“Nursing a grudge is like arguing with a policeman. The more you do it, the worse things get.” It won’t just get worse with the relationship you are having with the person you’re holding a grudge with. It will also negatively affect your well being. Bearing a grudge is a stress and it will affect your physical and mental health status.

Put yourself in this kind of situation. You work in an office and you have a co-worker there who is your friend. The two of you have the same position in the company ladder. One day, your boss announced that one of you will be promoted depending on your performance. So you worked your ass off. Everyone in the company loved you. You have become a “model employee” so to speak.

The day of the promotion arrived and you were expecting to be promoted. But to your dismay, it was your friend who was promoted. You got angry with him. You never spoke to him again. You talk about him, bad mouthing him with co-workers. You are bearing a grudge on somebody and you like it. You like it that you hate him – that you are angry with him.

Such feelings of hatred and anger would be normal reactions for people in those kinds of situation. But if that feeling stays for a long time, it will burden you. Bearing a grudge will leave you carrying a very heavy luggage. And just like carrying a real luggage, if you have been carrying it for so long, there will come a time that you won’t be able to carry it anymore. The burden is just too great and you will give up. In this case, give up on life.

By bearing a grudge on somebody, you are in pain. But you are the one who is giving yourself pain. By holding a grudge, you’re depriving yourself of enjoying life. By doing this, you are giving yourself stress which will affect your health.

You can’t help yourself from starting to feel bad against someone especially if they have wronged you. But if you let this feeling linger for too long then you are already bearing a grudge on that someone. So how do stop bearing a grudge? The answer is forgiveness.

Forgiving someone is not an easy task. It takes a lot of understanding of the other person on why he or she has done you wrong. You may agree or disagree with the reason but the main idea here is you forgive not because for that person or your relationship, but you forgive for your own benefit - To live a happier and healthier life.

When you forgive, you replace the feeling of anger with feelings of good will. You will stop thinking about the situation in the context of anger.

By letting go of your anger, you also stop bearing a grudge. This will immensely affect your physical and mental health status in a positive way. You’ll be able to live a happier and healthier life.

Affirmations are small positive thoughts or words of encouragement that you keep repeating to yourself over and over everyday. Affirmations actually have a fortifying role in yourself – it helps you hone and expand your potential and keep you forward-looking, confident, and strong.

There are many ways to present affirmations to yourself. These may be through spoken words, through thoughts and little acts of kindness, through music and inspirational pieces, or through writing. Whatever style works best for you, the goal is the same -- to uplift your sense of self.

Here are some affirmations that you might want to keep repeating to yourself daily.

• On Health: I am very much healthy and I am not riddled with sickness.
• On Family: My family loves me dearly and I love them back.
• On Positive Thinking: My positive thoughts take control of my life.
• On Physical Appearance: I am extremely handsome or beautiful. I don’t care what other people think of me.
• On Wisdom: I am an intelligent human being that can solve the greatest puzzles on the face of the earth.
• On Being Happy: Life is too short. I live the way I want it by being happy. Only I can make myself truly happy.
• On Life: I can live my life the way I want to without anyone telling me what to do with it.
• On Responsibility: I am responsible for my actions, and if I make a mistake, I am also responsible for it.
• On Quitting: I am never a quitter. Quitters are cowards. I am not, and never will be, a coward.
• On Friends: My friends have always been here to support me, and through thick and thin.
• On Making Mistakes: If I make a mistake, I get up. If I do something wrong, I get up.
• On Helping Others: I am a kind and helpful individual that is attuned to the needs of my fellowmen.

These are just some examples of affirmations that have worked for many people. There are others you can create or make up to appeal to you and the problem that you have going on right now. You can repeat it over and over again, in words or in thought.

The power of affirmations is just like the power of thoughts. If you keep playing it repeatedly, it swallows you and you begin to be convinced of its truth. So, give yourself a chance and write your own affirmations now.

Michael Cheney Talks Traffic - Interview With A Traffic Expert

Michael Cheney, one of the most-respected names in Internet marketing, has been online since 1995 and is the man behind the 6-Figure launches of AdSense Videos and 11 Days To List Profits. He has unveiled a new videos product - "Michael's Traffic Videos" which covers everything to do with traffic and comes with 100,000 instant ad credits and a tailored Fast-Track To Traffic Action Plan.

We managed to grab some time with him recently and quiz him on his favorite topic - traffic.

You'll get a lot out of this interview including a killer 40-page E-book on traffic that Michael has written to help you avoid the Top 20 Traffic Disasters!

So let's get started.

Q. Firstly Michael, thank you for joining us today in your busy schedule.

A. Hey no problem. Good to be here.

Q. We all know that traffic is important but could you just explain a bit about traffic for the beginners out there?

A. Sure. Traffic is the lifeblood of any business online. Without it you just die. We all know that. But what a lot of us don't realize is that just like everything else on the Internet traffic changes very quickly. That is, the methods of getting traffic are changing all the time and that's where people get caught out.

Q. What do you mean by "caught out"?

A. Well people fall into the trap of thinking that just because they know one or two traffic generation methods that they are some sort of traffic master. In reality just because you know how to start a pay per click campaign or a little bit about search engines doesn't make you anywhere near a traffic expert. I'm trying to spread the word that there is a massive array of traffic tactics that most people aren't even aware of, let alone using or mastering.

Q. Can you give us some examples?

A. Sure. Offline for example. You might immediately think that getting traffic is a purely online activity but the truth of the matter is that there are lots of things you can be doing offline to get people into your website. And it's usually these sorts of areas that are being under-utilized and therefore there is less competition for that traffic as well.

Q. So by offline you mean advertising offline?

A. Not necessarily. That is one method, yes, but I'm thinking of more creative ways to get people into your website. It all comes down to the fact that having asked people on my list it came as no surprise that most people want to know about free rather than paid traffic sources. I've had to become an expert in free ways of getting traffic in my time online.

Q. What do you mean - I thought you were running a successful online business with lots of cash flow?

A. I am. But it's not always been this way. When I first started out in 1995 I had nothing. No money to play with. Just my own initiative and imagination.

Q. So are you saying you're against paying for traffic online?

A. No. No I'm not saying that at all. What I'm saying is that, especially when you first start out, you always want to focus on the free methods. You get the traffic in for free, make some sales and then you can reinvest some of that money into paid methods of getting traffic. This speeds up the process.

Q. So what particular offline methods are you referring to - can you give us some examples?

A. There's one tactic I used that costs nothing to implement, is relatively quick and ended up getting me thousands and thousands of targeted visitors into my websites. When I've shared this tactic with other marketers at seminars they've started laughing and slapping their foreheads when they saw how easy it was. They were also embarrassed that they had failed to use this tactic. It was quite amusing.

Q. So are you going to tell us what this method is?

A. No! (laughs) It's in my course! I truly believe in rewarding those people that are most eager to learn so instead of giving away all my traffic tactics in interviews like this I've put some of them in an E-Book I've written. It is free though if people want to get it.

Q. So how can people get hold of it?

A. It's called "How To Avoid The Top 20 Traffic Disasters" and you can get it by going to Michael's Traffic Videos - you'll see it mentioned on that page.

Q. What's in it?

A. Well I really wanted to raise the bar on a free E-Book so I spent a lot of time creating it. It's 40 pages long and stuffed with juicy content on what NOT to do when it comes to traffic. As far as I'm concerned too many people out there tell you what you should do but not what you shouldn't do. That's where this E-Book comes in.

Q. Okay. I think we're about done is there anything else you want to tell everyone?

A. Just that if they are serious about getting more traffic into their website they need to goto Michael's Traffic Videos and get that free E-Book.

Q. Cool. Well thanks for your time Michael and speak to you soon.

A. My pleasure. Speak soon.

You might think you're doing okay in the traffic wars right?

Maybe you know a bit about search engines and you've done a spot of Pay Per Click?

Well I'm sorry to be the one breaking the news to you but you are losing the traffic wars.

There's an underground army of super-traffic warriors that are totally killing it right now as you rest on your laurels (or in your favorite cozy chair!) thinking that you have this thing down.

What am I talking about?

Well, traffic, just like everything else online changes VERY rapidly. What used to be the standard traffic methods just six months ago is no longer the case.

Not only are there HIGHLY profitable web 2.0 tactics for getting targeted traffic to your website but there are also rich veins of untapped traffic that a select few marketers are currently feeding on.

That is, until now..

You see I've just seen behind the scenes in something that is going to radically change your entire
perception of what it means to get traffic to your website.

You've seen the Matrix right? Well, it's time to go down that rabbit hole, hold tight this isn't going to be pretty.

I'll be the first to admit - I thought I knew all there was to know about traffic but when I started watching the first of the fifty videos in this unbelievably comprehensive training program I felt ashamed and surprised.

Here were techniques being laid bare right in front of my very eyes that I had never, ever heard of. But not just that - they are so EASY to copy and put into place that I'll be getting lots more traffic to my websites in a matter of hours by implementing them.

When you add to that the fact that the course comes with 100,000 ad credits that get you instant traffic PLUS your very own tailored Fast-Track To Traffic Action Plan then you can see why I'm so excited about this!

You know the score - products come out all the time but this one is the real deal. You can see it, hear it and feel the quality and the value of the information contained within it from the very start.

At the price this guy's charging you'll be rubbing your eyes - seriously now, it's just plain stupidly low-priced.

Anyway, have a look for yourself and you'll see that this has to be hands-down the most comprehensive collection of traffic methods ever revealed in one place and all for a mere fraction of those $1000 price-tagged homestudy courses..

Arm yourself with "Michael's Traffic Videos" today and get the traffic edge on YOUR competitors. For more information about this brilliant programme click here

All the best to you.

The first step in using your true mental abilities is understanding what Mr Robbins refers to as the seven triggering mechanisms that ensure success.

1. Passion - All truly successful people such as Lee Iacocca have a driving force within them that sets them apart from others. A desire, an energy that gives them the fuel to reach their true potential. This force is a part of them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It never subsides. Their total existence is sustained for the fulfilment of their goals. The passion within this individual to achieve has been so deeply implanted, that their mental power is driven by this force and will not let them do anything other than achieve.

2. Belief - "They can because they think they can" - Virgil. You will only make ?100,000 this year if you first believe you can. If you don't believe you can then you're telling yourself you want it, but it's truly not obtainable. The truth of life is that man's limits are self-imposed by what the mind is given to believe. If you expand your belief of your own abilities, you will also expand your true realm of accomplishment.  A man of whom all are aware, lived his life with adversity, but he constantly believed he could achieve.

• Failed in business at age 31 
• Was defeated in a legislative race at age 32
• Failed again in business at age 34
• Overcome death of sweetheart at age 35
• Had a nervous breakdown at age 36
• Lost an election at age 38
• Lost a congressional race at age 43
• Lost a congressional race at age 46
• Lost a congressional race at age 48
• Lost a Senatorial race at age 55
• Failed to become Vice President at age 56
• Lost a Senatorial race at age 58
• Was elected President of the United States at age 60

With all the adversity that faced him, President Abraham Lincoln had no reason to continually try other than the fact that he believed it was his destiny and measure of success to accomplish this task.

3. Strategy - A strategy is your game plan of life. The road map you will use to accomplish your goals, ambitions and desires. Just to believe you can earn ?100,000 a year is not enough, you must design a strategy that gives your life direction and navigates you toward success. The key to strategy is to design a proper strategy to achieve your success without the detours of life, to find the shortest distance between two points.

4. Clarity of Values - Man must first determine which things in life are most valuable to him. He must determine his feeling about such things as patriotism, pride, love, freedom, excellence, ownership and tolerance. These are values in society, the moral, ethical and fundamental judgements that we, as individuals, deem important. Without a clear system of values for ourselves, it is impossible to believe in something with a passion that has no value to us. Once we have established our individual value system we are then able to determine how we can achieve success based on our priority of values. Without a value system we can never move forward, for we may be trading without increasing our potential for success.

5. Energy - Without the physical vitality to take action, nothing would ever come of our system to this point. The passion could build, our belief of accomplishment could be overwhelming, we could have the best strategy or map to achieve the ultimate value for our own life, but without taking the first step, nothing could ever be accomplished. Great success cannot be separated from physical, spiritual and mental energy that allows us, compels us, to accomplish the most with what we have to work with. Physical energy comes from the strength of the body itself, fueled by our intake of nourishment. It is therefore important that we fuel our engine with premium fuel (good eating habits), not low grade regular (junk food). Our spiritual and intellectual energy evolves from our environment and it is therefore important that we assess our own personal environment to maximize the energy that we can obtain.

6. Bonding Power - We have all known people that have exhibited the ability to get along with anyone and everyone. The ability to be a chameleon is truly the ability to connect with and bond with others. The ability to build rapport. Being able to deal with others as Mr Robbins says, "To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others." 

7. Mastery of Communication - To take charge and run your own mind.  To learn the techniques of NLP and no longer allow our mind to run our lives, but rather take charge of our own mental abilities and cause them to work for our own accomplishment of success.

"There is only one Success - to be able to spend your life in your own way." - Christopher Morley

What does it take in our everyday lives to be successful?

In order to evaluate this question it is first necessary to understand what success is and what all successful people have in common. It is probably safe to assume that anyone reading this article wants to be successful. However, only 5% of the population will ever reach their potential for all activities, 95% of the people will never truly be successful.  By definition, success is the realisation of a worthy deal. Success is different for every individual. For some people, an annual income of ?15,000 would be a success, for another it may be ?115,000. Whatever it may be for you, there are 5 characteristics that you must have in common with other successful people in order to achieve true success.

Goals are the single most important factor in achieving success. Without a realistic goal, how will you ever know when you have reached your success level? All successful people set goals. All goals must be realistic, short term, measurable and obtainable within the bounds of your own perception. As time passes, your goals can always be adjusted upwards to reach your ultimate goal of success. However, if your initial goal is to be worth ?1,000,000 by the year end and you are currently only worth ?100,000 with an annual income of ?50,000 a year and this is November, you most likely will never be able to reach it and therefore, it is unrealistic. Biting off a job in small portions makes the eventual achievement of the total task seem easier and manageable. All successful people constantly set goals, re-evaluate their goals and scale them upwards toward even greater accomplishments.

A positive attitude is the second factor that successful people have in common. I have never met a truly successful person who I would consider a self made success that did not have a positive attitude. These people relate to the world on a positive basis. They always look for the 'can do' rather than the 'can't do' side of every situation. All successful people truly believe not only in themselves, but in the reality of their goals. A positive attitude is contagious and when it is sincere, the people with whom you come in contact will relate to you and your activities with a vitality and positive attitude that causes a winning, successful environment.

The truth is always best to deal with for several reasons, not the least important of which is that it is always the easiest to remember. If you are going to be successful, you will not have time, energy and ability to remember untruths, or lies that you have told people.  This consumes valuable energy and detracts from the power needed to run a successful life. The truth is easy to remember and generally, in the long term, easier to deal with.  True winners are always ready to face the truth in situations and handle things as they deal with them on a timely basis and then proceed to get on with the business of running a successful, prosperous life. Never having to back track to cover up problem areas.

Research and development in today's society have become extremely important to all major corporations. This is where all new products and ideas evolve. Successful individuals have always understood this principal on a personal level and they constantly strive to improve their own abilities through such methods as formal educational systems, seminars, reading books, listening to ideas, the thoughts of others, and in any manner that presents itself to them. Successful people truly believe they can improve themselves and constantly strive to seek methods and means that will help them accomplish this task.  They also know that there is a price to pay for this success and that the return on investment is sometimes great and sometimes small, but that the return without the investment is always the same - 0.

"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it." - Henry Ford

Man's ability over all other creatures on this Earth is the ability to think. All successful people use this talent to improve their lives and control their own destiny. Only you can take the initial step toward the unleashing of the power within your own mind. The power is awesome and at times can be frightening. However, man has abilities of the mind that many people can't or won't believe. Anthony Robbins has recently written a book entitled Unlimited Power which explains in simple terms the theories of Neuro Linguistic Programming, the power of the mind and how to gain control and use it. NLP was originally developed by John Grinder and Richard Bandler as a communication  system using the central nervous system. Through this system Mr Robbins has put forth a complete outline on how to unleash your 'performance power' and achieve goals that before you probably felt were impossible.

Almost everyone needs or wants more time than they currently have, whether that’s to start a second business, or just to make the most of the time spent with the kids or with friends. It's true that people are very busy, but extra time can almost always be found with the help of a smidgen of discipline!

 

The first thing to do is to sit down with pencil and paper, and list your daily schedule. What time do you wake up - then step-by-step, list everything you do each day. Most people will find that they have about 3 hours each day that could be used in a more constructive or efficient manner. You may have to give up the time you waste in your local pub or a few of the television programs you watch, but it should be worth it in the long run.

 

Efficient time management boils down to planning what you're going to do, and then doing it without back-tracking. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you jump into bed. Schedule your trips to the supermarket or wherever to coincide with other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your journeys to take care of as many things as possible whilst you're out of the house. Take stock of the time you spend standing around and not achieving much - especially the time you spend on the telephone - and eliminate all that isn't necessary.

 

Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them. For instance, just one hour a day on housework would probably make your home much cleaner and a more pleasant place to be rather than waiting for that Saturday blitz day. It would also free up your Saturday for something much more fun! Don't try to do a week's work in one big flurry. Whether it's painting your house, fixing leaky taps, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a little bit or one particular job each day and you'll be amazed at your progress.

 

Take care of all your mail the day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it. Answer your letters the same day you get them.

 

The important thing is to think of your time as your most valuable asset - it is - so organize what you have to do, and what you want to do. From there, it's just a matter of arranging your priorities.

 

Once you start listing and planning what you want to do, and then carry out your plans, you'll find plenty of extra time for doing the stuff that really matters. People in general may not like routines or schedules, but without some sort of plan relative to what is supposed to be done, the world would be lost in mass confusion!

 

Taking stock of the time you waste each day, and then reorganising your activities is what it's all about. It's a matter of becoming time-efficient in everything you do. It's really easy to do, and you'll not only accomplish a lot more, you'll become a happier person.

Can't find enough hours in the day, or feel you could use your time far more effectively? Then you need to become a Time Finder. This simple technique uncovers your lost hours and gives you total control of the minutes in your life.

Following this strategy leaves you with inspiration, bright ideas and a sense of fulfilment. Follow the Time Finder Plan and change your life.

Achieving Your Goals

1. Keep a balanced exercise programme - you really do have the time to achieve everything that's important to you, and keeping fit and healthy will help you make the most of it.

2. Enjoy what you do and you'll do it faster without time-wasting. Having clear goals will increase your enjoyment and confidence.

3. Accept the fact that you don't have time for everything. Make conscious choices about what you're going to do. Don't feel obliged - or guilty - about the other things.

4. Continually refine your goals. Make them specific and measurable, so you can monitor your progress.

5. Include all aspects of your life to an equal extent. That's professional, financial, physical/recreational, social, intellectual, cultural and spiritual. Refine and prioritise these goals so you know exactly where you're aiming.

6. Ask yourself how you can make each of these goals happen. When you've identified the necessary actions, success is easier to find.

7. Use specialists to help you with certain problems. Remember - you're not expected to know everything!

How To Take Decisive Action

8. Take actions more decisively and you'll feel more confident. Do everything thoroughly the first time. Being half-hearted gets the job half done, and means you'll have to waste time going back and doing it again.

9. Do one thing at a time. This keeps focus and prevents any loose ends.

10. If a meeting is serving no purpose for your business or personal fulfilment, be brave and cut it short.

11. Reduce overlong telephone calls. Be clear before you start the call what you want to say and what outcomes you want. Make notes to help keep you focused.

12. Recognise that some of your time will be spent on activities outside your control. Don't fight this - it's a fact of life.

13. Set a deadline for each of your tasks and stick to it like glue!

14. Do the most vital tasks now. You'll find you're more relaxed at home.

15. Allow some open space within your day. This helps to keep you flexible and allows for the unexpected.

16. Don't hold off starting something you don't want to do. It rarely gets easier with time.

17. Ask yourself 'would anything terrible happen if I didn't do this priority item?' If the answer's no, then don't waste time on it.

18. Try to find a new technique each day to help gain time.

Time Generating Office Skills

19. Teach yourself to double your reading speed, to take in more information and make your decision-making process swifter and easier.

20. Use time spaces when they appear in your day. Taking the attitude 'it's only half an hour' is not good enough. Within that half hour you could draft a letter, speak to someone or think of a new business contact. All your time is precious.

21. Keep a writing pad on your desk. You'll find it easier to explain details to someone when they can see what you're talking about. You can also make notes as a conversation goes on, and don't have to fill in the gaps later from memory.

22. Be on time for all your meetings, appointments and scheduled events. You don't gain anything from being late, except setting a bad impression and being ill-prepared for business.

23. Use your diary so you know what you have to achieve each day and build in meetings and other commitments around this.

24. Always keep your diary with you so you know what you are meant to be doing!

25. Generate as little paperwork as possible. This way you won't waste time filing it.

26. Continually ask yourself 'what's the most important use of my time right now?'

27. Instead of others coming to you with problems, encourage them to also bring you a possible solution. That way you won't feel put on the spot, and you'll have something on which to base your own solution ideas.

28. Organise your office using the ABC system. Everything you use on a regular basis, class as an A item and always have it on hand. Do the same with B and C items where B are used fairly regularly and C items are for reference only.

29. Clean your desk as you finish work each day, as if your place of work were your bedroom. It means you can return tomorrow refreshed, and work from a clean start. This is a great help both practically and mentally.          

30. Keep referring back to this document to check that you're still making the most of your time. Never underestimate the power of efficiency!

The invention of the Internet has brought about many changes in the way that we conduct our lives and our personal business. We can pay our bills online, shop online, bank online, and even date online!

 

We can even buy and sell stocks online. Traders love having the ability to look at their accounts whenever they want to, and brokers like having the ability to take orders over the Internet, as opposed to the telephone.

 

Most brokers and brokerage houses now offer online trading to their clients. Another great thing about trading online is that fees and commissions are often lower. While online trading is great, there are some drawbacks.

 

If you are new to investing, having the ability to actually speak with a broker can be quite beneficial. If you aren’t stock market savvy, online trading may be a dangerous thing for you. If this is the case, make sure that you learn as much as you can about trading stocks before you start trading online.

 

You should also be aware that you don’t have a computer with Internet access attached to you. You won’t always have the ability to get online to make a trade. You need to be sure that you can call and speak with a broker if this is the case, using the online broker. This is true whether you are an advanced trader or a beginner.

 

It is also a good idea to go with an online brokerage company that has been around for a while. You won’t find one that has been in business for fifty years of course, but you can find a company that has been in business that long and now offers online trading.

 

Again, online trading is a beautiful thing – but it isn’t for everyone. Think carefully before you decide to do your trading online, and make sure that you really know what you are doing!