So, here we are, nearing the end of March, which was designated National Optimism Month in the U.S. Earlier this month, I challenged you to make a conscious effort to notice the negative, then another conscious effort to turn each negative around to a positive. How did you do?

If I remember my own insights when I happened upon this idea, the first thing I realized was just how negative the world around me really was. I hadn't heard it before, but once I became aware, I couldn't hang around in the teacher's lunchroom. The negativity actually soured me on… >>>

What does it really mean to commit ourselves to something? Today let's look at what commitment means and why it matters.

All of us have a deep need to be involved in the world. This need is expressed in our desire for close relationships and social encounters, our need to feel valuable and connected in a vital way to life, and our need to have our actions count.

But commitment means little without some kind of affirmative action. It is what we choose to do that determines the nature of our commitment. Commitment means making a choice and giving ourselves… >>>

There is no question about it: Commitment is a key to success whether it's in a marriage, a business, personal and professional growth, or sports.

What made Larry Bird one of the best players in basketball? He was considered slow, and many thought he could not jump. Sometimes it almost looked like he was playing in slow motion. But Larry Bird succeeded as a player because he was totally dedicated to success. He practiced more, played harder, and had more mental toughness than most of his competitors. He got more out of his talents than almost anyone did.

The same… >>>

What happens to an ongoing relationship when you decide to change? Let's try to answer this important question today.

As you move forward with your plans for personal growth and change, there is bound to be a consequent change in your closest relationships. You see, your personal changes may be threatening to a partner who is insecure with change. You may find yourself facing spoken or unspoken messages that say, in essence, "Change back! You can't grow because I don't want you to!"

If this happens, you have to decide what is best to do. You may choose to return… >>>

Today let's discuss some answers to the following question: "When is it too late for people to change?"

You know, there are a lot of people out there who believe that it's never too late to change, and in general, I'm one of them. I certainly believe that positive change can be achieved at any and every age, and in just about every human condition.

Now, I believe this because I've seen it happen over and over again. There simply is no upper limit to the age at which people can choose to grow and change. But there's a catch… >>>

Is there anything about your life that you'd like to change? If so, maybe I can help. If not, I'm concerned about you, and I'll tell you why.

What would you like to change about your life? If you'd like to do more than hope for this change, it's a good idea to write out specific goals and sub-goals detailing the steps you need to take in order to get there.

It's also a good idea to support your change efforts by using affirmations and visualizations, because all meaningful and lasting change starts on the inside first, and then moves… >>>

I'd like to give you something to think about over the weekend, but I need you to get this information so you can be aware of your surroundings tomorrow. What's the talk like where you work? Do people put each other up or do they run each other down? You know, the way we talk to ourselves and to each other has a powerful effect on what we are able to accomplish.

In organizations where the talk is negative, where people gossip about each other and take every opportunity to complain and gripe about problems, and where people take a… >>>

Did you know that you could borrow from the past to help create the future? 

There's a special technique we teach in our seminars that can help you do your best whenever you want to. It's called, "flick-back, flick-up" and it works like this:

Let's say I'm going to give a talk at someplace unfamiliar and I'm feeling a bit nervous. Mentally, I will "flick-back" to a triumphant situation in my past - a time when I did a good job and felt really in control. I visualize that situation and I see myself doing a great job. I remember… >>>

Are there significant differences between older adults and their younger counterparts? The latest research says there is. If you are in business, you need to know exactly who it is you sell to. And, if you sell to older adults, you will be especially interested in what I have to say today.

You see, according to David Wolfe, author of "Serving the Ageless Market," there is a big difference in thought patterns and values between older adults and their younger counterparts. For example, in middle age, quality begins to gain over quantity in importance. This leads many middle-aged and older… >>>

If you could peel away all the outside stuff like behavior and pretending, do you think human beings are basically good?  

I know there are some individuals in the world who think that people are essentially bad, and that goodness has to be pounded into us, more or less against our will. I don't buy it. I believe that people are basically good. Why, just look at a baby - any baby in the world - if you want to test the idea.

Babies aren't evil or resistant or fearful. Babies, given basic care and affection, are by nature happy… >>>

We all like to feel approval from others. However, when our desire for approval becomes too strong, we are in trouble.  

Everyone likes to feel accepted and approved of. But for some of us, especially folks who didn't get much as children, the desire for approval becomes a need, even an addiction. When that happens, we are in big trouble. To meet our own desperate need, we behave in ways that may have nothing at all to do with how we really think and feel. We are almost never happy, because we are trying to use those around us to… >>>

If you really believe something to be true, why in the world would you want to change that belief?  

When we talk about the power of beliefs in our seminars, we are sometimes asked the following question: "If I really believe something is true, how can I deliberately change that belief without betraying myself?"

This is an important question, and my answer would go something like this: "Belief systems are no more fixed and unchangeable than the length of your hair or the quality of your relationship with another person."

Now, all of us have core beliefs that are so… >>>

Do you ever catch yourself saying things like, "Nothing ever goes right for me?" If so, pay close attention to what I have to say today.

Do you think that nothing ever goes right for you? Do you believe that you are just an unlucky person, and that no matter what you do, you will probably fail? Well, you are right, but not for the reason you think. We've been talking about beliefs for a while now. You have probably surmised that each one of us has a set of beliefs, and we act in accordance with those beliefs.

Now,… >>>

On Monday, I mentioned that March is National Optimism Month. While Monday's message was met with appreciation in some areas of the Winner's Circle Network, I have been taken to task by a few readers who wrote that they think I have lost connection with reality. Maybe I have, but maybe not.

If you read the daily news, or listen to the radio (especially some talk radio shows), it is not easy to see much that is positive. The last few weeks have been particularly difficult, especially here in my own Pacific Northwest.  And, it being an election year, the… >>>

Your beliefs are the compass and the maps that guide you toward your goals. Today, I am going to discuss how we can use them a bit more effectively.

Do you realize how important your beliefs are? There is no more powerful directing force in human behavior than belief. The people who have changed history - Columbus, Einstein, Edison, Christ, Mohammed, and others like them - have been the people who have changed our beliefs. In many ways, the power that beliefs have over our lives defies the logical models most of us have. However, it is clear that powerful… >>>

How many of your beliefs about yourself were put there by others who may have been well-meaning, but mistaken?

Do you believe that you just don't have what it takes to succeed in life - that you are not smart enough, strong enough or capable enough to achieve much?  

If so, where did you originally get those beliefs? It could very well be from adults who gave you, when you were very young, their opinions about you. And because these people were your authorities, you took in these beliefs and made them your own.

But, did you know that many… >>>

Today I am going to give you a quick and easy way to look at your belief system. However, what you see may surprise you.

In these emails and in my seminars, I talk a lot about belief systems and how they affect what you are and do in life. I am convinced that there is nothing - and I mean nothing - more important than beliefs, expectations and attitudes, when it comes to determining what happens to you in life.

Now, I promised you a quick and easy way to see what your belief system is like, so here… >>>

If you have negative beliefs about yourself, did you ever stop to take a look at how they got there in the first place?

We all have beliefs about who we are and what we are like. However, we were not born with these beliefs, so how did we get them? Well, one of the most common ways is by what we are told about ourselves by others when we are young - especially by important grownups like parents and teachers. Now this telling can be verbal or nonverbal, and for our own sanity, it is important that they match.… >>>

Sometimes, not knowing things can cause trouble. Other times, just the opposite is true.  

How comfortable are you with not knowing? Now, not knowing some things can be a real disadvantage. It is important to know what you need to know in order to succeed at work, at home, and in any other way you choose.

But sometimes, not knowing can be a plus, and I'll tell you what I'm talking about.

Did you ever have a dream or a goal and you say to someone, "Here's what I'm going to do," and they say to you, "Oh yeah?  How… >>>

Today I want to talk a bit about the most thankless job on the planet, and it may be your job. Years ago, it used to be mine - my kids will be more than happy to confirm this. 

Do you know anyone who thinks it is their job to shape up everybody else? Ask them why they do it, and they will tell you it is only for the good of others.  

You see, they were conditioned to believe that if you don't do things their way, you are doing them the wrong way. They can give you a… >>>