Standard education will get you jobs and self-education will make you fortunes Jim Rohn

"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals." —Jim Rohn

From the seeds of success ezine.

Are You Busy But Not Accomplishing Anything?

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Don't confuse motion with action." If you are frantically busy but not getting any closer to your goals, try these tips from the experts.

Use the rule of five, says Jack Canfield, co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soulseries. Everyone has a breakthrough goal—a goal that you have always wanted to reach or one that could change your life. List five actions you could take today on your breakthrough goal and then do them. Repeat the same steps every day until you break through.

Get up one hour earlier than the rest of your household. Gain clarity on your priorities and start your day empowered. "Use the time as an inspirational hour—reconnect with you mission, core values and review your goals," says Robin Sharma, motivational expert and author of The Leader Who Had No Title. "This will build deep focus against distractions as you move through your day." Or spend your hour meditating, visualizing achieving what's most important to you, writing in a journal, listening to music, reciting affirmations or exercising.

Confront fear. Andy Andrews, best-selling author of The Traveler's Gift, says people need to identify where fear has hindered their progress. "List five ways fear held you back and for each write down the actions you are committed to taking on a consistent basis to make your fears irrelevant."

Push through major snags. Lots of people get stuck or procrastinate when they don't know how to do the next step on a goal, but there's always a solution. Talk to someone who has done it before, brainstorm with other people or ask for help. Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims, authors of Organizing Your Day, suggest taking a break, changing your scenery or taking a walk.

Zig Ziglar on Human Relations

Abraham Lincoln, truly one of our greatest presidents, had a rather unique approach to trying a case when he was a practicing attorney. He went to great lengths to learn everything he could about what the attorney for the “other side” would say…. Then, in his arguments, Lincoln would do a superb job of presenting the case from his opponent’s side of the table.... On occasion, the attorney for the other side would make the observation that Lincoln had presented the opposition’s case better than he could have. Perhaps you wonder why he took such an approach. First, he wanted to be fair. Second, he wanted to win the case if he believed his client was right. Needless to say, Lincoln then presented his own side with more fervor, facts, and reasons why his side was the right side.

By using this procedure, Lincoln completely robbed the opposition of anything to say and built his own case in a stronger manner.... He also wove in more humor and homespun stories when he presented his case. Most people, including jurors, like and trust those who give them cause to smile and who bring homespun logic to the table. What Lincoln did was simple. He practiced great human relations and used his abundant common sense. He wanted right to prevail and when he presented his case, as a general rule, the right side did win. Think about it. Take Lincoln’s approach and I’ll see you at the top!

Having traveled more than 5 million miles, Zig Ziglar can truly say he’s walked in another’s shoes. The renowned speaker enriches lives by delivering powerful life improvement messages. The time for change is now! Click here to start your path to complete and balanced success today!