Tuesday, May 31, 2011

5 Secrets of Super Successful People



What’s the difference between good and great? Why are some people able to create super successful lives, while most of their peers hover near the mediocre middle?
As someone who’s spent a lifetime studying human behavior, I can tell you, success isn’t just about your level of education or your skills.  It’s about the mindset that you bring to everything, particularly your interactions with others.
The superstars of life don’t just behave differently; they think differently. To be clear, when I say superstar, I’m not just talking about monetary or career success.   I’m talking about success as a human being.
Because whether you’re trying to become a superstar parent or a superstar salesperson, the difference between success and failure always starts with mindset. Your own internal thought track sets the tone for all of your interactions.
Here are the five mindsets of life’s superstars:
1. Superstars hold two agendas in their mind at the same time.
Average people tend to approach their interactions with others focused exclusively on their own goals. Superstars, on the other hand, go into situations focused on their goals AND the goals of the other person. This seemingly nuanced difference in thinking is why superstars create better relationships and garner more support for just about everything they do.
2. Superstars can sit with uncertainty.
Mediocre performers want things to go according to their script. Whether it’s a sales call, a board meeting or a family reunion, they get anxious in the face of change and uncertainty.  Superstars, on the other hand, are more confident. They know that they’ll ultimately be to close the deal, make the presentation, or fill their plate in the buffet line, but they’re not attached to having it play out in a certain way. This keeps them from getting uneasy and makes them more fun and engaging to be around.

3. Superstars think backwards. Many people approach their life thinking, “I have these problems or goals; how might my spouse, boss, parent, coworker or customer help me eliminate them, solve them or accomplish them?”  Superstars reverse it: they think, “I have this spouse, customer, coworker, parent or boss; how might I be helpful?”

4. Superstars define success differently.

Many people tend to view the people around them as helpers or obstacles. When describing others they often use words like supportive, helpful, uncooperative, gatekeeper, blocker or even competitive threat, defining others solely in the context of whether they’re going to help or hinder their own efforts.
Superstars have a different definition of success. Other people aren’t just a means to accomplish their goals; other people are their goal. They want to create success for everyone.
Is Fear of Success Holding you Back?
5. Superstars show up with love. There are basically only two emotions: love and fear. They play out the same way at work as they do in our personal lives. Love expands; fear contracts.
Average people might not be quaking in their boots every minute of the day, but they spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not things will go their way. This unspoken fear creates an emotional wall between them and everyone they encounter.  Superstars have no such barrier. When they’re with you, they’re fully with you. They’re not distracted by unspoken angst, so they show up life with their heart and soul.
Post Source:http://shine.yahoo.com/event/workingit/5-secrets-of-super-successful-people-2489515/

5 Tips To Find Serenity In Your Busy Life

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Stressed out?  Feeling stretched with too much to do?  Want to just escape from your life for a bit to a far away island for some peace and serenity?
I have learned from years of meditation that some simple techniques help anchor us through difficult times and make the good times more enriching.
Here are some tips I have used to find serenity in my life:

1. "I AM" Breathing Exercise. You can do this any time, any place (even when you are stuck in traffic). Its a simple breathing exercise: every time you inhale, mentally say the word "I"; and every time you exhale, mentally say the word "AM." Pay attention to how the breath flows in and out of your body, and visualize the breath spreading from your lungs through your chest, down your arms and legs.  The "I AM" breathing exercise is meant to remind you that your true self is empowered, in control and creative - you not bound by your job title, your income, your age, your appearance or anything else.

2. Watch a video. 
Never underestimate the power of visual language to tap deeply into your subconscious to bring about a pure sense of happiness and inner peace. On Youtube and Vimeo, there are plenty of videos of ocean waves, falling rain, flower fields and other calming imagery that will be sure to bring an inner smile to your spirit.  Create your own library of images that soothe your soul.  Here is one that brings a smile to my face:
 3. Practice the 3 C's. One of my favorite exercises growing up was practicing the 3 C's : no Criticizing, Condemning or Complaining.  Sometimes consciously changing your inner dialogue can have drastic results on how you see the world and interact with others. See if you can practice this exercise for one hour, or even better, one day.
Watch video: Three Ways To Promote Peace In Your Community

4. Learn how to meditate. Meditation is one of the best lifelong skills you can give yourself for your longterm happiness and health. People who meditate regularly tend to be happier, live longer and lead healthier lives because they are better equipped to handle life's speed bumps and detours. Don't know where to start? Check out this illustrated guide on a simple, everyday meditation.

5. Anchor your thoughts with an intent. All action begins with an intention, whether consciously or subconsciously. So why not consciously make an intent that will pave the way for positive actions and greater happiness?
Whether your intent is abstract ("My intent is to be the change I wish to see in this world") or very specific ("My intent is to go to the gym today before dinnertime"), make a point to express it by writing it down or posting it on www.intent.com. By making a point every single day to make an intention, you are taking control of the happy and productive life you want to lead.
Post Source:http://shine.yahoo.com

The most well-read cities in the U.S.? Cambridge, Mass., tops the list

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Who are the biggest bookworms in the country? According to Amazon.com, the residents of Cambridge, Massachusetts—home to Harvard University and MIT—live in the most well-read city in the United States.

“In anticipation of the summer reading season—one of our favorite times to catch up on pleasure reading and unwind with the new titles being published this season—we’re excited to reveal the Most Well-Read City list,” Mari Malcolm, Amazon.com's managing editor of Books, said in a statement.

The online bookseller took a look at its 2011 sales figures so far, crunching the numbers for books, magazines, and newspapers sold in both print and Kindle formats. And the online marketplace found that, on a per-capita basis and for cities with more than 100,000 residents, the people who live in these 20 places really, really love to read:


  1. Cambridge, Massachusetts
  2. Alexandria, Virginia
  3. Berkeley, California
  4. Ann Arbor, Michigan
  5. Boulder, Colorado
  6. Miami, Florida
  7. Salt Lake City, Utah
  8. Gainesville, Florida
  9. Seattle, Washington
  10. Arlington, Virginia
  11. Knoxville, Tennessee
  12. Orlando, Florida
  13. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  14. Washington, D.C.
  15. Bellevue, Washington
  16. Columbia, South Carolina
  17. Saint Louis, Missouri
  18. Cincinnati, Ohio
  19. Portland, Oregon
  20. Atlanta, Georgia

Surprised to see a some of those names on the most well-read list? Don't be. Most of them are home to major universities, and even people who live in Disney's back yard still like to crack open a book and imagine their own Magic Kingdom from time to time.

What's surprising to us, though, is the fact that some of the most populated—and most traditionally bookish—cities didn't make the cut. New York City, the largest city in the U.S., isn't on the list, for example, and neither is Minneapolis, which was named the most-literate city in the country back in 2008. (Since this was the first year they compiled the list, Amazon representatives told me that they had no expectations about which cities would be on it.)

So, what are these well-read people reading? Cantabrigian go for the serious stuff, it seems; according to Amazon's analysis, Cambridge was also the city that ordered the most non-fiction books. The residents of Boulder ordered the most books in the cooking, food, and wine category. Kids are in control in Alexandria, which bought the most children's books. And the Sunshine State seems to take its summer reading seriously: Florida was the only state to have three cities in the top 20.
Post Source:http://shine.yahoo.com/