“So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young”

We all recognize the words from the John Lennon classic – ” Happy Christmas.”

How profound are these words – line two is especially important. Let me ask you that question – “What have you done?”

There are so many people who started 2011 with so many goals and plans and have they achieved what they wanted to do? I know the answer before anyone says anything. Not everyone reaches the goals that they set for themselves in their New Year’s resolutions. The reason is very easy – sometimes life just takes an unexpected turn.

Some of the things that could have happened that have changed you entire life include marriage, divorce, loss of a job, death of a relative or close friend or the birth of a child. All of these can be very stressful and can often turn your life in a different direction. There are many other occurrences that can change your life but often any of  these changes can be only temporary.

So this year when you are thinking of your New Year’s resolutions – keep them practical and achievable. What ever it is you want, if you can believe that it is achievable and you are prepared to work, the Universe will work with you and SUCCESS can be yours.

Use affirmations and visualizations to achieve what you want. This must be a habit that you get into. See it in your mind and feel it . Belief and persistence are the two major cornerstones to success. Even if some crisis befalls you, try and remain positive and as soon as you have sorted it out, get back on track.

So I would like to add two quotes from Henry Ford.

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”

                                                                  and

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

There is no such thing as failure only obstacles, in our way, that we must overcome.

To YOUR success

Sue McDonald

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I just wanted to let you hear the music of Chooka Parker. This young guy went on a talent quest in Australia and every time he sat at the piano he played an original work that he composed as he went – raw pure talent. He is 17, lives on the family farm and playing music is his passion.

Just proof once again that if you have a passion you should embrace it. It is the easiest way to success.

I just wanted to share this with you because I think it is beautiful, both the music and the videograhpy.

Today let’s look at how we can be successful in any endeavor we want to try. The first and most important part of success is to believe that it is possible for you to achieve what you are setting out to do. Never allow the old negative thought to try to tell you it cannot be done. If you believe you will achieve your goal – you will.

How do we go about achieving a particular goal? We have to have a written down plan. This plan may include you have to do more study that will allow you to reach your goal. Whatever you believe, it is going to take, include that in your plan – it maybe that you have to save some money each week to reach a goal. Be very clear here on this plan.

With your goal firmly set in your mind, we need to be able to track our progress. You cannot fix what you do not measure. Our measure might be sitting and passing some examinations or it may be watching the bank balance increase. What ever it is, we have to measure it all the time.

Now if you are studying and you believe that things are going slowly for you, you may want to increase the number of subjects you are doing. Word of warning here – remember you probably have other commitments that take a lot of your time so do not overdo it. Some people, who increase their subjects, find it very difficult to fit in everything else they have to do. I personally tried this and I ended up very ill at exam time and I was allowed to sit a post exam one month later. As long as you maintain that positive belief that this is possible – you will reach your goals. Never allow any person sway you from the belief that reaching your goal is possible.

To be successful may take time, but if you plan well and stick to that plan, then you will definitely achieve whatever it is that you set out to do. You may encounter difficulties along the way but like any problem, solve it and move on. Once you solve a problem, you will feel so much stronger to know that you are continuing in the right direction.

To YOUR success

Sue McDonald