Good visualization skills will ultimately contribute to success for all those involved in self growth and personal development programs. Visualization is always one of the key factors that must be developed for consistent success, and rightly so. We live in a mental universe and it is our consciousness that actually gives us the sensation of the life that we experience. So if we are unable to create thought images as detailed as we would like, the full realization and satisfaction of our world will probably be lacking.

Everything that we do, we do so in the form of some thought image, a picture with emotions and other sensory information. However, most people have not really developed their ability to create these thought images. A simple test for this is to think about the future you most desire to have. What does that future look like? Describe the image that you see in your mind’s eye of your goal.

Most people have great difficulty doing this simply because they have never fully developed this skill. When they engage in goal setting, as part of their personal growth and self help programs, they eventually lose interest in the program because they are unable to generate the pictures that are necessary to follow through and achieve their goal.

Without those pictures, those thought images their mind does not have a plan to follow and no clear blueprint, to impress into the universal mind for physical expression. When the image of what we want is unclear or missing there can only be confusion. What the mind cannot see it cannot achieve!

Here are a few tips and exercises that you can do, on a daily bases, to help develop your image creating abilities.

Exercise number 1.

Try observing something around you and record what you see. Write down everything that you observe about that object, and then ask someone else to observe the same object and see if they come up with a similar list. This can be fun if you make it into a game and it is a great way to introduce older children into the world of focused visualization. Most young children have already mastered this skill. Next, close your eyes and see how much of that object you can recreate in your mind in detail.

Exercise number 2.

Observe two similar, but different items, such as two trees. First pick out the things that make them similar, next observe the things that make them dissimilar. Again, just as you did in the first exercise, after you have completed the first part, close your eyes and see it you can create both trees, one at a time, in your mind. Next, to make it even more interesting see if you can create both trees in your mind at the same time.

Exercise number 3.

Observe an object around you, then close your eyes and recreate that object in your mind, only put it in another location. If you observe a tree in the woods, or even your back yard, imagine that tree on a beach, or even in the middle of a parking lot.

Please don’t attempt to do these exercises one right after another you will only meet with frustration and end up abandoning the whole process. These exercises should be done over a period of weeks, even months. Take one per week and do that one every day or several times per day. As you master one, move on to the next one. Your ability to visualize is like any other talent that you have, it must be developed.

Each one of these exercises will introduce another variable for you to master. As you do each one you will learn how to observe, how to recognize detail, but also how to add detail to your own visualizations and work with your imagination. As you work more with your imagination you will also be opening the door to fuller realization of your intuition. That is the ultimate goal. That is when you will make the most of the law of attraction.

Don’t you just love the word “tranquil.” Certain words seem to resonate with a feeling of pure contentment. Other words that come to mind are serene, calm, silence, reflective, and peaceful. It makes sense that when we think and say these words that the tranquil feeling will become a part of who we are.

Try this:
For the whole day today, concentrate only on words or phrases that bring this sense of tranquility. Make your own list. Put the list in a word file so that you can refer to it. Write it down on a plain piece of white paper with a bright blue sharpie (or a color that you like). Tape it on your refrigerator, or put it in your wallet. Or write out a couple of lists and scatter them all over-your bathroom mirror, your car, and your coffee table.

Once your mind is filled with thoughts of tranquility, begin to associate these thoughts with real world situations. What kind of images come up when you you think of the word tranquil? Here are a few that come up for me:

* A beautiful lake with two swans quietly enjoying their surroundings.

* A mother holding her baby as he coos and giggles.

* Having a picnic in the country, just you and your sweetie, under a big beautiful shade tree.

While you are practicing your tranquil thoughts come up with your own tranquil images. Do not stop at ordinary situations. Use your imagination to take you to the extraordinary.

For example:

* You are are on a path in an enchanted forest. The branches of the trees surrounding you sweep down to create a welcoming gesture. As you walk along, there is a gentle wind with the scent of lavender that creates a wonderful healing effect.

* You have the ability to fly. As you glide over valleys, rolling hills, rivers, and communities you feel one with the power of the universe. Your loving essence moves around and through you on your travels, dispensing inspirational energy wherever you go.

* You are magically brought to a large castle in a mysterious place. You are taken to an overstuffed chair in front of a roaring fire. Your host looks strangely familiar. She has a calm and sweet demeanor which instantly puts you at ease. Then one by one she leads your loved ones in (those passed). Your host sits them down opposite you in an equally comfy chair, and you commence to share your deepest feelings with each other.

This type of exercise requires that you take time for yourself. It is easy to keep to busy schedules without pausing to give thought to silly games like this. And if rushing around has worked for you, and you can honestly say you are supremely content with your high paced life - by all means, rush away.

But if you could use a little more calm or an extra dose of serenity to round out your day - stop, breathe, and reflect. Think tranquil-inducing thoughts. Exercise your imagination and dream. Allow yourself to be swept away. Your activities will still be there when you return to the material world.

Most likely you will return to them with a renewed spirit. You will tackle them with the intention of a positive spirit spreading love rather than the anxious intensity that would otherwise accompany your tasks.

Life is meant to be fun. Reflect on this. Go inside yourself (our inner source) where your high frequency energies conspire to supply you with all the creativity you need. Inspired, tranquil action is yours if you simply take the time to access your guidance.

Copyright 2007/Avenstar Enterprises, Inc

Kim McGinnis is a freelance writer and entrepreneur. Visit her at her most recent blog, Be Like Nature: http://www.belikenature.com

If you are looking for inspirational items to create a sense of serenity in your home (inside and out) visit Kim at her beautiful website, A Zen Gift http://azengift.com

To find out about Magical Fireflies, an absolutely unique & magical product, go to Kim’s very popular site http://www.magicalfireflies.com

Whether you fear failure or whether you acknowledge that it’s simply part of the process of succeeding will be one of the major determinants of how far you’ll get in life. Those who have a “wealth mindset” know that failure is not the opposite of success, but, instead, it’s a stepping stone toward great achievement. They treat failure as feedback and as a chance to learn, adjust their actions, and try again.

There are countless stories of people who have been beaten over the head, knocked over several times, and have failed miserably; yet they’ve gone on to become highly successful. Professional baseball players fail more than they succeed in hitting the ball. However, they keep walking up to the plate and they keep swinging at that ball. Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times on his way to the Hall of Fame.

Below are three examples of now-famous people who have demonstrated the ability to fall and get back up again:

•-Elvis Presley is an example of someone who faced rejection and went on to prove his critics wrong. After his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry he received only a polite response from the audience and was told: “You ain’t goin’ nowhere, son.” Of course, he became a celebrated musician who won three Grammies and was inducted into four music Halls of Fame.

•-Oprah Winfrey-the multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest-rated talk show in television history–was fired from her television reporter’s job and told: “You’re not fit for TV”.

•-In 1985 Steve Jobs was fired from Apple Computer, the company he helped start. During his 2005 Commencement speech at Stanford University he said the following: “I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods in my life.”

If you’re not failing now and then, it’s very likely that you’re not taking enough chances. According to the Law of Probabilities if you have a lot of ideas, many of them will probably be wrong, but your chances of finding one really good idea are much higher than for the person who has only a few ideas or no ideas at all. And all you need is one really good idea.

There are three things you can do right away when you fail at something so that you can move forward as fast as possible:

One. You should ask yourself questions that will put you in the right frame of mind and will direct your focus so that you can think of the best way to bounce back from the situation, learn what you can from it, and apply your newly acquired experience to your advantage. Below are some of the questions you should be asking yourself:

•-What can I learn from this?

•-What will get me what I want?

•-What is good about this?

•-What can I be grateful for in this situation?

•-Who can give me good advice as to how to best proceed?

•-What can I do to improve?

•-What do I need to get through this?

•-What would I do from a position of power?

•-What one thing can I do tomorrow?

•-What do I need to do differently the next time?

Two. You should apply a method of release that will help you to let go of the emotional charge that accompanies failure so that you can analyze the situation from a cool headed perspective that will allow you to act in your best interest. The Sedona Method is a simple, effective program you can use that provides quick results. By asking yourself three simple questions you’ll be able to release any negative emotions you may be feeling as a result of your setback so that you can get yourself back in the game.

Three. Think of the outcome that you’re seeking, create a clear mental picture of that outcome, and see yourself achieving the intended result. By relaxing and slowing down your thoughts through meditation you will be better able to focus on what you want. At the same time, using creative visualization will help you to create a detailed image of your goal so that it’s easier to achieve. The Silva Life System is a great way to learn how to meditate in 60 seconds flat and learn how to use creative visualization to reach your goals.

To quote the Greek philosopher Epictetus: “So when the crisis is upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a tough and stalwart antagonist . . . that you may prove a victor at the Great Games.”

For more information on The Sedona Method, The Silva Life System, and other tips, articles, and resources on how to become wealthy, visit http://www.marelisa-online.com

From Marelisa Fabrega, founder and CEO of http://www.marelisa-online.com

For the uninitiated, lucid dreaming is a phenomenon where a sleeping person becomes conscious of the fact that he or she is dreaming. A lucid dream can, in some instances, be controlled by the dreamer. While much of the science of sleep and dreaming is still not completely understood, lucid dreaming has in fact been well studied and documented. In this article, I’ll describe some of the most common techniques for inducing a lucid dream.

Dream Recall

One of the keys to achieving lucid dreaming is the ability to recall many or most of your regular dreams. This practice of developing a deeper understanding of your personal dream landscape (the characters, settings, emotions etc) is crucial to developing your ability to dream lucidly.

There are many ways to help your dream recall one of the most important however, is to physically record your dreams upon waking up each morning. Make this your ritual and do it as soon as you awaken. Record with as much detail as you can remember, include how you felt during the dream. Next, prior to going to sleep at night read through your dream journal, this will stimulate your dreaming senses and will help you to understand the themes and subjects that typically appear within your dreams.

Perform Reality Checks

A reality check is something that you can do in a conscious state that is difficult to perform during a dream. As an example, numbers often change during a dream, one typical reality check is to look at your watch, remember the exact time, then look back a moment later. During dreaming, the time you see will rarely be the same. You should perform this periodically everyday, throughout your waking hours and each time say to yourself, “Am I dreaming now or am I awake”. The idea is to get in the habit of doing this with the hopes that it will carry over into your dream state.

Induction devices

These devices that you wear when you go to bed can be quite effective in helping to induce a lucid dream state. They work by monitoring when you enter REM (the dream phase of sleep) then they either emit a flash of light or a sound. The purpose is to let you know that you are in fact dreaming, you can then more readily move into a lucid state.

Lastly, lucid dreaming is a fascinating phenomenon that can allow us to tap into the creative potential of our dreams to solve everyday problems. Trying to solve a tough problem at work? Why not dream about it tonight and use you brains boundless creativity to help you solve. It’s possible once you’ve mastered the techniques of lucid dreaming.

Sanji Gretta has written countless articles about aromatherapy and other holistic healing processes. To learn more about Lucid Dreaming Techniques visit this link.

Let’s admit it. Not all of us possess the natural charm of Casablanca. While there are people out there who seem to have no trouble attracting the opposite sex and asking people out on dates, there are those who prefer to stay in the sidelines, wallow in cowardice, and be satisfied with just watching their romantic prospect from afar.

But this can’t go on forever and we know it. Eventually, we will have to face our insecurities and fears if we are truly bent on getting the man or woman of our dreams, or even if we want to meet new people at all.

Shyness is safe, but there is never any fun in monotony. You will have to break out of your shell eventually and find out that romantic persuasion is not so difficult after all.

So how does a non-romantic convince someone to go out with him or her? Simple. Don’t do it outwardly (or you could end up swallowing your own tongue).

Instead, try to make friends with the other person. If introducing yourself is not an option, then seek an opportunity wherein you and your prospect will have to interact. For instance, when it’s raining and you see him or her seeking shelter under a shed, join him or her and comment on the weather. This might be a lame example, of course, but you get the point.

If you already know each other, then you will only have to ask him or her out to get somewhere. If you have mustered enough courage but do not want to ask outright, you could send a short note, an email, or an SMS or chat message. Don’t say anything like ‘Hey do you want to go out on a date with me?’ if that’s really not your thing.

You could start by engaging in small talk about this nice restaurant or this interesting dish you’ve been raving about for the past weeks. If you’re convincing enough, it’s likely that the other person will feel intrigued by your topic and invite himself and herself to go with you next time. If this happens, you’re lucky you’re already off the hook. But if it doesn’t, well, you could offer to take him or her there the next time he or she has ‘nothing else to do’.

In short, convincing somebody to consider you for a friend or a romantic partner does not really require mush. Some people are more creative and conduct scavenger hunts with roses, but that’s only for the advanced and for those who are pretty sure the other person likes them too.

However, if you’re still on the ‘I don’t know’ stage, then it’s best to take it slow. Persuasion does not always mean that you should be in a hurry or coercive. And if it’s a romantic prospect you’re looking for, wouldn’t you want to start off on the right foot? Best of luck to you!

Michael Lee is the author of How to be a Red Hot Persuasion Wizard… in 20 days or less, an ebook that reveals mind-altering persuasion techniques on how to tremendously enhance your relationships, create unlimited wealth, and get anything you want…just like magic. Get a sample chapter and highly-stimulating “Get What You Want” advice at: http://www.20daypersuasion.com. He is the Co-Founder of http://www.self-improvement-millionaires.com and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

Perhaps you have already spoken before an audience, have given a credible speech, have driven the audience to a reasonable point and have been applauded a fair number of times.

Now you wish to improve that foundation you have in speaking and influence. Here are three points that can aid you to become a more persuasive speaker.

One, body language. Majority of human communication is done nonverbally, and people commonly respond and understand it very well, having said that we primarily did not have formal education on nonverbal language. In order to effectively connect with your audience, mean what you’re saying through nonverbal cues.

These include eye contact, hand gestures, pacing and the like to stress your words and statements. For instance, if you’re trying to imply a very important point, you may point a finger up. If you’re telling a story, pace a short distance citing you’re bringing them to a certain point. You would be surprised what difference as an audience it would make if the speaker simply went through his speech purely verbal.

Two, study. Influence is your main concern when speaking before an audience so you have to know what you’re talking about. You have to persuade them into considering the point that you’re trying to make by citing facts, accepted truths and sources to show that your speech is actually based on something relevant.

Realize that there is no debate or an exchange between you and them so you have to be very mindful of every single aspect of your speech or they may find you stereotypical; or worse, they may see you contradicting your own statements. Do some research and be open about new ideas and opinions before speaking; this will further guide you how to be a more persuasive speaker.

Three, connection. Treat your audience, no matter how great or small in number, as your utmost concern. They are the reason you are speaking, so feel for them as if your message and efforts will be in vain if you cannot convince them to your point of view.

You have to create a link between you and your audience to successfully deliver your speech. This connection can be made through personal anecdotes, humor or even asking an audience to speak a little.

The goal is to be able to create feelings between you and your audience where they will know that it matters to you that they listen. This will be the basis for a smooth flow for the duration of the speech and probably the key to persuasion.

In a persuasive speech, you as the speaker should know how to persuade and convince. The audience should be driven to a point of influence that your message will successfully be delivered and received. Repetition of ideas, facts and opinions will bring them to your point and positively enhance your skill on becoming a more persuasive speaker.

Michael Lee is the author of How to be a Red Hot Persuasion Wizard… in 20 days or less, an ebook that reveals mind-altering persuasion techniques on how to tremendously enhance your relationships, create unlimited wealth, and get anything you want…just like magic. Get a sample chapter and highly-stimulating “Get What You Want” advice at: http://www.20daypersuasion.com. He is the Co-Founder of http://www.self-improvement-millionaires.com and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.