TipsForSuccess: How to Break Bad Habits

How to Break Bad Habits   To succeed, you must have the power to break your bad habits.   For example, bad spending habits block your financial success. Laziness ruins your income. Acting like a victim makes people avoid you.   Bad health is caused by smoking, drinking, drugs, bad diet or a lack of exercise. When you break these bad habits, you feel better and live longer.   Bad marriages are also caused by bad habits, like dishonesty, disrespect or cheating. When you break these habits, you and your spouse enjoy a happier marriage.   From smoking to lying, being disorganized to gambling, you can stop any behavior that is bad for you and your success.   Taking Control   You have the power to control yourself. You move your arms and legs. You decide what you say. You determine where your body goes.   In other words, habits are not forced on you by others. Breaking habits means you take control.   "A habit is simply something one cannot stop." "When one loses the ability to stop something, that thing to some degree has become his master." -- L. Ron Hubbard from The Problems of Work   For example, you decide to stop being late for work. For several days, you get out of bed on time, quickly get ready for work and arrive on time. You feel in control.   But then one morning, you have a powerful urge to stay in bed. You cannot stop the feeling and end up being late for work. You do this almost every morning for a week.   You then decide to take better control and use more intention than before. You successfully stop being late. A few months later, you notice you have no urge to stay in bed and enjoy the benefits of arriving early for work, every day.   Control a Habit to Break a Habit "Control consists entirely of starting, changing and stopping. There are no other factors in positive control. If one can start something, change its position in space or existence in time and stop it, all at will, he can be said to control it, whatever it may be." -- L. Ron Hubbard   So how can you increase your self-control? Improve your ability to start, change or stop yourself.   What can you start about the bad habit? For example, you decide to start eating sugar at noon one day, 2:00 PM the next day and 9:00 AM the third day. You decide when to start eating sugar for the day.   Next, change some things about the bad habit. You eat more honey and fruit. You eat candy for breakfast or donuts before dinner. You successfully change the habit.   Finally, you find ways to stop the habit. For example, stop eating donuts forever. Stop eating cookies at night for one night. Eat only half of a candy bar and then throw it away. You successfully stop the habit in various ways.   As you continue to start, change and stop the habit, it gets easier and easier. You notice you have more control of the habit until you realize you have mastered the habit. You then break the habit forever.   Start!   P.S. We have assembled an interactive website you can use to break your habits using start, change and stop. It is free and does not require registration. Go to www.tipsforsuccesscoaching.org to take more about control. Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.    Copyright © 2011 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Subscribe, buy books or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org at www.tipsforsuccess.org.

 

TipsForSuccess: Fear of Consequences

 

Fear of Consequences Right now, you can make a decision that will make you more successful. Right now, you can take a step that will move you closer to your goals. Right now, you can change something about your life that will make you healthier and happier. However, if you find it hard to make decisions or take action, you miss these opportunities. Indecision costs companies millions when they fail to decide or fail to act. An opportunity comes and goes while management sits on its hands. For example, IBM could have controlled the personal computer market if it had acted on Bill Gates' offer to handle their software for them. Barnes and Noble was the world's biggest bookseller until Amazon.com took over. By the time Barnes and Noble started selling books on the Internet, Amazon.com had taken the number one spot. When you as an individual fail to make a decision or fail to act, you can also ruin your success or happiness. For example, you could have started a business when you were in your twenties. You could have formed a partnership with a very successful person. You could have made better decisions regarding your ex-spouse. You have probably seen big opportunities, knew they were big opportunities, and failed to act on them. In fact, you probably have one or more opportunities in front of you now. So what makes you hesitate? The Answer Is Simple "Inaction and indecision in the present is because of fear of consequences of the future." -- L. Ron Hubbard Because you are afraid of certain consequences, you do not act or do not decide. You are afraid of what might happen. You can see this principle at work with the following exercise. Five Tips for Conquering Your Fear of Consequences 1. Write down an opportunity that is available to you right now. 2. Write down the decision that is difficult to make or the action that is difficult to take. 3. Write down the consequences you might be afraid of. 4. Of these consequences, identify your biggest fear or fears. 5. Take action to resolve this fear or fears. You can then make the correct decision or take the actions necessary for your success. Example Richard has always wanted to be a business owner. His brother Alan calls one day and says, "How would you like to be partners with me on a Crazy Chicken franchise? It's the best fast-food chicken in the world! It'll be worth millions some day. Just give me that $20,000 you have in savings, quit your job and we'll start!" Richard likes the idea, but feels frozen. "I'll think about it." He then spends 80 stressful hours during the next two weeks trying to decide. Everyone has an opinion for him and he listens to them all. His wife says, "Do what you think is right." His mother says, "Don't be stupid." His father says, "Go for it!" He still can't decide. Finally, a friend at work gives him this article and Richard does the five steps as follows: 1. "I have the opportunity to be a partner with my brother Alan in a Crazy Chicken restaurant." 2. "I can't decide if buying the Crazy Chicken franchise will be successful or not." 3. "The future consequences I might be afraid of are that I'll lose my savings. I'll look like a fool. I'll regret quitting my job. I'll be cleaning a kitchen for the rest of my life." 4. "What's the biggest fear? Well, I can always save more money, so I'm not too afraid of losing my savings. I don't care if I look foolish. I doubt I'll really regret quitting my job. But I can't stand cleaning kitchens! I'm terrified that I'll spend the rest of my life cleaning kitchens. I'd rather beg on the street than clean a kitchen." 5. Richard calls his brother. "Alan, if I do this deal, will you be in charge of kitchen cleaning forever?" Alan says, "Sure!" Richard says, "I want it in writing. I'll serve the food, take the money, sweep the parking lot or anything else. But if I have to clean the kitchen, even one time, you have to agree to buy me out immediately, okay?" Alan says, "No problem. You will never, ever clean a kitchen at Crazy Chicken." Richard laughs, makes the deal and quits his job. Courage = Decision and Action What opportunities lie in front of you? Why aren't you acting on them? After all, they are your options for your success. If you remember this fact, you have the first key to taking advantage of opportunities: "Inaction and indecision in the present is because of fear of consequences of the future." -- L. Ron Hubbard What about the future makes you nervous? What future consequences scare you? Identify and resolve these fears and you become decisive, active and successful. Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.    Copyright © 2011 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Subscribe, buy books or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org at www.tipsforsuccess.org.

 

TipsForSuccess: How to Be a True Friend to the World

 

How to Be a True Friend to the World   Who has the power to be your greatest enemy? Bad bosses or bad employees? Rotten neighbors? Terrorists? Unfriendly drivers on the freeway? Actually, none of them. Your greatest potential enemy is you.   No one can ruin your life like you can. No one can pull the plug on your career as effectively as you. No one can wreck your marriage like you.   When you criticize yourself or hate yourself, you become your own worst enemy.    In a book called "Self Analysis," L. Ron Hubbard writes, "Probably the most neglected friend you have is you. And yet every man, before he can be a true friend to the world, must first become a friend to himself."    When you have a high opinion of yourself, you are less afraid. You have confidence. You can make progress.   As a good friend to yourself, you stop doubting yourself. You like yourself. You expect you will succeed.   When times get tough, you can rely on yourself. When the whole world seems to oppose you, you will have at least one supporter. Even when your body stops working, you will still have a loyal friend with you.   To become a true friend to yourself, first set a goal to become your own best friend.   With this goal in mind, you can then change a few attitudes. For example, if you beat yourself up for something you did wrong in the past, knock it off. You did what you thought was right at the time. Forgive yourself, decide to never do it again and move on.   If you criticize yourself, maybe someone made you believe these criticisms. Stop agreeing with this person.   At least be fair to yourself. For every critical thought you have about yourself, balance the scales with a positive thought. Why not compliment yourself from time to time?   Be kind to yourself. Buy yourself a gift. Pat yourself on the back.   If you don't like yourself, you may not have many friends. How can you expect people to like you if you don't like you?   Yet as soon you are a true friend to yourself, you will find it easy to have many friendships and become a true friend to the world.   Click here to learn more about L. Ron Hubbard's book, "Self Analysis."   Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.    Copyright © 2011 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Subscribe, buy books or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org at www.tipsforsuccess.org.

 

 

TipsForSuccess: Why You Should Give More Than You Receive

 

 

Why You Should Give More Than You Receive Life is not fair. Perhaps you give more gifts and holiday cheer than anyone gives to you. You may give great advice, but never get thanked for it. Maybe you donate more than your fair share to those who are less fortunate than you. And that's a good thing! "A human being feels able and competent only so long as he is permitted to contribute as much or more than he has contributed to him." -- L. Ron Hubbard For example, you promise to work five extra hours for your client, Joe. During those hours, you are focused, efficient and professional. You get so involved with the job, you forget to watch the clock and end up working for almost six hours, but still only charge for five. Joe is impressed and you are proud. Your future with Joe feels secure. As another example, you tell Chris, "You poor thing! You don't need to work. We'll just give you money each month." At first, Chris thinks this is a great deal. But soon, she wonders, "Am I so useless that no one wants me to work? Can't I make a contribution here?" She feels unable and incompetent. If you then get Chris to do some work for the money, she feels happy and secure. As a final example, you encourage your children to contribute to the family. Your four-year old sweeps the floors each day. Your ten-year-old takes care of the pets. Your fifteen-year-old washes your car every week. Your family is happy as everyone feels able and competent. "A man can over-contribute and feel secure in an environment. He feels insecure the moment he under-contributes, which is to say, gives less than he receives. If you don't believe this, recall a time when everyone else brought something to the party but you didn't. How did you feel?  -- L. Ron Hubbard Recommendation Give a bit more to others than they give to you. Contribute excessive time, gifts, money or other forms of help to good causes or good people. Do not expect an extra exchange. Continue to over-contribute whenever you can. Instead of having a fair exchange with others, arrange for an abundant exchange, with you always giving more than you receive. As a result, you will feel more able, more competent and more secure. All three are important ingredients to your success! Happy Holidays! Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.    Copyright © 2010 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Subscribe, buy books or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org at www.tipsforsuccess.org. For permission to copy, print or post this article, go to www.tipsforsuccess.org/reprint_info.htm.   Take better control of your life with the TipsForSuccess coaching website at www.tipsforsuccesscoaching.org.

 

TipsForSuccess: Self-criticism Does Not Help You Succeed

Self-criticism Does Not Help You Succeed "You are treating yourself in present time much as you were treated by others in the past. And you punish yourself far more than anyone would ever punish you." -- L. Ron Hubbard How have people treated you in the past? Have you ever noticed that you treat yourself the same way? Unless everyone has always treated you with respect and kindness, you might criticize yourself from time to time. And self-criticism or self-invalidation, ruins your success. False Ideas At some point, you may have accepted the following ideas to be true. "If I cut myself down before anyone else cuts me down, I win!" "I respect Joe's opinion. Joe thinks I'm an idiot. So I must be an idiot." "If I punish myself, maybe others will leave me alone." Of course, all ideas like these are nonsense. True Ideas To succeed, you need to treat yourself with respect and admiration. To succeed, you need a high opinion of yourself. "Actually you are a giant tied down with cotton lint. You tied the knots and furnished the string and said where you'd lie." "The cold, basic truth is that you are a vital and necessary part of this world." -- L. Ron Hubbard Three Tips for Improving Your Opinion about Yourself 1. Every time you criticize yourself about something, add a solution. Decide on a way to fix the weakness. Focus on improvement instead of problems. For example, "I'm so stupid! Why didn't I ask him about his other company when I had the chance? No wonder I'm such a loser . . . wait, how can I fix this? From now on, I'm taking five minutes before each important meeting and writing a list of things to do so I don't mess up again. Great idea!" 2. Write down things about yourself of which you are proud. If necessary, start with small things, such as good personal habits. Keep writing until you improve your opinion. For example, "I might be fat, but I brush my teeth regularly. I'm eating more vegetables these days. I haven't gotten angry at my kids for a month. I'm earning more money this year. I'm helping Joe with his drinking problem . . . ." 3. If you want to permanently improve your opinion of yourself, you need to go deeper. The solution lies below your conscious level. "Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science" explains how you can find and erase the roots of your irrational thoughts. Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you. Copyright © 2010 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. To subscribe, buy books, contact us or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org, click here.