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What is Prosperity?
Our trusted guide Webster
gives us the following guidance as a starting point:
Pros*per"i*ty,
n. [F. prospérité, L. prosperitas.
See Prosperous.] The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in
anything good or desirable; successful progress in any business or
enterprise; attainment of the object desired; good fortune; success;
as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity.
Prosperities can only be enjoyed by them who fear not at all to lose
them. Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable.
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S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Smart Goals Checklist
There are numerous ways the acronym S.M.A.R.T. is used when referring
to goal setting. While the S for Specific and M for Measurable is
always used, the other letters are interchangeable. The A can be used
for Attainable, Action-oriented, or Accountable. The R can stand for
Realistic or Relevant. T usually means Timely or Timebound,
however it can mean Tangible.
S Are they Specific?
A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a
general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six
"W" questions:
*Who: Who is involved?
*What: What do I want to accomplish?
*Where: Identify a location.
*When: Establish a time frame.
*Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
*Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, "Get in shape." But a
specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a
week."
M Are they Measurable?
Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the
attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you
stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration
of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach
your goal.
To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as......How
much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
A Are they Attainable?
When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to
figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes,
abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin
seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to
the achievement of your goals. You can attain most any goal you set
when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows
you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and
out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because
your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When
you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as
worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that
allow you to possess them.
R Are they Realistic?
To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you
are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and
realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal
should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress.
A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low
goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever
accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of
love. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can
be accomplished. Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is
to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or
ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this
goal.
T Are the Tangible?
A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses,
that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. When your goal is
tangible, or when you tie a tangible goal to an intangible goal, you
have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus
attainable. Intangible goals are your goals for the internal changes
required to reach more tangible goals. They are the personality
characteristics and the behavior patterns you must develop to pave the
way to success in your career or for reaching some other long-term
goal. Since intangible goals are vital for improving your effectiveness,
give close attention to tangible ways for measuring them.
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Keep
It Simple
The focus of this
discussion is the attraction, creation and enjoyment of our divine
inheritance of prosperity and abundance. Let's start with the concept
and meaning of the word "simple". Our faithful guide,
Webster, defines the meaning of the word simple as "free from
complexity, not complicated, not elaborate, not
hard to understand".
It seems like he is telling us everything that simple is not. But as we
go further, we can see that simple also means "elementary,
absolute, straightforward, natural”.
We can also note that simple is not defined as "easy" and
sometimes we may confuse the two words. For example, the idea of the
practice of meditation sounds simple enough. Relax, clear your mind and
perhaps focus your thoughts on one idea or intention or on your
breathing. Simple concept, not so easy in actual practice for the
beginner.
Throughout my career as a business consultant and coach, clients and
friends would say "I just want my life to be simple" or
"I'm simplifying my life now." I often admired people when
they spoke those words and I would feel inspired to a less complicated
way of thinking and living...a simpler way. In fact, my soul yearned
for simplicity. If we desire to do so, what can we do to make our
careers, relationships and life more simple?
Anytime I am move into the mode of simplifying my life, I start by
listing my priorities. My priorities tend to be straightforward and
absolute. Getting one's priorities clear can create the simple
framework for attracting and enjoying abundance in the areas of life
that matter the most to you. What does simple mean for you? Have you
ever yearned for simplicity in your life? How do your priorities factor
into this idea? Start your own list of simple priorities - now!
Faith
is the Fuel for Success!
Rarely
do I see a full service gas station anymore. When I was beginning to
experience the excitement, independence and responsibility of driving a
car, the self-service station was coming into vogue. I had to learn how
to put the gas in the tank, check my own oil and air up the tires. Many
of you can remember when you or your parents would pull into the
service station and say “Fill ’er
up!” As the attendant filled the tank with fuel, checked the
tires and under the hood, all kinds of activities could have been going
on inside and outisde the car…anything
from emptying trash, going to the restroom, maybe getting snack or
reading a map. The whole experience was about preparing for the journey
ahead. And so it is now, as we adventure into the 2010 New Year.
Charles
Fillmore defines faith as a foundation, a spiritual assurance or
magnetic power. Faith acts as fuel for our desires and makes them
manifest from invisible substance. Faith is a deep inner knowing that
that which is sought is already ours to receive. Are you “faith-filled?”
I invite each of you to take some time to get ready for the
fantastic fulfillment of your desires this year. Whether you think
you’re running on regular, super or premium, remember this:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” Set your
visions and goals high as you set out on your path ahead. And while
you’re out there on the highway of life…be sure to obey the
Law: Give freely and be prepared to receive all the prosperity,
abundance and love that God in store for you now!
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A Lesson from "Star Wars"
"Do or do not, there
is no try" - This famous quote from Yoda in "Star Wars",
The Empire Strikes Back" is the classic lesson that our efforts
are of no consequence as long as we continue to struggle.
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