Jim Garland's Blog

Have you ever heard of the Law of Attraction?  It is a universal law, similar to the law of gravity or the law of night and day.  What goes up must come down, day follows night and night follows day.  These are universal laws that cannot be changed.  The Law of Attraction works exactly the same way.  Every human abides by the Law of Attraction:

•    Like attracts like
•    Positive thoughts and feelings attract positive outcomes into your life
•    Negative thoughts and feelings attract negative things into your life
•    As you think, you shall become
•    What you think you deserve, good or bad, you will receive

If you think that the world is a hard, difficult and cruel place, then as a result of this thinking, that is what your life will become.  Conversely, if you view the world as being full of opportunity, abundance and joy, then, as a result of that thinking, that is what your life will become.  How you think every day will control your actions and what you do every day. This, in turn will produce results, good, bad, or indifferent.  Where you are in your life right now is where your thoughts and feelings have brought you, period.  You must accept 100% responsibility for where you are right now in your journey.  When I first heard this, I refused to believe it.  How could my thoughts control my destiny?  Look at the statement in bold above and you will find your answer. This is the key. How you think controls how you act, which determines where you end up in life.  The Law of Attraction will bring to you whatever it is you think about yourself and your life each day.

Goals must be S.M.A.R.T

Specific – Your goal must always be very specific.  For example if your goal is to make more money you must determine the exact dollar amount that you want to make.

Measurable – Your goal must be something that can be measured over time so you can track how you are doing.

Attainable – Your goal must be attainable.  Set a big goal but make sure it stays reasonable and attainable.

Relevant – Make sure your goal means something to you.  Your goals must be relevant to you and your needs or you will not be motivated enough to achieve them.

Timely – Goals must be timely and you must put a completion date/time on your goals

In my book the Practical Guide to Exceptional Living I have a whole chapter on goal setting, here is an example of a written goal from page 112

It is October 10, and your goal is to be 125 pounds. This is great but you need to be more specific. You might say, “ I want to be 125 pounds in the next six months (specific) by March 10, (timely & attainable) because I want to be back in a size six, have more energy and feel great (relevant). Following this plan I have to lose 1 pound per week (measurable & attainable). This way I can wear my old clothes, buy some new ones and have more fun with the kids at the pool this summer.” This last sentence is where the emotion of achieving the goal comes into play. At this point you have a concrete goal with all of the components in place.

Notice that I came up with the weight that this person wanted to be, not the weight they wanted to lose, this is important.

Set at least one goal today that you are determined to accomplish in the next 6 months and share it on my blog.  Enjoy your day.

1.  They do not set clear and precise goals
Goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and have a time frame for completion)

2.  The goal is not realistic
(perhaps going from $75,000 to $100,000 in savings in the next 12 months but not from $75,000 to $,1, 000,000)

3.  People do not create a specific plan for achieving the goal
(Once the goal is set you must have a clear path and plan to reach the goal, this plan or path may change and that is OK)

4.  Lack of Action
(Once the goal is set you must take clear, precise and massive action in attainment of that goal)

5.  People lack patience
(You must be gentle with yourself and patient, great things do not happen overnight)

Check back in on Thursday and I will have a clear plan for goal setting and goal attainment.  Have a great week.

I am constantly looking for new information and trying to learn new ways to keep myself motivated and excited.  Some times things do not go our way and it can be tough to keep positive and continue our journey. I saw a great video by Anthony Robbins the other day and he gave 5 key ways to overcome adversity and stay on track.

5 key ways to overcome adversity

1. Feed your mind for at least an hour a day with books, tapes, Cd’s or music that is inspirational and makes you feel good
2. Feed and strengthen your body by working out and eating right
3. Find a role model who has done what you want to do and follow their lead
4. Make a plan and then take Massive Action!
5. Feed your spirit and most of all be grateful

Great advice from one of the top experts in the field of inspiration and self improvement

Enjoy your week.

For your health I recommend a drink that I make all summer long.  It is packed with nutrients and is great for your immune system and digestion.  I got the idea of this drink from a book by Victoria Boutenko called Green for Life.  This drink is refreshing and you cannot even taste the spinach once blended.  Use this to replace a meal or for a snack in between meals.  Spinach is one of the best natural foods you can consume and in juice form it is quickly assimilated into the body.

Handful of fresh spinach
1 banana
1 cup of water
Handful of ice
(blend well in a high powered blender)

You can also add 1/2 of a lime or lemon for a different flavor

For the kids I take out the spinach and add some different fruit.  This is a great way for them to get all of their daily servings in one shot and it off sets the visit from the ice cream man!  It is packed with vitamin C and other vital nutrients.

Handful of Strawberries
1 banana
Handful of blueberries
1/4 cantaloupe skinned and cut up
1/2 cup of orange juice
1 cup of water
Handful of ice
(blend well in a high powered blender)

Check out Victoria’s book on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/33a8hl6

I am a big believer in teaching our children about the value of hard work and money.  This article in the NY Times was sent to me by a friend who I happened to run into this weekend at the neighborhood pool.  We were discussing how we had both had jobs since we were fourteen years old.  Although this article is geared towards “wealthy” children, I believe it applies to everyone.  Enjoy the article and share it with your kids.

http://nyti.ms/a5ccdZ

With the celebration of of Memorial Day behind us, I thought it important to share one of the ways I show support and thanks for our troops.  Whenever I am in Starbucks or Chipotle and I see a person in military uniform I buy them their coffee, lunch or dinner.  Here is what I say “Sir/Mam, I want to thank you for all that you do to protect our country.  It is because of people like you that I am allowed to have the freedom to grow my business and enjoy the benefits of living in America.  Please do not argue with me because I will win. It is my treat for your meal/coffee today”

Show your support for our troops and when you see them in uniform, treat them, they deserve the show of thanks and gratitude.  Please share this blog with others so that they may do the same.

Jim