Nothing Can Stop You!

When the sun's on your back and you feel a spring in your step...

When you feel exhilaration ripple through your body in anticipation of that something special...

When you know that you've done your best and that best will win the day...

When the deep-seated confidence of knowing you've done something good or worthwhile fills your being...

When you're in tune, in step and on purpose with yourself...

When you've fallen down, got back up, and shaken yourself off, ready to start again...

When you smile, look someone in the eyes, and mean it...

When you're kind...

When you're happy...

You know those times when you feel that you can conquer the world, when nothing and no one will stand in your way, when your heart soars and your mind is power - that's the energy of creation.

Harness it, use it, live it!

Go for it - the 'How To'

Gearing myself up to going for a goal used to be about getting 'race ready'. Take writing a book for example. I'd want my computer in the best place on my desk, a notepad and pencil to one side; flowers on the desk and a nice view to gaze at when looking for the right words. I'd want to have all my chores down, the phone off the hook, and peace and quiet in the house. Essentially I wanted to put my  life on hold, just so I could get my thoughts together and approach my writing in an orderly fashion.

Hold the phone! When does that ever happen? When do we ever get anything done and sorted and behind us so that there is a free stretch of 5 or 6 hours ahead of us ....? Not sure about you, but I don't. There is always something to do, something going on, someone making a noise. That's life. The secret to achieving your goals in amongst the business of life is about consistency and perseverance. There are many famous quotes by legendary people who have addressed this topic: 

'Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.' John Quincy Adams 

'Persist and persevere and you will find most things that are attainable, possible.' Lord Chesterfield

'Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.' Thomas Edison

If you want to achieve that goal, get started like this:

Do it daily: Whether its writing that book, painting that work of art,or losing weight, do it daily. Set aside an allocated period of time in a day and stick to it. Even if nothing creative is flowing that day, stick to your commitment to do it daily. You don't have to make it tedious, so don't over commit. It could be 15 minutes or an hour that you spend doing it. Just make it do-able.

Keep the end in mind: To build a beautiful fire that you can enjoy, you have to feed it wood. And someone has got to chop that wood. Its a menial task, but it has to be done. There will be days when you think 'how mundane is this?' Don't give up; keep the end in mind. Remember what your eventual goal is and make it vibrant and alive in your imagination.

Patience: Rome wasn't built in a day... Beyonce didn't achieve overnight success. It took daily perseverance. Be patient. Even once you achieve your goal there will be other things you want to achieve and this formula works for them all.

That's it! This is all you need to bet what you want. Simple isn't it?
Gabi x

3 Easy Steps to make Disappointment Disappear!

We've all felt the pangs of disappointment at some stage in our lives. In the past, I've let them crush me for days on end where I feel like a mine shaft has collapsed on me. If wallowing had been a talent, I'd have achieved full marks. But giving in to the feelings of desolation and hopelessness, serves no earthly purpose. In fact, if anything, these feelings will hold you back from moving forward and just keep you rooted to the spot.

This week, I had one of those moments. I was disappointed. Something that I worked hard at, hoped for and wanted, I didn't get... at the last minute. I felt the lurch of my heart when I read the email. It dropped from somewhere in my chest to the bottom of my stomach, and I felt the familiar pang of disappointment. I texted friends with a brief summary, and thought 'Oh well', accompanied by the requisite sigh. And my world looked greyer, less vital and alive, things that I could have had joy with seemed lifeless and listless to me. Disappointment had me in its firm grip. The texts from friends came pouring in and I allowed myself to wallow until ... I have a brave friend called Sally. She's lively, gorgeous, fun and forthright. Life doesn't get her down; she gets on top of it and rides it like a cowboy!
This is what she texted me: 'Shit. Big hug. Have a bloody good sulk and then pull yourself together!'

My first reaction? I laughed - because she's straight to the point (did I expect anything else?), and because its the best advice anyone has ever given me.
I moped for a couple of hours until I realised that I just didn't feel like moping any more.  I didn't feel that bad. I knew there would be other opportunities, that perhaps there was something better out there that could now come along, and that I felt the zing of life again in my veins (softly at first, yeah, but there nevertheless).

So what's my secret to making disappointment disappear? Here it is:
1. Give in to a good wallow - cry, stamp your feet, sit staring into space.... whatever it is you do when you feel rubbish about something. But give yourself a cut-off time! That could be ten minutes, one hour, two hours... but don't let it be longer than that.
2. Get active - when you reach your cut off time, make the conscious decision to rise out of the hole you are in. Get active, put on some cool music, smile. You'll be surprised how much a smile can make you feel brighter. Get out and do something different, a physical activity to take your mind off things.
3. Focus on your dream - your dream is still there; its still achievable, you can still feel it, taste it, see it... so focus on it. Feel the joy and the happiness, and the way you will be when you have it. Live it in your head.This is the most important thing - wallowing in disappointment prevents you from feeling happy. And feeling happy is how you will be when you reach your dream. By the Law of Attraction, you get what you focus on! So disappointment brings more disappointment.... happiness brings more happiness. Its not rocket science.

Now, as with all things, you need to practice this... the first time you try it, you may only achieve a small success  the second time, a bigger one... until eventually like me, you'll have a big disappointment in your life and be over it and happy again with a short time.

Go for it... you have nothing to lose.

Gabi x

Go for 2013! How to set goals and achieve them!

Every year, I say 'This is going to be my year!' 

And every year, I set out goals to achieve; not resolutions but goals. There's a difference. Resolutions are about 'I will do this or that', whilst goals are about 'I will work towards this or that'. Working towards stuff you give yourself some leeway to get things wrong, but always your resolve is on the end goal not the small successes along the way. With resolutions, the minute you put a foot wrong, the resolve dissipates. After all we are human, we are more than likely not going to get it perfectly right. 


The reason I set only three goals a year is because it helps me to focus. Don't confuse a goal with something you have on a 'to do' list! Going to the Maldives on holiday is a 'to do list' item, not a goal. 
So, sit yourself down, get comfy with a pen and paper and let's set three goals for 2013...

1. Dream: 
What do you want to achieve? If you do not know what it is, how can you know when you get it? Probably the biggest step in goal-setting is defining what that goal should be. So, first decide what you want. Allow yourself to dream big. 

2. Describe:
Now you need to fill in the blanks. You know what it is you want to set as your goal, so give it some colour, texture, body and soul. What does it feel like now that you have it? Do you enjoy it? What does it taste like, sound like, smell like, look like?
You need to see it in your mind's eye. Imagine it and how it will feel to have it in your life. 

3. Desire:
Now that you know what it is and have envisioned it, allow yourself to want it. Let yourself be flooded with the desire for it and you'll see all sorts of opportunities, circumstances, events and people come into your life to help you achieve your goal. And remember to keep the faith! Don't worry if it hasn't come in a specific time, or if something happens which makes it seem unlikely to come about. Keep your desire strong, and your visual image of it colourful, but most of all, expect it. 

In the words of a great friend of mine - Marlaine - 'Here’s to a techno colour, full throttle, in-complete-awe-of-life, grab-life-by-the-balls, why-walk-if-we-can-dance, making-our-contribution-as-best-we-can way of being and living in 2013, and beyond!'

Make 2013 your best year yet!

Gabi x

I lost my post - Aaaaargh!

I've just finished a post and for some reason have lost it. If you're logging onto read it - give me 10 minutes and it will be up again...
Sorry about this.
Gabi

I'm a Dryathlete for January!

If like me you had no idea what a Dryathlete was, you were not alone. In a weak moment, whilst recovering from a fabulously festive new year celebration, someone whispered to me, 'join the Dryathlon, you'll feel great.' It took me until 2nd January to look it up, and only by 3rd January had I plucked up the courage to commit.

Essentially it means no alcohol will pass my lips for the month of January. Anyone who knows me will know I'm an incredibly social person, so this is no mean feat, trust me. I debated doing it because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stick to it, and as it is in aid of a charity close to my heart, I didn't want to let them or myself down.
Now, I'm committed to the cause and hope to raise at least £500 for Cancer Research UK - if you're keen to support me, you can access my JustGiving page here. 

The first few days have been a breeze and I'm feeling great, although I am going to great pains to avoid any social arrangements over eating time, or any meet ups with friends in pubs. Possibly a good idea to play it safe until I have a fair chunk of time under my belt. I find, with any commitment to myself I need to make, like a diet or exercise, or ... this, if I can get through the first five to seven days, I'm pretty much home free.  It means I still need to make the effort, but by then I am feeling so proud of myself, my resolve is strong, and unlikely to yield.

Now I have a weekend to get through, so watch this space for my next update. Oh, and please sign up to this blog if you like it! Thanks a mill... x