* IMAGINATIVE INSIGHTS *

The True Definition of Success

Success can be difficult to define, because it can often mean something different to every person.

What one person deems successful, another may perceive as a total failure.  But ask nearly anyone, and they will likely tell you that they want success, or to be more successful.

I'd like to share with you the best and most accurate definition of success ever discussed.  

It's unlikely that you'd find the following definition in any reference material.  The creator of this definition is the late Earl Nightingale.

Success is, "The progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

Now, I want you to stop and re-read the last sentence slowly.  Let it's impact sink in for a moment.

If you break down this perfect definition, you'll discover something truly amazing.  You will find that you can literally guarantee success for yourself, if you dare to follow its instruction.

"Worthy ideal" means your goals, purpose, or vision.

"Progressive realization" means making plans and taking inspired actions that will move you closer to your goal.

In our society, it's common for us to equate money or fame with success.  Most people think that if they make a lot of money, they'll be successful.  But the truth is, you must first be successful, and then money will follow.

You see, by progressively realizing a worthy ideal, you are by definition, a success.  When you are deliberately pursuing a goal that you determined to be important to you, you are a success.

The majority of people fail to set goals for themselves, and then wonder why things aren't working out for them.  They often opt for the path of conformity, versus setting their sights on what they want and taking the necessary actions toward obtaining what they desire.

In Earl Nightingale's classic lesson "The Strangest Secret", he tells a story that describes the importance of goals...

"Now think of a ship, leaving a harbor, and think of it with the complete voyage mapped out and planned.  The captain and its crew know exactly where its going, and how long it will take...it has a definite goal.  Nine-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-nine times out of ten thousand it will get to where it started out to get.

Now, let's take another ship, just like the first, only let's not put a crew on it, or a captain at the helm.  Let's give it no aiming point, no goal, no destination.  We just start the engines and let it go... I think you'll agree with me, that if it gets out of the harbor at all, it will either sink, or wind up on some deserted beach, a derelict.  It can't go anyplace, because it has no destination and no guidance.  It's the same with a human being..."

If you wish to be successful, decide for yourself what you truly want, commit it to paper, and then begin working on a plan for it's attainment.  If you are out-of-practice or somewhat new to goal-setting, you may wish to take up some study on the subject.

Please visit my website to learn more about some excellent resources available to help you achieve your goals.

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret".  His mission in life is to inspire, educate, and help others to become consciously aware of their unlimited potential for greatness. For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

What's The Difference Between PURPOSE and VISION?

Recently, I was reading an issue of "Personal Development" magazine, and came across an article written by one of my mentors, Bob Proctor.

I'm very fortunate to be personally coached by Bob, and I know of no one else who is more effective at explaining exactly how our thoughts are directly responsible for every outcome that we experience.

In this particular article, he discussed how easy it is for people to confuse Vision with Purpose.  He compared our Purpose to the Sun, and he related our Vision and goals to the planets that revolve around the Sun.

Makes perfect sense, right?

The Sun (your Purpose) is the fixed, stable element that represents your "Why?"  Why you wake up every morning.  Why you go to work every day.

What's that???  What if you're not sure exactly what your Why is?

Well, friend...that presents a bit of a problem.  Without a Purpose, it is impossible to craft a Vision of how you intend to fulfill that Purpose.

(But here's a little secret...)  You DO have a Purpose, regardless of your current level of awareness of its existence.

You are here on Earth for a reason.  And since there is only one YOU, that reason, that purpose is unique to you and you, alone.

There are numerous tips, tools, and programs available to help you to discover and recognize your Purpose.  If you're anything like me, you may have even tried some of them, yet still felt disconnected from your "Why?"

Don't EVER stop trying to figure it out.  Keep questioning yourself.  You have a responsibility not only to yourself, but to the world, to figure it out.

Don't die wondering.

Here are three tips that I've found useful in helping to unlock your Purpose.

1)  Get Quiet - Carve out some time, either in nature or in silence, where you can just BE.  Do your best to eliminate distractions.  Your mind may have other ideas, and it may be inclined to wander all about... Focus on your breathing, and be still.

2)  Get Introspective - Spend some time thinking about what brings you Joy.  Don't worry about whether or not you could produce income from it...we're talking about producing happiness, for now.  Reflect back on times when you felt like you were "in the zone", doing something where you felt inspired.  Let those memories resonate within you.

3)  Get Creative - In the new book "Three Feet From Gold", there is a great exercise that recommends making a list of the top 10 things that you are passionate about.  On a separate page, you are to list 10 things that you have a talent for.  Then with the help of a friend (or friends), you ask them to remove an item from each list.  You continue this process with the help of others, until you've reduced the lists down to only one item on each.

Once completed, I want you to start thinking about how you might be able to combine what it is you are most passionate about, with that which you have a talent for.

And when I say "think" about it, I really mean intensely focus upon it - (to the exclusion of all other thoughts.)  Ask yourself, "How could I create a role and environment that would allow me to experience both my passion and my talent at the same time"?

Then, get quiet again, and wait for an answer.  Do this daily, or as often as possible.  When you demand an answer to your questions with persistence and faith, the answers WILL come.  But you've got to tune out all the "noise" in your world, and focus on the belief that an answer exists.

And when your Purpose finally reveals itself to you, then you are ready to start working on the action steps required to bring your purposeful ideas into reality.

For more ideas on working with your Purpose, Vision, and Goals, send me an email or visit www.coachshoop.com .

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret".  His new mission in life is to inspire, educate, and help others to become consciously aware of their unlimited potential for greatness. For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

Which Game Are You Attempting to Master...Trivial Pursuit, or the Game of LIFE?

(Do you remember playing those really cool board games Trivial Pursuit® and Life® from your younger days?)

The other day I was reading the following quote, and it really got me thinking about Time.

“In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia…until ultimately we become enslaved to it” – Robert Heinlein

Some time ago, I began to analyze where I was investing my time each day.  And what I discovered is that I was more often spending time, rather than investing it.

Sound familiar?

With the never-ending onslaught of connectivity that we enjoy these days (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook), it’s easier than ever to fritter away hours upon hours of time!

And once those hours are gone, they’re gone.  You can’t get ‘em back, no matter how hard you try.  Unfortunately, there is no “rewind button” on your life.

Of course you KNOW this to be true, but do you really GET IT?

It’s common knowledge that we all have a finite amount of time in our physical existence on this earth, yet we rarely consider the consequences of the choices we are making with our time…

Particularly the choice between Trivial Pursuit, and Life.

The truth is that in order to live the lifestyle you want, you MUST have clearly defined goals.  You MUST have a compelling purpose for pursuing those goals, and you MUST be willing and committed to allocating your time and energy toward the achievement of those goals.

It’s got to mean something to you.

Without purpose, it’s too easy to spend your rapidly-disappearing-allotment of time on trivial, meaningless “stuff” – instead of investing your time living the life of your dreams.

Here are 3 simple actions that you can begin implementing TODAY to get your Life back and keep yourself ON TRACK!

1)  Calendar your daily “social media” time. – For me, it’s six brief intervals daily, lasting 10 minutes each, maximum.  (6am, 9am, Noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm)  This equals only one hour a day of Trivial Pursuit, still leaving 8 full hours of Life.

(What?  Your 8 hours are being spent at “work”, not enjoying life?  That’s a topic for another time!)

2)  Ask Yourself the Perfect Question. – Each day, when you’re faced with options for where to invest your time, ask yourself the following question; “Will taking this action move me closer to my [clearly defined] goal?

Yes? – SWEET!  Do it now!

No? – Why spend another precious minute of your valuable time on it?  Find something better and more purposeful to do.

3)  Commit 30 minutes daily to defining (or refining) your goals. – Whether they are “small” goals or BHAG’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) really doesn’t matter.

Carve out this time daily to work toward their achievement.

And soon, you’ll be winning in the game of Life!

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
www.coachshoop.com

 

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His new and improved mission in life is to inspire, educate, and help others to become consciously aware of their unlimited potential for greatness. For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

Just How STRONG Is YOUR "Success Culture"?

Recently, I was reading an overview of a corporate leadership study on organizational strength and where that strength comes from (yawn, I know!) and I was quite surprised at some of the findings…

But even MORE compelling than the study’s findings, (completed by renowned corporate-culture experts Price Pritchett) was just how important the strengths that they identified as mandatory for success are to you and me, as individuals.  

Maybe there is something cool that we can learn from corporate USA?

Now, most would think that corporate leaders would identify things like market-share, cash-flow, return-on-investment, earnings-per-share, and other financial data as the most important indicators of their strength, right?

As it turns out, the study uncovered something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

When asked to identify the most important strengths for success, they came up with these TEN attributes. (in no particular order)

Resilience - (The ability to take problems in stride, to bounce back quickly from difficulties or defeat; change-adaptive)

Confidence - (Organizational self-assurance; belief in the organization’s ability to perform effectively)

Energy Level - (The “corporate metabolism;” vitality; the capacity to do work)

 

Creativity and Innovation - (Coming up with viable new ideas; implementing fresh approaches)

 

Can-do Attitude - (A success-minded bias to “go for it” and make things happen)

Ambition - (Aspiration level or drive to achieve)

Hope - (Faith in the future; favorable outlook regarding things to come)

Happiness - (Positive, upbeat mental state; sense of well-being)

Competitive Spirit - (Playing to win; determination to outdo the opposition; pushing to improve)

Staying Power - (Emotional stamina; the psychological strength to persevere)

These attributes seem fairly straightforward, yet the study also uncovered an interesting conundrum...

While they ALL ranked "Creativity and Innovation" amongst their top three attributes that count the most, when they measured the current state of their company’s against this list, they found that creativity and innovation ranked LOWEST of all!

Hmmmm…  Wonder why? 

Well, I have a few ideas...

First of all, I believe that in our roles, jobs, and daily lives, we're consistently neglecting our creative faculties.  We get into routines.  We tend to spend far too much time focusing on the problems in our lives, as opposed to seeking and creating solutions.

And it's no coincidence that our corporate culture feels the effect of this lack of imagination and innovation...

After all it is people that work for, and run these companies, right?

Collectively, we’ve stopped constructively using our imaginations, and subsequently we're missing out on what's really most important.  We've all got so much "noise" going on around us that we often fail to recognize the hints and hunches that our creative mind is trying to tell us about.

We also rely far too heavily on our external senses and what's going on "out there", instead of actively and creatively developing our imagination to empower ourselves and those around us.

But here's the good news!

Your creative faculties still exist.  They may be dormant in your mind today, but with a new awareness, practice, and repetition, you can develop your mental ability to innovate and imagine great things.

And I can assure you that if you were to focus your attention and energies on improving yourself in the 10 areas identified above, you'd experience transformational growth and results far greater than you could ever imagine!

For some key methods on developing your imaginative skills, or to receive a copy of the report referenced above from the amazing folks at www.pritchettnet.com , please send me an email and I'll send the information out to you right away!

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His new and improved mission in life is to inspire, educate, and help others to become aware of their unlimited potential for greatness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

Hello? Anybody Home? - This Is Your Imagination Calling!

Are you IN TUNE with your Imagination?

Chances are, like most of us, the last time you CONSCIOUSLY and PROPERLY used your imagination was a very, very long time ago... 

Wait a minute... Am I saying that there is a proper way to use your imagination?

Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying!

More often than not, we spend our time passively imagining the worse-case scenario in any given situation.  Over our lifetime, we've been conditioned to expect the worst, in situations and in people.

And truth is, this conditioning is affecting the quality of your results, and ultimately the quality of your life.

Let's face it... There is no shortage of negativity and bad news out there.  Daily, we are bombarded with stories and images of doom and gloom.  And most of us are not really that good at filtering out the messages or images that don't support us.  We just take it all in.  

But where does all that bad info go once it's penetrated our consciousness?

I'll tell you exactly where it goes... First, the information hangs around in our conscious minds for a few brief moments, and then it gets filed away in the subconscious.  If we dwell on it or give it any consistent emotional energy, it tends to stick with us.  It rises back to our consciousness and attempts to become our "reality".

From there, negative information and pictures can influence our thoughts, and ultimately our feelings.  And when we're not feeling good, we're not at our best.

But what I want you to understand is that past events or bad news does not necessarily need to influence how you move forward in the future.

By actively developing your imagination, you can dramatically improve your attitude, your results, and subsequently, your life.

Like any on the intellectual faculties that you possess, your imagination can be awakened, ignited, and strengthened.  The best part is that it only requires your ATTENTION and MENTAL FOCUS in order to improve.

No manual labor!

As humans, we think in pictures.  (If I were to ask you to think of your car, you'd see a picture of your car in your mind, not the letters C A R, right?)  We're just wired that way.  And you can use this fact to improve the images that you hold in your mind.

Instead of focusing on words or images that are un-supportive, to properly use your imagination, I want you to spend some time getting clear on what it is you want to accomplish in this lifetime. 

I want you to create a clear mental picture of your perfect __________________ (job, spouse, home, car, etc.)

And for each one of your ideal mental pictures, I want you to spend a few minutes each day holding that picture in your mind, and imagining what it would feel like if you already possessed the object(s) of your desire.  This part takes a bit of practice, but replicating the feeling of ownership is a critical key to success with your imagination.

You can use your imagination in this way to improve ANY area of your life.  It only requires consistent practice.

So spend a little time today working on YOU...  You're worth it!

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His mission in life is to help others to find happiness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude - 7 Easy Tips You Can Start Using TODAY for Elevating Both!

You may have heard the statement before, "Your attitude determines your altitude"...

But what does that really mean?

When I think of altitude, I think of "cruising altitude".  You know, after an airplane takes off, it steadily climbs on a predictable trajectory until it finally reaches it's cruising altitude.

This is the place where gravity is no longer a factor.  The air is clearer.  Things flow easier.  The views are spectacular, and forward movement requires much less effort.  (Some might even say that you're that much closer to heaven!)

To get to YOUR cruising altitude, there is a process, and it all begins with YOUR attitude.

Your attitude is the one solitary thing over which you have total control.  You can decide how you are going to see the world.  You can decide whether or not your attitude is going to support you, or hold you back.  And ultimately, YOU can decide what meaning you are going to give the events that occur in your life.

The highly-respected motivational speaker Jack Canfield teaches a concept called E + R = O.

The "E" stands for Events. 
The "R" stands for Responses. 
The "O" stands for Outcomes.

Jack says that if you want to improve the quality of your Outcomes, you must improve and control your Responses to the Events that happen in your life.  (And believe me, in life, "events" will happen!)

I'd like to offer you 7 tips that you can start implementing today to help improve your attitude, and elevate your altitude.

1)  Pause - Remember the old saying "stop and smell the roses"?  Well...stop means pause.

2)  Breathe - Nothing helps to foster mental clarity more effectively than a few deep, meaningful breaths.  (Take a few deep breaths now.)

3)  Question better - You should ask yourself these two very important questions, and ask them often;  "What's good in my life right now?" and when events happen, "What's good about this situation?"  And then with an open mind, let your brain search for answers.  Your brain will come up with great answers, because these are great questions.

Do the math... Great questions + great answers = great attitude.  Bad questions + bad answers = bad attitude.  What other great questions could you and should you be asking yourself?

4)  Remember more things that matter - Close your eyes for a moment, and think about a time when everything seemed to be going your way... Really focus on that feeling.  Did you know that it's possible to experience that feeling again?  (Hint...you're doing it now!)

5)  Forget things that don't really matter - Spend your valuable time focusing on what you want, and simply forget about what you don't want.  Anything that you put energy into expands.  And if you forget about it, it magically dissolves from your experience.  What do you need to forget about and let go?

6)  Smile more - "A smile costs nothing but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.  Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give."  ~Author Unknown

Smiles are free, yet pay big dividends.  Your attitude ALWAYS improves when you share a smile.  And if you can let it become a laugh, you'll take your attitude to a whole new level.  Laugh often.  What does it take to make you laugh?

7)  Dream big - When you were young, your dreams were BIG.  But somewhere along the line, you may have had your dreams mocked, ridiculed, doubted, or even crushed.  I'm here to tell you that your dreams and your imagination are the keys to a lifetime of joy, fun, and freedom.  Keep your dreams alive, and spend time daily thinking about them and what actions your can start taking today in pursuit of those dreams.

I'd love to hear from you and what works for you when you need an "attitude adjustment"!  Please use the comment section provided below, or send me an email.

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His mission in life is to help others to find happiness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

The Law of Attraction Versus The Law of Reversibility

Lately, I've been pondering which of these two laws is more relevant in these times... The Law of Attraction or the Law of Reversibility?

Unless you've spent the past few years in total isolation, its very likely that you've heard something about the Law of Attraction (LOA).

The basic premise of this Law, is that like attracts like.  In other words, the circumstances you are experiencing in your life are as a direct result of your dominating thoughts, both conscious and unconscious.  Therefore, the Law is at work at all time, regardless of your awareness of it or attention toward it.

In 2006, a cinematic release entitled "The Secret" helped to catapult the Law of Attraction into the mainstream.  Many people that were newcomers to the concepts of the Law mistakenly interpreted the content to mean that all you needed to do in order to fulfill your desires was to "ask" for something, focus your attention on it, and **POOF**, you'd magically get it!

...Just make a wish!

And sadly, many people (maybe even you?) have discounted the validity of the Law because they've failed to achieve measurable results from their initial attempts at applying the concepts in their lives.

But it's not your fault...

The problem is that you weren't taught anything about the Law of Reversibility.  And without a working knowledge of THIS Law, your results are likely to be marginal, at best.

Yet it's likely that you've never even heard of The Law of Reversibility, right? 

It's somewhat difficult to describe, but when you officially "get it", your life may never be the same!

First, you must understand that all transformations of force are reversible.  (Heat is an example of a transformation of force, as is electricity, or controlled imagination, and so is cause-and-effect).

For example, if friction (a transformation of force) can produce electricity, then electricity can produce friction.  Is this making sense to you?

To put it another way, if a physical fact can produce a psychological state, then IN REVERSE, a psychological state can produce a physical fact.

And why does this matter?  Well...think of the implications...

If you knew exactly how you would feel if you were to realize your dream or objective, and could replicate that feeling mentally, physically, and psychologically (controlling your state of mind), then the Law of Reversibility would automatically cause your objective to be realized.  Make sense?

Your job then, is to assume and sustain the exact feeling associated with your dream or goal being fulfilled.  And in order to sustain that feeling, you must live, move, and BE in that state of belief...

The belief that you already ARE or HAVE that which you desire.

"Get it" yet?

Instead of just making a wish and concentrating on your desired outcome, I want you to assume the feeling of your dream fulfilled, and then continue to practice experiencing that feeling until that which you FEEL becomes your reality.

I'd love to hear how you are successfully using these Laws to accomplish your goals!  Please leave a comment in the comment section provided below.  For more information on combining the Law of Attraction with the The Law of Reversibility, subscribe to this blog, or send me an email. 

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His mission in life is to help others to find happiness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

7 Ways to Have Faith! (Even When It Seems Like There Is No Tangible Result From Your Efforts)

One of my favorite definitions of Faith is, "Belief...without proof".

It makes me wonder, where along the line did we decide that in order to believe something, we must have proof?  I suppose that we've been conditioned to demand proof, because either someone or something has violated our trust in the past...and we continue to carry that memory into our present experiences, often to our detriment.

My intention for you today, is that you awaken your Faith in all things positive.  And I'd like to share some thoughts with you on how to accomplish this.

1)  Tune out negativity - Negative people, negative programming (television), and negative information of any sort only inhibits your ability to have faith.  Sometimes we can't avoid negativity, but we certainly can choose not to wallow in it.  Disengage from negativity whenever given the opportunity.

2)  Flood your mind with positive thoughts and images - I firmly believe that what we focus on, expands.  (For good or for bad).  You have ultimate control over your thoughts and how you choose to see things.  Focus on what you want.  Be the interpreter, not the interpretation.  How much time did you spend today thinking about who you want to become, and what you want to achieve?

3)  Remember that ALL progress begins with that elusive first step - As long as you are pointed in the right direction, steps that seem minuscule in the moment will still lead you toward your objective.  Most people tend to over-estimate what they can accomplish in a short period of time, and under-estimate what they can accomplish over a long period of time.  Be patient in the knowledge that even a small step forward is still moving you forward.

4)  Don't give up too soon - The majority of people give up far too soon, at the slightest sign of adversity.  Often, they were just inches short of accomplishing something great.  This approach is not for you.  Persistence and commitment, by law, will produce positive results.

5)  Link absolute certainty to your objective- Remember that our subconscious mind cannot distinguish the difference between events in reality and those occurring in our imagination.  Recall something that you firmly believe as fact, and replicate that feeling of certainty while envisioning that which you aim to accomplish.  This is known as applied faith, and is a little-know secret to fulfilling your desires.

6)  Be like a tree - In the early stages, most growth is occurring below the surface, invisible to the naked eye.  Rest assured that your applied faith and inspired action steps are causing the growth of some powerful and far-reaching roots.  And it is those roots that will support you as you break through the surface, growing tall and mighty!

7)  Remember that Faith is a state-of-mind - Subsequently, faith is totally under your control.  No outside force can overtake your thoughts, unless you grant permission to do so.  Knowing this, you can develop faith through the continuous repetition of thought.  And when the object of your faith becomes the dominant thought in your mind, it's physical equivalent will instantly materialize in your life.

In the immortal words of Dr. Napoleon Hill, "Faith is the eternal elixir which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought".

Have faith in yourself, and have faith in the Infinite.

I'd love to hear how you've successfully applied faith in your life, especially at times when your faith was tested.  Please leave a comment in the section provided below!

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His mission in life is to help others to find happiness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

The Key to Happiness Has Finally Been Found! (In a Cup of Coffee?)

I'd like to share this little story with you, from an unknown author, about how "Life Is Like A Cup Of Coffee".  I hope you enjoy it, and please remember to post your comments in the section provided.

"Life Is Like A Cup of Coffee"

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university Professor.  Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the Professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups...porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal...some plain-looking, some expensive.

He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.

After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the Professor said, "If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheaper ones.  While it's normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, THAT is source of your problems and stress."

"Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.  In most cases, it is just more expensive, and in some cases, even hides what we drink.  What all of you really wanted was coffee...not the cup.  But you consciously went for the best cups.  And then, you began eying each other's cups to see who had the best one."

Now consider this...

Life is the coffee.  the jobs, money, and position in society are the cups.

They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change, the quality of life we live.  Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.

Savor the coffee!  Not the cups.

The happiest people don't always have the best of everything.  They just make the best of everything.

Live simply.  Speak kindly.  Care deeply.  And love generously.

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His mission in life is to help others to find happiness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.

"Not Only Do I Knock 'Em Out, I Pick The Round!" - Muhammad Ali

Athletes have known it for decades... Visualization is the secret key to championship performances.

And interestingly enough, championship results are not exclusively reserved for athletes.  You can successfully use the very same creative visualization techniques in your own personal and business life.

When I read this incredible quote from Muhammad Ali, "Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round!", I felt compelled to dissect it. 

This brief, yet insight-packed statement embodies vision, confidence, faith, and even humor.

The first part, "Not only do I knock 'em out" presumes that Ali already knows the outcome...a knock-out.  There is an air of confidence in his words that almost suggests that there is no other option.

Then he backed his words with faith, desire, and action, and a knock-out was the usual result.

But the REAL power in this quote is in the second part, "I pick the round!" 

This is the purest example of creative visualization.  Ali visualized the round in which the fight would end.  The precise round!  And prior to every fight, Ali would use his imagination to mentally rehearse how the fight would go, when and how it would end, and finally, he envisioned the referee raising the champ's arms in victory.

But was visualizing the victory enough?

No.

What if Ali entered the ring, with all of his creative visualization and positive expectations, but failed to box?  You can bet that the fight would end pretty quickly, and Ali would likely end up on the canvas wondering what day it was!

Don't make the error of thinking that visualization is enough for you to accomplish your goals. 

Visualization is the starting point, yet to successfully achieve your goals, you must blend those positive mental images with faith, desire, and a plan of action.

Many mistakenly think that the "Law of Attraction" will magically kick in, and somehow effortlessly deliver their wishes.

Sorry, Charlie... It doesn't work that way.  In order to achieve your desires, you need to complete the formula.

The formula works for athletes, and it will work for you.  In ANY endeavor.

Imagine a result or outcome that you want and the believe that it can be accomplished.  Hold that vision with positive expectancy, decide how bad you want it, and then get into action!

Then, knock 'em dead, kid...

And don't forget to pick your round!

I'd love to hear how you have used creative visualization to accomplish goals, solve problems, or improve your circumstances. Please leave a comment in the section provided below.

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM

J. Shoop, aka Your Visualization Coach is an expert in the field of creative visualization.  He is a personal coach and the author of "The Other Secret - The Secret Key to The Life You Want by Creating, Attracting, and Connecting With Your Ultimate Mastermind Group".  His mission in life is to help others to find happiness.  For more info on his services and to connect with him, send an email to jshoop@jshoop.com.