Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

7 SECRETS To A Great Life

A great life doesn’t happen by accident. A great life is the result of allocating your time, energy, thoughts, and hard work towards what you want your life to be. A great life is the result of using the 24/7 you get in a creative and thoughtful way, instead of just what comes next. Customize these “secrets” to fit your own needs and style, and start creating your own great life today! 1. S . . .

Book Summary: Mind Your Own Business

This article is based on the following book:Mind Your Own BusinessA Mavericks Guide to Business, Leadership and LifeDoubleday & Company, Inc., 2003ISBN 0-385-50959-6208 pagesA maverick is an independent person who will not go along with the other members of a group (Oxford ESL Dictionary). This book provides priceless stories and insights from a maverick of the business world; an exemplary . . .

Martial Arts

Martial arts are currently studied worldwide from a variety of cultures. Martial arts can improve your fitness levels and muscular condition immensely. Depending on the martial art you choose to do, you may even learn some effective self-defense techniques. There is a major debate as to whether martial arts are effective as self-defense. My personal experience has taught me it is best to study . . .

Joy Is Sexy

Joy is sexy because in embracing our joy, we embrace our positive energy and power. Joy is always there, waiting to be reclaimed. It is the bridge between living life by default and embracing life by positive design. Get sexy this week and remember that no one can tell us what to think or feel. Events and other people cannot steal our access to personal joy unless we decide to give up our p. . .

Positive Affirmations

Never used ‘em. Not likely to start now.OK, so I just lied a little bit. (Is that anything like being a little bit pregnant?) I really didn’t mean to. (Hmmm, that comment could be applicable to the pregnant thing too but actually I was referring to my lying.)I guess the one positive affirmation that I commonly use is not so much a phrase that I repeat or think about periodically throughout . . .

The Great Adventure

(Liz, dressed for hiking, enters with a walking stick in hand and wearing a backpack.) Hi! My name is Elizabeth Andra Shaw and I'm on a great adventure — a journey called Life, a journey to answer the question, "Who am I?" The first 44 years of my life, I lived in a place called Hatville. It was an exciting place. Everyone was very busy because they were wearing many different hats. In Hatvill. . .

A Hand Up Coaching Helps Women Succeed

After downsizing wiped out her $80K salary, Jane was having trouble finding work. Just released from jail, 22-year old Marie didn't know how she was going to provide for her four kids. Frustrated and frightened, both women needed "a hand up" to help them take charge of their lives and move forward.Luckily, for Jane, Marie, and countless others from all walks of life, Taylor Hunt's dream had com. . .

Find Shortcuts To Happiness

If someone said you could feel inner peace and joy by just deciding to do it, would you believe them? Well, we’re telling you just that! Anyone can choose inner comfort, ease or a feeling of well-being by learning simple tools that will teach you how to make these decisions. Here’s a taste of one of the 6 Shortcuts To Happiness we teach at The Option Institute and how you can begin to use it no. . .

Leave Your Dead End Job…For Good.

So here you are…stuck in a dead end job. Are you hitting the glass ceiling in a job you once loved, but now can’t stand? Maybe the hours are long. Maybe you can’t stand retail customers anymore. Maybe you’re like 70% of college students who didn’t earn a degree and you feel this is the best job you can get without one. Take heart. There are a lot of great careers out there, especially for peopl. . .

The Kaizen of Goal Setting

There is an old way of goal setting and a new way of goal setting!The old way of goal-setting involved setting yor goals, preparing a list of sub-goals, and then carefully checking them off one after another (as and when they were being accomplished). Am I trying o pour cold water on the goal setting method many of us grw up on?Not necessarilyWhile I am not saying the step-by-step approach does. . .

Better Health and Happiness for Your Baby:

The design of your home has an amazing affect on the health and well being of your baby. If it is in harmony with nature, it will have a positive influence on young children. If not, problems will become apparent in subtle and ways.According to the science of Vastu Shastra, all five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) have an impact on your baby’s room. Vastu Shastra is an ancient arch. . .

The Science of Architecture:

You’re told to take vitamins, drink plenty of water, get a good night’s sleep and exercise, but has anyone ever told you that the design of your home and office can impact your health? You wouldn’t be alone in raising an eyebrow and questioning how this could be so, but thousands of years ago, the ancient seers of India spent entire lifetimes observing how man-made structures impact humans . . .

FREE The Ultimate Secrets Newsletter Transforms Your Pers...

Affirmation technique has been used by many successful people for centuries. It has helped many ordinary people achieved extraordinary results in their lives. It has turned many failures into successes. It has made many miracles in the history of human revolution. However, majority of the people who have used affirmation find it is not working. Why is this case? What are the elements that peopl. . .

Setting Goals for Success

“In any and every given moment of your life, you are either in command of yourself… or you are being commanded.”-Guy Finley, AuthorIt pays to learn, especially from your mistakes. The successful entrepreneur learns how to deal with mistakes every day. They look forward to the challenge. It‘s important to remember that they don’t have to know it all. There’s always someone they can go to for ass. . .

What is Your Recovery Rate?

What is your recovery rate? How long does it take you to recover from actions and behaviours that upset you? Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? How long? The longer it takes you to recover the more influence that incident has on your actions, the less able you are to perform to your personal best. In a nutshell the longer it takes you to recover the weaker you are and the poorer your performance.Just. . .

I’m Not Depressed; I’ve Just Been Having A Lousy Conversa...

Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the meeting, one of the women went into a litany about how terrible things had been in the past few weeks and how depressed she felt as a result. Inspired, I rose from my seat and told her, “You’re not depressed, you’ve just been having a lousy conversation with yourself.” She looked at me as if I had just arrived from Mars.LIMITING WORDS C. . .

If You Can't See Your Way to Completing Your Goal, It's T...

Have you been having trouble achieving a specific goal? Are you allowing other less important things to get in the way of accomplishing what you really want? Then this is the time to do a VISION check. Just as it is important to get our eyes checked regularly to assure that we will be able to see clearly, it is equally as important to do a VISION check to be certain that our goal is on track. . .

How To Lose Weight, Make Money and Get Women

When deciding to write this article, I decided that I wanted to show all the things that not just getting in shape, but accomplishing something extraordinary, can do for you. If you are overweight and lose weight and get in shape, many incredible things begin to happen.You see I have, in the last year, lost about 35 pounds. After the weight loss, I began to notice that things, once hard to acco. . .

Challenge Yourself ... Stretch Your Boundaries Daily!

Many times we fall into a sedentary lifestyle because we fear forward movement. We eventually feel as though we've fallen into a rut and can't seem to escape. However, this is where we tend to forget that part of moving forward in life is to continue challenging yourself and your abilities. It is important that you test your boundaries and see how far you can go. Challenge your own beliefs . . .

If You're Stuck Then Make a Different Decision

Many people don’t really understand the gift they have been given in their ability to be decisive. According to the dictionary, decisiveness means ‘having the power or quality of settling a dispute, question, doubt, contest, event, etc.’ How individuals use this power of decisiveness will strongly influence the quality of life that they experience.Not long ago, I really began to understand how. . .

Moving Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Many professionals have attained a high level of competence in their particular fields. They have learned a lot in their careers and they have a good sense of what works and what doesn’t. Some individuals have become so good at what they do that they can successfully perform their jobs “with their eyes closed.” These people are operating within their comfort zones.While operating within your. . .

The 12 Commandments of Goal Setting

Many professionals have a basic idea of what they want to achieve in their careers. They may want to close more sales, earn a higher income, or move into a different job. However, somehow they do not achieve the success they desire. Why? Why is it that intelligent, motivated, hard-working individuals are not achieving the success they deserve? It is because they haven’t set clear goals.The. . .

Failure is Only Feedback

Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down your spine? Failure is the thing most of us spend the greatest amount of energy trying to avoid. What is failure?In reality, when you strip away all the emotions attached to the word, failure is only feedback. Failure means that we tried a strategy and it did not work. So what should we do? It's simple. We should try something else. . . .

The "Flow" Of Money

The more we worry about money, and who's asking for it, and why their asking, and should they be asking, and should I be listening, and judging others, then judging their ideas and their work and their very existence....the more we condemn ourselves to a life of pain, worry and confusion. Most people do not realize they are doing this to themselves. Everyone on the planet, regardless of their c. . .

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently a person attended one of my goal setting seminars with a different kind of focus; I will call him Richie. I had the feeling, as I was leading the group in a goal setting exercise, that Richie had recently traveled this road. After hearing his story I discovered that in fact he did have a new outlook on life; and goals attached. Richie is now living his life as if he going to die tomorr. . .

New Poetic Work By Ethiopian Immigrant Promotes Respect, ...

McLean, VA - "The Healing Conscious" tells the story of an Ethiopian immigrant boy on his fascinating journey to America and adulthood. Author Kifle Bantayehu, a 23 year-old second-generation Ethiopian immigrant, recounts this poignant tale in poetic format. His inspirational collection of poems reflects the final words and thoughts of a dying man who traveled across the world, raised a family . . .

My Career As A Hermit

"Work from home. Make big bucks in your pajamas." – typical work-from-home ad.Quick. What do writers, stay-at-home parents and online marketing geeks have in common? I mean, besides insanity? They are all hermits.The typical writer locks himself up for years brooding in a dark room, surfacing only long enough to find out who this year's American Idol is. This solitary brooding is supposed . . .

Making Communication Effective: 4 Language Filters

Language is a challenging way to communicate. It allows us to share our thoughts and feelings by describing our personal views of reality.Yet language is not reality. It is merely a limited system of symbols, signals, sounds, or gestures that belong to a specific culture or group. It only describes a personal map of the actual territory. We might have a great message to share. Yet there are oth. . .

The Courage To Succeed!

The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need to succeed--when you think: "I'm afraid to talk to people.", or "I'm a loser, nobody in their right mind would follow me.", or "I could never do what he/she does..", or "I'm afraid to talk to people on the telephone..." When I first started out in on the internet I was in awe of the money that could be made, and I was positive that . . .

Socrates, Politics and Axe Murder: A Look at Gay Marriage

This week, I attended a reading by Christopher Phillips. He is the author of Socrates' Café: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy, and has been described as the "Johnny Appleseed of philosophy" because of his penchant for starting meaningful dialogues with groups around the world. He was in town to promote his newest book, Six Questions for Socrates: A Modern-Day Journey of Discovery Through World Philo. . .

The Karate Kid

Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 1, 2004I have an unexpected relationship problem. It's hard to believe it has become such an issue but it has. The whole thing started very innocently when my boyfriend and I were watching some silly action movie. The female heroine was kicking butt, and I mentioned to my boyfriend I took a semester's worth of judo classes in college and could proba. . .

Are You Trying to Lose?

Just 2 nights ago my partner and I were watching a cricket game from Zimbabwe on cable TV. The team that was currently batting was leading by a huge margin in the 1st innings but during the 2nd innings were 'dropping out like flies'. They were struggling to maintain their score and beat their opponents. My partner looked at me and said in disgust "What are they doing, trying to lose?" I looked . . .

Creating the Best Year of Your Life

At the end of each year, and on their birthdays, many people take time to reflect and look ahead. If you're one of these people, or if you would like to start getting the benefits from a little self reflection, then I have some great questions for you. These questions can be looked at once a year, once a month or whenever you're looking for some direction in your life. I invite you to take a go. . .

Habits What I Want For You

Think for a moment about your Self. Is there something that you would like to have, somewhere you would like to go, or something you would like to do? What is holding you back? I can probably guess at the possible answers:"Not enough money." "Not enough time." "I couldn't do that!" At the risk of going out on a limb, I am going to suggest that the only thing holding you back from doing what you. . .

How To Be a Champion in Your Life

Are you left with inspiration but no action after hearing, reading, and watching stories about other people who are successful? If so, you're not alone. I've got a question for you: Why watch Oprah when you can be on Oprah instead? Don't you see different guests on her show every day? They're people just like you. They didn't start out on Oprah, they ended up there and it wasn't by luck either.. . .

Avoid a Life of Regrets With Your Yes List

How many times have you told yourself "yes!" today? Not enough I bet. Yes is the most powerful word in the English language. Unfortunately, too many times we say yes to others when we should say no. At the same time we continue to tell ourselves no when we need to say yes. You deserve to create the life of your dreams. Period. The first step on that road is to learn to tell yourself yes before . . .

Scary Stuff

Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others. Probably all of us are wandering through life afraid of something – maybe a situation, an event or other people. Because we’re individuals with differing backgrounds and experiences, our fears vary from person to person. Some people have no problem parachuting from an airplane while others of us think that’s a really dumb idea and our. . .

Really Scary Stuff…

With the probable exception of some basic instincts – or motivation toward self-preservation – we’ve just flat learned to be afraid of about all the rest of the stuff we’re afraid of. I know, the word “about” is a cop-out but I’m using it because I’m not really sure where this next mega-fear comes from. Maybe it’s an instinct thing, too. I dunno… The one fear that trips most of us up is – t. . .

Guiltless Contentment

‘Have I stopped dreaming?’ ‘Why am I not as stressed?’ ‘Why am I not on the ‘move’ like most people of my age?’ Is something really amiss?’ Guilt in Contentment?Is there really such a thing as guilt in feeling contented?“Guilt may come from comparing your living conditions to others and not living up to your own standards. It arises from unreasonable demands on yourself especially when you fash. . .

The 5 Words That Are Ruining Your Life

How would you like to stop feeling like your life isn't good enough? (I realize advertisers would go broke if this happened, but it's better for you!) Imagine feeling joyful, whole and complete when you look in the mirror at the end of the day. What if I showed you how you're consciously creating circumstances and beliefs everyday that give you results you aren't happy with? Would you like to c. . .

Your Mindset Determines Your Life

To keep at the top of your game you have to keep a clear head. You can't afford to fill up on news and negativity. The world's overflowin' with it and the only way to be a winner is to be in control of your thoughts. Your thoughts become words, your words become actions and your actions become your destiny. Someone else came up with that, but I've always remembered it because it's true. Our act. . .

Transform Your Behavior Painlessly by Using the 5-Minute ...

Recently, I coached a young woman whom I’ll call Mary about how to make critical lifestyle changes. Mary had always struggled with her weight. She had no control over her eating and she could not maintain a consistent exercise program. That’s when I suggested that Mary try the 5-Minute Success Strategy to help her overcome her problem behavior. The beauty of this strategy is that you can us. . .

Success Takes Practice

As a speaker and trainer, people often approach me after one of my programs to tell me how excited they are about the strategies they have learned and how they plan to put these ideas into action. When I connect with these people later on and ask how the techniques are working for them, I usually get answers such as “I really planned to use them but then things got so crazy that I never had th. . .

What Are You Waiting For?

It’s the new millenium. Are you ready to finally realize your dream? I’m talking about the desire that you carry deep down inside of you that you attribute to some adolescent fancy. It’s the dream that isn’t practical and can’t possible be fulfilled. Well, it is possible to fulfill it and the time to do so is now.All The Reasons WhyMany of us think we have very sound reasons why we can’t achiev. . .

Triumphing Over Tough Times

Right now many people are facing tough times. Life as we once knew it has changed and we may find ourselves confronting situations we have never dealt with before.While we might not be able to control things that are occurring in the world, we can control how we react to what is happening. Specifically, we can control how we use our minds and thoughts to get through difficult circumstances. . . .

Appreciation Attracts Prosperity

Did you know that appreciation is one of the most powerful forces in the Universe for manifesting and attracting prosperity? According to teachers like L. Ron Hubbard (father of Dianetics), Abraham-Hicks and Drunvalo Melchizedek, appreciating yourself and your life can literally boost you to the highest vibrations. If you’re a student of prosperity or manifestation, you probably know that the h. . .

21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!

Imagine finally taking off seven coats youíve been wearing on top of each other for years and years. You've forgotten that some people consciously choose to live without seven layers of coats on even though most people are living that way.You remember the possibilities you imagined your life would be when you were a child. You decide to take off the coats and start running joyfully through the . . .

Don’t Let Motivation Cause You to Fail

Yesterday my teenage son Matt came home with a less than stellar report card. (Yes, even peak performance experts sometimes have trouble motivating others.) Now Matt is by no means stupid. The reason he got poor grades is because he did not do the work that was required for some of his classes. Why didn’t he do the work? According to him, he didn’t feel motivated to do it. After having a . . .

Living on Purpose: Achieving Balance Between Work And the...

Many of us get so caught up in day-to-day pressures that we often find ourselves reacting to external demands rather than designing lives that really fulfill us. While in today’s economic environment we face many stresses in our jobs, it is still possible to create balance between our work and personal lives. The following are some ideas to help you do just that:Determine What is Important to. . .

Positive Mental Attitude

Look at this glass on the table in front of you. Is it half-full or is it half-empty? Now, do you realize that it is entirely for you to decide what the answer to this question is going to be. The choice is yours. So, the very same reality can be seen in totally opposite ways: in a positive way, and in a negative way.And there is always a positive side to any thing, any situation, any event, an. . .