I’m going through changes again. Are they changes I want or are they enforced by outside influences?

That’s a very difficult question to answer. The world is a strange place right now. In fact I cannot recall so many economic problems at once. But the changes I’m going through are actually through choice and the issues over which I have no control have conspired to help me.

I’m one of the few people I know who is pleased with life right now. The downturn is having as much affect on me as any one else – real world business is down, my clients are suffering and I could be fearful of the future – certainly from an income perspective. But…

…this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. I have some breathing space. I have some time to concentrate on new ventures – on things I’ve been looking to do for so long but just haven’t been able to fit in.

I have a saying I use often – you may have read it here before:

Nothing Changes Without A Change

That summarises life for me. Everything changes from the day we are born until the day we die.

But if we don’t make a change the situation remains the same.

And yet, most people fear and resist change.

For me, the changes right now are fantastic. I have no control over the world economy, over banks and their ridiculous attitudes, over stockmarkets or house prices.

SIDENOTE

I saw on the news a couple of days ago that the major UK banks had been scammed out of £ millions. These are “prudent” bankers don’t forget. And then seconds later there was an advert suggesting I might like to get free financial advice from them! I think they’ve done enough damage thank you.

Those changes, however, provide me with opportunity. There is ALWAYS a positive to offset the negative and I ALWAYS focus on that positive.

So it is with a very light heart I move towards 2009 and another change, another chapter perhaps, in my working life.

I prefer to think of these changes as evolution – a flow from one state to another. If you don’t resist and just go with the flow life is so much easier and amazing things happen.

A year a two ago I met a lady named Suzie Cheel from Abundance Highway when we were both starting new businesses. Suzie has just published a new book about this very subject of change. The Emergings Book is her collection of art and words that flow around the sometimes difficult subject of change.

Created originally 21 years ago when Suzie was contemplating a major career change it is as valid today as it was then. The words flow around her paintings – it is more an experience than a book!

Suzie has gone though a number of changes over the past year – the release of this book was in fact as part of a major challenge to complete an unfinished project within a very tight timeframe. 21 years after starting it seems Suzie managed to complete the task in less than 2 months. Clearly she knows something about change!

If you are worried about change or are facing changes that you find uncomfortable then take some time to really focus on the positive side of those changes. Sometimes you need to take inspiration from others – maybe Suzie’s work will be inspiring enough for you to make that change.

Look for the good in every situation – it is there if you look hard enough.

Technorati: change, changes, coping with change, emotional change, life change

The biggest reason why most people don’t have want they want in life is that they simply don’t believe they can.

That’s a simple statement but but it contains so many different reasons for failure.

There’s the belief that only clever people can run businesses, only people with much money already, only people with certain skills, ideas, backgrounds, contacts… the list is endless.

Then there are those beliefs about money; it’s evil, money goes to money, rich people are arrogant, I’m not worthy, I can’t…

But honestly, they are all only excuses for not taking action which will mean making some sort of change.

The thing that sets all successful people apart from those who don’t make it is simply:

BELIEF

Yes, they 100%, totally, unwaveringly believe in their own ability and the certainty of success.

I’ve obtained a free gift for you that will help get your beliefs about money into perspective and I think you’ll find will make your becoming a business success so much easier.

Before you download the book (just click the book cover below) there are two sections in the book I want you to read and think about very carefully.

On pages 11-12, the issue of change is addressed. As you probably know, this is my area of expertise, I just love change (I know, I’m a bit weird – most people are really afraid of it!) because I know that the changes I make are for the best. If you focus on the desired outcome, rather than what you fear may happen, then the best you hoped for WILL come about. It is only the focus on the negatives that cause them to happen.

As an aside I play golf as much as possible. Anyone who also plays will know that water hazards cause many golfers big problems.

The cause of that is that most of the time they concentrate on NOT going into the water rather than focusing on the shot they want – landing the ball on the green. The negative thought creates the shot that gets wet because the subconscious takes the thought of water as an instruction.

Back to the book, I particularly like this quote:

When you change so does your world

There is no point in waiting for the world to change to your liking – it’s not going to happen. If you want something and it’s not happening for you right now then you, and only you, have to change something.

The other area is about doing what you love to do. And doing that to make money.

You see it’s all about passion. If you do something you hate how much effort and enthusiasm do you have? If your current job involves doing exactly the same thing day in day out do you find it so stimulating you want to tell the world about it?

You’ll find Money Beliefs a great read and I hope will open you eyes to a few possibilities.

If you haven’t started a business yet or decided exactly what you want to do I strongly recommend you read Money Beliefs first.

Good luck

Technorati: beliefs about money, believe, change, making changes, money

You’ve been sitting at the red light for 5 minutes already. It’s a really busy junction and there are cars streaming through the green light and passing right across the front of your car.

You’re getting uncomfortable. Should I just drive on? Surely the lights must change in a second.

You wait a little longer. Nothing is happening. Nothing is changing.

You’re getting a little stressed. You know what the red light means. Just wait. But for how long?

It’s been 7 minutes. You want to drive on but you’d have to head out into the traffic that’s passing through the green light.

You wait a little longer. Still no change.

Your decision is made. You cannot wait any longer. The traffic lights are clearly not working correctly. They are not going to change.

You have to go.

What’s the worst that can happen?

A ticket for driving through a red light? You could probably clear that because theres’s clearly a problem.

Some abuse from other drivers? You can live with that.

A collision? Not good, but the traffic is moving slowly so you won’t die and probably wouldn’t even get hurt.

You put the car into gear and head out slowly into the moving traffic to be greeted by tooting of horns and gestures from the drivers that you’ve gone through a red light.

It’s very uncomfortable. You feel it’s a bit of a risk but you had to do something.

You could have sat waiting but nothing would have changed.

You did something. You acted. You took control. It felt scary but at the same time good that you were doing something positive rather than just waiting.

You moved into the free flowing traffic, the toots die down, the gestures stop and you drive on home.

No collision, no injury, no ticket. Not so bad after all.

Is it the same in your life?

Your stuck. Your stressed. Nothing is changing.

Little money; hate your job; hate your boss; hate your lifestyle.

Your life is at the Red Light.

Unless you change something, nothing is going to change.

It may be scary, it may be a risk but the choice is clear:

You either decide to move on or you put up with what you’ve got.

What’s the worse that can happen?

Your probably not going to die or get injured.

If fear is holding you back you need to think long and hard about this question:

What do you fear most, living your life the way you do now for the rest of your life or taking some well thought out action?

I don’t mean a leap of faith, I mean spending some time on you instead of say watching TV. Working out what to do, looking at the downside risks and taking steps to minimise those risks and maximise your chances of success.

Can you do it?

100% YES.

Stay tuned to Lifestyle Created and create the life you truly desire and is there waiting for YOU.

If you chose to stay sitting at the traffic lights do something beneficial while you’re there – read Carole Fogarty’s advice

Technorati: change, lifestyle, red light, red traffic light, stop light

Image via WikipediaFear, lack of belief, financial situation, inconvenient right now, lack of time, unsure of what…

We’ve all been there. We know we want and must make a change but something prevents us from doing it.

A day or two drift away, then a week, a month and the thought is a distant dream. Oh well, all that good stuff is for someone else anyway, I’m happy with my lot.

We all know the word for that!

So here’s a helping hand to get you fired up.

You’ll need 60 minutes, with no interruptions and a clear mind.

I want you to turn on your speakers and listen carefully to what Stephen Pierce has to say in this audio recording. There’s nothing to buy, no links to follow just a great presentation that I truly hope will help you focus on what you need to do.

When you’re ready follow the link below, but before you do, if you haven’t already signed up for one of my RSS feeds or email list do so right now so I can let you know when I have more great inspirational material like this for you.

The 60 Minute Life Changing Audio

Technorati: business mindset, change, inspirational

Image via WikipediaDefining what this site is all about is a bit of a challenge!

Can you imagine how many millions of people live their lives according to “expectations” rather than the way they really want?

How many people watch films and quietly wish their lives were different?

The day to day drudgery of a working life: same route to work; same boring lunch; same boring work – quietly counting the days down to retirement. What a relief that will be – no more work. BUT for most people that also signifies a complete lack of money!

You can get out of this hole that society expects us to be in.

Yes, you can but you have to be prepared to take some risks, make some changes and do something differently.

LifeStyle Created is all about creating the lifestyle you want – whatever that might look like.

I’ve done it by running a business from home for over10 years. I’ve seen the good times and the bad – I’ve faced enormous challenges but also spent time playing golf when others are working .

So LifeStyle Created is about getting your mind straight. It’s about finding the real desires that will keep you motivated towards your goals. It’s about change, that’s the real big one – making changes. It’s about work from home business and it’s about the actual lifestyle you want for you and your family.

I refuse to be pigeon holed – this isn’t about Self Improvement or Internet Marketing although both are major inflences on me and where I am today. They’ll be referenced and discussed but this site is about…

YOU

I want to know about the challenges you face. The goals you want to achieve, the guidance you need and above all the lifestyle you want to create.

Sign up to one or all of the RSS feeds, the email updates, bookmark or favourite this site but make sure you come back somehow – I want to know when you’ve made it.

Mark