15 INSPIRING QUOTES FROM JAMES ALLEN

1. “The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” -Jamesallen
2. “Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are”James Allen
3. ”As a plant springs forth and could not be without the seed, so every act of man springs forth from the hidden seeds of thoughts” James Allen
4. “Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. Your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil"-James Allen
5.  “Not what he wishes and prays for does a man gets, but what he justly earns” -James Allen
6. “Man cannot choose his circumstances he can choose his thoughts and so indirectly, yet surely shape his circumstances” -James Allen
7. “You cannot alter external things, nor shape other people to our liking, nor mould the world to our wishes but we can alter internal things our desire, passions and thoughts” -James Allen
8. “As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking.” -James Allen
9. “A man’s mind may be likened to a garden which may be cultivated intelligently or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected it must and will bring forth” -James Allen
10. “Only by much searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained and man can find every thought connected with his beings if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul”-James Allen
11. “Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace”  -James Allen
12. “We think in secret, and it comes to pass. Our environment is but our looking glass.” -James Allen
13. “There can be no progress, no achievement without sacrifice.” -James Allen
14. “Cherish your visions. Cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.” -James Allen
15. “He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it”  -James Allen

 What's your thoughts  on these inspiring quotes , do you believe in them.? Share your view with the world.

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU INDISPENSABLE

In this fast moving and highly competitive world, what makes you stand tall in the mist of similar products? After landing that  dream job what provides the momentum to keep going and  to move up the corporate ladder? After asking myself these and many similar questions; I keep hearing the sound of this words echoing all around my heart- BE INDISPENSABLE! Dare to be the one everybody wants to associate with.

If a man can really become indispensable, what would it take? Today, I share with you some great tips to become indispensable and move up the corporate ladder than it seems possible.Enjoy

the future is now

1) Don’t think about now, think about the future. If you concentrate on skills that are being taught in our school systems, you will not become indispensable, but rather, just another Ghanaian Graduate. You need to become a thought leader  such that you are years ahead of your colleagues at the workplace. Think about what is likely to happen in the future in your chosen field and prepare for it.This sometimes means that you have to make guesses or assumptions,good do it and remember to  back them with research (educated guess).

2) Maximize your Strength : Everyone in the world has something he is good at, look at ways you can transfer that into your current occupation. Listen, if you are good  at creating websites or a techy person, allocate all your time to learning as much as you can. If you know what your strengths are, try to elevate those strengths into personal branding nirvana. Those strengths can turn into the skills you need to be indispensable.

3) Burry your head in Books: Not enough people read,especially in my country Ghana. This is a great advantage,if you get filled by the words contained in books and  absorb the lessons in it; you would be way ahead of people in your field.You would always find 101 ways to kill a Giant with a single stone just like David. The more you learn today, the better off you’ll be tomorrow. 

4) Be the Go-to Person: Be the one everybody want to go to. When they need help in finishing an assignment be the one they would turn to.When the computer is loading very slow and they can’t  get the work finished on time;be  the first person they would turn to for help. Let the word on everyone’s mouth be go to ……. . Do this any you would never be thrown out of a job for life.

Dare to be unavoidable and they would keep coming for more of what you have to offer. 

What Next?

Do you know any other ways, to be indispensable? Why don’t you hear it with me.

MEN ARE FROM MARS,WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS

Just yesterday, I got a free  copy of my favorite book on relationship, “Men are from Mars,Women are from Venus”. Personal ,I consider it to be one of the best books on relationship and a must read for any wanna-be husband and wife. Most people are eager to enter into a relationship  but few spend time and effort nurturing their relationship. A great and a fulfilling relationship demands work, I can tell you that for sure (though I am not a relationship expert).Come to think of it, do I need to be an expert in relationship before I give you some advice? If no, then take time to read some great relationship advice culled from “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus” and of course from my personal experience.

Here are some healthy relationship advice for the year( if you plan of entering into one, or needs to add a spark to yours).

• Men are from Mars: Yes, all men are from mars, Men value power, competency, efficiency, and achievement. They are always doing things to prove themselves and develop their power and skills. Their sense of self is defined through their ability to achieve results. They experience fulfillment primarily through success and accomplishment. Men care very little about people and feelings, what moves them most is achieving their goals and taking on new challenges. This what makes them feel better.If you are a lady and realizes that your boy friend spend less time with you; get to know this bitter truth: Men value power, accomplishment and success.
• Women are from Venus: Because women came from venus, they have different values. They value love, communication, beauty, and relationships. Their sense of self is defined through their feelings and the quality of their relationships. They experience fulfilment through sharing and relating. Communication is of primary importance to women. To share their personal feelings is much more important than achieving goals and success. Talking and relating to one another is a source of tremendous fulfillment. If you are a Guy, get this right, women don’t care much about the contract you won, or the football match this weekend; what makes them fulfilled is the time you spend talking to them and hearing them talk.Their fulfillment comes from communication.

• Never date a man who is proud that he doesn’t read. He’s telling the world, “I know it all,” or, “I’m lazy,” or “Learning is not a priority.” A woman can never change such a man. Change has to be self-propelled; when you date a reader, you date someone who is open to change. The man who’s proud he doesn’t read will also be the man who refuses to get counseling when your marriage is on the rocks.

• Learn to listen : In the world of women, listening is key, every women  falls in love with a man who listens to her whilst she pours out her problems or challenges. Don’t be quick to recommend a solution when a woman is talking about her challenges. She doesn’t need that; she just needs someone to talk to and that person is you. Be patient and listen to the end, even if you consider what she is saying to be of less importance.

• Never tell a man or woman that God told you, you two were meant for each other. Don’t use the “thus saith the Lord” tactic. I have seen a lot of God fearing men and women in our churches and on the university campuses using this tactics. Only to find out that the relationship has fallen on rocks in some few months. . If  GOD told you, don’t you think he’ll tell him/her too? 
• Give Positive Affirmation: If she looks beautiful, voice it out, don’t swallow the words. If the suit he is wearing looks  nice on him, tell him. One key component in maintaining a healthy relationship is to praise or complement each other. Say it and mean it, it becomes the cement that binds the love together

• Make time to Pray: Prayer is the foundation of every good relationship, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Unfortunately, most people in relationship don’t pray together at all, they base the relationship on love and feelings. Forgetting that the Devil is seeking for  a chance to tear them apart just like he did to Adam and Eve.Quit the partying, get to a garden.Hold hands and seek the face of God. 

You still don't believe that men are from mars and women from venus? Read on !

• Women want to settle down and have babies... Men just want women to have their babies so they can sit at home and take care of them, while they go out and play poker with their buddies.....
• Women wont leave the house without makeup on....Men just roll out of bed 
• Women love drama.....Men love drama caused by violence...... 

• Women want love.....We all know what men want  

HOW TO START A CONVERSATION

 How important is it to know how to start a conversation? Have you ever found yourself at a networking event or a student gathering and you don’t even have clue of the first word to say?  In this post, I want to deal with essential communication skills, one that has the potential to make the difference in your life -- both socially and professionally.

Do you remember how often you have been standoffish in a crowd, how often you have given the false impression that you’re uninterested in getting to know others, until one person dares to approach you and start a conversation? Ten minutes later you can’t shut up, and you have a new friend or two. Well, today, I dare you to be different make the first move. These tips would definitely help you improve your communication skills for your professional and social life.

• Tip One : Use inviting Body Language

bodylanguage

Before saying anything verbally, you have the opportunity to break the ice with body language to gives others the visual indication that you’re a friendly, inviting person.
Body language that sparks conversations can include simple things like an appropriate smile, and not closing yourself off with crossed arms. Another way to seem more friendly when trying to start a conversation includes modulating your tone of voice and the pace at which you speak; a relaxed, self-confident voice is far more inviting than speaking quickly as though in a nervous panic, releasing a bored sigh, or saying your initial hello in a dull, disinterested tone.When ever you say hello to someone, try to stretch your hand at elbow length to establish contact with the arms of the person. But be careful not to overuse this, and never stretch your hand to a lady until she initiates that act first.

• Tip Two: Start with an Open ended Question

Never start conversations with “Hello” because the conversation would go dead immediately the person responds with “Hi” (Try this if you don’t believe me). Of course if the conversation does survive you may follow up with either “How are you?” or “My name is  ...” and the response would definitely be,” I am fine, thank you” or “…. Is my name”. So what is an open ended question, and how do you use it in a conversation? An open-ended question is one that does not demand a sharp  quick answer and engages the person to talk on length about the question asked.

So if it is a networking event or  a seminar you can simple use the following:

“Tell me about yourself”

“How long have you been coming for such programs?”

“What do you expect to learn after the seminar?”

Keep in mind that the question you ask, would depend on your level of familiarity with the person or where you find yourself at the point in time.

• Tip Three: Reword their answer into a new question

Great conversationalist never introduces anything new; just turn the answer to their question into another question.

You can keep this conversation rolling not by changing the subject or asking a new follow-up question. Rather, do so by rewording their answer into a new question, even if you know that you’re not really saying anything new. It won’t appear that way; instead, you give the impression that you’re listening, that you empathize and that you have a general rapport with this person -- all key aspects of a good conversationalist.

Tip four: leave the Conversation to their control

Up until now, you have attempted to steer and control the conversation without appearing overeager. At this point, you should have positioned the other person as the primary talker in the conversation and yourself as the listener. The wider benefit of this positioning is fairly simple: That person will more likely recall the conversation as an enjoyable one if they did more of the talking.

Human Nature 101 teaches us that, whether we’re fully aware of it or not, we are our own favorite topic. Coming in at a close second is whatever other topic we happen to be discussing at the moment.

Thus, provided you have them talking, you shouldn’t have to work so hard to maintain the flow of conversation.

Credit:askmen.com

20 MOST COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES

How do you prepare for an interview? Most young graduates do not have a clue on how or what to do during or before an interview.Well, if you do not know what an interview is; it is just a face to face interaction with a potential employer or client.

A job interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their company, organization, or firm.

It is the opportunity to sell yourself and tell the employer or client what you can do to help his company grow.Unfortunately, many young graduates in Ghana,blow off this chance because the educational system do not provide them with the skills to succeed in the competitive job environment or they are too busy chasing after high grades and chewing lecture notes. What a Pity!
Having survive a couple of job interviews and networking, i would love to share with you 20 most common interviewing mistake,be it for a job or for networking purpose. I would just list those mistakes without elaboration. Please drop me  your comment if you want me to go a bit further on a point. I would gladly do so.

 The Most Common Interview Mistakes

• Poor appearance: Not knowing the appropriate attire for the occasion.

• No eye contact: looking upwards or downwards without looking eye ball to eye ball with the interviewer
• Lack of courtesy: Using rude or impolite language.

• Lack of career plan: Having  no idea of  of what career he or she desires or where that  chosen career would lead him or her to.
• Slang language - not speaking in complete sentences. (eg. We gonna be de best)
• Short-term employment: Just want to work for a year and later move on to get a better job.
• Being overbearing
• Late: Arriving 30 minutes after schedule
• Sloppy Cover letter and CV: Nothing convincing about the application letter,just a template full of Grammar
• Lack of enthusiasm: No zeal for the job, just needs a job to keep up with the pressures of life.
• Lack of confidence: Scratching the hair whilst answering questions
  
• Showing nervous habits
• Over emphasis on money:How much are you going to pay me?
• Poor scholastic record: Poor grades at both tertiary and high school levels
• Lack of maturity
• Lack of knowledge of field of specialization: find out more about the job and what skills  are required to stand tall in the field.
• Unwilling to relocate: Just want to be where mommy is
• Intolerant prejudice
• Never heard of the company: Oh! A friend gave me your address and says i should apply
• Wanting too much too soon: Would you give me a car and a clothing allowance?

Thanks for reading.Let me know what you have learnt drop me your comment.

CHALLENGES FACING THE GHANAIAN GRADUATE

It is the dawn of a new year and like many unemployed graduates hopes are soaring high. The burning desire to get a job is on the top list of every one ,most especially if you are a graduate from any of the tertiary institutions in Ghana . 

What really is graduate unemployment and whose duty is it to  get us a job?

Simply put, Graduate unemployment is unemployment among people with academic degrees. In Ghana, it is not uncommon to come across people with first and second degrees queuing  and struggling to get a job which would otherwise be considered as job for the unskilled hand. Graduate unemployment is on the increase and a group calling itself the Unemployed Graduates Association of Ghana (UGAG) has over 3,500 membership across the country( can you just imagine that!). The situation of graduate unemployment is not only a problem in Ghana, but swings across the rest of Africa; from Algeria to Zambia.

So whose job is it to provide jobs for the unemployed Graduates? Can anyone provide me with the answer?

Today, I just want to post on the challenges that face Graduates in the 21^st century. My post is not intended to mock my fellow colleagues still searching for jobs, but its objective is to create a minded set that believes in the possibility and that challenge the status quo, so we can become valuable  potential employees. I wonder what that mean, ‘cause I don’t see myself as an employee.

Challenges in Securing a Job in Ghana

•  High level of Competition

In a packed stadium almost everyone keeps his or her eye on one thing, the ball. That is just the situation at hand, too many Graduates chasing after few jobs. You  just complete university  and you have your eye on your dream job, only to  realize you are not the only person in the boat.There are  thousands of potential candidates out there  with hopes of working in the same company. When I was in my final year in the university ,almost everyone in my class had hopes of working at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission or Ghana National Petroleum Company. My colleagues who were also studying engineering  had hopes of Working at the Tema Oil Refinery  , Volta Aluminum Company or  Electricity cooperation of Ghana. So who should get the job, assuming a vacancy exists? We were all qualified and all have the relevant knowledge to perform satisfactorily. So what can you do to differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd? You need to ensure your resume is in the top 5-10% of all resumes. I am not talking of a template kind of CV but a CV that talks to a potential employee of what you can do and what you have done. This is where the next challenge comes in

• Lack of  Relevant Work Experience

the graduate

You met the CEO of UT Bank, he agrees to offer you a job based upon an answer to one simple question, WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR MY COMPANY?   What would be your response?

One of the sure ways to find a job in Ghana is to find a precise answer to the above question. Unfortunately, most graduates do not have anything under their sleeves to offer a potential employer. They spend years in schooling storing up knowledge and have no clue on what to do with the knowledge once they get out of the four walls of the university. Employers don’t care so much about your degree or what you studied in school. They want to know what you have done and what you can do for their company to grow.

The key advice to all graduates (and those preparing to graduate) is to seek work experience. This advice seems like common sense however gaining work experience (even if it means working for free) can help you plan out your career and gain vital experience in competitive industries. When the time comes to apply for full time work, your work experience can be the difference in setting you apart from your competitors.

• Further Education Vrs  Job Seeking

An old  high school mate wanted to find out about a Master program from my Alma Mata. After  giving him the necessary info and who to contact, it set me thinking. This friend is now doing his national service and his already thinking of a master’s degree. I don’t have any problem with further education, but what has this person done with his knowledge from his first degree and seeking to do a masters programme. Most graduates get confused in choosing between further education and working. They want to gather relevant work experience before fine tuning their career, on the other hand, the jobs are not forth coming. What then do they do?

Do you continue to study or start straight away with the job seeking? Many graduates don’t have a choice in this matter but for those who do, continuing to study can lead to greater results long term (financial and job position) and also further help distinguish yourself apart from other graduates. On the other hand it is  better to start working ,gather the relevant experience ,get your foot in the door and later think of further education. There’s no better education then real life experience of learning on the job.

What Next?

I can go on talking on 101 challenges facing Ghanaian Graduates, but I just have one concern. Who DUTY is it , to get us the JOB? Drop me your answer.

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

Thinking of becoming a Leader,do you one day dream of excelling in your area of leadership,to be an inspiration for the leaders yet unborn, are you still struggling to be the leader you always prayed for? Well, I also had those desires till i begun working on my leadership capabilities, just know that leadership is skill that can be  acquired and as John  C. Maxwell a renowned leadership expert puts it   

“Everything rises and falls on leadership". 
Leadership has therefore become one of the vital  component  for peak performance, whether you are leader of a church, or an association  it very important that you become that kind of leader that has the ability to deal with situations.

This article  would help you become the leader you have always dreamed of

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

You may have asked your self this question over and over again, well you are not alone.Many a time people  ask for the definition of leadership in churches ,schools and seminars.And goes on further to investigate whether,one is born a leader ,or it is a skill to acquire, well this definition may clear those doubts:

Leadership is not a Position, leadership is the ability to  influence other people to achieve set goals,it is the ability to have followers and the ability to deal with situation

John C. Maxwell said,” A leader is great not because of his or her power,but  because of his or her ability to empower others.” Leadership requires influencing and empowering followers  to achieve a set goal or to work towards a common vision.A person’s  level of effectiveness has a direct link with his leadership ability.

Although some are born leaders,leadership can be developed and it shows how  you have mature through personal development.One key thing to note about leadership is that it begins in the heart and not in the head, you show people  your  leadership competence by demonstrating to them how much you care, as it is rightly said,”People  don’t  care how much you know until they know how much you care.”The level of care you show towards  your colleagues, subordinates  and  masters brings out the leader that lies within you.The only way to lead people is to love them ,and love is true leadership.Have you ever being untrusted with a task, in the house or in school, that is an indication that you are a leader.My second definition of leadership is:

LEADERSHIP IS A TRUST 
When ever someone trust  you to be able to do an assignment it shows your leadership competence, they do not  believe they can do it ,so they entrust you to be able to do a very good and effective work than they will.Be  very accountable when ever people entrust something to you,or else they lose their trust in you forever.

 Still want to know more?, One key component of leadership is that, it is a test, you would be tested with difficult task as you climb high the ladder, just like playing a super mario game where each stage seems difficult than the previous one, you would be test at each level of your life, whether, you are in school, or a worker, the ability to do the assignment well,is a measure of true leadership.


LEADERSHIP IS A TEST
Yes, leadership is a test, and a test you must pass. Each time in our life we are tested and the more we pass the test the more our leadership potentials  are sharpened, as a true leader you would be test in every situation you meet, your ability to pass that test is the key to greater accomplishment in life. Knowing how to swing a gulf is one thing , but doing it correctly every time  is another, don't just learn about leadership, put yourself in a test and pass them.Today, you have being blessed to know a little about leadership, how about reading my article on  the Three kinds of leaders.

What Next?

You can share this article with the millions who may not have had access to this, it would make the world a world of leaders.Thank You and don't forget to leave your comment below ,it keeps me going.

Personal Branding tips for Graduates

Hi, i stumbled upon a great blog post from personalbrandingblog.com  which i believe would be  great for any young graduates searching for a job in Ghana.Please take some few minutes to read this post and drop me your comments.

Now the Content

I know a lot of graduates who are very concerned with their chances as nabbing a job when they graduate. I decided to write a post to help guide you to the promise land, give you a load of confidence and hope, as well as point you in the right direction. Getting a job after college can be a terrible and annoying process, but I’ve been there, so I know how it feels and I want to help you. This post is for you college students!
This post also appears as a guest post on Gradspot.com.
1. Go through your Network Strength Pyramid
Networking is paramount for getting in-demand and desirable jobs throughout your career. It will also save you from months of labor intensive work submitting your resume to job boards and corporate websites. I developed the “Network Strength Pyramid” to show people that they need to start thinking of everyone they meet as a possible connection to a new opportunity.
Your family is your strongest connection, followed by friends and then acquaintances sit at the bottom.
When you have built rapport and a relationship, the chances someone would drop what they are doing to help you increases significantly. Most people won’t be compelled to go out of their way for you when you meet them for the first time.

Make your life one big networking event!

2. Change your mindset
Recent grads must understand that working conditions are rough right now. There have been 1.9 million layoffs since January and the job growth rate for entry-level graduating seniors is only at 1.3%. This means you need to do things differently. If you follow the same advice you’ve ever gotten in the past, then you will only have results equal to that, and in this economy, that means failure.
You need a “brand you” mindset to succeed, not just in acquiring a job, but keeping it and progressing in it. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own brand, much like Coca Cola and Nike. You get to name your colors, logo, and overall experience. How would you describe “brand you” to others?

Forget about getting a job title; make your own job title.

In a world where things are constantly changing, you need to be the commander of career, which means that at the end of the day, success lies in your hands!
3. Collect everything you’ve already done and put it to work
One of the sad parts of life is that people are obsessed with what you’ve done in the past. When I wanted to get a job, I leveraged every single project I did in the past as case studies for the future. For instance, I led a team to establish a business plan in college, created websites for companies and did cool projects in my internships at LoJack and Reebok. I was then able to use the results of the projects in a marketing pitch to get a job when I graduated.
I know you might want to forget about the past, but trust me, it’s worthwhile to catalog everything you do, just in case something you’ve done applies to a future job.
4. Are you an entrepreneur or a corporate employee?
This is a very important question to ask yourself because it depicts what you’ll be doing upon graduation. If you’re an entrepreneur, you may be looking to start a business immediately, continue a business you started in college or work for a company, until what you’re doing outside of work takes off. If you want to be a corporate employee, then you will want to get a job when you graduate, and possibly go to graduate school, so you can move up into management as soon as possible.
5. Use social media to build personal equity

Having trouble networking, getting your ideas out there and claiming a piece of the digital world? Look no further than social media to provide a channel by which you can accomplish all three. I would recommend starting a blog that relates to both your passion and expertise.
Next, I would ensure that you register your name on the top social networks and link from one to the next. Links build equity in your sites, leaving your sites ranking higher in Google, so people can find you. The reach of the internet using these tools is extraordinary and can help you connect with the right people at the right time.

Credit: Dan Schwabel 

How to Make the Right Choices

Each day, we make countless choices. How can we be sure we are making the right decisions? As the new year unfolds, i want to assist you make the right choices.Here are a few suggestions:

choices

1. Be aware of where the road leads
Choose intelligence. Not every decision we make is a moral choice. Sometimes its just a matter of choosing between stupidity and intelligence. For example, if you are a young nonsmoker and your friend offers you a cigarette, don't take it. That would be stupid. If you're looking for the path to happiness, it is easy to find. Just avoid the paths with signs that say STUPID and follow those that say SMART. Easy enough to do, but you have to remember to check the signs before you start down a path. As Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote, "He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determine the end."

Whenever we are at a fork in the road, we will find that one of the paths is easy to take, but that may be the only thing good about it. So, look carefully. You may find that one path tempts you and the other ennobles you. Choice the one that ennobles you. Learn how to withdraw from temptation. For as it is written in the Bhagavad Gita, "Even as a tortoise draws in its limbs, the wise can draw in their senses at will."
2. Do what you can
Decide what you CAN do, not what you WANT to do. Our wants are insatiable. We want to do everything. But how can we become anything if we want to become everything? Choose worthwhile goals that you have time for. Set priorities and focus on the important issues. If you run out of time before getting to the minor tasks, at least you would have done the important ones.

Choose to carry out your responsibilities not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to. Tasks that you HAVE to do create pressure and stress. Actions that you WANT to do, lead to the joy of accomplishment and freedom from inner conflict. Choose to learn how to WANT to do those tasks that you should be doing. For in the end, you will do only what you want to do. Similarly, when you cant have what you want, choose to want what you have.

3. Look for the good
Some of us may be undergoing great hardships. But no life is so difficult that it cannot be made better by improving our attitude. No matter how dire the circumstances, if you look for some good, you will find it. But how can we find anything good if we occupy our time complaining? The rule to remember is that we are certain to find what we look for. If we search for good, we will find it. If we search for something to complain about, we will surely find it. Choose to search for good. And choose to believe something good can and will happen. Choose to live with hope, rather than despair. Don't be a dope. Learn to cope. Live with hope.

4. If you cant change the circumstances, change yourself
We cannot choose what will happen TO us, but we can choose what happens IN us. That is, we can choose to have the right attitude, one in which we view challenges as opportunities instead of problems. Choose to be positive. For example, although he became confined to a wheelchair after his accident, W. Mitchell (author, TV host, and businessman) said, "Before I was paralyzed there were 10,000 things I could do; now there are 9,000. I can either dwell on the 1,000 Ive lost or focus on the 9,000 I have left."

5. Be aware of your choices
When we act out of habit rather than conscious choice, the path were traveling on is a rut, perhaps even a slippery slope. If we don't want to end up at the wrong place, we have to be awake. We have to be aware and make our choices consciously. The best way to do this is to develop the habit of always looking for opportunities. Scout Cloud Lee also writes about conscious choice: "When we acknowledge that all of life is sacred and that each act is an act of choice and therefore sacred, then life is a sacred dance lived consciously each moment. When we live at this level, we participate in the creation of a better world."

PARTING WORDS
Look around you. There are great people everywhere. Champions, victors. And they're all rooting for you. They are voting for you because they want you to win. Unfortunately, you are also surrounded by losers, people who want to drag you down. They are voting against you. Half are for you. Half are against you. How will this closely contested drama turn out? It all depends on you because you will be casting the deciding vote. The ballot is the choices you make. Be careful how you choose!


Credit Chuck Gallozzi