Gail's Story

Gail is a friend of mine and she was relating to me for hundredth time about situation her brother was in. Gary is a nice enough guy. He's hardworking, honest and a good father His only flaw is that he is extremely negative. After a five minute conversation with him, you feel like you've been hit by a bus. He has knack of sapping up your energy due to his negativity.

It's interesting how Gary's life has turned out. He has owned a number of businesses and none of them have been successful. He constantly gets sick and so do his two children. He's been married twice and is nearly ready to tie knot again. What he doesn't realise is that he's problem and that it doesn't matter how many times he gets married, his attitude will follow him and continue to create challenges in his life until he works on himself.

Gary blames all his woes on everyone and everything else except himself. He also has a couple of very negative friends whom he loves being around which doesn't help him whatsoever as they all commiserate with each other. As saying goes 'misery loves company'.

Gary has never done any personal development and when you bring that up with him he always scoffs at idea believing that he doesn't need it.

Gail has tried to get Gary to see light and do some work on himself yet he refuses to listen. As I've often said to Gail, you cannot change Gary but you can change your behaviour.

Instead of listening to him moan and groan about how hard life is, perhaps it was time she told him honest truth and offer some solutions to him at same time. If he takes no action, then she'd be best to spend as little time as possible around him otherwise she will continue to be affected by his negative attitude.

A Negative Attitude - The Reasons Many People Are Poor

In newsletter, The Trident, written by well-known professional investor Lance Spicer ,there was an article which illustrated why many negative people are poor.

Whilst you were sitting on beach or lazing around during your time off, which of following changes to your life did you decide to make this year?

To have body of Elle McPherson or Nathan Buckley Find a stimulating job Take up a sport or hobby Buy your dream home Travel to an exotic destination Have more time with your family Establish your own business Double your income Become involved in community Develop your creativity Improve your skills Create a plan for your financial future Have more fun Enhance your current relationship or find a new partner All of above To help you channel your energy into achieving this year's goals, here are some practical ways to get started. After all, there is no reason why you shouldn't start immediately, is there?

How to Get Started

1. Write a list of what you want to achieve this year. 2. Make sure what you've written down is specific, measurable and attainable. e.g. Lose 5 kgs . ..by 30/2/05. 3. Write no.1 against most important goal. Write no.2 against next most important goal.

Continue numbering rest of goals.

4. Look at goal with no.1 next to it. i.e. lose 5 kilos. Start a separate list with heading . .. Lose 5 kilos. by 28/2/05 5. Write down action steps you need to take to achieve this goal:

a. Join gym b. Decide which specific days and times you will attend c. Purchase gym gear d. See nutritionist

6. Enter action steps into your diary/electronic organiser on day(s) you will do these:

Jan 15th - join gym Jan 16th - book nutritionist Attend gym Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 6.00 a.m. Ensure when you book time for yourself in your diary you treat it as a top priority. Unless there is an earthquake or equally devastating disaster occurring, keep that time sacred.

To ensure your goals are achieved it is imperative to write them down and then plan appropriate steps to take in your diary. Otherwise your goals could end up being wishful thinking!

Goal/Dream Chart Having visual reminders is a great way to prompt and keep you motivated to follow through. Cut out a picture of body you'd like to have from a magazine and stick a photo of your head on top of it. Alternatively if you want to recapture way you were some time ago, find an old photo of yourself. You can place these on your desktop, car dashboard and fridge at home.

Do this for your other goals (minus head). In fact having a dream chart with pictures or words of things you want to achieve is a great stimulus for your sub-conscious mind. Sticking these reminders onto green paper is even more effective. I have one of these in my office and guess what? It actually works!