How to Save Yourself from Negative Influences

by Michael Cobb.
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

Watching the news can be hazardous to your health.

It's a fact, especially when you're watching events related to terrorism, kidnapping, murder, accidents, or calamities. These incidents make you worry and will leave you feeling weak and insecure. Imagine the uncomfortable feeling of becoming a victim someday. This will have a negative effect on your outlook in life.

Your surroundings have a big impact on you. How can you think and grow rich if you're bombarded with messages that relates "how difficult life has become" or "how poor most of us has turned out to be?"

You can't change your environment, but you certainly can control your mind. This is where visualization comes into play. Use your imagination, just as you would when you're still a little child. Imagine your home as a palace, your simple meal as fine dining gourmet, and your nearby park as your favorite vacation spot. Just imagine. Unconsciously, your thoughts will transform the images into their physical components.

If the media can indirectly influence you just by reporting what's happening around, imagine what impact everyday people have on you. These are the people that you see and meet everyday. These are also the same people who are expressing their own views of what is right and what is wrong.

When we grow up in a negative environment, we tend to acquire the traits and characteristics of people around us.

Many gangsters have been brought up by folks who have either misguided them or have taught them the wrong things in life. Through the years, they have instilled within themselves the vices of people around them.

Here's another case.

Pick a nice person, throw him in a group of bad-mouthed individuals who incorporates swear words in their everyday language. Sooner or later, you'll notice that nice person speaking in the same manner as the group.

This just goes to say that anyone who joins in the company of a like-minded group will have a big chance of being influenced by the personality of that group. So what can you do if you're surrounded by people who deviates from your way of thinking?

You can't just avoid them. They'll think of you as a snob. Don't change the way you treat them, but simply learn how to shield out pessimistic comments or suggestions.

Sometimes, they will dictate you to do what you are against to do. Be firm with what you believe in. Do not let them affect your decisions. You know that you can do what they thought would be impossible. If you have to suffer the ridicule, so be it. You will have the last laugh anyway.

Moreover, you should be with people who have the same principles and ideologies as you do. You will be more encouraged to continue your dreams if you have a support group or mentor who will prod you to pursue your goals despite the setbacks.

When I was starting my internet endeavors, no one (and I mean not even one) of my relatives and friends believed me. But I did not let their discouragement stop me from becoming successful.

I remained firm in my quest to make a living online. I made friends with respected internet marketers who shared the same vision as mine. They have also experienced the same treatment from non-believers; but they have proven that what the mind can conceive, it can achieve. Through
their help, I was able to put aside my doubts and achieve my goals.

You have the power to make your dreams a reality. Now show the world what stuff you are made of.

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Article provided by Michael Cobb. Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation and Personal Growth website at http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles or the Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation and Personal Growth Blog at http://be-a-better-you.blogspot.com for more great articles, tips and resourses.
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Surefire Ways to Attain Moneymaking Success

by Michael Cobb.
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

You have probably heard other people say that "Money isn't everything" or "Money can't buy happiness." They may be right in some aspects; but it's not just about the money.

It's about having an ideal lifestyle - being able to have control over your time and schedule, having no one ordering you around, not having to look at the price tags every time you go out shopping, and just enjoying the freedom that you truly deserve.

But why do many people fail to achieve financial freedom? Through experience, I have observed that they have limited belief.

That's the problem with most people. They have set up a boundary in their minds. This barrier stops any possibility of surpassing the current limits of their belief.

For example, many people would think that their boring day job is all that they're good enough for. They do not like to think outside the box. They do not grab opportunities that are theirs for the taking. Fears and doubts have been causing them to miss these golden chances of a lifetime.

There are plenty of opportunities out there. They may enroll in night classes, do some research on how to make more money, or start an internet business.

When I was just starting my online endeavors, all my friends and relatives (with the exception of my internet marketing friends, of course) would discourage me in entering this venture. They would repeatedly inform me that I'm wasting my time and nothing good would come out of it.

Had I listened to them, I would not have achieved online success. If they have succeeded in implanting their own restricted beliefs into my mind, I never would have tasted the joy of being an infopreneur.

No offense to them. I respect their decisions. Everyone has the right to voice out their opinions, but
no one has the right to force others in accepting their belief. Thank goodness my internet marketing pals have encouraged and supported me all the way.

Believe that you have the capacity and power to attain moneymaking success, and you're halfway there.

Plan everything. Make a list of things that would allow you to save money. Cut back on using your
credit card, pay your bills on time, make wise investment decisions, and try your best to start in
some sort of business (no matter how small).

More importantly, action should be taken. It's not enough to just believe. You have to make a move.
Does making mistakes frighten you? Don't be. The more mistakes you make, the closer you will get to
success.

Sacrifice. Instead of watching TV or going shopping, invest more time on those activities that would propel you in reaching your financial goals.

Many people would repeatedly complain that they're sick and tired of their lives, but do they really deserve a better life? The harder you work, the more chances that success will hit you.

Never, ever give up. Quitting is not an option. You must keep on pounding and pounding until you
have achieved your mission.

Money may not be everything, but living your life the way you want it to be is.

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Article provided by Michael Cobb.
Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation and Personal Growth website at http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles or the Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation and Personal Growth Blog at http://be-a-better-you.blogspot.com for more great articles, tips and resourses.
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Control Your Fear Before It Controls You

by Michael Cobb.
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

"Fear Factor" is one of my favorite TV shows. It
highlights the courage of the participants to engage in
the most fearsome and disgusting acts.

Most of the contestants are willing to sacrifice their
dignity for the sake of the prize money. So what does
that imply? It implies that with the proper mindset,
determination, and will power, you can conquer your fear.

Everyone has some sort of fear. It may be brought about
by any one or more of the following reasons.

1) by a traumatic past incident (like being bitten by a
dog)
2) by the influence of other people
3) by their own negative way of thinking

But are you going to let fear take over your life? Will
you remain a hostage of your fear forever?

You must take the necessary steps to overcome your fright.
It's all in the mind.

Do you envy other people when you see them enjoying wild
rides, and you're just stuck in a corner because you're
too terrified to give it a try?

My suggestion is to face your fear head-on. Imagine
yourself enjoying the experience instead of exaggerating
the things that make you worry. (Unless of course you
have health problems, then taking wild rides may not be
a good idea).

Do you want to be a doctor but you're afraid that your
intellect can't handle the pressure or you're worried
about financial insecurity?

Well here's the good news. If you're really determined
to achieve your deepest desires, a powerful force will
enable you to reach them amidst every obstacle that comes
in the way. I'm not kidding.

Someone or something will always be there to help you
attain your goals. Just have faith in your abilities.
Your will power have the utmost capacity to accomplish
anything with the proper mindset.

You could use visualization to help you in defeating
any kind of fear.

Are you afraid of heights? Then imagine yourself being on
top of a mountain, overseeing the magnificent sights. Enjoy
and feel the moment. Take away all worries and anxieties.

Then just do it! Face it head on! Go to the top of a
building and savor the great feeling of being able to
face your fear.

This applies to whatever thing that triggers your fear
factor. Just imagine being able to defeat it, then
confront it with the definite belief that you have the
capacity to do everything you want if you just put your
mind to it.

Face the thing you fear the most and you'll never have to
fear anything again in your life.

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Article provided by Michael Cobb.
Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation
and Personal Growth website at
http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles for more great
articles, tips and resourses.
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This article may be freely used and distributed in its original
form on the condition that the above resourse box (including
links) and this paragraph are left intact.
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The Hidden Superpowers Of Your Mind

by Michael Cobb.
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

The mind is an infinite wonder. It has the fantastic ability to
transmute your desires into their physical counterparts. You can
do anything that your mind can conceive, as long as you have the
belief and will power to back it up.

Take the case of cancer patients who were given placebo pills.
These are just plain pills that have no healing capabilities.
So how did they get well?

The power came from their thoughts. They were told that these
pills contain the highest amounts of cancer-fighting ingredients
which can effectively cure them in a matter of days.

See how powerful your mind is?

They believed that their health will be restored. They have
registered in their minds that these pills will cure them of
their illnesses. In the process, the belief embedded within
their subconscious came to reality.

So how can you use your mind to achieve your dreams? One of the
most effective ways is to use the "as if" principle.

Act as if you are the person you want to be. Act as if you are
already in possession of whatever you long to have.

So what do you want to be? You want to be a lawyer, doctor,
athlete, or newscaster? Think, act, and feel like one. You'll
be much closer to your goal if you're constantly intact with
your objective. Be obsessed with your dream. It doesn't mean
that if you want to be Superman you'll fly out the window. Not
a good idea!

It's not enough that you act like one, but you have to actually
ACT. Do what needs to be done. You might get so lost in your
fantasy dream world that you've forgotten to take some action.
Let your visions encourage and motivate you to actualize your
purpose.

The problem with the people of the modern world is that they
are too preoccupied with worries, anxieties, and negative
emotions. As a result, they are adversely affecting their
state of health.

White lies have become prevalent nowadays in order to ease the
burdens or to persuade others to do things that they thought
are unattainable.

There was once a weightlifter who couldn't lift weights in excess
of 300 lbs. So his coach devised a clever idea and told him that
the barbell he has to carry weighs only 300 lbs. With all his
might, the weightlifter managed to put it above his head. After
he puts it down, the coach told him that he has just lifted 350
lbs. of weight! It's all in the mind!

A famous person once said, "Whenever you think you can or you
can't, you're right."

If you think you are poor, then you are; unless you properly
condition your thoughts to the positive mindset. I know it's
hard to think rich if your environment is not conducive to
such way of thinking. Use your imagination then! Visualize
your house to be a mansion, your old car to be a limousine,...
Well you get the picture.

There is absolutely no limit with what the mind can achieve. But
you have to combine belief, will power, and action with positive
thinking in order to arrive at your intended destination.

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Article provided by Michael Cobb.
Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation
and Personal Growth website at
http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles for more great
articles, tips and resourses.
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This article may be freely used and distributed in its original
form on the condition that the above resourse box (including
links) and this paragraph are left intact.
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Bad Luck ... Or Blessing In Disguise?

by Michael Cobb.
http://www.be-a-better-you.com

There was a woman who was in such a hurry to go to the airport.
She told the cab driver to step on it. She was so engrossed
with her own thoughts that she was not aware they were going
on a different route.

Suddenly, a man went inside the cab and took her handbag where
she placed her visa, passport, and all her money for the trip.

The driver, who was in cahoots with the robber, left her in the
middle of that dark street. She cursed the world for being so
mean to her, and she kept on thinking how unlucky she was to
be in that situation.

That very same night, she heard a shocking news. Tears flowed
down her face. Flight 230 has crashed! It was the plane where
she was supposed to board into. If she have not lost her
precious belongings, she could have lost something far more
important - her life!

Sometimes bad things really happen. We lost our money, failed
our exams, or get rejected by others. There are times when
nothing seems to go our way.

So what do we do about it? Are we going to be disappointed?
The answer is a resounding "No!" We must take all these
frustrations out of our chest and start all over again with
the consistent faith that we will get what we deserved.

So what if you failed the exams? Maybe you'd be more
successful and much happier in another field. You were
rejected by your boyfriend/ girlfriend? There are plenty
of others out there who are much better and who are much more
deserving of your love and affection.

Don't waste your time and energy on things that can't be
changed. Continuous worrying will only affect your health
on the long run, and you'd be doing much more damage than
what was previously done.

Set yourself free. Move onwards with the conviction of a
winner.

What if we turn the tables around? What if you never ran
out of good luck?

There was this man who won the lottery. He thought he was the
luckiest person in the world. He became greedy and wasted
all his money on everything he could get his hands on.

One day, he made it on the front page of the newspaper again.
But this time, it was a different story. He was killed
because of his riches.

If you attain good luck, never be too secure about it either.
Pray for protection and guidance. Life is so unpredictable.
You just won't know what will happen next.

Live one day at a time. Sometimes we subject ourselves to
unnecessary mental and emotional torture. We ask ourselves,
"What if I don't get this done in time?" or "What if my
family leaves me and I've got no one else to turn to?"

Work at the present moment. Do what must be done at present
and the future will turn out just fine. Believe me. And
believe in yourself. As Captain Planet always says: "The
power is yours!"

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Article provided by Michael Cobb.
Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation
and Personal Growth website at
http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles for more great
articles, tips and resourses.
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This article may be freely used and distributed in its original
form on the condition that the above resourse box (including
links) and this paragraph are left intact.
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Two Proven Techniques that Successful People Do to Double or Triple Their Time in a Day

They say that time is much more important than wealth. Most effective people think so. They know how to get more time in a day, and they have mastered the art of utilizing time effectively to do more productive things that contribute to their advancement or success. So how do they do it?

Proven Technique Number 1 - They delegate and assign simple routinary tasks to other people so that they can have more free time to do as they please.

This is very elementary but of great significance. If you have the money, hire people to do the housework, the repairing, and even some of your office jobs. Let others do the research. But of course, you have to reward them accordingly so they will get motivated to render their services again.

You can then focus on the more important things in life, like planning and managing your activities.

Proven Technique Number 2 - They plan seriously.

The less time you think you have, the more critical it is for you to plan. By planning carefully, you’ll be able to manage your time better and avoid costly mistakes that eat up much more of your time.

You might say that you’re so busy you don’t even have time to plan. Maybe you can insert some time planning while doing your other activities. The planning phase is very important in organizing your thoughts to carry out the desired effects.

You might say that this is boring stuff, but you should never underestimate this process. This is like a guideline to steer you into the right direction.

Your plan will be your road map. Spend enough time to ponder through the different approaches and activities, and you will soon realize that you can save a lot more time by doing this.

It will be best if you can choose a quiet place to make your plan.
Your mind can focus and think more clearly this way.

Every individual has his unique perception of a well-made plan. There are no specific rules in making it. But in case you're in a tight situation, let me give you some tips.

1. Write down your objective. This is a precise definition of your target.

2. Brainstorm the strategies & tactics you will employ to accomplish your objective.

3. Assess the advantages & disadvantages of carrying out those strategies & choose those tactics where the pros outweigh the cons.

4. Set a timeline or deadline in completing your mission.

5. Make modifications & back-up plans in case Plan A doesn't work.

6. As your plan evolves, you will gain experience. Learn from your mistakes.

Most important of all, don’t delay. Start applying what you have learned today, and have lots of great time!

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Article provided by Michael Cobb.
Visit Michael's Self Help, Self Improvement, Motivation
and Personal Growth website at
http://www.be-a-better-you.com/articles for more great
articles, tips and resourses.
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This article may be freely used and distributed in its original
form on the condition that the above resourse box (including
links) and this paragraph are left intact.
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7 Incredible Lifesaving Tips to Manage Your Anger

Experiencing anger is extremely dangerous to your health. It
causes your adrenaline and blood pressure to rise up at above
normal levels. Moreover, you could end up hurting someone or
doing something that you will regret later on.

Here are 7 fantastic tips to help you be the one in control of
yourself, and not the hazardous madman called "Anger."

1) Relax and visualize.

Calm yourself down. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, imagine
all those bottled-up fury come out of your nose and mouth.
Release it and be free. Repeat this step over and over until
you feel peace inside.

Then visualize being in a place where you feel most happy, calm,
and relaxed. It may be a place like a beach, garden, scenic
locations, or anywhere else you might think of. Just imagine
being there and inhaling the essence of your serene environment.
By doing this, you will not find it hard to attain inner peace.

2) Pour out your anger to safe outlets.

You had a big quarrel with your former friend. He betrayed your
trust. You want vengeance and you're raving mad.

Hold it. Restrain yourself.

Try your best to get away from him as far as you can. You don't
want to hurt anyone. Anger can possess your brain into doing
something that you wouldn't dare do before.

How do you then release your anger if you can't restrict it
anymore?

Buy a punching bag, then pour out all your rage in it. Punch it,
kick it, strangle it. Imagine the punching bag is your enemy.
When you're done, you will feel a sense of satisfaction. You may
even punch and kick through thin air if you desire.

Another way to release it is "SHOUT!" Find a distant place where
you can be alone - a place where no one can hear you. At the top
of your voice, yell out loud "Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh."
You can choose any word you like as long as you release all those
angry demons out of your chest.

3) Forgive and forget.

Nothing could ease your mental and emotional pains better than
by forgiving someone that has hurt you in the past. It is very
unhealthy to burden yourself with unnecessary torture brought
about by unpleasant memories of other people's demeaning acts.

Moreover, if they have taken something important away from you,
would it make sense to also sacrifice your health and lifestyle?
Of course not.

4) Exercise.

Engaging in exercises increases your endorphins. Your angry
mood could miraculously change to a happy one if you get involved
in exercises that you enjoy doing.

5) Have a circle of "sponge" friends.

Do you feel relieved when you voice out all your problems to close
friends and relatives? That's the power of voicing out your inner
feelings.

Always have someone to talk to when you're down, when you're
depressed, when you're mad, or in any other occasion when you feel
you have to get the thorns out of your chest.

6) Listen to soothing music.

It calms your soul. A 20 minute session of listening to relaxing
music while resting comfortably could soothe the upset spirit.
Take deep breaths often.

7) Pray.

Deadly consequences arise when people could not hold back their
fury. Ask for guidance that you will be able to control your temper.
Prayers bring inner peace to those who ask for it.

There you have it - 7 essential rules to release yourself from the
treacherous killer known as "Anger." Manage your anger, save your
life.

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For more Self Help, Self Improvement and Motivation tips,
techniques and resources visit Be-A-Better-You.com

What Do You Really Want?

Ever wonder why some people never get anything good out of their life? That’s because they don’t know what they want in the first place!

You must be specific in your passions, then you must focus all your efforts on that particular desire.

Some people don't really know what they want. For one moment they're excited over a particular thing or endeavor. The next thing you know they completely abandon it; either because they lose their interest or because they give up when they encounter a little problem.

Those who always change their minds and those who give up easily when the going gets tough will never get anywhere.

Maybe right now you're a bit confused. You don't seem to know what you really want in life. You might want to consider these:

1. What makes your heart beat with excitement?
2. What makes you happy?
3. What are you consistenly thinking of day & night?
4. What do you want to do for the rest of my life?
5. What do you enjoy doing?
6. What are your obsessions?
7. What things make you jump with joy?

To help you out, just follow these steps.

1. Write on a piece of paper all your possible answers for the seven questions above. Write anything, even seemingly unimportant ones.

2. Encircle 5 to 7 items that interests you the most.

3. Then evaluate and choose with your heart the one & only thing that is worthy to spend all your time & resources with. The chosen one should really be something that brings out the best in you.

Other than the exercise above, you could also ask your close friends and relatives about their personal dreams. You could also read books & surf the net to help you in your search.

Use your heart. Other people may disagree with you, but you should be firm with what you really want. Others may give comments or advice, but the final decision is always yours to make. You should concentrate on what you want, not on what others want for you.

Don't go sleeping tonight without making a final decision on
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IN LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

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For more Self Help, Self Improvement and Motivation tips,
techniques and resources visit Be-A-Better-You.com