Commit To Lifelong Learning

The following is from The Goal Wizard Show Episode 028. It has been adapted for publication HERE.


Definition from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition:


"Learning: Knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study."


Education in the classroom isn't enough


We are living in a fast-paced world with knowledge accelerating to the point where obsolescence becomes faster and faster. What was valid, say, in technology 18 months ago, is obsolete now. Now college education does help, but isn't necessarily necessary. Famous example, of course, is Bill Gates who dropped out of Harvard to eventually found MicroSoft.


I strongly recommend that you read at least 2 hours a day in your chosen field. If you can do more, great, but at least 2 hours.


Build a library, use a library


My own library is the first thing people notice when they enter my apartment. Most other homes have a large television that commands attention, but I have books. Books I have acquired from The Thrift Store. What I don't have in terms of books that have been recently published, I turn to the Public Library. If you don't have one, at the very least, get a Library Card. Most libraries it is free, others you pay a very nominal fee of one or two dollars.


Audio and video programs


I have a collection of DVDs, CDs and MP3s on personal development. Instead of music on my MP3 player, I have dozens of audio programs I listen to as I walk to work. If you have a car, listen to personal development/success programs instead of music. If someone is riding with you, turn off the CD player/radio entirely and focus instead on having a conversation with the people in your car.


Lifelong


Learn not only from books and other media, but from personal life experience. Learn from your family, friends, co-workers. They have much to teach you, if you're willing. That ancient Chinese maxim applies: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."


So make the World your Classroom.


Always take the Red Pill ()
Tim


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Be Interested Instead of Interesting

(This Post is based on The Goal Wizard Show Episode 029 originally broadcast on June 12, 2012. It has been slightly modified for publication HERE.)


There is nothing new in this concept. 75 years ago in 1937 Dale Carnegie presented it in his classic book How to Win Friends and Influence People. And it still holds true to-day.


Engage others. In conversations, pay attention to what is being said, both in the words being used and in body language as well. Be there in the present moment. Try not to "tune out" the other person, i.e. rehearsing in your mind what you're going to say next. Ask questions to connect, not interrogate. And don't play "me too." People love to talk about their favourite subject...themselves! Push your ego aside if you can.


That is not to say do not endeavour to stand out from the crowd if you're in business for yourself; then you want to be interesting, and always remember that it is SERVICE that matters most. Zig Ziglar said it best when he said "You can get what you want if you help enough people get what they want."


So get out there and make it happen.


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Always take The Red Pill ()

Tell It Like It Is

(This is based on The Goal Wizard Show Episode 027 braodcast on June 5, 2012. It has been adapted for publication HERE)


Tell it Like It Is


Dictionary definition from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th Edition:


Tell: "To relate in detail; to give utterance to; to express in words; to give information to"


Tell it Like It Is to yourself


Don't kid yourself and just tell yourself what you want to hear and don't believe everything you think. Your mind will do a number on your if you're not careful. Always use the Reality Principle: "What's the Reality here?" Be gentle to yourself, though. Talk to yourself as you would to others. Be your own best friend. Above all, be honest.


Tell it Like it Is to others


Be honest, but not blunt, unless it's called for. An example from my workplace: A group of us were talking to a couple of smokers about quitting. I said I do not want to see them carting an oxygen tank ten years from now if they continue smoking. They were taken aback, but I planted the seed. Whether or not they accept what I say or not is up to them. Here's a great concept from Brendon Buchard's latest book The  Charge: You can console someone and make them feel better or coach them so they can be better. And know above all what it is. Base it on reality, not your personal opinion.


Listen to The Goal Wizard Show every Tuesday & Saturday @ 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 8:00 p.m. Eastern


Always take the Red Pill
Tim

31 Tips to Reach Your Next Level Of Greatness (LINK)

Here is the link to Josh Linkner's blog post that I am doing as a series on The Goal Wizard show:


31 Tips to Reach Your Next Level of Greatness


Enjoy!


Always Take The Red Pill
Tim

My Buddhist Birthday

I know I said in my last broadcast on Blog Talk Radio The Goal Wizard Show Episode 024 I would be writing about my last health crisis, but I've decided instead to write about a Significant Event that happened on this day in 1984.

I took vows as a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist and received my first Gohonzon. At the time, the lay organization was Nichiren Shoshu Soka Gakkai of America, otherwise known as NSA. 

I first started chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo at work. At the time, I was working at a plant nursery, so as I drove tractor around I would chant. Now, when I was first introduced to The Practice, I thought it was silly, chanting to a piece of paper with words I couldn't read. But I was told give it a try so I did. Then mystical experiences happened I couldn't rationally explain. Doors opened for me and people appeared at the right time. So I was convinced, sign me up!

So I received what is called Gojukai at Myoshin-ji Temple in Pinole, CA on Memorial Day weekend. It was on Memorial Day itself, a Monday.

I wish I could say that I've practiced every day since then but I can't. There have been ups and downs, periods of turmoil, homelessness, times where I failed as a Buddhist and generated boatloads of negative Karma. And I'm in a better space to-day and I know my best days are ahead of me.

O, and for my show to-morrow, I'm going to review the 2006 video "The Secret" and discuss the impact Law of Attraction and chanting and believing in the power of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and the Gohonzon has had on my life. Tune in.

Anyway, enjoy your day!

Tim

The Optimist's Creed PDF Printable Link

Hello!


I apologize for not getting this out sooner, and here's the PDF page of "The Optimist's Creed":

The Optimist's Creed

The Optimist's Creed-Full Text

On my radio show this Friday, I begin a new series on The Optimist's Creed by New Thought author Christian D. Larson. It was brought to attention by Rhonda Byrne and The Secret.  So here it is, in full:

I PROMISE MYSELF

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Hope to have you tune in this Friday!

To your Greater Success,

Tim