Albert Einstein said, “Man tries to make for himself in the fashion that suits him best a simplified and intelligible picture of the world.” That, “intelligible picture of the world” is the way that we personally perceive the world and everything in it.

In this personal picture of the world, everything tangible and non-tangible has a meaning and that meaning is the fruit of our own personal interpretation. That picture has nothing to do with reality. It’s our perception of reality. It is the way that we see and perceive everything.

Once conceived, that personal picture of the world becomes the roadmap that we use to navigate through life. It’s how we see the terrain that we must travel through on our life’s journey. For some, that map is filled with rough and perilous roads while for others it covers open and beautiful countries where traveling is easy and pleasant. It all depends on how we see our world.

A person who sees danger, obstacles and difficulties everywhere will have a corresponding map. Another one who sees opportunities, joy and abundance everywhere will also have a map that corresponds to that view of the world. Same world, different views, different map, different life.

If our views of the world make up the map that we use to guide us through our journey on Planet Earth, our main value constitute the destination toward which we are heading. For some, that main value may be financial success for others it might be spiritual growth or it can be artistic actualization or raising a happy family.

Each of us gets to choose the destination of his choice but the one thing that we have in common is the fact that the map that is used must lead to that destination. Just as a map of India could not be used to travel in the United States, a map that leads to scarcity cannot be used to reach the land of plenty.

Just as a lake cannot be found by using a map of the Sahara desert a fortune cannot be found by using a map leading to poverty. The desired destination has to be on the map used or that map is totally useless. If our personal map does not lead to our chosen destination, it must be changed by changing the way that we see our world.

It must always be kept in mind that the way that we see the world is nothing but our own interpretation of that world. By changing the perspective from which we look at our Universe, we can entirely change our vision of it.

Any changes that we want to affect in our life have to start with a change in beliefs. It is through our beliefs that our reality is created. Those beliefs are not dogmas. They are simply the result of our perceptions and perceptions are not reality. They are simply our way of seeing and interpreting.

In a few words, our interpretation of the world and everything in it creates a map that we use to navigate our way to destinations determined by our values. If the journey is to be successful the map that we use must lead to our intended destinations or values.

Now, if we feel that we are not getting closer to our destination (values/objectives) it probably means that we have the wrong map. When that is the case, the world must be looked at from a different perspective so that the proper map can be created.

Life offers us two choices. If we are willing to put in the time and efforts, we may design and build the life that we desire. If not, like a ship lost at sea, our fate will be sealed at the mercy of the tides and the winds. We can create a life or be dragged through it.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

Being positive does not mean shunning reality. It means expecting and knowing that there is a solution to your problems and that you’ll find it, work it and solve the problem or problems. It also means having faith and confidence in your resources, having faith in the future and not being stuck on dwelling about everything that is going wrong in the world.

The fact that you are positive does not mean that you cannot get angry once in a while. Sometimes the energy that anger provides is necessary. That is especially the case when you’ve reached the threshold of tolerance.

If you’re overweight and eating your way to an early grave, it’s OK to get angry and say, “That’s it. I’ve had it. This is not me; I’m smarter and more disciplined than that. From this day on, things are going to change.” Saying that and meaning it while angry is not being negative. You are simply using one more resource at your disposal to get things done.

There is no such thing as a bad emotion or a negative emotion. Emotions are negative only when used in a disempowering way. They all have their utility and they all can be empowering. Emotions are neutral. It’s the way that they are used that can either be positive and negative.

That being said, it’s now time to get into the nitty-gritty of what is meant by “being positive.” There is one element that is absolutely essential to be positive. That is the fact that action must follow reflection. Faith without work is dead and being positive without taking action is being delusional.

If you’re positive that you can make it to first base before the ball gets there and you stay at home-plate, you’re not positive. You’re being silly. It’s the same for everyday occurrences. If you are positive that a situation or a problem will be solved and you don’t actually take action to solve it, you’re worst than being negative. You’re kidding yourself.

To be truly positive, action has to follow thoughts. That’s the true test of a positive attitude. It’s also where talk about being positive can actually be truly negative. People who put faith in the positive attitude and do not include action in the process are not actually helping themselves. They are actually hurting themselves.

Simply being positive by itself has never helped anyone. We see them all the time, the eternal optimists who positively believe that some day, their ship will come home. The ship will not come home if you did not put one in the water in the first place.

The term, positive attitude, may be the greatest thing since sliced bread but it will not do much for anyone if it’s not fully understood and used the way that it should. Sliced bread will not be of much use if it stays in the bag and a positive attitude will not help if it’s not coupled with action.

A positive attitude can be a tremendous tool for achievement and for successful living. It can also be a way of hiding the head in the sand. It can be an explosive force so long as it has a detonating device. That device is called, action. With a positive attitude and some corresponding action, almost anything is possible. When we separate these two elements, life gets to be hard… real hard.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

The best way to grow is by translating our thoughts into written the words. We tend to think in wordless notions, abstract concepts and images. Most of our thoughts are vague and ephemeral. If a conscious effort is not made to put some order in our thinking pattern, little will change in terms of personal wisdom and self-growth.

The written word, on the other hand, brings clarity to fuzzy notions. It gives specific form to abstract feelings and makes it possible to parse and analyze otherwise obscure mental concepts.

Learning provides us with more information however, to be truly effective, that information has to be parsed by going through the reasoning process. We need to actively verify if the information received is valid or not, what it means for us and how we can apply it constructively.

That parsing and reasoning process can best be done when working with something tangible such as the written word. Writing something down makes it possible to have a pro-active interchange with those words. It is the next best thing to an actual dialogue with someone else. By being able to see those written word, we can actually converse with them.

Thoughts are fleeting. The written word is not. We’ve all had the regrettable experience of thinking of something fantastic that could have been a huge breakthrough for us and then completely forgetting what it was. It can prove to be most frustrating since it is something that could have been preserved if we had taken the time to jot it down.

Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and all the great thinkers of the world were also famous and prolific writers. They would constantly put their thoughts and reflections down in the written form. They understood and appreciated the value of the written word.

There are various ways that the written word can be used as a personal-growth tool. It can be done in the form of journaling, through personal diary, by keeping a daily log of thoughts and ideas or simply through random writing in notebooks or in Personal Digital Application gadgets.

High-powered executives are notorious for carrying some form of small digital voice recorders with them all the time. No matter where, no matter when, if an interesting idea or thought comes up, it can be recorded right away to later be transferred in the written forms. That way, nothing is lost or forgotten.

Breakthroughs, great thoughts and ideas are not restricted to the time that a person is awake. Many times they will strike during the middle of the night and wake the person up. Care should be taken to register those flashes of insight right way; otherwise, chances are very high that by morning, they will be forgotten forever.

Anything new that we learn has to be integrated in our overall personal philosophy if it is to be of any use for us. That integration requires some mental gymnastic. We have to wrestle with every new concept or theory that we stumble upon so that they can be harmoniously wired in the makeup of our psyche. That exercise can best be done through the use of the written words.

With the written words, we have something tangible to work with. Those words can be changed and the sentences can be rearranged to fit the exact mold that we need and want.

A simple new thought randomly acquired can be turned into a highly polished mental concept that will fit harmoniously with our previous conceptions and beliefs. And, it is this harmony of thoughts that will shed clarity and understanding where confusion and darkness resided before. That is how we evolve and grow.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

We are never too old to expand and grow. What nature has taken away in terms of physical integrity, it has given back on the levels of experience and maturity. The playing field may have changed but the opportunities and possibilities for growth have in no way diminished.

As we grow older, our bag of tool is better equipped, our bank of references is richer and the lights of experiences have replaced the shadows of doubts and incertitude. With maturity come opportunities.

Personal growth is above all a state of mind. The inquisitive mind will find the learning and growing lessons that reside in the petal of a flower, on the snowy peak of mountaintops or in the chips of computers. With the right state of mind, everything is a learning and growing lesson.

If knowledge is a function of growth and self-actualization, achievement is its expression. Knowledge without outward manifestation is moot. Knowing without using has no effect on the growing process. Wisdom without outlet and expression is like a song that no one can hear. Useless.

Personal growth also requires the domination of faith over fear. Faith fosters the necessary expression of life; fear promotes its archenemy, paralysis. Faith gives life the oxygen essential to its survival and expansion. Fear is the cold wind that freezes and paralyses the spark necessary for growth and expansion.

Faith in the future inspires and motivates. It clears doubts and shouts for action. It sustains in rough times and gives wings when the sailing is smooth. Faith is the fuel of achievements and the motor of self-expression. With faith, anything is possible, without it, life is nothing but a struggle for survival. That’s a fight that can only ends in eventual failure.

Life and growth also require the stimulating effects of the winds of changes. They need to experience the diversity of the unknown and the input of new conditions and situations. Growth and wisdom are the fruits of experience. Nothing can grow in the void. Once the juice has been sapped out of an experience, another one is needed to supply a new source of energy and inspiration.

Self-actualization requires succeeding and different challenges. Some of those challenges are graciously offered by life itself. Others are self-created. Both kinds serve a purpose but the latter are the best sources of input and wisdom.

To grow, we need to slay dragons, climb mountains and sail uncharted seas. That is where our resources are taxed to the limits; where true growth is spurred on and new and unsuspected insight flourishes. Those self-imposed challenges are the ultimate fertilizers needed to reach our full potential.

We are work in progress and so long as we remain as such, we are in life-growing mode. The moment that we decide to stop striving and start coasting, we are in deep trouble. The status quo is not an option. Either we grow or we go.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

It has happened to the best of us. Dark periods when nothing works and worst of all, when we don’t even know where to turn in order to change our luck, our karma or whatever you want to call it. That’s usually the time when fear shows its ugly head and cold chills start running in the back of our neck. Something needs to be done but we just don’t know what.

When that happens, it’s time to change our pattern of thinking. As Albert Einstein so aptly said, “Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.” When loom and doom gloom it’s time for a shift of paradigm. The focus must leave the outward circumstances and turn toward ourselves because we are the source and the generator of those unwanted circumstances.

We must accept responsibility for whatever is happening to us. Not an easy thing to do. There are thousands of excuses that we could use to explain our dilemma but those are useless and there is no way that they could help us turn the situation around. It is only be accepting responsibility for a situation that we can change that condition.

Accepting responsibility is not an easy thing to do. The reason for that is that responsibility seems to imply culpability also. This should not be the case. If we take a bad decision and things go sour, we are responsible for that decision but there is absolutely no culpability involved. We did the best that we could with the available information. Our judgment may have been faulty but that is not a reason to feel guilty about it.

We are the source and we are the generator of whatever happens in our life. Bad things do happen and when they do, we are left with two choices. We can blame outside circumstance, have the satisfaction of having been victimized by circumstances and go on with our sorry life. Or we can take responsibility, learn from what has happened, look inside of us to see what it is that we could do to help the situation and grow in the process.

Taking the responsibility stance is the strong and mature thing to do. It puts us in the driver’s seat and gives us the feeling of being in control of our life. No time is wasted and lost on futile recrimination. We are the Captain of our ship and the Master of our soul. Not some poor helpless victim who has been unfairly treated by life or the Universe.

Great men and women always took personal responsibility for whatever happened under their watch. It would have been easy for them to shift the blame for failure to someone else. The reason that they did not is not the fact that noblesse oblige. It is because they understood that when you’re a leader, you take responsibility when things go wrong and you credit others for the successes.

Not only is that the hallmark of greatness but it’s also the most effective way of leading a nation, an army or a personal life. We are the source; we are the generator of whatever happens in our life. That’s a metaphysical axiom and a time tested effective way of conducting our life.

I am the source; I am the generator of the unfolding of my life. Courageous and effective words. They hold nobility and effectiveness. We should never settle for less.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

There is however a major difference between the brain and a muscle. The muscle has a limited potential of growth whereas the scope of the brain is virtually limitless. It is said to be “virtually” limitless because scientist will never embrace the term absolute.

With all that brain potential, why is it that we so often get stuck? It’s because, unlike other intelligent apparatus such as computers, the brain does not come with an owner’s manual. Man must, through trials and errors, find out how the brain can best be used and exploited.

There are no specific methods by which we can improve the brain’s effectiveness but we do have certain theories that may prove to be helpful. Everyone is different so certain theory may be more effective in some case than in others. There is however a fundamental axiom that cannot be denied and that is the fact that our brain represents an unknown territory that must be explored before it can be fully exploited.

In other words, we don’t know what we cannot do until we’ve tried to do it. Too often we will jump to conclusions and decide that a specific task is above the scope of what we can do. That is a defeatist attitude and personal growth’s worst enemy. It is by tackling what seems to be impossible that we expand and grow.

It is by pushing against the unknown that we get to explore our mind and see what it is capable off. That exploration is not unlike that of the early settlers who had to explore the land to discover its potential before it could be exploited. Our mind is the terra incognita and we are the explorers.

Not unlike those early explorers, every discovery leads to the next. We had to learn the alphabet before we could read and we had to learn to read before we could write. Exploring the mind is like any journey; it is done one step at the time.

There is another theory that says that the brain is already omniscient, that is, that it already knows everything that there is to know and that our mission is to allow that knowledge to come forth into the consciousness. Seen in the right light, that theory has tremendous potential.

What’s easiest to find? Something that we know exists or something whose existence is uncertain. If we know that, somewhere in our mind, we already have the answer to whatever question that we may have, we have a much better chance of finding that answer than if we are not certain that the answer does exist. It may be just a matter of looking at the situation from a different perspective but, in many cases, it may prove to be much more effective.

Most of us have barely brushed the surface of our intellectual potential. We have all that brain potential just waiting to be explored, discovered and exploited. That exploration can only be done by pushing our limits and by experimenting with new or previously untouched areas of human endeavors.

What is essential to know is that we are much more than we are presently demonstrating. By going at it one step at the time, our journey of self-discovery will lead us to heights that will amaze us. The human brain is almost god-like as it can create the intangible and turn it into reality. Let’s not waste that precious gift.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

The object of this article is to discuss one of those very simple truth. A truth that is so self-evident that it is very hard to grasp, yet so important that it cannot be ignored. I was exposed to that truism at a Werner Erhard seminar a long time ago. Werner was aware that it would be difficult for us to truly accept that fundamental truth so he gave a whole seminars on the subject. Following those seminars, the attendees were supposed to be enlightened. And, in many cases, they were.

What then is that so important fundamental truth that was supposed to transform our whole life and leave us enlightened? It can be found in the coloquism that says, “What is, is. And what ain’t, aint.”

It is hard to believe that such a trite reflection can have such a powerful impact on someone’s life and it is even harder to believe that a person who “holds” this truth could in some way be enlightened. It is none the less true. Hundreds of thousands of people who have attended Erhard’s EST seminars can attest to that.

When we really “get” the reality of what “What is, is. And what ain’t, ain’t.” we understand that we have no choice but to accept the Universe as it is. We understand that wishing that circumstances were different is pointless, useless and detrimental to our peace of mind. Things are the way that they are and complaining or recriminating will not change anything.

It is a concept that is readily acceptable intellectually. The problem is to be able to integrate it emotionally. It does require the complete reversal of a primal instinct. From the first minute that we are born we understood that if we wanted something or if we were displeased with anything, all that we had to do was to cry and make a fuss and someone would come and give us whatever we wanted.

In many cases, the modus operandi has not changed. If the Universe does not provide what is expected, self-pity becomes the only option and tears stand as the only solution. Not a very edifying, mature or effective reactions.

Once the concept of, “What is, is. And what ain’t ain’t” is assimilated intellectually and emotionally, needless extra baggage of useless emotions is no longer a burden that has to be carried. Needless expenditure of negative energies is no longer required and the person is now free to pursue life in a more enlightened way.

Once the Universe is fully accepted as it is, all the available energy can be concentrated on taking the cards that life has dealt us in the moment and make the most of it. Not only is that the best available option, it’s also the only logical one.

In order to progress and grow, bad patterns of thoughts have to be replaced with more empowering ones. Our emotions cannot be allowed to rule rational thinking. The fact that the Universe is what it is at any given moment must accepted and the fact that we can only deal with the cards that we were dealt must also be accepted.

That is the path to self-actualization, the road to fulfillment and the highway to personal happiness.

More information on Werner Erhard and the EST seminars can be found here.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

It is a fact that we have to treat most people as if they were petulant three years old toddlers. When dealing with people, kid gloves are the order of the day. But that’s not all. Not only do we have to wear kid gloves but is has to be done in a way that will not appear to be condescending. A rather tall order.

This delicate approach is best accomplished by using the you-you attitude. That is, the person that we are addressing has to be given the number one priority. That person has to be the central pivot of the of the interaction. It has to be done in a way that the major and most important player in the communication is the person we are communicating with.

The reason that is has to be done that way is that we have all the control over our own actions but we have very little control over others. We can adapt to the situation but it is next to impossible to control someone else’s behavior.

There are times when we must disagree with others. It can be done and it can be done effectively so long as we start by agreeing with some part of the other person’s views. That is an essential element if we do not want our interlocutor to go on the defensive and start justifying his position.

Someone said, “A world without euphemism would be a barbaric one.” If we want to get along with people harmoniously, sometimes the truth has to be slightly colored. This by no way implies that a person should lie but tact and diplomacy never hurt anyone and has saved many situations.

Above all, we should never fall into the trap set by someone who claims that he wants the “honest truth.” That person feels to be on safe ground and is ready an eager for a spirited debate. The ideal way to deal with this situation is to agree to tell the truth but then proceed with caution. That person does not want the truth. That person wants to hear what he or she wants to hear.

There are also times when we have to reprimand someone. It can be done without creating any ill will by using the sandwich method. That is, the reprimand has to be sandwiched between two “slices” of compliments. First, we give a compliment, then we formulate the reprimand and close the conversation with another compliment. The admonition will be just as effective and no resentment will be created.

When dealing with people it must always be kept in mind that the least offense can create a scar that will last for a lifetime. Decades down the line, people may have forgotten almost everything about you but they will not have forgotten the hurt that you may have caused them. Such is human nature.

It must always be kept in mind that, the stronger the person, the more giving that person will be and the weaker a person is, the more demanding that person will be. The secret in dealing with people is to take the strong person’s stance. The strong person can meet the weaker one at his level without feeling diminished in the process. That’s a luxury that a weaker person cannot afford.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

With that in mind, it becomes obvious that even before we start formulating a message mentally, care and attention should be given to the motive of the communication and the feelings entertained toward the recipient of that message.

That would be especially important when trying to sell something. The salesperson should question himself as to the underlying motive of that sale. The question should be asked, “Do I want to make that sale to earn a commission or is my basic motive to be helpful to the person buying my product?”

The same reasoning should be used anytime that we are trying to influence someone else. The question then becomes, “Who will benefit from that message? I’m I looking after my own self-interest or am I trying to help the person that I’m talking to?” Better yet, “How can we both benefit from what I’m about to propose?”

The ideal motive for this type of communication would be where a win win situation is sought. Most people are mature enough to understand that a mutually beneficial proposition is usually better than the status quo.

Once this preparatory stage of a communication is done the second step would be to explore and find the best possible way that the object of the message can be easily understood by the listener. Just because we understand the object of our message, it does not mean that our listener will find it easy to grasp what we intend to say.

Before a notion can be understood, it must be supported by some references. Those references are called a priori. An a priori are references obtained from past experiences that can be used as a basis to understand a concept that is new to the person. As an example, if we wanted to explain what a tree was to a person who had never seen one, we could say that it was like a giant plant. Now if that person had seen a plant before it would be fairly easy to understand what a tree looks like. In this case the plant would serve as the a priori.

As we said previously, words are meaningless unless the recipient of those words understand what we are talking about. It would seem that this is self-evident. Unfortunately, it is not. Most of us can recall an incident where our accountant was trying to explain something to us. Not being very familiar with words like, equity, and plus value or compound interests, the accountant’s message was moot. That is, it was useless unless care was taken to see if we understood the meaning of those technical words.

It is said that the worth of a communication is determined by the response that it gets. There is no other obvious way of judging the quality of our communications. However if it is kept in mind that it is next to impossible to convey a message perfectly, chances are that we’ll take the necessary steps to get as close to perfection as possible.

Lastly, it should never be assumed that we were understood. Questions should be asked to verify if the message received is close enough to the message conveyed. If not, further explanation are required. That is, if we truly wish to be understood.

In recap, the heart speaks louder than the brain. Others do not share our baggage of experiences therefore will interpret words, notions and ideas differently. And, lastly, never assume. Ask.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/

We were born with noting but potential for growth and favorable predispositions for some talents. It’s one of nature’s laws that as living entities, job number one is to develop as much as we can the gifts that we were given at birth. That natural law says that an organism is either growing and expanding or it is withering and dying. There is no standing still in nature.

Human growth can be done through formal education, through interpersonal interactions or through lived experiences. For most adults, personal growth is done through experiencing and more specifically through the experiences of goals or objective seeking.

A perfect example of that would be someone who’s goal would be to have his own business. In the process of building that business, many challenges will have to be met, the unknown will have to be explored and ingenuity will be sharply tested. The person who started that project will have evolved tremendously by the time that it is up and running. That’s personal growth through the pursuit of goals or objectives.

It also stand to reason that the bigger the goal, the more difficult it is to attain, the more it will offer opportunities for personal growth and self-actualization. All the greats of this world knew that and used it to their advantage. If we study the way that they did it and emulate them we stand a better chance of going farther than we ever thought possible.

One of the most important distinction that the great minds and great achievers did was to attach their objectives to a cause. More specifically, to a cause that was larger and bigger than they were themselves. They understood that being involved in a cause that is bigger than you are will exponientally accelerate your growth and propel you beyond your wildest expectations.

Donald Trump was not only intent on making a fortune. He wanted, to use his own words, “To make a statement.” He wanted to change the landscape of New York City. Arnold Schwarzenegger did not only want to be the best bodybuilder in the world. He wanted to make bodybuilding a respectable sport that would be acceptable to all the levels of society and thus contribute to push the health and fitness ideal throughout the world.

Fighting for a cause that is bigger and larger than we are gives us wings. It sustains, inspire and motivates. It turns ordinary individuals into extraordinary giants. Serving a cause dwarfs personal and individual interests. People are at their best when they stand for an ideal.

Success is meaningless if it does not involve self-actualization. And the ideal way of acquiring both the success and the self-actualization is to amalgamate the personal objectives with a cause larger than self. It does require some imagination, some planning and some thinking outside of the box. But the rewards are phenomenal.

We come this way only once, so we must strive to make the most of it. We were placed on Earth for a purpose and that purpose is one that we get to chose and define for ourselves. Makes it a great cause. That’s what the greats of this world did.

Life is too short to be small. Aim for the sky and you may reach the stars. And, even if you don’t you will have achieved the noblest goal. To be all that you could be. That’s the ultimate goal.

This Blog can be viewed and debated with the members of Personal Development For Personal Success Forums by clicking here.

This article may also be reproduced so long as it is mentioned that it was first published in http://shamoublog.com/