spirit, are the one doing the guiding. When you realize this, you realize you can experience heaven on earth because you will experience certainty and absolute faith, and because you never really left heaven in the first place.
Remember that Wednesday, May 19, 2010 is the official launch of the book. To accompany the launch are special bonus offerings, so be sure to grab yours. You can also view the video trailer, and sign up for a free teleseminar being offered today, May 18th.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of the book. And remember to grab your bonuses if/when you purchase You Are A Spirit.
Last week I posted an article about the Dynamic Opportunity Model (used with permission from CoachVille). 
This is a powerful model for transforming a “problem” into an “opportunity”. It is simple, though not necessarily easy, but only because most of us are not very practiced at it.
What’s particularly intriguing is how this model ties in with the featured book summary for May, The Science of Making Things Happen by Kim Marcille Romaner.
One of the key elements in the Dynamic Opportunity Model is learning to be an observer. Sometimes we try to hard to figure something out, focusing on what’s not working and why it’s not working, that we neglect to see what is really there.
Likewise, the role of observer is key to the science of making things happen. Kim talks about how the act of observing directly affects what happens to the thing or person being observed, the actual activity of the observed. She talks about it in scientific terms, using experiments with berylium ions (subatomic particles), and then relates it to daily life at the human level. This is called the Zeno Effect. (Members, see pages 10-11 of your book summary for the full explanation).
What Romaner found is that when you measure the wrong benchmarks, Read More→
