Over the years this 'Useletter' has had many different 'feels' to it, some funny, others light-hearted, and some serious. Maybe that's why it's become so popular? Everything I write always comes from the heart and the 'space' I am in at the time of writing. I feed off the emails you send me coupled with what I see going on in the world at the time. A few days ago I started thinking about a topic for this month's 'Useletter', and spontaneously I decided to shoot a Quick Tip video on life. As I began uploading the video, an email came through from a subscriber, Ron who over the years has always shared his thoughts with me. However, this time, the story he mailed me was exactly the topic I had just discussed on tape – how's that for uncanny? It was a sign! Lately I have been thinking a lot about life, particularly my life and how fast the years have gone. As the big 'Five-O' approaches I have reached a point of reflection where I am taking stock and deciding whether I am happy with everything so far, and if not, what I am going to do about it. This self reflection has highlighted some very interesting life issues for me.

But before I tackle the topic of life, many people send me emails with queries and requests, the new Quick Tip videos below are my responses to these mails – do enjoy!
Firstly, I was asked to do something on coping with regret – click here to view my new video with 5 tips on doing this. Someone also asked me to give some practical advice on goal achievement, something more realistic and achievable – so check out my tips of achieving realistic goals here.
As a speaker, many people have asked me for advice and tips on public speaking, so guess what, click here for 15 Tips on professional speaking, plus a full speaking course.

LIFE
Click here to watch my 'unrehearsed video on insights about life!

For everyone over 50, I think this Useletter it going to touch home. If you are in your twenties, I would suggest you try save this Useletter and read it again when you reach your 50's. I can promise this - the day you read it you will know why I asked you to save it for all those years! Nevertheless, even if you are younger, read this edition slowly and try take in the depth of the message shared, for if you truly understand where I am coming from with this message, you will realise the importance of time and how you need to make the most of every moment. And if you are 50 or older I know this is going to hit home!

Is it just me or have you also noticed that time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware as the years pass by? It seems just yesterday that I was young, care free, just engaged and embarking on my new life with my mate. Even though it was 30 years ago, it doesn't feel like eons ago. If I am honest, it feels like maybe 10 years ago maximum. I often wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. In fact I have tons of photos as reminders and glimpses of how it was back then, and of all my hopes and dreams.

But here I am now, some would even call this the period of introspection – it has caught me by surprise! How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I clearly remember seeing older people and thinking this was years ahead of me – in fact it was so far off, I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

I remember working with an elderly comedian on the cruise ships who told a joke about his youth and how his dad found certain actresses attractive, which he at the time as a youngster thought they were ugly. As he reached the same age of his dad at the time he found them attractive too. We used to laugh at this joke, but never fully comprehended the depth of it – today I think of my old friend often – as his words ring true as I am finding older woman really attractive too!

I met an old acquaintance at the circus yesterday. I hardly recognised him. I still joked and said, “My you've changed.” He looked at me and replied, “Your hair is all grey!” I turned around and thought he was talking about someone else! This is now my reality – all my friends are starting to think about retirement and getting grey! We move slower and people in our age group. When we talk about the world and what is happening to society and the youth... we sound like our parents!

Some of my friends are in better and some worse shape than me. The young and vibrant people of my memories don't exist anymore! Their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. I bought a birthday card for my oldest daughter recently who had just turned 16. As I began looking for the card I first stumbled on the Happy 50th cards. I looked at them and had the same thoughts I had when I was 16, “Wow, imagine being that old.” Then I realised, “Hey, that's you!” This year alone I have been invited to eight 50th parties!

I remember socialising at events and having fun with those present – today I we savour the wine and whiskey, rather than gulp it down. Maybe because it takes us longer to recover if we don't! I could open any bottle of cold drink, and any jam jar, no matter how tight the lid was screwed on – now I have to ask my 16 year old daughter to do it for me! This has resulted in us buying those can/jar openers as we still love our bodies and independence, instead of asking our kids to it!

And so even I enter into this new season of my life, unprepared for all the aches and pains. Yes, even I have a few regrets and things I wish I had done/did differently. But there are also many many things I'm happy I did do. All in all I am content with my lot in life, however, should we have the opportunity to start all over again, we would have started sooner and would have done more.

None of us, not even the youngsters, has the promise that we will see all the seasons of our life! Hence the importance of living in the moment and living for today and saying all the things we need/want our loved ones to remember.

Today I see many older people that are unhappy at their lot in life. This saddens me as I often think about my friends that have passed on already and realise that not everyone has the opportunity of getting older. So my first bit of advice if you are older – be grateful that you have reached this age!

I often think back of that old saying, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.” Live in the moment and make the most of today, for every today well lived gives you a great memory of yesterday and something to look forward to tomorrow. Kinda makes sense huh?

Also, remember that today is the oldest that you have ever been in your life, but it is also the youngest that you will ever be!

This “Useletter' is not meant to make you sad, but to inspire you that no matter what your age is, it ain't over yet! I am just reaching the 2nd phase of my life and intend achieving twice as much as in the first half – you can do the same too!

Appreciate what life has taught you up to this point and enjoy the comfort that comes with being older. Let the following 'plus' factors bring a smile to your face:
 

✔ Going out is good, coming home is always better!
✔ You may forget names, but it's okay because other people forgot they even knew you!
✔ Our confidence grows – we've been around the block.
✔ You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called 'pre-sleep'.
✔ You miss the days when everything worked with just an 'ON' and 'OFF' switch.
✔ We get better at relationships – we have more experience and we are comfortable with who we are and what we want out of life.
✔ You tend to use more 4 letter words, 'what?' and 'when?'
✔ We start caring more about others – isn't that the coolest thing ever?
✔ Now that you can afford expensive jewellery, you know that it's not important to wear anymore.
✔ We become more sensual – the body may go but our souls have expanded and taught us to live in the now and appreciate life and love on a much deeper level.
✔ What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
✔ Everybody whispers.
✔ You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet – because you need a much bigger choice!
✔ It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
✔ We slow down, but we learn to appreciate more.
✔ But old is better in many things; old songs, old movies, and best of all, old friends!

Stay well and healthy, old friend!

I'll chat with you again next month!

Warmest regards

Wolfgang

PS! Some of you know that I am a Sage with Rock Your Life and they will be presenting their X-Factor in Johannesburg http://xfactor2013jburg.eventbrite.com on 27 May and in Cape Town http://xfactor2013ctown.eventbrite.com on29 May. If you visit the links and want to book, quote xfactor010

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Life Truths, Free 'Useletter', Free Inspiration, Mind Shift Guru

The first rule of focus is... wherever you are, be there! In today's hectic world, few people actually focus on one thing at a time. Schedules and deadlines are part of the norm. Many people wonder why they don't get anything done – they have too much on their plate! As long as I can remember, I have always scheduled my day in segments. If I have a number of projects on the go, I divide my day into hour slots, starting with the most important tasks first. In fact I will make sure I don't take phone calls before 10am (There is a thing such as an 'off' switch on your phone, as well as a messaging system). This enables me to focus 100% for those first two hours in the morning and really get things done. In fact, I find that by following this route those 1st two hours, I get more done than if I spent the entire day fiddling with tasks at random. Assume you have eight different goals and you tackle each one solidly for an hour. At the end of the day you have managed to do a little for each one. It might not feel like much, but at the end of the month when you look back, you have accomplished more than ever before. By haphazardly doing tasks during the day, one tends to get side tracked. Even if you start with the task that you consider most important, and want to finish it first, and then tackle the next task, there will always be another task that appears to be more important that then interferes with the first one. By religiously allocating time to everything and dividing your day into specified segments, you are creating a workable system. This doesn't mean you need to have eight tasks per day. Some of those hour slots can be social, creative or just 'me time' as well. The emphasis here is on focusing 100% in that moment as the quotation says... wherever you are, be there! As another quote so aptly puts it, a successful person, is the average person focused. This goes hand in hand with ordinary people think merely of spending time, great people think of using it. You cannot use time effectively if you don't have a plan! So stop talking and thinking about it and create a plan of action that is practical and doable! In the last month I have met up with some old friends and the topic of a 'Rainmaker' came up. Do you know what a 'Rainmaker' is? Simply put, it's someone that creates things from nothing. It's a person that takes an idea or thought and manifests it into something that is real and can be shared and experienced with everyone 'out there.' Whether it is about creating a book, a course, a study method, etc., I constantly receive emails from people wanting to know where I find the time and energy to constantly write and create new material. Well, I have just shared my secret with you – I plan and schedule my day. Rainmakers take control of their lives and make things happen. Rainmakers understand the simplicity, yet also the power of goals that are not written down are just wishes! I have many people saying to me that they are scared of failure and fear what others will think if they don't succeed. I appreciate the honesty, but I also become very frustrated at how many people have allowed themselves to be manipulated and conditioned by the messed up society out there, resulting in them severely impeding their own unlimited potential. You can achieve anything you want – you just need to try! My first response to friends and colleagues that approach me with this view in life is, Failure is never as scary as regret! And boy is that true! However, in all fairness, it's not always that easy. Hence my tip to you – don't tell anyone when you tackle a new dream or desire. Keep it private. Make a deal and set a timeline with yourself – not with everyone around you. In that way, no one can comment about it and put you down. Then once you've achieved it, everyone will be surprised. You'll get comments like, “We didn't know you were doing that!” It's a really great feeling when you can surprise everyone around you with something you created in your own space and time. View the possible as probable. You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish. Even if what I say is foreign to you and you feel that you are in a rut and cannot change, remember that rewards in life only go to those who are willing to give up the past. Way too many people on this earth are living in the past and brooding in it. You will NEVER move ahead if you keep blaming the past. You will never be happy if you constantly live in the past and most definitely never be able to move forward. By harping on the past, what are you really accomplishing in life? Zero, zip, nothing! You are just becoming more and more bitter and pulling yourself down into a rut. If your dreams are turning to dust, you need to vacuum! The future belongs to those who live intensely in the present and you can only do this by living in the present. Understand that NOW is the watchword of the wise! Time is the most precious asset that we have. Are you just going to sit there and let time go by, wasting it on regrets and hatred issues from the past? Or are you going to stand up and take responsibility for your own life and realise that the best way to predict your future is to create it! Life is built of the things we do. The only constructive material is POSITIVE ACTION. If you only look behind you, how can you possibly move forward? You need to turn your head around occasionally and look forward. It's amazing what you can see if you look! There are opportunities all around us every day, and even in the sad and the tragic events, there are always opportunities to be found. But these only go to those people that open their eyes and look. At times we may see our own lives as filled with challenges and feel that you cannot see the woods for the trees. However, you need to realise that the bigger the challenge, the greater the opportunity! Those days that I may doubt myself, or be unduly negatively influenced by some happening, or become suddenly annoyed by someone’s selfish intent, I always look up at the wall opposite me in my study at this quotation, we all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul? Hand in hand with this awesome insight you also need to accept and understand that like farmers we need to learn that we cannot sow and reap on the same day. Whether it takes a day, a month or a year, as long as you take positive action and look ahead, you are living a life of forward movement. I much rather move forwards than backwards? Wouldn't you? And finally, don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened! Have an incredible March. Warmest wishes Wolfgang PS! I have another new Quicktip video on Table Mountain. Did you know that this mountain is one of the earth's energy centres and also known as a Spinner Wheel? Click here to be even more inspired.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, February 2013 Useletter, Cope with irritation, Cope with annoyance, Ley go, Overcoming hatred, Free 'Useletter', Free Inspiration, Mind Shift Guru

It's February! How are the New Year's resolutions coming on? Still pushing ahead or have you given up? At the beginning of every year I make a concerted effort to follow through with all my New Year's resolutions. So far, so good, but the biggest one for me this year was to learn not to get annoyed by inconsiderate and annoying people around me, from associates, work colleagues, family members and my weak point - corrupt politicians.

We often joke about this, but how often in a day do you quietly curse someone in your thoughts, whether it's that inconsiderate driver that cut you off in morning traffic, or your boss that hasn't acknowledged that you were up the whole night sorting out a crises?

Here's the reality... we all have these feelings... everyday! Yes, even I have them! Sometimes I want to pop a blood vessel when I see the greed and corruption amongst our politicians. However, the only person getting upset is me! They are just carrying on as always, and no matter how much I jump up and down. When I scream at the driver and use foul language in the car and attempt to display every crude sign I can with my hands, odds are I am only enraging myself as the other person doesn't even realize it's them I am cursing at.

Unfortunately, most of the time we just annoy ourselves more than the other person. If anything I find this is the most difficult issue to come to terms with in my life. I have lectured, written about and put many videos on You Tube about dealing with hatred and letting go of the past. And I really try to practice what I preach. Nevertheless, there are ALWAYS and there always will be those people out there that WE ALL love to hate. Those people that ALWAYS annoy us, no matter how hard we try to remain calm. For weeks we can go about ignoring them, and then one day, out of the blue, grrrrr and all that pent up aggression explodes. The saddest thing of all is, we tend to take it out on those that are closest to us. Your spouse is cuddling next to you in front of the TV, completely relaxed and content in the moment, when you suddenly scream and jump up because of someone on the television, ruining the mood completely. Sound familiar? I've done it!

What about driving in the car and everyone is listening to a nice song on the radio, when suddenly someone three cars ahead does something stupid (which doesn't affect you) and you blurt out a string of abuse that would even embarrass a rap singer!

Hopefully I have put a little smile on your face as you maybe relate to what I am saying. At the time it's not funny, but afterwards, I have to embarrassingly laugh at myself acknowledging that I have just described me.

How do I learn to deal with this? Realistically, I feel there will always be inconsiderate people out there. However, it is up to us to try and control our reactions to them. Instead of blowing one's top ten times out of ten, don't you agree it would be better just to lose your cool one time out of ten. Of course it would be great if we could just all let go completely. But I am a realist... thus even if I only manage to half my outbursts – that's already an improvement.

With all of this in mind, I am going to share tips with you on how to cope with annoying people in your life. I have attached a PDF of my short E-Book: 25 Tips of Coping with Annoying People for you to enjoy. Should you want other E-Formats of the book, visit www.mindpowerpublications.com to download them for free.

Also, I have uploaded a new Quick Tips video with 3 tips on coping with Annoying People – although I must warn you, the 3rd tip (which I think is the most realistic and funny tip) may not be everyone's cup of tea – but I still think it's brilliant! Watch it at your own risk! Click here.

5 Tips on Coping with Annoying People

1. Becoming upset make you remember it longer
The more you acknowledge and think about the person or thing that has upset you, the more you etch that thought into your subconscious mind. You must remember that you are not dealing with a fleeting thought here, but a feeling that is filled with emotion, and intense emotion at that. This is powerful stuff and the more you harp on it, the better the odds of it becoming cemented into your long term memory and upsetting you for weeks and months to come. The solution is to give any irritation as little time and thought as possible.

2. Sometimes YOU are a fault too!
Admitting that one has made a mistake is a hard thing to do. The last thing you want to acknowledge is that you are weak and actually make mistakes too. If this is you – grow up and realize that ALL OF US are human. We ALL make mistakes. It takes a bigger person to admit when they are wrong. I have found that by being brutally honest with myself and actually admitting when I do make a mistake, that I have learnt to laugh at myself and not take myself so seriously. Those around me respect me for being so comfortable with myself and forgive me because I can acknowledge when I am wrong while at the same time (and this is so important) actually forgiving myself too.

3. Reacting can damage your reputation
Yes you may believe that you are in the right and have been falsely wronged! Guess what... if you lose your temper and start a fight, those around you will judge and see you in the same light as the aggressor. It may even make you look petty and unreasonable. Ever thought about it like that? Try not to react, you are better off for it.

4. Stand up for yourself and be clear about your boundaries
Nowhere is there a rule book that states that you must be friends with everyone around you. As humans we long for acknowledgement and recognition and many people fail to realize that not everyone will give you this. My dad always told me that I should not strive to have everyone love me, but instead I should strive to have them respect me. This is a very important point in life. We always try fit in everywhere, but never take a stand in what we believe. Then we wonder why people don't respect us. It is an unchangeable fact that not everyone will like you – there is NOTHING you can do to change this. However, you can get them to respect you. The only way you can do this is to stand up for what you believe in. One way to do this with annoying people is to clearly tell them what your boundaries are and what you will allow them to say to you. Letting others know about your feelings and boundaries helps them treat you in the manner you want to be treated.

5. Take your own advice
Instead of judging and giving advice to others, how about taking your own advice and practicing what you preach? Consider someone that is annoying right now. What exactly is it that annoys you about them and what advice would you give them to stop doing it? Now take your advice for this person, and apply it to yourself. Reality check – most of the time what you feel others should be doing, you need to apply in your own life.

That's it, the other 20 tips you can read in the attached E-Book. PS! Tip 25 is a bit rough, but it's the one that really works for me.

IMPORTANT NEWS! Everyone asks me when are you doing a live seminar for us to attend? Here's the deal, I intend doing a world tour soon. For now I will start in Cape Town and on 25 February 2013 at 18h30 at the Durbanville Golf Course. I will do an hour seminar on inspiration and teach you to Discover Your Magic. This is a once off FREE seminar and seats are limited. Do you want to learn how to fulfil your dreams and attain your goals? Then YOU need to attend! Please RSVP by Friday by replying to this email and booking your seat with your Name, Tel no. and number of people attending. I only have limited seats available – first come first served!

Thank you for reading to this point. I know it's Valentine's month and thus I want to offer you a special until 14 Feb on my book, The Art of Romance E-Book only. Spoil your loved one for ONLY €2.50. Learn how to be the dream romantic this Valentine's day for only €2.50! Click here.

Also, a very good friend of mine, Dorothy Ewels launched a new online magazine – it's FREE and this month it's all about Romance! Yours truly also has an article in it. Please view it at http://glossi.com/inspirante/6217-inspirante-feb-2013-editon

Have an incredible February.
Warmest wishes
Wolfgang

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, February 2013 Useletter, Cope with irritation, Cope with annoyance, Ley go, Overcoming hatred, Free 'Useletter', Free Inspiration, Mind Shift Guru

I thought I would give everyone a week before sending out the first Useletter of 2013. Most people I know only get back to work on the 7th, so I figured that's the best day to start the year on a positive note! I trust you had a brilliant and deserved break and that all the batteries are recharged. If anything, it did me good, I switched off completely and let my mind clear – it's amazing how one needs this. I find that if you do something totally different, suddenly your thought patterns start changing and the creative juices start flowing again. The only problem is that now I have too many ideas! A great problem to have!

What did you do on the last day of the year? I put processes in place to start the New Year completely fresh. For the first time ever I practiced that philosophy of throwing out the old and starting completely new. During the entire December my wife and I threw out everything we hadn't used in 6 months. When I say threw out, most we gave away to people in need, and a few things we even sold on the Internet. Bottom line, we cleared all the old energy out of the house. It was interesting to note that items such as clothing and old paperwork were what had piled up the most. I am constantly amazed at how much stuff we collect, and then we buy a bigger house to store all our extra stuff that we don't need! Sometimes humanity doesn't make sense to me.

If anything, you can only live in one room at a time. So what's the point of having a palace if all it does is create more stress in your life via higher mortgage payments, rates and maintenance costs? For what, just to store your stuff and impress your friends? They say wisdom comes with age. Kinda makes sense as the years start ticking by and you realise that you have passed the half way mark. Right now all my wife and I want to do is sell our big home and move into a lock up and go smaller place. In fact that's one of our New Year's resolutions. Many people, especially younger people, become slaves to their own homes and spend so much time maintaining them plus the expected image that goes with the lifestyle, that they forget to live. Check out my new Quick Tip video on starting fresh here.

So my first message to you for 2013 is... start living. Manage your life's time to enjoy life with those that are important to you, rather than be a slave to what society expects you to do. I said to my daughters before Christmas that I wanted us to spend time together as a family and do things we had never done before. In fact I asked them to list 10 things they had never done before and as a family we went out to achieve this. Weird, one of the things on the list was that they had never seen a corpse. It just happened that Dr Gunter von Hagen Body World's exhibition was in town. Well, what an experience and incredibly educational. Not only my daughters, but I too now have a better understanding of the human body. It was great to see that this exhibition was incredibly popular and that so many people are showing an interest in what we look like inside. In fact I was impressed at how many youngsters attended. Due to this plastination process this man is educating the world with his exhibition. I just wonder if I would have gone had I not asked my girls to make up this list.

My one daughter had never had sushi before... so off we went. Again I learnt something new, I always thought sushi only had raw fish in it. I never realised you could get vegetarian sushi. Suddenly my wife could eat it too and as a family we have discovered a new dining experience. All this happened because we as a family tried something new! What new things have you done recently? Check out my 2nd new Quick Tip video on bucket lists here.

Many people find the festive season commercialised and complain that the true spirit of Christmas has flown out of the window. In all fairness, I can understand where they are coming from. Hence my goal with my family for this festive season was to embrace that spirit again. First thing I planned was that all 4 of us, (myself, wife & 2 daughters) had a €5 gift budget each, per person. The challenge was to buy each other a gift for €5 or less, BUT, the gift had to have meaning to the person receiving it. It's so easy buying Xmas presents today, but how much thought really goes into this process? My challenge for the family (including myself) was that we had to take a ridiculously low sum of money and find something suitable for each other. Plus when the presents were opened on Christmas Eve, we had to motivate why we bought them. It took about 10 days for each of us to buy those 3 presents. I write this Useletter with tears of happiness in my eyes. It was a most special Christmas. We spent over an hour opening each other's presents and listening to the reason why we were given the items. My daughters had put so much thought into this and it was a bonding process second to none. We laughed and we shared. I believe we experienced the Christmas spirit. What touched me the most was that at the end of it all, both my girls told me it was the best Christmas ever. They were genuinely happy with the presents they had received. This is when I realised we had raised our daughters properly. They didn't need the big electronic gifts, branded clothing and newest cell phone – they were happy with the true spirit and meaning behind the gifts that they received. They understood that this was a lifelong special memory that had been embedded in their minds.

Hence the tears. I was so touched at their genuine contentment and love for what we had shared. Admittedly, I too am human and wasn't sure how this would go down with my young daughters. So I had secretly gone and bought all the 'other' conditioned expensive gifts the day before, in case it didn't work. I waited for about an hour after we had opened our special gifts before I surprised them with the new ones. Looking back, I needn't have done this! But hey, the commercial side of Xmas had even gotten the better of me too... but now I know better! Plus I have the best Christmas memory ever! What memories do you have of this Christmas? Is it the same as all others, or did you do something differently? Check out my 3rd new Quick Tip video on the meaning of Christmas here.

Talking of the new, I tend to be an extremist at times, this kind of goes with the territory and passion I have for life and living. Similarly, you will have picked up over the years of reading my scribbling’s that I am also a realist. One cannot always be up in the clouds – there are days that aren't as great as others and there are things that annoy all of us. I speak for myself here. Yet I believe that by being aware of what is going on 'out there' one can at least knowingly try to be objective and try to see the brighter side of things. Thus eventually having more good days than bad days and allowing the balance to start tipping in one's favour to becoming a more enlightened and positive person. I found it interesting that some readers last month emailed me and commented that they noticed a little less positivity in me than usual, because I had called a spade a spade with regard to people actually opening and reading this mail. I fully respect your views and chuckled as I read them. I like touching nerves and fluttering feathers on occasion – it makes people look up and notice things. Everything I wrote, I did with much thought and good reason. It's time to clean house!

If you sat on New Year’s Eve and made tons of resolutions, I really hope they work out for you. However, I have a question.... what changes have you brought about in your life to make these resolutions come true? You see, if you always do what you have always done, you will always have what you always had. Have you cleaned your internal house, i.e. your thought patterns, your mind, your bad habits, your approach to others, your views, etc?

Yes the world is in turmoil, times are tough... are they really? Or could it be that you have been conditioned to believe this. Maybe you have been conditioned to lead a certain life which includes eating out 3 times a week, driving the latest car, living in the best neighbourhood and are really struggling to make ends meet. This is causing high blood pressure, stress, family feuds and general unhappiness in your life. Wake up! Does the new car and big house really make you better than someone else? Do you really need to eat out 3 times a week? By having a smaller affordable home, a more affordable car and spending more time eating home cooked meals as a family, life could suddenly become simpler, less hectic and more fun. But you have to change your behaviour!

It's no use telling everyone that 2013 is going to be the year you make it big, if you have no plan of action. Nothing is going to happen if you follow the same route as last year! You have to change your behaviour. I find that the philosophy of starting 'fresh' is misunderstood by many. Most people think that they can still hang on to the past and still include old habits and behaviours when starting fresh. No! Starting fresh means learning from your past mistakes and making sure you don't do them again!

I tend to be a firm believer in energy. Especially in what comes around goes around. I also believe that negative people spread their negative energy and leave it behind if they visit you. Hence I stay very clear from them. Because everything on earth is made up of atoms (energy) I also believe that old items breed on old energy around them. Hence if I am content, I leave the old stuff around me and enjoy the old energy. If I am a dreamer and want something new, I create new energy. If I want to go on a Caribbean holiday, I buy myself a big Gonk shell and put it on my desk. I put a poster of the beach on the wall. I see this every day and let the new energy embrace me. Couple this with visualising your goals – and things change.

Remember, we are the only beings that can create something from nothing. From a mere thought we can create a reality! It's all about working the energy! Another thing I did to allow me that fresh start was to check all my emails, and by the 31st of Dec I had answered all the high priority mails. Guess what I did then? I went to 'select all' and deleted everything that was left! I am truly starting the year fresh! Are you still dragging old energy along with you? Drop it!

And finally, yes we are all still here! The world didn't end on 22 Dec. I know many people that had a huge party that night, and then another one the following night celebrating that they were still here. In fact I even know some doomsday believers that sold off everything and went and built new homes in the middle of the Namib Desert!

What did I do? What I do every day, I lived in the moment and enjoyed every day to the fullest. Not one of us knows when this is all coming to an end, regardless of Aztec predictions, and psychic's premonitions. If anything, go into 2013 and live life to the fullest. Truly learn to live in the moment by starting off with changing your behaviour today so that you have that fresh start.

Finally I want to thank those of you that follow my daily quotations and jokes on Facebook, especially those of you that sent good wishes and prayer for my dad who underwent an emergency operation on Christmas. I really really appreciate this and can report that he is recovering well. That was the best Christmas present ever for me.

I wish you a fantastic 2013.
Warmest regards
Wolfgang

PS! Don't forget if you are having an company event to plan the year ahead, Wolfgang has a great Keynote on goal setting! Contact me here.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, January 2013 Useletter, Live life, Enjoy life, Bucket list, Free 'Useletter', Free Inspiration, Mind Shift Guru

That's it, the last 'Useletter' of 2012! I say this every year, but damn... this year went fast! This month I want to reflect over the past year and reinforce some of my past messages.

But firstly, as a holiday season gift I have attached a new e-book of mine called, “The Best Tips of 2011/12.” It's free and it's yours. Feel free to pass it onto your friends as well. If you don't like the pdf version and want a different e-reader version – you are welcome to download it free from here and hopefully it will be your preferred e-reader format. I trust you will enjoy the book.

Before I continue, there are two things I need to comment on:

1.) Thanks for the positive response to the new plain format. I never quite realized how many people had a problem reading the 'fancy' formats. Good to now know this works.

2.) As this year winds down and we recharge for 2013, I need to cover one more point. Is it just me that is noticing this, or is humanity becoming more selfish and self-centered? Since my health setback a year ago, I have changed my attitude to life somewhat, in the sense that I call a spade a spade and try not waste time on unimportant issues or negative people. Life really is too short. The great thing is, everyone now knows where they stand with me, plus I am now spending time with positive people that help me grow too!

Sadly, and I admit it, it took a heart attack to realize this and slow down. Last year I mentioned that 6 Dec will be my 2nd birthday embracing the year I have gained. Believe me, I am going to celebrate this new lease on life. It's weird when one thinks that one could have died a year ago!

During this last year I have also found that by sharing my inner emotions and thoughts, I have been receiving a better response and been able to touch more souls with my messages. I have also realized that even though my attitude to life has changed, the biggest gift we can get is to give back to others. Hence through sharing my messages with everyone, I have had an incredibly blessed year. If we connect and I change your life in even a small way, or even let you see an issue from a different point of view, I am glad and my goals are achieved.

Why do I make mention of this? I always try to remain positive and really try to help others live life to the fullest. Unfortunately it sometimes happens that one has to highlight a negative... but with the purpose of eventually turning it into a positive!

The company I use to send out this 'Useletter' gives me stats on how many people actually open the mail and read it. Sadly I see I have a 50% open rate. That means that 50% of the people receiving this don't read it. Um... why did you subscribe? I would prefer that these people 'unsubscribe' as they are wasting both our times. The only problem is they most probably aren't reading this mail! Plus, believe it or not, it costs me money to send out this free 'Useletter'. Rather let someone else subscribe that will read it and wants to benefit from it – then at least I am investing my time and money on people that really take an interest in keeping their lives positive. At the end of every 'Useletter' is an 'unsubscribe' link.

This is just one of the things that doesn’t make sense to me in life... why subscribe to something if you are not going to read it? Similarly, and this is a gem... last month you may recall that my topic was on 'respect'. My first point I made was, that we should not judge people of another country, race or religion. After all, how do you know you are right in what you believe? Guess what, I had over 1200 people unsubscribe because of the above comment! That was their free choice and I repeat, I respect that. However, what I found jaw dropping was that the majority were ALL from one particular religious group and many felt that they had to tell me where to get off. Mmmm, doesn't that kind of defeat the whole purpose of writing about respecting others? In hindsight though, what comes around goes around, and I actually had 1500 new subscribers join this month as well. Makes you think huh?

So… glad you are still here and I trust that you understood where I was coming from. If anything, I have gained a better understanding over the years of writing this 'Useletter' how people think and how views differ. Suddenly I see why there are so many wars, fighting and hatred in the world today. Way too many people have a problem being objective and putting themselves in someone else's shoes. If anything, 2012 has taught me to be more aware of other people's feelings, histories and beliefs. It has reminded me to count to ten before I react and above all it has taught me to ALWAYS put myself in someone else's shoes before I pass judgement. I really don't and never have believed that I am more intelligent or in any way better than anyone else. So how come I understand the concept of being non-judgmental and others don't? It doesn't make sense to me!

I hosted a World Aids Day concert on 1 Dec and was asked to make mention of the 16 consecutive days of non-violence towards woman. Apparently it's the first time in the world that this figure has been reached. I couldn't believe that I had to ask for a round of applause that this 16 day figure had been achieved! What is there to be proud of? Had it been 16 months, or 16 years I would have celebrated! Has the world become so sad that 16 days of non-violence towards women is seen as a milestone?

It all starts in the family how you bring up your children and how they see the relationship between their parents. It also starts with you standing up to your rights and not accepting violence and making your voice heard. Again, I don't want to sound negative, but we can't rely on politicians anymore, all they do is talk and don't take responsibility. The only option is that you take responsibility and stand up and respect your wife, girlfriend and ALL women around you. Do not tolerate disrespectful or violent behavior from other men at all. Next year on 1 Dec I want to stand on that stage and say that it's been 12 months of non-violence and not just 16 days... so stand up and respect all women everywhere... it all begins with YOU!

I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out what makes people, selfish, disrespectful, judgmental, violent and basically nasty. Hence I sat and thought about this the entire November and have eventually come up with a possible explanation. Do you still believe in the Easter Bunny and Father Christmas? If not, I have a new character for you to believe in... And I have a huge internal debate to decide whether he/she is real or not. It's the 'Plunkey' (Pill + Monkey). Watch the FREE quick tip video by clicking here, or going to my You Tube Channel, 'inspiringtheworld'.

This is a mischievous monkey that carries a bag of 'idiot pills' with him wherever he goes, and he randomly sneaks them into people drinks, particularly on a Sunday night or early Monday morning! Ever watched how people behave in the traffic on a Monday morning? This 'Plunkey' also hangs out at airports and gives them to people before they board a plane. Ever noticed rude people in a store? Rude Boss?; Obnoxious work colleague?; Crazy family member?; ... the 'Plunkey!'

Added to that the 'Plunkey' buys his pills in bulk and as cheaply as possible. Hence he has some 'bad' batches of pills occasionally – these then don't result in 'stupid' behavior, but in 'judgmental' behavior.

There you have it – that's my explanation as to why certain people are so narrow minded and only see their way. In fact coming up with this explanation now makes me feel really sorry for these people and at the same time it gives me hope knowing that the effect of the tablet may eventually wear off – thus I should NEVER EVER give up and continue trying to make these individuals see the light!

This also means that anyone like this that you encounter can be cured! Don't give up on them. Kind words and understanding goes a long way! And if that doesn't work, silence is an incredibly powerful tool too! It reminds me of a great saying, “When arguing with an idiot, make sure you are not the idiot!” So sometimes silence is best.

What is the definition of insanity? To do what you have always done, and expect a different result!

Nice huh? During 2012 I have decided that I am going to live my life differently and take the advice of the Dalai Lama which is shared in February. In case you didn't read it, here it is again.

A question that was posed to the Dalai Lama which has had me thinking seriously on what is important in life. He was asked, “What thing about humanity surprises you the most?” His answer was as follows, “Man! Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn't enjoy the present, As a result he doesn't live in the present or the future, but lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived!”

It's been 10 months since I posted that story! So my question to you is, “Have you really lived this year?”

During December, while you decide on your New Year's resolutions for 2013, can I be so bold as to ask you to include respecting everyone around you and not being judgmental? Let's create magic in 2013. All the doomsday prophets are expecting the world to come to an end this month. Here's what I see. I believe that the world will and is changing and that all these predictions around the end of this year are about the beginning of a change in the mindset of humanity. More and more people are standing up to what is right. More and more speakers are doing what I am doing by sharing a positive and hope filled messages with everyone out there. I believe that slowly we are touching souls and people are spreading the positive message. Hence my prediction for the future is that this month is the beginning of a new mind shift change in humanity where people are beginning to become enlightened and the seeds are being planted for a better future world.

On that note I wish you a peaceful and relaxing festive season with family and friends. Whether you believe in Santa Clause or not, let the spirit and magic of this season rub off onto you so that you embrace the true gifts of giving and unconditional love over December and the year ahead.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', Free Inspiration, December 2012 'Useletter', Plunkey, Mind Shift Guru, Respect

I have a somewhat longer 'Quick Tip video' I uploaded today, that covers the contents of this 'Useletter'. Click here to watch it. You can visit my YouTube channel, Inspiring The World, free and watch tons of inspirational messages.
Respect

Secondly last month I launched a website called www.mindskills4u.com where you can watch a completely FREE video where I improve your memory within 25 minutes! Plus I'll teach you a really great mathematics trick. I cannot believe the response, it's been phenomenal! Yesterday I uploaded the MATH Skills course. So if you have kids that can benefit from clever math tips – this is it! Click here and be blown away!

Also, don't forget my completely FREE video course on 4 Life Truths. All you need to do is visit www.mindshiftguru.com and subscribe totally free. I also launched my full Discover Your Magic video course on the Internet. Check it out here.

Did you know that I post daily quotations on my Facebook site - also Free! It would be great if you 'Liked' me on my page.Check it out here.

Respect
6 Weeks to go to Christmas.... and I remember writing the January 'Useletter' only the other day! If anything, I have really enjoyed sharing my feelings this year as so many people have responded to me with emails and comments.

Firstly, I have moved the 'Useletter' into a simple format this month as some people write that their various e-readers don't always display the format correctly. So I would appreciate some response as to what you think of this plain format. All my links i.e. this month's Quick Tip, etc. are at the end of this email.

Secondly, people send me emails to subscribe, unsubscribe and even change address details to their subscription. If you read all the way to the end of the 'Useletter' there is a tab where you can do it! That's why it's there!

I am still amazed at how many people think that I don't read my own emails! Yes, I read and respond to all my emails personally! Having said this, I received a request two weeks ago that I should tackle the topic of 'respect.' Wow, if anything that is something that is lacking in many aspects of society today. Respect for religious beliefs, family, children, spouse, culture, country, etc. ...and the list goes on. I thought I would tackle 4 sub categories under respect this month; religion, money family and culture.

As I get older in life I realize that I am no longer scared to have my say and that I am comfortable with who I am. In the same vein I am also comfortable with making myself vulnerable and sharing deeply personal issues, feelings and questions. I also fully accept that I am not always correct in my views. However, I do always sincerely try and give an objective viewpoint. Having said this, there may be some people that may take offense to certain points I am about make. Believe me, it is not my intention to offend, it is my intention to educate and inspire. Respect is earned. In my eyes respect is about 'walking the talk' and standing up to what you believe in. Haven't the years of me sharing via this free 'Useletter' proven that?

Last year in my November 'Useletter' I received a number of complaints from subscribers that I had wished all my American friends a Happy Halloween – complaining that it was a pagan celebration. For those people I would like to suggest that you do a Google search on the origin of this 'All Saints' day... you may be surprised at who started it all! So maybe respect is a good topic for this month, as once again I sincerely wish all my American friends the best Halloween ever, despite the terrible hurricane that has struck the East coast. I would have loved to be there enjoyed the fun.

Who are we to criticize and judge others for what they do? Isn't this a sign of disrespect? How do you know you are right in what you believe? Personally I think most people see Halloween as a fun night to dress up and have a great party. If anything is bad I think it's that some people overdo the alcohol on this night. I doubt many actually see it as anything else but a good reason to party. Funny, I have also always seen it as a great festive event too. If I have fancy dress parties at my home, I always try to go for a Halloween, Rocky Horror or scary theme. It's the wackiness of the event. My favorite celebration is on 30 April in the Hartz Mountains in Germany when they have a Walpurgis Night party throughout the region. Children enact plays from Goethe, people dress up and it's a hoot. My oldest friend runs a hotel and restaurant there (Die Kleine Zauberwelt) and has a stand at the festivities. I go along (as someone with a big mouth) and assist behind the stand to pull the crowd and sell cakes and goodies. If anything we have a brilliant night out every year. Not once have I seen it as 'evil' or bad. Nor have I ever judged anyone that has or hasn't attended the festivities. This definitely does not mean that I am a devil worshiper – if anything I would like to believe myself to be a very grounded and spiritual person.

In all my teachings I have spoken in holy houses of every religion. Even though I am launching my first religious book in the next two months, it gives me no right to judge others if they follow a different belief system. That is just plain disrespectful. I have no right to do so. Who am I to judge someone that was brought up in another country under a different belief system? For all I know they may be 100 times more spiritual than me and 200 times a better person. Isn't respect taking someone's feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into consideration? Isn't respect about valuing someone else's thoughts and feelings and accepting their individuality and idiosyncrasies? Proclaiming my religion to everyone out there definitely does not make me a better person. Nor does it make me right in what I do. However, walking my talk, practicing what I preach and living what I believe... that is what will make people look twice and take notice. Actions speak so much louder than words.

No one will ever follow me if they do not respect me! How can I earn someone's respect if I am forever judging and criticizing what they do? How have the various religions messiahs created followers? By being judgmental, criticizing others and being disrespectful? Or by leading by example and respecting everyone out there? Think about it!

If you believe that money and power will buy you respect, I have some bad news for you... it won't! How many politicians do you really respect? Look at people that have inherited huge sums of money, or become rich overnight. Yes they may have lots of people working for them in their company or at home and can afford to have anything done by anyone... but at a price. Does this power buy them respect? Just look at big name celebrities and sports stars that appear in the media because of a scandal. Do you respect them, even with all their money? I used to question why many people with money and power are so rude and disrespectful towards others. The answer is so easy. They sense that they are not respected, even with all that they have, and it frustrates them terribly – hence they pursue even more money in the hope that they will eventually get respect. Sad really! Of course our media doesn't help this plight either, as all they do is sell materialism as the answer to respect... another huge lie that you need to stand up against. Respect can never be demanded or forced, even though many people believe it can. That's not respect, that's fear! Realize that the ONLY way to receive respect is to send it out to others and then let it boomerang back to you.

Of course the biggest issues around respect occur within the family. Do you respect your spouse, your children, and your immediate family? You earn family members' respect by voluntarily doing things such as taking that person's feelings, needs and thoughts into consideration. Think of when a child is born... initially the needs are basic survival needs for food and nurturing. As the child grows up, an increasing need for autonomy and independence starts appearing. As an adult one needs to realize this and treat the young adult with increasing respect (letting go of the childhood needs) so that they begin learning to respect you in return in order to apply this in their adult life.

I know I've mentioned this before, but my wife and I talk to our daughters about everything, we listen to them and we explain the reasons for our actions to them. We show them respect and hence they show us respect in return. Everyone laughs at me when they hear my daughters are teenagers, and wish us 'good luck' with them. Funny, we have no problems with them at all! I wonder whether it has to do with the fact that we show them respect and are aware of their feelings. Maybe it's also because we spend time with them and share openly as a family. Or could it possibly be that we are approachable as parents and non-judgmental and the fact that they know they will not be judged, no matter what they share with us?

Similarly, never expect respect from a family member if you are not prepared to be respectful to them! Should you be treated disrespectfully within a family, you need to make sure you haven't treated the other person disrespectfully in the first place. If not, then the only other alternative is to stand up for yourself and confront the other person. In October my wife and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. How have we lasted 22 years? Simple... respect for each other and open honest communication. Without respect there would be no relationship and we would be living a lie. We both know and understand this! Do you have the same relationship with your spouse? As hard as it may sound, if you have no respect for your partner, then don't stay with them. Then you are only disrespecting yourself.

Similarly, who are you to judge a beggar at a street corner and treat them in a disrespectful manner? Have you ever considered that they have a child/children and a spouse at home that look up to them and respect them?

And this leads me to the final point. As I watch CNN, Sky News and Euro News less and less, I notice how 'political correctness' and cultural issues are still such a hot topic around the world. I also notice how it's always one-sided and always one culture complaining about non-acceptance by another. It saddens me to see where the world is going here. Many years ago when I went through a near death experience out on an expedition in the Arctic, and we thought we were all going to die, I made myself a few promises should I survive. One of the biggest and most influential promises I made myself, and the one that changed my life radically was; I will never judge a person by their creed, culture, religion or race. I will accept and treat everyone I meet equally and show them ALL equal respect. I will give them the power to lose or keep that respect by how they treat me in return – but I will NEVER pre-judge them.

This has turned my life around completely and resulted in me having true friends all across this globe. We all need to learn to respect each other unconditionally and the world will become a better place for all.

As I finish off I realize that the most important answer to all the problems above always come back to one thing. People don't respect themselves! If you respect and love yourself and find comfort in who you are as a person, then all the problems discussed this month wouldn't be a problem. Think about it!

Have an awesome November!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', Free Inspiration, November 2012 'Useletter', Mind Shift Guru, Respect

I have a somewhat longer 'Quick Tip video' I uploaded today, that covers the contents of this 'Useletter'. Click here to watch it. You can visit my YouTube channel, Inspiring The World, free and watch tons of inspirational messages.
Coping with Life

Secondly last month I launched a website called www.mindskills4u.com where you can watch a completely FREE video where I improve your memory within 25 minutes! Plus I'll teach you a really great mathematics trick. I cannot believe the response, it's been phenomenal! Yesterday I uploaded the MATH Skills course. So if you have kids that can benefit from clever math tips – this is it! Click here and be blown away!

Also, don't forget my completely FREE video course on 4 Life Truths. All you need to do is visit www.mindshiftguru.com and subscribe totally free. I also launched my full Discover Your Magic video course on the Internet. Check it out here.

Did you know that I post daily quotations on my Facebook site - also Free! It would be great if you 'Liked' me on my page. I'm really trying to hit the 3000 likes.... only 75 to go as from today – come on... check it out here.

It's October! Is it an age thing or have you found that the year has also simply slipped away? Every year I say to myself that it will become better than the next, and before you know it, another year has passed with twice as many storms as the one before! These are the times I sit down in thought and try figure out what I did in my previous life and when my karma will be repaid that I am working off!

Does this sound familiar to you? Could you have written that sentence above? Is it how you see life and question the reasoning behind all the happenings?

If yes, don't feel badly! Believe me, you are not the only one. With the way the world has changed into this pulsating 24/7/365 society - stress levels have increased for everyone everywhere. Plus we tend to worry about everything and anything, which isn't helping either. This has resulted in many people not finding a balance in life anymore and questioning all the 'side-winder' events that occur unexpectedly in life.

I look at my year and it has been particularly eventful. However, I don't look at anything as bad or negative, but as learned life experiences that have helped me grow as a person. You see, it is my choice, and my choice alone as to how I react to events in my life. Agreed, maybe I am just a thick-skinned schmuck! But guess what, I consciously choose to always look for the learned reason behind events and I share them with others... just see all my previous 'Useletters'. I believe that we have to learn from events in our life, the good and the bad.

Many people ask me how I always remain so positive. The reality is, I also have my ups and downs, BUT I have many more ups than downs. It didn't start out like that! I had to work at it. Today, because of the way I lead my life and the things I do in my daily routine tend to have the upper hand when it comes to looking at the bright side of things. Hence I thought that this month I would share a few tips with you that really make a positive change in my life.

Here's my first tip... I have two bars in my house!

Ha, ha... that is actually my first tip... I joke a lot and try to find the humorous in everything around me! Laughter is the best medicine – this is a proven fact! Think back, when last have you laughed? How do you feel after you have laughed? It's an energy boost – you just feel 100 times better. Hence I figured a while back, if I can laugh at least 3 times a day, at least once in the morning, afternoon and at night – I have constant boosts to cheer me up. Hence I love speaking in front of live audiences, as it gives me the chance to make people laugh and show them the power of laughter. I received two great jokes in the email this morning...

A friend of mine quizzed me why I put superglue on his dart.... I said, “You just can't let it go, can you!”
And the other one that cracked me up...
After 4 years of therapy my psychologist said something that brought tears to my eyes. He said, "No hablo Ingles."

We may not all have the same sense of humour – which is fine, but a great joke anytime in the day just makes my day!
Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying that we should laugh our life away. But we should laugh a lot more and find more reasons to laugh in and at life. I firmly believe that laughter is also a huge contributing factor to happiness.

However, crying can be too. Have you ever cried from happiness? Or does that sound weird to you? Again, this weird high tech society we live in has taught many people to separate from their emotions. I find that being in tune with your emotions is one of the most important skills we need in life. As men we are taught not to cry. But, damn, occasionally a good sob is good for the soul. When last have you watched a really sad movie and shed tears? It actually brings you down to earth again and grounds you. Have you ever cried from happiness? I find that many people have forgotten to be grateful, especially for the smaller things in life.... which in fact are the bigger memories at the end of the day. Spending an evening eating out with your family in the harbour, going on holiday; actually having the kids home for a weekend and the whole family snuggling together in bed watching movies – do you appreciate those moments? Seeing you parents and realising that they gave up so much for you and really do love you – isn't that a reason to cry from happiness and tell them from your heart that you love them so very, very much? We only tend to cry about the loss of things and people that make us happy. Maybe we should also cry from joy at having those 'magical' moments?

Thirdly, six months ago I bought us a cat, we have always had dogs, but I grew up with cats and always wanted a cat. We also have a small Jack Russell. Now when the cat and Jack Russell start playing I am constantly laughing and taking photos of the crazy things they do. It is a huge energy boost in my day. In fact I read recently on the Internet that the frequency of a cat's purring resonates exactly with the same frequency we are in when we are happy. Interesting, huh? See my picture at the top of the Useletter – that's 'Schmoesie'. Of course when I play with him, the dogs want part of the attention too and suddenly I have 3 animals around me giving me unconditional love. There are NO conditions, just simple love from 3 animals that do not judge or complain, but simply want someone to play with them. I find that switching off and just enjoying playing with them is like a vitamin injection which re-energises me tremendously and takes my mind off everything else. Plus they are so cute and so funny at times. It makes my day. Do you have pets that you can do this with too? If not, take a visit to a nearby park and feed the ducks. Believe me, they will make you laugh too and take your mind off the daily stresses.

Fourthly, a few months ago I made a conscious decision to only hang out with people that bring value to my life, not just to have fun times with, but also in terms of intellectual stimulation. For years I have found I am always the one making the phone calls, keeping the friendship alive, etc. I stopped doing that now and it's amazing how many people stopped phoning. Don't forget, I was a TV celebrity as well. It was a huge let down for me to realize how many people where my friends simply because of my status in society and what they could get out of me. Honestly, it took me a long time to come to grips with this and get over the hurt. I am a giver, always have been. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely believe in unconditional love and giving, and ALWAYS give without expecting anything in return. However, it is a disappointment when you realise that some people simply are leaches and will only associate with you for their own gain.

However, this feeling sorry for myself story didn't sit well with me. I could find many reasons why friendships didn't work. Again I had to be man enough and question myself. Did I check them out before embarking on a friendship? Did I do my part? Did I take into account their circumstances, etc. Eventually I realised that my life and my happiness is not dependent on others, but on me and my attitude. I could sit and find fault, or I could stand up and take responsibility for my own life. Instead of blaming others for hanging out with me because of who I was, maybe I should go out and make an effort to build up my friendship circle. Sitting at home wasn't going to help. Neither was going down to the local pub. I needed to think long and hard what it was I wanted out of a friendship. I also realised that many possibly good friendships had dwindled due to the strains of everyday life. Thus I made myself a promise to start looking up old mates again and to put at least one weekend a month aside to socialise with people that are important to me. It's been great and I have been rekindling old friendships.

And of course there is family. As I write this 'Useletter' my youngest daughter has just taken part in the national Rhythmic Gymnastics championship, coming in overall at second place with 2 gold medals, a silver and a bronze. AM I A PROUD DAD OR WHAT?

Nothing but nothing compares to having an open, caring and loving relationships with all members of your family. As corny as it may sound to some people, my wealth is my family. The fact that my wife and I share and discuss everything together is one of my secrets to a long and successful marriage. Now that our daughters are older we include them in everything. Firstly, that they can see how a husband and wife should respect each other and share openly, and also for them to know that they are respected members of my family. We all like to brag about our children, but everyone compliments me about my daughters, plus both will be completing grade 12 before the age of 16! Yep you read correctly, before the age of 16. I admit it; they got their brains from my wife!

Realistically though, how is it that my girls are so far ahead? Do you think it's because there is constant drama at home? Or maybe is it because they feel wanted, a respected part of the family and have parents that spend time with them and talk to them about everything? Just thought I’d throw that in.

As some of you know, I spent two weeks abroad with my oldest daughter last month. Having her attend a convention with me and having her listen in on my seminars and chatting with her afterwards was just so special. We even spent time in a theme park (Phantasialand) outside Cologne with my dad. For me to watch my daughter and my dad (who by the way is 78) on fantasy rides which were a 'first' for both of them was one of those 'crying in happiness' moments for me. The excitement in my daughter's eyes as she was enjoying the thrill of the ride and the wonderment in my dad's eyes as to how technology has created unimaginable experiences for someone of his generation were precious to me. However, in both, the child was apparent. The magic was there. Wow, that was just so unforgettable.

This month my message to you is to try and create more magic moments in your life, whether through laughter, through pets, friends or family, or preferably a combination of them all. The more of these moments you create, the less time you will spend fretting the unimportant stuff!

Go out there and have a 'magical' October!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', October 2012 Useletter, Coping with Life

Welcome to the change of seasons, whichever part of the word you are in! Whether you are heading into summer, or winter, I trust that only positive energy will follow you as we move towards the end of the year again.
Firstly, I have a Quick Tip video I uploaded today. Click here to watch it. You can visit my You Tube channel, Inspiring The World, free and watch tons of inspirational messages.

5 Tips of Gratitude

Secondly and this is EXCITING NEWS! Do you want to improve your memory NOW? I have just launched a website called www.mindskills4u.com where you can watch a completely FREE video where I improve your memory within 25 minutes! Plus I'll teach you a really great mathematics trick. No obligation, no strings attached – simply click here and be blown away!

I also have a completely FREE video course on 4 Life Truths. All you need to do is visit www.mindshiftguru.com and subscribe totally free. I also launched my full Discover Your Magic video course on the Internet. Check it out here.

Did you know that I post daily quotations on my Facebook site - also Free! It would be great if you 'Liked' me on my page. Check it out here.

And now to this month’s topic:

Gratitude

How has your month been? Mine has been hectic in the sense that life continually throws emotional events at me that steer me back into being consciously thankful for every day. I don't know if it's just me, or if you experience the same, but it truly has been a few months of serious emotional roller coaster rides for me.

There are two scenarios I want to share, with similar lessons.
As I write this 'Useletter', I am sitting at the airport with my oldest daughter and the two of us are going to spend some quality time together, also visiting my dad. As you know, I have two daughters and they are everything in my life. A few months ago I made a decision that whenever I do long distance flights, I will take one of them with me and alternate between them. Obviously we have our family time as well, but when it comes to longer business trips I figured that rather than flying business class, I fly coach class, but take one daughter with me every time. In that way they get to see the world and I have quality time with them.

I need some serious time with my daughter! Why. She is a gymnast and a national champion at that. She does artistic gymnastics; that is the one where they do somersaults on the wooden beam and lots of physically difficult and challenging routines. I suppose because it isn't a mainstream sport like football or tennis, the parents of the gymnasts tend to know each other better. About two weeks ago one of the teenage boys that trains with my daughter came over to visit. What a nice young man and a youngster who showed an interest in what I did professionally and connected with me. Clever youngster to get the dad to like him first! Nevertheless, jokes aside, not two days later at practice, this young man slipped, fell and broke his neck!

Shock! In fact I am still speechless. He couldn't feel his legs or arms and was paralyzed on the spot. This all happened within a split second while everyone was watching him. Have you ever been in a situation where you just wanted to be able to take back the last 5 seconds of your life. Oh man this was hectic. On top of it all, the other gymnasts experienced this as it happened. Their young minds are so impressionable – the shock for them was incredibly stressful. No matter how old you are, you are never prepared for something this tragic, especially as a youngster.

I cannot begin to imagine what his parents must have gone through on receiving the news. In fact they arranged a room at the hospital next to their son. My daughter and all the gymnasts were visiting daily and communicating over the phone more than ever. If you have teenagers, you know they life on their mobiles!

I kept on asking myself over and over what the lesson could possibly be for anyone to learn from this? As a family we sat and discussed the turn of events, more in shock than anything else, and more as a comfort to each other. In the end the same message came out that I keep on writing about. We ALL need to be thankful for every day!

Do you wake up and give thanks that you are still alive and healthy? Whether you believe in your creator, or just give thanks to the universe out there – do you do it? Or do you take the world for granted and let events such as this shake up your entire life, only to be back in the rut a week later?

When last have you taken your child in your arms, looked them in the eyes and told them how special they are and how much you love them? In fact, when last have you done this with ANYONE that is important in your life? Man, from heart attacks, deaths, sick parents to I don't know what next – someone is telling me something here... and YES, I have been listening for many months now! Are you? Are you just skimming over this newsletter and deleting it? Or are you really taking note of the messages and changing your life for the better and living in the moment?

I am going to spend two very special weeks with my daughter and my dad now and creating magic memories. Why don't you make it your goal this month to do the same with those that are special in your life?

Why did I have a heart attack 9 months ago and survive? Could it have been to learn a lesson and be given the chance to change my life and live in the moment? Why did this young gymnast fall and break his neck? Maybe the bigger lesson was for me to write about it and shock you into changing your life! I know his parents, they are wonderful loving people, I am still trying to figure out the lesson they had to learn. Nevertheless, the good news is that he has started regaining feeling throughout his body, except his legs. But is responding well to treatment after an extensive operation. We all know that he will be able to a walk again. His accident has been a warning to all of us out there – don't take life and health for granted. Hopefully I will be able to welcome this young man into my home again soon and spend some time learning from him and the emotions he went through over this period.

My wife is my pillar of strength in times of weakness. Yes I am a mind shift guru and inspirational speaker and spend my life inspiring other. But hey, I am a human too and also have my ups and downs. I have a huge issue with high profile people that are hypocrites and who only care for themselves – hence one of the reasons that I refuse to watch the news or read newspapers. Believe it or not, it helps me tremendously and keeps me positive 80% of the time. However, there are certain times one cannot avoid seeing a newspaper banner or headline on a pole as one drives to work, or walks through an airport and sees all the TV screens everywhere. My wife already has this routine of steering me back on the right positive road every time I get back from a flight – as she knows that this affects me. Maybe it's age, but the older I get the more I become upset with corruption, corporate greed and religious double standards. The more I get upset with people who don't take a stand and who don't practice what they preach. Maybe that's why I spend the time writing my 'Useletters' and creating different courses and doing my Quick Tips. Maybe I am just trying to bring about a change for the better. I do believe it all starts with one person. You also have no idea how much I want to mention specific names and comment on the double standards of certain individual figureheads 'out there.' But then I sit back, calm down and realize that it is only though positive words and clarity of mind that I could possibly hope to bring about a change.

And on that note I tackle my 2nd lesson. Last week I was in a big city I heard the story of a fire in a shantytown where a 7-year old youngster watched his parents and sister burn to death. The entire media was full of this shocking story, and as per usual, the 'powers-that-be' had the same old comments, “Tragic, shocking, disgraceful, etc.” Yet these are the same comments they say every time something bad happens! They still don't do anything about, nor improve the circumstances for the poor. Sorry, they do... at lavish conferences where they spend tax payers money and stay in luxury hotels and then argue who is to blame, but never accept the blame themselves! Does this sound familiar? Worst of all, within a week there is another tragedy and everyone has forgotten about the 7 year old youngster and the emotional scarring he has suffered.

What kind of a world are we living in today? Sadly my above example pertains to ANY country on this globe. Why are people not standing up and making their voices heard? Why are people accepting this behaviour from our leaders? Just look at the circus in the world right now? Dare I question whether we have all become greedy and don't care for our fellow human beings anymore!

STOP! Stop being immune to the atrocities happening in the world everyday. Stand up and make yourself heard! You are part of the change. It starts with the little things! Stand up and say your say when you see an injustice. Don't be an impartial bystander. Become a pillar in your society. Become someone that people look up to and respect. Only then can we all start making a positive difference to the world we live in.

If you enjoy positive short life changing stories that you can read quickly and that will steer you in the right direction, have a look at the book, Life Lessons for the Heart, or Click here.

And don't forget... have a look at my new Memory Video where I teach you to remember any ten things! Visit www.mindskills4u.com, or also check out my free video course on Life Truths at www.mindshiftguru.com.

PS! If you want to read any of the previous 'Useletters', simply visit my Blog, by clicking here.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', September 2012 useletter, Gratitude

Part 4
HONESTY

Firstly, this complete book is available in most e-reader formats from Smashwords, click here to download it for free.

Hello, and welcome back. I am Wolfgang Riebe, I'm your mind shift guru. This is the fourth truth in my 4 Life's Truth Video Course. If you have stumbled across this video by accident, please go to www.mindshiftguru.com and sign up completely free for these four videos. If you just tuned in again for your fourth and final truth, welcome back!

What is that final truth that I want to share with you? We have spoken about wealth, passion and conditioning. This one is the most important truth for me personally. The 'Crème de la crème' of truths! And it is... HONESTY!

I have done a bit of research in dictionaries, on the Internet and 'Wikipedia' has a great definition; “positive, virtuous attributes, including integrity and straightforwardness...” That's quite a lot of big words! It also refers to a honest person as someone that is not dishonest, that does not steal, or who is not a thief. At the end they say, “Honesty is the best Policy”. In fact William Shakespeare and Mark Twain were people that acknowledged this as well. If you look at today's world, “Is Honesty the best policy?” I think according to any lawyer... No! Honesty is not the best policy, but... insanity is a better defense! Ha, Ha... jokes aside, the world we live in is not so much about honesty anymore, it is about image, about pose, about creating an illusion, something false, in order to sell an end product.

Even friendships... we try an make out as if we are wealthy and that we live in a big house and we have this good set of morals... but do we have them?” The whole world has changed so radically that it saddens me immensely. Hence honesty is the most important truth in my eyes. When you wake up, or go to sleep at night, do you do so content with who you are? This is the crux of the matter! Once you are content with who you are, only then can you start leading a fulfilling life. The conditioned society I spoke about previously has also added to the fact that we are dishonest with ourselves. To test this, stand in front of a mirror. Look at yourself and you say, “I am happy with whom or what I see”. If you cannot, then you've got to work on your honesty. There are four reasons why you have not been honest with yourself up until now.

1. Fear of what everybody around you will think and do. You comfort zone! You are too comfortable with where you are now. Without a doubt this is one of the biggest factors holding you back.

2. That damn comfort zone in everything you do today is a big problem. Basically as humans we become comfortable within a situation far to quickly, and then we don't want to change and try something new.

3. Couple your comfort zone with a lack of knowledge and the 'Sheeple' in you comes to the fore! Lack of knowledge results in us not knowing any better. That is why I made conditioning the third truth, so that you start becoming aware and make the time to think about your life.

4. Fear of failure is the biggest reason why people rather live in a live of illusions and deceit! The question most people fear is, “What happens if suddenly I am open and honest and I don't get accepted”! Don't make the mistake of thinking this acceptance refers only to people around you. Most people are afraid of themselves and coming to terms with the past. I have got news for you. If you cannot do this, then you will never learn the true meaning of honesty. You don't have to change overnight. I'm not saying from now... and in ten minutes time you must be a completely different person. Obviously that is crazy, but start with small steps. Start changing a few small things and build up from there. If you have that fear of being honest, it’s as if you cannot look at yourself in the mirror without feeling bad about who or what you see. To me that is far more frightening than being scared of what my friends will think. Be realistic about it... lack of knowledge, hey, that's why I am chatting to you. You are getting the knowledge. If I look at myself in the mirror and I am not happy with what I see, haven't I already failed? Surely that alone should motivate me to go and do something about it?

Remember, if you are honest with yourself and everyone around you - you don't have to remember anything! I only found out recently that apparently it was Mark Twain that said this, and I' have followed this philosophy my whole life. If I am upfront and tell you how I feel and this is who I am and I am straight forward, I don't have to remember anything, because I am not deceiving anyone, especially not myself! Once you're honest with yourself, your life starts changing. Think of an iceberg! Don't you think that Icebergs are absolutely beautiful? I was fortunate that for many years I did expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic and I will never forget seeing an iceberg for the first time, it was absolutely awesome! The different shapes, the way they float through the ocean, the height, the flatness, some have waterfalls, some look like little cities, it was absolutely awesome! I was blown away. Strangely enough, about two days later while was standing next to one of the lecturers on the expedition, he said to me, “You realize that is only one tenth of the iceberg that sticks out above the water”.

Then I started thinking about life and how most of us try to show only one tenth of who we really are to the outside world. That which we are in control of! This is how we paint the image we want to portray to everyone out there. It's like a tenth of that iceberg. However, in the meantime nine tenths of who you really are is below the water. Isn't that the most beautiful, powerful and majestic part of that iceberg? Why are you hiding it from the rest of the world? Even more so, why are you hiding it from yourself? Be open and show that to everyone! Can you see that life will start being a lot more fun and have way more meaning? Be in control! Be honest enough to say, “Some things I will accept, some things I won't.” As soon as you open yourself up and show your entire being for whom you are, you become at peace with yourself.

There's an interesting saying that goes, “If you tell a lie don't believe that it just deceives those outside your circle.” By telling a lie long enough, you deceive yourself as well. If you constantly lie, if you constantly show a false image to the people out there, after a while you start believing that is who you are! Come on! That's why I said, “Look in the mirror!” Can you look yourself in the eyes and say, “I'm happy with whom or what I see?” When you can do that, then your life starts having more meaning.

The most powerful saying for me is, “A person's true character is revealed when now one else is watching.” Don't you think that's awesome? In other words the real you, only comes to the fore when you are alone - when no one else is looking! Are you a different person when you are alone, to when you're out there? I pride myself in the fact that as you see me now, you will always see me. Whether I'm on my own, my family or friends - this is who I am. It's not easy, it takes a lot of hard work, but... it makes a difference to YOUR life! I repeat... you don't have to remember lies; you don't have to remember pretences! You can just BE... and when you can just BE you've got a different energy streaming out of you. You attract different things to you. Be the same person when you are on your own as when you are out there, because only then can you lead an honest life.

Can you imagine a world where we're all honest with each other? The world will literally change overnight. When you do become honest you make yourself vulnerable. I think it was Mother Theresa that said something along a similar vein of, “By being honest you open yourself up and you become vulnerable.” She was one of the most vulnerable women in the world, but she was also one of the most powerful women in the world. Look at what she did and what she left behind in this world! Simply because she was open and vulnerable! Makes you think, huh?

Did you know that when you make yourself vulnerable, you become authentic?
Seven months ago, from the day that I recoded this insight on video (6 June 2012) I had a heart attack. At the age of 48, I had a heart attack! Luckily I was at home and luckily my wife saw what was coming and got me to the hospital in time. I remember lying there with my wife and two daughters looking over me, with fear in their eyes. I was more worried about their fear than my fear. I survived! I had no muscle damage. My wife realized what was happening and I survived. Today I have two stents as a reminder to appreciate every moment in life. When I reflect back on the time I was lying in the hospital I had to ask myself, “Hang on, am I going to live or not, and if I do live, what am I going to change in my life?” This made me realize that I need to be more honest. You see! I was tolerating a lot of baggage in my life at the time. Are you the same? One of the first things about being honest is being straightforward. Are you trying to be politically correct and polite because it is expected of you? I've got these friends, I don't call then friends, I call them...'energy vampires'. They come up to you with all their problems and they literally suck you dry. You know the type! (If you don't... it's you!) The first promise I made to myself after my heart attack was that I am going to be more straightforward! I'm going to get rid of all that excess baggage. The people that don't add value to my life, and please do not misunderstand me, I'm not saying I want you as a friend only if you can add value.

Friendship is about giving and sharing, but it is not about giving 100% from your side only. I find that in life, many people just take, and I've decided that part of being honest is to get rid of all the takers. The soul takers that just take the whole time! Just simply saying, “Hang on, this is not working! Every time I say something to you, you don't listen anyway and you keep on sucking my energy dry. You're wasting my time! Either come right, or leave!” It's weird, when you give them that choice they all leave. Think about it, why are you reading this transcript? Because you want to learn, you want to change your life! You want to do something about it. There is a big difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it! If you want to find happiness, if you want to find truth and you really want to live the life you deserve to live, you've got to take that first step!

Part of understanding these Life truths is grasping the true meaning of wealth is, clarifying your passion, seeing the conditioning around us and finally having the courage to be honest with yourself.

Finally, look at your life and be honest enough to admit whether your have been honest or not. Don't be afraid to look a little further... have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve in life? Have you gotten what you want? Are you content with who you are? Often people are not! They only talk about being honest with themselves. Stop talking! Do it! Take the responsibility for your own life! Do and say, “I will be honest with myself.”
There is a wonderful saying that goes, “If you've always done what you always do, you'll always have what you always had.” You have to change! You have to start being honest and creating that change. It is a wonderful example that I do if standing in front of an audience where I'll tell a joke where everybody cracks up laughing. Once they have finished laughing I tell the same joke again, and guess what? Some people still laugh! Strangely enough, the third time I tell it, no one laughs. At this point the audience starts thinking that I may just have escaped from a mental asylum, or even that I am crazy!
At this point I ask my audience whether they are nuts! Why? Isn't this how most people lead their lives? Doing the same stuff, over and over and over and always expect a different reaction. Wake up! There is no ways that anything different is going to happen! You've got to change things in order to get different and new reactions! And if your life hasn't been what you've expected, maybe your viewpoint of wealth was wrong. Maybe you lacked passion. Maybe you were too conditioned. Maybe the past three topics and your understanding of them have been part of the problem. But maybe, just maybe, you haven't been honest with yourself. Now that you understand the concept of honesty, you can start doing things differently and change your life.

That's it! This has been the basic course on the 4 life truths, and I really trust that I have managed to impart and share knowledge that is going to benefit you in your life.

Thank you for trusting me and spending this time reading/watching my Life Truths.

This has been the introductory course. Obviously there is so much more to life and understanding what makes us tick. Hence I have many more courses, and would like to tell you about my advanced course which goes hand in hand with the basics I have just shared with you.

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Mind Shift Guru, honesty, Life Truths, Inspiration, Self Help, Motivation

Part 3
CONDITIONING

Firstly, this complete book is available in most e-reader formats from Smashwords, click here to download it for free.

The third truth is one that we don't realize is out there. We are all part of it, but we just don't get it . Once you understand this and how to control this, you can do something about it and change your life radically.
 
The third truth is, CONDITIONING!
 
What do I mean by conditioning? You and I and all of us are a product of society. The reality that we life in, what we see, what we hear, what we believe in is all learnt - it is psychosocial, sociocultural,  behavioristic.  In simple terms, the country, the culture, the religion, the place, the influence of our parents and how we have been brought up all plays a role and identifies how we perceive the reality that we live in. We are a product of the society that we grew up in and live in today. Once we understand this, we can start changing changing our lives.

Often we look at someone from another country and we disagree with their behavior. But who are we to judge them? They also have a right to their beliefs. For all we know, they may find us offensive and wrong! Take a simplistic example. Have you ever had a heated debate, or given an instruction to someone that hasn't been understood? Is it because they were being difficult, or could it maybe be that their perception of what they heard and understood is completely different to what you meant? The reality is... we have all been brought up in differing environments, and hence our perception of reality differs vastly from a person of another culture or country. This is known as cultural conditioning!
 
What do I mean by conditioning and how does one become conditioned? When you study psychology, the first thing you learn about is classical conditioning. A very simple example is that you get a puppy and every time your feed the dog you ring a bell! You get the puppy used to the bell sound when you feed him. Guess what? After three weeks you can ring the bell without food being present and the puppy will start to salivate! Why? Because the puppy identifies the sound of the bell with the food.
 
There is another simplistic example I have heard of via different sources and I am sure it must be somewhere on the internet. Research has shown the following: Put a monkey into a cage with two openings containing food and have an electrical shock attached to one. Shock the monkey every time he touches the one food. Now add a second monkey in the cage. Whenever the first monkey will want to touch the 'shock' food, the first monkey will start screaming and jump up and down. A warning to prevent the new monkey from getting shocked. After a while add a third monkey, and the initial two monkeys will also jump up and down and scream, in order to warn the new monkey about the shock. As monkeys are added, the others will warn the newcomer. Even if the first monkey is removed from the cage, the rest will always warn the others not to touch the one food, even though they do not know, nor have experienced it shocking any of them. This is called classical conditioning!
 
Don't we as humans behave very much in the same way? Are there things you are doing, simply because someone else told you to do it that way? And then you wonder why we are frustrated in life? Isn't that what the media does to us when they condition us to go buy stuff the whole time!  How crazy is this? We get sold all this technology and stuff because the media says we need it. Then we buy bigger houses to store all this new stuff that we don't need. Do you see how conditioned we are? I call people 'sheeples!' A sheep and a person together equals sheeple! 

When I was young my dad taught me that if everybody is going in one direction, go the other way. I remember when working on cruise ships and docking in foreign cities. The passengers would go off and explore in one direction and my wife and I would go the other way. We always had different experiences and often found better bargains than the passengers. Start doing stuff a bit differently! Hey, hang on a minute... by me saying that, am I not conditioning you? Am I not trying to do exactly what I am saying you are guilty of... being conditioned! No! I am merely trying to make you aware that you are conditioned and this is how the world works. Take technology... if it wasn't for the advancement of technology I could not be doing this course on the internet with you. So yes' I am very much for it, but have you ever considered how much we have been brainwashed by technology. I am a baby boomer. When I was younger, we didn't have Blue-ray discs, we had 16mm projectors with that big roll of film. As youngsters on a good summer's night, we would hire a projector plus good movie and set it up outside in the garden. We would hang up a sheet, start a barbecue and have a fantastic evening. Our sound came from one speaker which was in the cover of the projector. DTS digital surround sound was unheard of. Guess what? We had an awesome time!  
 
What a difference in picture and sound quality today to back then! But, was it really that different? When I was young those evenings were magical for me. Doesn't today's teenager experience the same kind of magic when watching the latest DVD? Is there really that much of a difference in the experience? From CD to DVD to Blue-ray disc! How much sound difference can we really hear? How much picture quality difference can we really see? Isn't that just marketing and brainwashing?  Are we not simply advancing to a more instant gratification society?  Back then you were more involved. You couldn't just download a movie and watch it on your computer. We had to ride to the shop, choose a movie, and learn load the movie reel through the projector - we were more involved. It was an adventure hiring a movie! I don't want to sound like an old fart, saying; “In our day it was better!” I am not saying that at all. I am just putting into perspective how we have been conditioned. In my days we had vinyl records and seven singles.  We could touch them, feel them and smell them. You never lent them to anybody in case they got scratched. Today people are complaining about piracy and illegal music downloads on the Internet. You see, for me the youth don't attach a value to the music anymore. We had to buy the vinyl record, we could touch it and feel it. Today, a youngster has a memory stick, sticks it into the computer, downloads the music, takes it out and there's no difference in weight to the stick, and then goes and loads it somewhere else. The value system has changed! We have been conditioned to start thinking differently. You need to become aware of this, shift your perception and go back to basics. What does society tell us today?  If you're depressed, go to the shopping mall and you can get happiness there. Buy something, or make more debt so you can work harder and be more unhappy. That's the messed up reality we live in today! Get out of that zone!
 
If you don't believe me when I say that we are conditioned, have you ever driven somewhere from point A to point B? You arrive at point B, and suddenly you think, “How the heck did I get here? I can't even remember what I thought about, I can't even remember driving here!” Let me share something my wife once told me, and she initially had me confused, until I understood what she meant. I realized, “Wow, how powerful is this. This has made a big difference in my life!” She said to me, “Think about what you think about!”

In other words, when you've driven from point A to B and can't remember how you got there, sit down, make some quiet time and think back. Force yourself to try and think about what you thought about during this time. Think about that whole trip and suddenly you'll realize, but hang on.... I swore at that car that swerved in front of me, I made a rude gesture to that guy that jay-walked... suddenly you  realize just how many negative things you said and thought. We actually don't realize subconsciously how we have been conditioned to think negatively. If you can learn to think about what you think about, and use 'quiet time' to realize how many negative things we do in our lives, and then negate them... it's amazing how your life can change.

What time do you wake up in the morning? If I am doing a keynote with a few thousand people, I ask the same question, I get 05h00, 05h30, 06h00, 06h30, 07h00. Most people, wake up on the hour or half an hour with a radio alarm clock – where the radio goes off on the hour or half an hour. I wake up at 17 minutes past 6! Why? I'll tell you why! When the radio alarm goes off on the hour or half an hour, the first thing you hear is the news! And what is the news? Bad! Negative! And guess what? No matter which country you live in... it's ALL negative! And I actually have a challenge... if you are a journalist, here's my challenge to you, and if you're not, see if you agree with me. What is it that the media must always sensationalize events and put the negative angle in the news? The news is negative sensationalism. If there is an accident as an example, the headline will be, “12 Killed in horror crash!” Never mind the fact that the ambulance arrived in two minutes and saved 4 lives. Why couldn't the headline have been, “Ambulance arrives in 2 minutes and saves 4 lives!” No! We must always go the for negative. I challenge any journalist anywhere in the world, if you change the way that you word the headline and report the positive side, in 3 weeks the entire country's attitude will be more positive. But no, the editor says that won't sell! How crazy is that? By the way – that's conditioning!

Re-condition yourself and start thinking differently. If you wake up on the hour or half an hour, you wake up with a negative news broadcast! Then you go to the bathroom, have breakfast and another half hour has gone by. Guess what? You hear another negative news broadcast! That's the 2nd one! Now you drive to work, and guess what? You hear another negative news broadcast. That's the 3rd one in the traffic, besides the fact that the traffic also irritates you. Now you arrive at work and walk into the office, “Aaargh” (all negative). Can anyone blame you? No! Because all you have heard the whole morning is a lot of negativity.

When I woke up this morning, do you know what I heard? Mambo No. 5! Hey, guess what? Whether I like the music or not, it's more positive than the news! Thus, if you set your alarm (re-condition yourself) off the hour or half an hour., let us say, 7 minutes past or 7 minutes before, odds are you'll wake up to music. Guess what? The music is more positive than the news! You need to realize that when you are negative, it's not one thing that annoys you, it's a culmination of many little things. So start re-conditioning yourself to negate all the little irritations in your life, and odds are you will become way more positive. It's not much effort, all you need to do is change the setting on your alarm clock! How much effort does that take? And huge difference it makes in your perceptions!

We have learnt to react without thinking – what I like to call learned reactions. I do an experiment in one of my keynotes where I really mess with people's minds. It's very risky, but it's very powerful when done live. I'll pick on the biggest guy in the audience, someone that looks like he doesn't take nonsense and whom I feel who could be a bit short tempered. I'll pick on him and become insulting until that person either gets up and walks out, or gets up and walks onto stage with the intention of giving me a clout. And then I hopefully stop them in time! So far I have! I shout, “Wait, stop, think about what you are doing, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” Here they usually do a double take.

The reaction of getting up, getting annoyed with me and coming onto stage wanting to hit me is not an internal normal reaction. It is a learned response to the behavior I displayed towards that stranger. People are blown away when you do this and actually see someone become so upset. Think about it, if someone does something insulting to you, your immediate reaction is to want to do it back to them, or even hurt them, i.e. teach them a lesson.

Now if that person had just thought about their reaction, if they had just counted to ten and calmed down, maybe they would have realized that I playing a psychological game on them to prove a point. Or that I had a bad morning this morning, hence my behavior. This person may have come up with different alternatives. But we don't do that! Instead we immediately react because we saw someone on television do it, or we saw our parents do it.
 
Stop being a sheeple. Re-condition yourself to think differently! How do you know what is right or wrong? How do you know thinking differently is also not a conditioned learned response? Does it feel right in your heart when you make a decision? Before you make a decision learn to count to ten, breath deeply and relax. When you practice this, you suddenly become aware of whether the decision that you take feels right within your heart. They always say that women have that 6th sense, they have that feeling! We all have it! We are just not aware of it. Personally I think women are more attuned to it.

Even as a guy... for once just take a step back and ask yourself whether it feels right in your heart. Does it make me feel at peace with what I have decided? Then you are starting to move in the right direction.
As a keynote speaker I speak in many places and for many organizations. One of these organizations that that has really touched my heart, by the depth of what they do, is Rotary. And they have a 4 way test that says it all.

 
The first one is, “Is it the truth?” The heart will tell you whether it is the truth or not. You go with the truth. The second one is, “Is it fair to all concerned?” And that's including yourself. Because only then will you be comfortable with the decision and it will be the right thing to do. The third one is, “Will it build goodwill and better friendships?” Isn't that what it's all about? Building friendships and having goodwill all around? Then you know from within that it is the right thing to do and not some conditioned response which could be wrong. And the final test, and that's a biggie for me, is; “Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” And again, including yourself.
 
I think these are 4 awesome tests, and if you want to find the truth, if you want to do something that is not a conditioned reaction, ask yourself those 4 questions! I have huge respect for Rotary because of their 4–way test.
 
Here is my own personal example of how we are conditioned. You may relate to it, you may not. I'm not saying I'm right. I remember the first time I tried beer – the first time I tasted beer it was bitter, it wasn't nice at all.  It's not really my favorite drink. I'll drink it, especially on a very warm day, then it's nice to drink to cool me down. In fact in this instance it's not bad at all.  However, if I backtrack, the first time I tasted it, it was bitter and I didn't like the taste at all. How come I've changed my views? The first time you tasted beer, wasn't it also bitter? Thinking about it... we've been conditioned! Everyone drinks beer. You see the ads on television and are conditioned to believe that it's social and a great drink to cool you down. In summer it's great, it's tasty, and that 'tsssshhh' sound when you pop open the can makes it so appetizing! Maybe peer pressure also plays a role. Isn't it just society that's conditioned you to change, to shift your perceptions to like it? Does this make sense? We have to start becoming aware of all the things that are shifting our perceptions. Why do you think they stopped cigarette commercials?

In summary I would like to leave you with 3 points.

1. Become aware that we are conditioned and that we are a product of the society we live in. Once you are aware – only then can you try and do something about it. In future when you react, when you make a decision, remember what our parents told us... count to ten before you react. Breathe deeply if something happens and you're not quite sure what to do. Count to ten and think and use the 4 way test before doing anything.

2. In a similar vein, be at peace with what you do. Find time to be quiet. Think about your day. When you react, don't explode and immediately lose your temper – as per the typical type A personality.

3. Be aware of what is going on around you so that you can do something about it. Only then will the truth of who you are and what is really going on in the world make sense! Your perception has shifted – you become enlightened – and life starts having a different meaning.

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Mind Shift Guru, Conditioning, Life Truths, Inspiration, Self Help, Motivation

Hello and welcome to the August "Useletter'. Firstly, I am trying a different format as I have had feedback from some people that their various electronic readers and phones didn't do so well on the last format. I trust this reads better.
Secondly, I have 2 Quick Tip videos that I uploaded in the last two weeks and will be uploading videos regularly every 10 days or so. You can visit my You Tube channel, Inspiring The World, free and watch tons of inspirational messages.
Have pride in what you do

Break down your walls around you

I also have a completely FREE video course on 4 Life Truths. All you need to do is visit www.mindshiftguru.com and subscribe totally free. I also launched my full Discover Your Magic video course on the internet. Check it out here. In this month I will be launching a free memory Training course as well. Look out for it on my website.
Did you know that I post daily quotations on my Facebook site - aslo Free! It would be great if you 'Liked' me on my page. Check it out here.
And now to this month’s topic:
A while back I asked for topic suggestions. Surprisingly enough, the majority of requests were around marriage, relationships and couple issues.
I can happily share with you that I have been with my wife, Sonja, for 30 years. She is my best friend and the most beautiful woman on earth for me. People often ask what the magic formula has been in our life. In fact people always come to us for advice and comment on how stable our relationship is.
Mmm, I always have to laugh... you haven't seen the things my wife has thrown at me and broken over my head! You haven't heard the yelling and screaming that has taken place over the years! I bought her a mood ring years ago. You know what that is? It's a ring with a big crystal stone. When she is in a good mood, the stone is green. When she is in a bad mood, it leaves a big red mark on my forehead!
Jokes aside, here's a reality check! We all fight, we all have disagreements and we don't always see eye to eye. You and your spouse/partner are two different individuals with different needs and wants. I think it is naïve to think that any relationship can be all that Hollywood portrays it to be in the movies! In fact, look at the reality of the messed up celebrity relationships in Hollywood... that's more true to life.
So what is the solution? How can I understand my partner better and how can I bring the romance and understanding back into a relationship? 
Here I need to refer back to my parents, whom I spoke about last month. At 78 my dad still wants to look after my mother, even though she has dementia, doesn't really recognize him anymore, and is overly aggressive. In fact when my dad drives her to the doctor, his whole arm is blue from defending himself in the car from her hitting him out of aggression. Then when my mom is herself again, she asks with care and concern what happened to my dad's arm. And my dad looks back at her and simply replies that he bumped himself. Wow, that's love.
They once asked children to define love and the best explanation for me was, "When my grandmother got arthritis and couldn't paint her toenails anymore, my grandfather did it for her, even though he had arthritis too. That's love!
On a current issue and the recent tragic Colorado shootings - did you read that three boyfriends offered their lives for their girlfriends by shielding them from the bullets - that's love!
What happens when you read the above? Dare I guess that you now have a lump in your throat? Why? Because these are touching and emotional, real life examples.
People look at me and think that everything just fell into place and we only experience bliss and happiness and that we have been blessed with a perfect life. Mmm - let me share a bit of our reality with you. In the first few years of our relationship Sonja became terminally ill and I had to carry her everywhere and do everything for her. About 7 years ago she had an allergic reaction, and her heart stopped. Luckily we live close to a hospital and as fate would have it, the doctors brought her back. Today she has good and bad days and we have to watch what she eats and hence we all live on a carefully balanced diet.
In the beginning years she had a good job when I started my entertainment career. It was tough, but she supported me. Many months we lived off Sonja's salary alone. As I got older and more established I told her to stop working so I could look after her, and today she is there for our daughters. Sometime I think she would have preferred a full time job... that's way less work than looking after two teenage girls! What am I trying to say? She was there for me in the beginning; I am there for her today. Not because of payback, but because of respect, unconditional love and caring. If anything, today she helps me in the office and is part of everything I do. She is the reason behind my success. She has been there, supported and grown with me over the years. It's been awesome. In everything we have done, we have included each other... that's so important... being part of each other's dreams.
Most people see what they want to see, but they don't realize the ups and downs and the traumas we have gone through. So how have we done it? What is the secret formula? In 3 simple words: Respect, Honesty and Communication.
I see so many couples that don't speak to each other. Have you ever watched couples in a restaurant? You can mostly spot an older (not in age) married couple - they are the ones not talking to each other! I know that's a generalization, but it's also the sad truth.
The other day I was having a serious conversation about marriage and how people don't stay together anymore. An interesting point that arose was that we live in a society where everything has to be updated continuously. Think about it, you change your phone every two years, your car every three years, your computer every 6 months, etc. So we have been brought up in a culture of changing the old for the new. Somewhere this is having an effect on relationships. I just thought this was an interesting point and something worth mentioning. Today it's just become too easy to get married and divorced. We need to focus more on the sanctity and seriousness of marriage.
Here are 5 tips which I trust can help you:
1. Realize and accept that you will have disagreements. It's how you handle those disagreements that count. Do you listen to your partner's side of the story? Or do you bulldoze them over with your pre-conceived views? Communication is the most important factor in any relationships! Speak to each other and listen to what your partner is saying. NEVER assume - it doesn't matter how long you have been together. Assumption leads to fights. We also live in a rushed world where people don't have time to talk and listen. Make a point of eating dinner together and NOT in front of the TV. Uninterrupted family time - if you have children. Use this time to talk about your day, your feelings, your worries, etc. If you have children, do the 'Talking Stick' thing. i.e. pass a stick around the table and the person with the stick is the only one allowed to talk. This may sound simple, but it forces everyone to listen and builds confidence in children to actually talk to their parents. However, I would recommend this for couples as well.
2. Honesty! This is top of the list. Always be honest with your partner. Once you have lost the trust of a partner, you are not going to get it back. If you don't communicate regularly, clearly and effectively with each there, how can you expect trust to be part of your relationship? Without trust there isn't going to be any depth!
3. Gentlemen... yes we are the less romantic gender. Again, conditioning has played a role. So re-condition yourself and learn to become more romantic and do the special little things for your partner. Here’s a simple example. If it's your wife's/girlfriend's birthday, buy her mom a bouquet of flowers with a card that says, "Thank you for bringing your beautiful daughter into this world and into my life." Need I really say more on the topic?
4. Always include your children in family conversations and issues. Let them feel part of the unit. Remember that they will model their relationships on how they see you and your spouse behave. Are you a loving couple? Do you love and play? Or are you distant from each other and never talk to each other. What kind of future adult do you think your child will become?
5. Look at yourself before criticizing your partner. Normally what irritates you about your partner is an issue you have to sort out in your own life. See this as a lesson for yourself. It is important that you are honest with yourself and sort out you own conflicts and issues. Only then can you approach your partner from an objective and non-judgmental perspective and give (and receive) the love you both deserve.
Should you want to really find out a lot more on the Art of Romance, have a look at this great book. Click here.
So for August I leave you with this thought... speak to your partner and practice honest open communication. Make time for each other and discover the magic of loving relationships.
Oh, and I have to leave you with an Olympic joke... Did you hear about the German fella that arrived at the Olympic village with a long bag? The security official asked him whether he was a pole vaulter. And the German replied, “Nein, I am not Polish, but how did you know my name is Valter?”
Okay, I thought it was funny and everyone is in the Olympic spirit at the moment. Wasn't the opening absolutely awesome, and all those volunteers that took part! It just shows you what a nation can accomplish when everyone stands together. My girls have been glued to the Gymnastics.
And don't forget... have a look at my Free video course on Life Truths at www.mindshiftguru.com
PS! If you want to read any of the previous 'Useletters', simply visit my Blog, by clicking here.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', August 2012 Useletter, Marriage, Relationships

PASSION!
A lot of people I see don't have it. They are alive, yet they are dead – they are not enjoying life. How do I put this into perspective? By asking you a question, “How do you wake up in the morning?”
Do you wake up excited, yelling, bouncy and full of energy and give your partner the fright of their lives, as you jump out of that bed? Or, do you wake up moaning and in a bad mood because it's Monday?
Unfortunately, the reality is that most people wake up the latter. They hate their lives and what they are doing. It just doesn't make sense to me why people lead a life that they are not enjoying? Life is awesome - yours can be too! But you see that small little secret... the truth... that you have to understand in order for life to become awesome, is also, that you have to follow your passion. You have to have fun in life! I have seen so many people, and I've had good friends amongst these that have worked their whole lives in careers that they have hated. All along they have had a hobby to keep them sane. The day they retire they suddenly go into this hobby and within a year it's a booming business.
They regret that they never did this earlier, and three years later they die! What have they had of life? It saddens me incredibly when I see this. Now the big question is, “Where do you stand with your passion? Are you passionate about life, or aren't you? And if not, where did the passion go? And where are you going to find it again?” That's what we need to talk about today!
So, the biggest question is, “Why do people lose passion?” I stand corrected here, but I believe that millions of Euros have been spent on research as to why people have lost their passion in life! What get's me is that the answer is so simple!
The answer is... Expectation! What do I mean by expectation? Today we live in a society where we have been conditioned to expect. I'm nice to you, because I want to do business with you. I'm nice to her, because I want to go out with her later on. I'm nice to somebody because I expect to earn something or get a commission. There is always a reason behind everything I do. An outcome is what motivates most people today. We live in an outcome based society, which has resulted in this negativity. The laws of the universe are such, that if you continually do stuff while expecting things in return, odds are, thing won't always work out as expected. Hence you are going to start becoming despondent at life, and hence you're going to start losing the passion. Does this make sense? You see, we live a life of expectation, and when things don't come our way, that is when we get despondent, and we question, “What's the point of this all?”
It all starts as a child! We've already been conditioned that one has to seek a secure job, and earn good money. It's all about the position and the status. Never mind what you really want to do! Thus many parents with artistic children say to them, “Don't follow that artistic nonsense. You'll always be poor. Follow in our footsteps and get a degree. We want you to be a lawyer and study at Harvard.” How many parents actually acknowledge their children’s skill set and motivate them to follow their talents? Have you followed your talents in life?
We have always been conditioned to get that 9 to 5 job, because you've got to get your pension plan, you've got to look after yourself! Imagine my family when I said I wanted to become a magician and travel the world. In the last video I said to you, I have family that are still going, “What's with your Gypsy lifestyle, when are you going to grow up?”
Years ago I mistakenly used to tell people that I have never worked a day in my life. It feels like I haven't worked a day in my life, but I have worked damn hard! You see, because I followed my passion, it's never felt like work! This is the difference! I often say to people that nothing could be worse than sitting in a job that you don't like during a recession. I would much rather do something I love, and if there was a recession, I would rather have a tough time doing something I enjoy. I figure that's better than the other way around, than being in a recession and still hating what I do.
Does this make sense to you? Let us look at passion from another angle. Are you honest within yourself? Have you looked within your own heart and asked, “What is it that makes me tick?” You see, when I was a youngster, I said, “I want to be in front of people, I want to entertain!” I enjoyed the conjuring. Now that have seen the world and achieved my dreams, I have taken it a step further and share what I have learnt through my speaking. I'm still in front of people. I'm still sharing. I'm still giving pleasure! In fact, now I am giving long-term – I'm changing lives! This is much more intense for me and so fulfilling. This is what makes me tick. This is what gives me a reason to stand up. You've got to look within yourself and ask, “What is it that I truly enjoy?” 
How come that I could have taken a career such as conjuring, achieved huge success with it, from working the West End, Vegas style shows, and seen the whole world doing it? Strangely enough it was not because I was the best magician out there... but to many people I appeared to be the best magician! And why is that? Because I was passionate! When I meet people, they immediately say, “Wow, you have a fire in you. What is it about you, you're just full of life?” Do you know why? Because I am doing what I enjoy! I extrude a different energy to the person that is doing something that they don't enjoy!
Think about it like this, if I have someone that has got to book two people; myself that's following their passion, and someone that isn't... who do you think they are going to book? Who do you think they are going to be impressed with? It's because I am giving out a different energy! Remember, like energy attracts like energy. This is what it is all about! You can only be in that position if you are following your passion.
There is a second phase to this! Initially I asked you why people lose their passion... because you expect! Again, the universe doesn't always give back to you and hence the disappointment creeps in due to lack of expectations being met. Compare this to people who follow their passion... if you are following your heart, strangely enough you do what you do, without expectation! Here comes the truth... the truth within the truth of passion! When you start doing things without expectation, guess what? You cannot be disappointed!
Hence, when I follow my heart and do what really gives me pleasure and I am passionate and I have fun doing it – I don't expect anything in return because I am already thankful for being able to follow my passion. Once again, the universe is such, that every now and then it will throw something back at you... and when it does – you didn't expect it to come back to you! It's a surprise and just so cool! Suddenly life has meaning and everyday is a fun day!
I trust this puts it into perspective for you. Fair enough, a lot of us are in this position that we cannot always follow our passion right away. Hence the importance of finding the courage in order to go out there and be more positive! What are some simple things that you do right now, even if you are in a dead end job? In other words, how can you become just a little bit more passionate in life tomorrow? If you've got children, awesome! I have the solution for you. If you haven't, make friends with people who have got 6 or 7-year old kids.
Have you ever noticed that when you say to a child, “In a week's time we are going to the Magic Kingdom!” What does your child do at night? Every night he/she asks, “How many more sleeps?”
In fact your child drives you insane until the day you go to the theme park! They get excited! Do you still get excited like that, especially about your life? You see, children experience everything, as if for the first time. Also, they see life from a different level – they're smaller than you. Go down on your haunches and look up at the world, at the angle that kids look at the world - it looks different! That alone will make you say, “Wow, I never ever thought this room looked like this.” Children live in the moment. They are not conditioned and messed up as adults are. Their shift to the negative hasn't come yet! It's that conditioning and that constant bombardment by media, by parents, by everyone around them to the negative, that changes us.
You have to be so aware of your children and what you say to them! You have to make a point to give them a magical future – always be positive, always support them in what they do! But, we're talking about you right now – your children are a whole new topic! How do you find your passion again? Hang out with these kids and look their view of life - they have fun! I have two daughters, and quite a number of years ago, when they were about 5 & 7, I came back home from travelling for a week. That was a long time ago and I have learnt since then! Now I spent time with my kids, I don't go away so much. But at that time, I got back and my wife needed a break. I had just landed and my wife said, “Please just take the girls out to the shopping mall. Just keep them busy for a while.”
We get to the mall and there is a face-painter! All I want to do is sit down, have a cup of coffee, just relax. No, my girls want their faces painted! Of course they carry on until I gave in. The second they had there faces painted, they beamed and showed their faces to every stranger that walked past us! I acted as if they were not my kids and walked a distance behind them. That evening in the bath, they didn't want to wash their faces!
I have got a question for you, “Would you as an adult walk past a face-painter, and have your face painted?” Am I correct in assuming you now think I am nuts? Suddenly you are questioning whether it was a mistake to subscribe to this video course. Hello! It's about time you shifted your perceptions. We have been conditioned not to follow our heart and not to have fun.
A child has not yet been messed up by the society out there and is still following what they are passionate about. If I want to have my face painted, I'm not damaging anything or doing any harm to anyone, I'm having fun. They have their face painted and anyone they encounter, they show off their faces and smile. Guess what? This results in that person stranger smiling back!
They are giving out a positive energy! What's stopping you from doing it? Because you're worried what the neighbors will think, or what your mates will think! Huh? Are they really responsible for your happiness and passion? You are responsible for your own fire within you!
I'll never forget, I told this story at an insurance company literally a month after I had experienced this with my girls. Since then I have also learnt that nothing in life happens by chance. Two weeks after I told this story, I was at a different corporate and guess what? Two of the ladies that were at the first keynote two weeks ago, were at this one! They came up to me afterwards and said, “We had our faces painted!” I was really surprised and a bit dubious at the same time.
They said to me that they had the most awesome time of their life! They visited a friend in hospital and the hospital staff wouldn't let them leave! They eventually got out and went to dinner in a restaurant and had the best night of their lives. Why? Because they just let loose, were just passionate about life, and enjoyed themselves. I'm not saying you must go out and have your face painted! But how about starting to live every day as if it is the first day of the rest of your life?
There was another stage in my life where I had a number of prime time television series and became very well known as a celebrity. I still had a ponytail, long hair and wore a wooden tie – sounds crazy – but as an image, this was my trademark. Now that I have gotten older, been there, done that, new hairstyle – people don't recognize me anymore. This is a huge blessing for me today. At the prime of my 'fame', everybody would stop me in the streets... I couldn't go to the shops to buy bread, and everybody would ask me the same question. Especially being a magician, they would all ask, “Can you make my wife disappear?” I mean, come on! “Watch you watch, watch your wallet!” I got really tired of hearing these lame questions repeated over and over. If you can, imagine that the twenty thousandth time I heard someone ask the same question I would have gotten irritated... what do you think that would have done to my name or my status out there? It would have spread around and people would have said, “Why is he in this business?”
I started my life following my passion and doing what I enjoyed. In a sense this was weird, because every time someone asked me that same question (even the ten thousandth time) guess what? Because I dug what I did and I was enjoying my life, I answered them as if it was the first time I had heard that question. Even though I had heard that question ten thousand times, it was the first time ever this fan had met me asked me that question. By respecting them and answering them in my passionate way, I left great energy. It flowed and it all came back to me! I hope this makes sense to you.
So the truth of passion is... follow your heart. Do what you really want, because then you really start enjoying life. And, if it's a struggle, hang out with some kids and see how they enjoy life. And believe me, as soon as you start following your passion, you will start having so much fun.

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Mind Shift Guru, passion, Life Truths, Inspiration, Self Help, Motivation

Welcome to Part 1 of this video course on the 4 Truths that can change your life. This E-Book is basically a transcript of a 2 month video course which I offer on the Internet. If you have not watched it, you can subscribe to the course totally FREE of charge with no obligation, at www.mindshiftguru.com

First a practical exercise! Think about your own life and about the 'wealth' that you own. Consider for a moment, under the categories of, family, health and materialism 10 items for which you can be thankful. You may immediately be able to write down ten things... great! If not, take your time and over the next few days add items as they come to mind. It's not as easy as it sounds, and I want you to really think about these things, making a point of writing down only those items that are truly important. The object of this exercise is to be able to look at what you have written and realize that you already have 30 assets that add to your wealth - and the majority (Family & Health) are not materialistic at all!

Hello and welcome! My name is Wolfgang Riebe and I am your Mind Shift Guru that is going to teach you 4 truths that can change your life. Before we even begin, who am I, what's my claim to fame, and what gives me the right to attempt to teach you something that can change your life?

Firstly, let me give you some important background information on myself... I am not one of those speakers/authors that has become famous on television, read a book on motivation, and now claims to be a speaker. Not at all!

Secondly, I'm someone that speaks from personal experience, because I believe that if I have gone through what I want to share with you, only then I can speak with authenticity, from the heart, with humility, and we can connect, and grow together out of the process.

Thirdly, and most important, I'm not that naïve that I believe I can teach you stuff you don't know. But... I can remind you of things you've forgotten. Even though I have the Ph.D, that doesn't really qualify me to have the skills to change your life! You see, I believe the biggest qualification in life is to have gone through things yourself, what they call... 'The University of Life.' They also say that when you travel, that is the University of Life! And I have been fortunate that I have travelled somewhat in my life. In fact I have been to places like the Antarctic, Arctic, Alaska, New York, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Odessa, Israel. Even the Far East, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Rangoon, the Middle East. I've also visited Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, the Caribbean and other islands all over the world. In fact, by the age of 28 I had worked in 86 different countries! I'm a bit older now... and I have stopped counting at 144 countries!

Now when I tell this to people they say, “There aren't that many countries in the world!” Oh yes there are! There are more than 200 countries and I aim to still see them all in my life! Because travelling is the university of life, it teaches you about different people, cultures, places... and suddenly you realize that there are truths out there that apply to all of us. These are the things that I want to share with you.

I know that you are looking at all these countries and asking yourself, “Man what did this chap do for a profession?” Was he a travel agent? Ha, ha, yea that would be the logical answer, but no! You see, I started my career as a magician! Let me repeat, not a musician, a magician... someone that pulls rabbits out of hats! I am German and I still have family that asks (read with German accent) “Ven are U getting a real job!?” When you tell people that you are a magician, they ask, “How do you pay your mortgage? Come on, you can't make money with that?” By that age of 28, I had seen 86 countries. I had seen the whole world following a dream and a passion. And there are certain laws and rules that have worked for me. Some people like to call, them 'secrets.' I just like to call them truths! In this basic course, I am going to share 4 of them with you. Very strong and very important basic truths!

Finally, it's important for me to clarify that I'm sharing with you, over the next 4 months, 4 of these Life Truths. This is a gift from me to you, completely free. There is no obligation on your behalf! I just sincerely hope that I can change your view of life, because, as a Mind Shift Guru I want to shift your perceptions and show you the light to the truths out there and give you the ability to reach your dreams.

I really want you to listen carefully and be open to what I am sharing with you. Although I am going to teach you from my life experiences, please understand that this is not about me. It's about what I have learnt that I want to share with you. And I am hoping from the heart, that you can connect and relate to this, and learn from my experiences.

Let us start with the 1st truth, and that is... WEALTH

You have to understand the concept of wealth, or as some people want to call it, 'abundance.' I could share the Wikipedia, or Oxford dictionary definition with you. I actually had a look at them, and they are quite complex! However, the bottom line is... wealth is defined as materialism, in other words, how much you have!

Over the year in my Keynotes I have asked thousands of people how they would define wealth and openly ask if it means (now I show my fingers and thumb rubbing together in the motion that means, money) this to them. Most people say, “Yes!”

In my opinion, this is why a lot of people lose track in life. This is why they don't find direction and question the point of life! We have been so conditioned in the society that we live today, that this false materialistic definition of wealth has completely screwed up most people on the planet. Therefore, before I can even continue with anything, the true meaning of Wealth has to be explained to you in detail so that you can begin heading in the right direction with your life.

In the beginning, I said to you that I speak from experience. So let me share my story with you. I started my career as a magician working on cruise ships, as a headline act. I'll never forget the first ship I worked on. I don't know if you have been on a big American cruise liner? What happens is... you join the ship and everything is included, depending on the star rating of the ship, sometimes the alcohol as well. The only thing you really pay extra for, are the shore excursions. So if you're joining a ship, let's say in the Caribbean, sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, first going to Nassau and then St. Maarten, on every island they offer shore excursions that cost you extra. The ship has a tour office onboard, where you can book the excursion for $50, $100... whatever it costs. When ship docks in the morning, they have a bus waiting for the passengers to take them on the excursion. Later in the afternoon the bus returns to the ship and the passengers sail off. Here I was... a youngster who got a break to work on the cruise ships as a magician.

When you work on these ships as a youngster, you don't realize that the only people that can afford to go on these big super liners are elderly retired people... so it was almost like working on a floating old age home. Don't laugh, as a youngster I didn't realize this! Here I was on this dream ship, just starting out in life... and all I had around me was elderly people! What happened to those romantic brochures in travel agencies around the world that displayed pictures of sexy couples with hard bodies tanning in deck chairs?

Because we worked on the ship as a headline act, everything was included in our contract, plus we had a lot of free time. Also, during the day when these passengers went out on these excursions we could actually go with them, but as a representative of the company. The cruise line needed representatives to make sure that these tours were as advertised, hence we had to write a report on the excursion. This covered them in case a passenger wanted to sue the cruise line.

Secondly, because most passengers were elderly people, a lot of them had Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and some even had Zimmer frames and were in wheel chairs. Hence we were cheap labour and had to help them back on the buses at the refreshment breaks and basically assist the tour guide to make sure all passengers were happy. Here I was, a youngster just starting out on the ship earning good money, and enjoying the bonus privilege of going on these excursions for free! After three weeks on my first ship, I signed up on my first excursion. It was in the Caribbean and a whole day tour. The first half was a city tour, and the second half we visited botanical gardens.

The city tour was awesome! Hi Fi's, jewellery, computers, boy was I in heaven! However, all the old people were bored out of their minds. The second half of the tour at the botanical gardens everything was reversed! I was bored out of my mind! These elderly people were taking photos of flowers! Why would anyone take pictures of flowers? They were Americans... I actually thought they were Japanese... they were taking so many photos! What was going on? It didn't make sense to me! And they were literally freaking out over stupid flowers.

I got back to the ship that night and said to myself, “That's it, no more tours. These passengers are crazy!” Over the next few weeks I noticed something else... here I was starting out in life, I had nothing and was stuck on a ship with all these wealthy elderly people. It struck me that the majority of them never smiled! They all had long faces! I don't know if you know any elderly people? Have you ever stood in the line at the post office and you've waited three hours, and you're up front, and suddenly an elderly person comes along, pushes you out of the way and says, “Respect... I'm older?”

This was what I experienced as a youngster on the ships. Wealthy elderly people, the majority of which had long faces, and they all loved flowers! Man, life did not make sense to me!

Today I can admit to you that I was very naïve as a youngster. In fact it took me three months before I went up to an elderly gentleman and asked him, “Oi... what is your problem? Why the long face and what's with the flowers?”

Well, I'll never forget when he looked at me and he spoke! He said, “Because I am alone!” I questioned, “What do you mean because you are alone?” He replied, “My wife passed on last year, my children died in an accident two years ago. I'm bitter at the cards that life has dealt me. I've got to sit here in my retirement and do all this alone. And I've got no one to enjoy my money with... none of the people I love!”

Whew! Was I blown away! I was in shock! I didn't know what to say to the man. But what he said to me hit home big time!

Do you know what I started doing over the next few months? I started speaking to every elderly person I met... and boy, did they change my perceptions of life!

In summary, there are three things I learnt from the elderly. And as I travelled around the world, meeting people from every culture, they all said the same to me.

1. They spent their entire lives (also remember that this a different generation) just making money their god. They ran after money, they made money their priority. Everything was money, money, money! In the process they never watched their children grow up. They never had time for anything else. Now that they've got the money and can enjoy it... they actually cannot enjoy it with the people that are important to them. Have you ever looked at it like that ? That's really sad when you think about it. Do you remember growing up and your parents saying to you, “I can't believe how quick you're growing up!” Or even worse, have you said it to your own kids? Why would you say that? It's because you don't have time for them! When you're old one day and when you think, philosophize, pray or meditate about your life, you will suddenly realize a few interesting things. The memories you have are weirdly enough, not the new computer, nor the new car that you bought, and not the latest gadgets you have in your house, but... the first steps that your daughter or your son took, the first kiss you had, the first time you had sex... those are the memories that you have! It's the emotional memories that bond and mean something. Those are the memories that stick. This is the wealth that remains! Yet as young people we don't understand this! This concept is completely foreign to us!

2. I was sarcastic earlier when I said that they had wheel chairs, Zimmer frames and Alzheimer's on the excursions. Once again, as a young man I never realized that they spent their entire life running after money, trying to get wealthy, and in the process they never looked after the most precious asset they have... their own body! They never stayed fit or ate healthy. They never exercised. Now in retirement, in a sickly state, they were still trying to fulfil their dreams. It's only once we understood where they were coming from, and what they've been through, that we suddenly respected them and saw it in a different light. But often we don't tend to do that. We tend to look at a lot of elderly and become irritated with their frailness. How sad is that? Never forget that it was a different time in which they grew up! Did they have mind shift guru's that told them, “Hang on there must be a work-life balance!” Hence I am telling you... look after your health!

3. This is without a doubt the most powerful lesson I learnt from the elderly. The most beautiful things on earth are not man-made, but what the universe has given us for free! Travelling around the world has re-enforced and cemented this concept into my mind, over and over and over again! Just look at pictures of the glaciers in Glacier Bay, Alaska. That ice is millions of years old. A piece breaks off, it's like thunder going off, it's raw nature... is there anything so beautiful? The reflections of the light on the ice, the colors... wow!

Look at the northern lights in the Arctic. That's nature – it's free! Skies go purple, blue, green... word cannot do justice to the magnificence of this!

As younger people we run around – we don't know why, we just run... stress everywhere! But, if you, as a younger person can realize that your family, friends, co-workers, and friends around you are important... that your health and looking after your own body is crucial... and also that the beauty of the nature around you is were true wealth lies, you will suddenly get a different perception of life!

In all fairness, of course money is important! We live in a materialistic world! However, you need to grasp that it is not the be-all and the end-all! If you don't shift your perception, if your attitude in life is not right, if you are not positive in your mind and don't understand what life is about... then the money doesn't come on it's own either! But if you align your way of thinking and grasp what the elderly took a lifetime to learn, guess what? Then you are in alignment with the Universe and it starts looking after you!

As soon as you realize, family, friends, health, the beauty of everything around me is where true wealth lies... you start relaxing within in your heart. Your stress levels drop! As soon as the energy in your heart calms down you are in balance, and the money comes on it's own.

To me an integral part of becoming wealthy is also giving! It is most likely that you are already questioning why I am sharing this information with you? I'm hoping that you can see that I'm authentic and that this has become my calling... speaking, writing and changing your perceptions. This is what is important to me!

Today is genuinely my birthday, and my family, my wife my daughters, all wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday? And for me it was important to spend the day with them, but what was also important to share. I firmly believe that by shooting this 1st Life Truth on video today and having it transcribed into this first part of the book, I was receiving the best present of all... giving! If I can share my philosophy with you and make you more positive and you make the next person more positive and we cause a snowball effect, guess what? We can all change the world together and make it a more beautiful place live! Let us all shift our think and our attitudes and create magic!

Thank you for spending the time reading my thoughts. I do trust that I have shifted your thinking! If you have only downloaded this free E-Book and not seen the video, please subscribe at www.mindshiftguru.com. It really is totally free with no obligations. On the video course I share 3 more Life Truths with you and have designed the whole course to give you time to think about everything I share over a period of 2 months. Also, I send you an audio MP3 audio link and PDF transcript of each video a week after viewing it. Every two weeks you will receive the next truth and in two months time you will have done my basic course on the 4 truths that can change your life.

Remember, you can subscribe for FREE with no obligation to the complete video course on www.mindshiftguru.com

The next Truth will be posted next week!

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Mind Shift Guru, Wealth, Life Truths, Inspiration, Self Help, Motivation

Welcome to the July Useletter!

Greetings from Frankfurt airport. Isn't technology wonderful? One can write and upload everything on the go! Lots of happenings on my side and lots of free videos and goodies I want to share with you.

I have 3 Quick Tip videos that I uploaded in the last two weeks.
Conditioning
Passion in the Harz Mountains: English / German
Enjoy Old Age

I also have a completely FREE video course on 4 Life Truths. All you need to do is visit www.mindshiftguru.com and subscribe totally free.

After last month's “Useletter' some people inquired whether I was stopping... No! This Useletter will always be sent out once per month and completely free. I have merely added an 'extra offering' for those of you that want more.

Over the years some of you have experienced me sharing personal messages and thoughts. Inspiration, being a calling for me, I believe that by speaking from the heart I bring about a shift in your perceptions.

This is one of those months!

It has been crazy and I have practically flown across half the world again. However, it has also been one of the most emotionally intense months of my life spending a week with my 78 year old dad who is looking after my mother who has dementia and cannot be left alone for even one minute. She is aggressive, doesn't recognize me and most of the time she doesn't recognize my father either. Three years ago my parents decided to move back to Germany as it is their birth country and they both felt they wanted to die in their home country.

I of course was not only shocked at their reference to death and their finality in wanting to move away from us in Cape Town at the time, but also the fact that they didn't want my support nor help, even though I wanted to build an apartment onto my place and be there for them. For many weeks I never believed they would take the step and when they eventually left, I was devastated. In the interim I have been visiting them as often as I can, and my mother has become progressively worse with my dad taking more and more strain to cope on his own. Being a German (stubborn) and also very ethical he feels that he cannot put my mom in a home after being married for 55 years. He married her for better or for worse, he loves her and he will be there for her right up until the end. I have such huge admiration for him, together with tears in my eyes at his honor of being there for her. At the same time I see the reality that she isn't aware of anything most of the time and that he needs to get her professional care. And so we go about trying to make the best of this situation. In the interim I managed to plan a ten day period for my dad and me to be alone together and catch up. First to give him a break, and secondly to talk about his life, the future and where to go from here.

In all my 'so-called' wisdom, it is the first time I have actually spent time with him, with the realization that it could be the last time I ever have this opportunity again. That is not a nice thought to have... even though it is reality.

His birth place was Hamburg and he showed me where he was born, went to school and the bunker they used to hide in during the air raids during the 2ndWorld War. It was such a special and touching experience to share this with my dad who had left Germany at a young age of 14. For him to openly share the stories of how they struggled, starved and barely survived. I shall never forget watching my 78 year old dad cry in front of me as he recalled how his mom died, and at age 9 he had to bury her. To think back of my youth how my parents did everything to give me stability and love me unconditionally, yet never shared the burden he had carried with him all these years. Can you imagine the emotional strain over the years? He shared the story of my mom's youth and how she never received the nourishment she needed as a child and hence the medical ailments throughout her whole life. Hence so much behavior from my parent’s side during my youth now suddenly makes sense.

I spent a number of days in Hamburg with him and we went everywhere. To see his eyes light up at some of the better childhood memories he had and the pleasure in being able to show me part of his youth was just so incredible. I have never felt so close to my dad before. Have you done this with your parents?

He shared a story with me of the farm they used to own in Prussia (now Poland) where the Russians arrived and gave them all 1 hour to pack up and leave. He says he will never forget how everyone ran around panicking and grabbing what they could, except for his grandmother. After 5 minutes she sat on the veranda with her blanket from her bed and a bucket of potatoes. He recalls asking her why she was so calm. She told him she had everything, a blanket to keep her warm and food to see her through the next few days?

How many of us would have looked at the future like that? If you look at the practicality of the actions – makes complete sense! Everyone else was gathering 'other stuff', while the grandmother in her wisdom realized what needed to be taken to survive for the next few days, as that is what counted right then.

We also spent a few days with my dad's older sister. They have now found each other again and are talking on the phone every day. She is somewhat older at 86 and like a second mother to me. I noticed that she wasn't her normal bright self when we arrived. Her partner had now also recently passed away so I assumed this to be the reason. As we started chatting she suddenly piped up that she had no reason to get up in the morning anymore! I was shocked and asked for an explanation. She told me that all her friends had died. She had out-lived everyone – there was no-one left! What was the point of carrying on?

Phew! I thought I had some insight into life, but never have a looked at life from that perspective! Worst of all, I couldn't answer her straight away, because I couldn't argue with her. I had never thought of, or imagined that scenario ever... nor do I think that thought would ever have crossed my mind, unless I achieved that age.

We sit and complain about life as young people. Can you imagine reaching an age where suddenly everyone you cared for is gone? Yes she has her brother (my dad), but he lives 4 hours away.

In the beginning I said this has been an emotional roller-coaster month for me... can you now see why?

Today’s medical advancements are giving everyone the opportunity of living longer and healthier lives. What will you be thinking the day all of your loved ones are gone? Will you have regrets? Will you be content? These are some serious questions.

I keep telling everyone to live in the moment and reach for their dreams. You see, as we get older the past catches up with us and it becomes increasing difficult to avoid the responsibility of facing the past. If you are in you middle age – now is the time one becomes more content with oneself and tends to slow down. Now is the time you need to start sorting out all the issues of the past. When you are older one day and the last one left – don't you think it may be a little tough trying to do it then?

You need to sit down now and ask yourself certain questions every day

1.) Am I living every day to the best of my abilities?

2.) Am I doing this with clarity of conscience?

3.) Am I living my dreams and goals and enjoying the trip at the same time?

Saying 'No' to anyone of these questions will leave you with regrets. It should be your goal to be able to say “Yes” to each question.

I look at these last two weeks, I have been able to connect with my dad on such a deep level and most importantly I have been able to tell him that I love him dearly. The fact that we have spent this quality time sharing and being open has given both of such an incredible peace of mind. Even with his sister and her view of life, I have been able to share tips with her which have not only made her positive, but have made me realize to do certain things differently and start appreciating my life more by being open, making friends and not having regrets. See my latest Quick Tips video on appreciating old age – click here.

So for July I leave you with this greeting, Take chances, go for the gap and go out and have fun. Live a life with no regrets and savor every sweet moment. And most of all, don't keep everything locked up within yourself. Share with loved ones and tell them that you love them!

"Make the most of all that comes, and the least of all that goes." (Author Unknown)

And don't forget... go have a look at my free video course on Life's Truths' at www.mindshiftguru.com.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', July 2012 Useletter, Aging, Old Age

Welcome to June's Useletter!

Wow, what a response to last month's Useletter with regards my request for topics from everyone... I have enough to keep me going for quite a while!
The first thing you will notice is the new look and feel of the 'Useletter' and I trust that it is simple and easy to navigate, plus that it plays on all e-readers, etc. 
Eventually... to this month's topic. I was surprised at how many people responded to last month''s request and who wanted me to talk on racism and discrimination, and how many issues there still exist in the world today. Some people consider it to be a controversial and difficult topic to tackle as someone somewhere will always be offended.

I trust that won't be the case today! Firstly let me say that it saddens me deeply that in a technological advanced and modern society of today, where information and issues can be discussed so freely, that people still feel the need to be judgmental on issues of race, religion and culture. If anything I am of the opinion that most wars and negativity on this earth are largely a result of this very behavior. Without sounding too naïve, I hope my small input here helps towards a positive shift of tolerance for all.

As you know, I enjoy sharing personal stories as I believe people relate to these more emotionally and also, through personal experience, others can learn and ponder and hopefully shift their perceptions. 

My situation is kinda unique, I finished my schooling in South Africa during the apartheid years and left the country due to the politics of the time. However, I had learnt English in South Africa - hence I had a South African accent. (I saw everyone else around me as having a weird accent!) Moving to England in the 80's trying to seek fame and fortune as an entertainer was a tough learning curve, as every time I opened my mouth, the British would label me a racist due to my South African accent. Of course, being originally German, I defended myself by telling everyone, "Nein, I am from Germany aus!" Guess what? They hated me more! Those were tough times. I had to go for elocution lessons, I had to learn to adapt very fast, become thick skinned, and not let other peoples false preconceptions bring me down. It wasn't easy. But it was a time that I personally understood the meaning of what it was like to be picked upon, merely by how you spoke and where you came from.

In later years in the early 1990's working on the cruise liners as an entertainer, I remember the first time docking in Barbados, where the officials locked my wife in our cabin and forbade her to leave the ship, merely because she had a South Africa passport. The same happened to her in Morocco! By the way, when I had met my wife in the 80's in South Africa, she was a nurse working in the poor areas delivering babies among the black population. Many of our friends at the time were black. Back to the ship story... simply because of the nationality of her passport, she was discriminated against! Myself, being German, had a huge problem with this and wanted to take on all these officials... but the cruise line threatened to fire me if I cause an incident! Mmm and that is once again when the sad truth about hatred and discrimination sunk in. Of course many of my black friends laughed at me when I mentioned this to them, claiming that racism can only be from a caucasian against other races, and not the other way around... I still haven't quite figured that one out yet?

You see, I have always been of the opinion that no matter who you are - regardless of race, religion or culture, if you judge someone else because they are different to you... you are discriminating against that person. If anything, life has taught me that not one of us can afford to be judgmental towards another person whom we don't know! By simply looking at a stranger standing in front of us, or on television and passing judgment without knowing anything about what makes that human being tick, is just plain naïve! The worst for me is that in many religions, the holy scriptures actually mention that one should not judge, yet many of the biggest hypocrites I have come across stem from these very institutions!

Here's the deal... every country, every religion, every race, every culture has good and bad people in it. Luckily the majority are good. However, why is it that we as humans, let a few rotten apples amongst a certain group of people, judge everyone in that group as falling from the same tree? What gives any of us the right to do this? The whole Iraq saga is a classic example of this.

So someone is different to me. Big deal! If anything this should intrigue me and make me want to learn more about that person, rather than shun them away! Surely this makes sense?

Last year I spoke in my 144th country! Guess what, I have laughed, cried and loved and will still do so in the future with different people throughout this world. I have eaten with the Bedouins in their tents in the desert, I have cried in shame with disabled friends at the way society tries to hide them away, I have stood up for my minority brothers when others have shamed them, I have held dying AIDS victims in my arms and comforted them while others have looked down on them, I have spent time in Iran and met the most beautiful people on earth, while the rest of the world has other views... I could go on and on! How often have we looked down upon a beggar at the side of the road and wrongly judged that person? Did you ever think that this beggar may also have a child and a spouse that looks up to them and respects them? So who are we to pass judgement?

It's time everyone woke up and pulled their heads out of their own...! It's time that we all learn how to accept other people unconditionally! Of course this is easier said than done, as we have all been influenced by socio-cultural circumstances within the country and culture we have been brought up in, plus learning the preconceived views of our parents hasn't help much either.

Interestingly, years ago my wife worked for the blood transfusion service and from her I learnt that blood is categorized as A,B,O positive or negative. Did you know that blood from an Asian person isn't yellow? It's Red! Blood from a white person is also red! Blood from a black man can heal an Indian man. Blood form an Italian person can save the life of a Hispanic person. Wow! Can you imagine this? Blood has no agenda - it brings life to everyone! Open us up, and we are all the same on the inside! Makes you think, huh?

I'll never forget my time on the cruise liners when we would sit in the wardroom at dinner with a team of people from all over the world around the table. We were all from different cultures, countries and all spoke different languages. After a while we would start picking up unique and wonderful words from each others' cultures and often one of us would utter a sentence using words from about 4 or 5 different languages, as each was so special and unique in that specific context. In fact I distinctly recall one contract where a group of us sat down one night and debated the whole race issue. Here we were, from so many different cultures, yet we all got on with each other, respected each other, and were true friends. Any guesses why?

Our conclusion was that there was only one boss on board, the Captain. He has one set of rules for all of us. No matter who we were, we all had to follow these rules equally. It was never about your beliefs, religion of race - it was about getting the job done. In fact we all joked and concluded that the only reason everything worked out the way it did, was because we had no politicians running the ship! Interesting point, huh?

In a nutshell, I would like to conclude with the following:

Stop judging others by past happenings around you.
Stop judging others due to learned conditioning from your peers, friends and family.
Stop being influenced by sensationalist media reports and hence passing judgement.
Remember that happiness will never follow you if you live in the past and if you formulate your own belief systems due to conditioned learning from others.

If anything, learn to love yourself first. Learn to look into a mirror and see your own face and say to yourself. "Hey, I dig you! You are awesome. I love you unconditionally for who you are!" And once you can do this, guess what? You will be able to start doing it to others you meet, no matter where they come from.

When you meet someone for the first time, consciously look into their eyes and think to yourself, "I will not judge you, but give you a clean sheet of paper and treat and respect you as I would every other human being." This is what my life has taught me. Give everyone a clean sheet. Leave it up to them to prove that they are not worthy of your love and respect, but NEVER pre-judge them. I always say, "I will never judge anyone to be a schmuck, he has to prove that to me him/herself!"

And yes, someone may treat you wrongly. But again you have a choice of how to handle this. Nobody can make you feel bad, except yourself. Today if someone behaves in a discriminatory way towards me, I choose not to be offended. This is my choice! In fact I have learnt to love myself, and because of this I actually tend to feel sorry for that other person as I walk away. You see, in my eyes they have not learnt to love themselves and are totally insecure in who they are - hence their negative behavior. If anything, my heart goes out to them.

Thanks for reading my rantings and I trust I have shifted your perceptions on the whole issue. Let us all learn to love and respect each other in a non judgmental way - don't your think the whole world would change for the better? I do! Be part of that change and spread this message to all around you. Let us all start the wheel turning to a more loving future for all.

Have a great June  and I look forward to chatting again next month.

And don't forget... go have a look at my new FREE Video Course on Life’s Truths at www.mindshiftguru.com.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', June 2012 Useletter, Racism, Discrimination

Welcome to May's Useletter!

Wow, did I get a lot of response to last month's Useletter... seems like everyone enjoys the direct approach! In fact it was great receiving so much feedback.

Also, you should see a vast improvement in the English/grammer as one of the subscribers, Harold Justice from Madison, Alabama in the USA has so kindly offered to check my Useletter before I send it out. So a big Thank You to Harold for this.

I am considering starting to do a monthly Webinar and would be curious how many of you would be keen on this. I am considering starting to do a monthly Webinar and would be curious how many of you would be keen on this. Also, this month's Quick TIp video, in English can bee viewed by clicking here.

Now to this month's topic!

When last did you really get angry? A month, a week or a day ago? Or what about this morning? Has it ever happened that your spouse, your child, someone at work, or even a selfish person in another car annoys you so much that you brood over it for a whole day? In fact your blood pressure goes up and you are in a lousy mood for days on end because of this one incident? For some people, just seeing a certain corrupt politician's face on the news creates this kind of anger! I actually stopped watching the news because of this! Sound familiar?

This month I thought I would deal with Anger Management as many of us, including myself, can become angry within seconds over all sorts of issues.

First we have to ask the question, “What is anger?” Ever heard of that saying, “I am so cross my blood is boiling” or “I'm so angry I can have a heart attack right now”? (I can relate to that!) Well this is pretty much what happens when you are angry - your adrenaline flows, your heart rate rises, and your blood pressure increases. And all of this is triggered by one small occurrence. It could be a perceived snide comment, or behaviour by someone else, or it could even be something as crazy as you catching your finger in a drawer while closing it.

However it is important to note that anger is neither good nor bad – in fact it is quite normal to feel angry when you have been wronged or even when you do something stupid. It is what we do with, and how we handle this emotion that causes problems. So the whole object of this month's 'Useletter' is to share tips with you and coping with and controlling these bursts of emotion.

Some people actually believe it is healthy to vent their anger and they do not realise the damage it can cause. Uncontrollable and constant anger can affect:

a.) your physical health. You become more prone to heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, a weakened immune system, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

b.) your mind set (the part I like to concentrate on). You waste time harping on non-important issues which clouds your thinking and makes you subjective, rather than objective. Plus it leads to constant frustration, stress and depression.

c.) your work. By displaying short and angry behavior towards people at work – your career will suffer from every angle

d.) your relationships. Those around you no longer feel comfortable expressing feelings and emotions due to continued outbursts and causes communications problems plus lasting scars. Your loved ones are scared to speak to you and hence become distanced.

Here now are some tips to control anger control, in no specific order:

1.) Realise that you are angry and face the fact that it is affecting you. It is no use running away and denying your anger, or always blaming the other person for your anger – then you will never find a solution. At the same time learn to identify the trigger points that actually set you off. You cannot solve any problems if you don't know what causes them. This needs honesty with yourself and the ability to be man/woman enough to admit your faults and mistakes.

2.) Take a break – walk away. If you have been angered at the office, go outside the building and take a walk. If at home, take a stroll through the park and get out. It is much easier to think about a situation objectively when you are out of the environment that brought on the anger. Now when you return you can express your anger (if it is still there) in a lesser, non-confrontational way. The problem is we 'react spontaneously' rather than think about and analyze our response. This 'walking away' gives you the time to reflect and change your own behavior.

3.) Focus on the positive, rather than the negative. So someone has just reversed out of a parking lot opposite you at the same time as you started reversing. Luckily you both stop in time. Instead of screaming at the other driver, focus on the fact that you didn't have an accident and now don't have the hassle of contacting the insurance company, taking your car in for repair, etc. Be grateful that no accident occurred! Do you really think the other person purposefully reversed out of their parking at the same time as you with the intention of causing an accident? I doubt it!

4.) Accept the reality that there are selfish, unpredictable morons in the world who are more stupid than you! No matter how good and decent you are – they exist. They will always exist, and they will always annoy you. Also realize that most of the time they are so caught up in their own small worlds, they are not even aware of the fact that they are annoying you. The only person getting a high blood pressure is YOU. Accept this and half your anger will go away. Think about it this way, if we were all the same, the world would be boring!

5.) If you cannot control your temper by counting to ten and practicing deep regular breathing – then go take a run, jump on a trampoline or visit the gym. Don't laugh, a good session of strenuous exercise really helps get rid of the frustration and anger. This is another reason why you should exercise regularly. Similarly taking a 'timeout' is not just something children should do, but we adults as well. It also gives you a chance to think and collect your thoughts, before you speak.

6.) Swap “You” with “I”. In most heated debates you accuse the other person of the wrongful behavior or act. It's always, ”You did this. You said that, etc.” Change this around completely and bring yourself into the sentence by saying things such as, “I feel this and I am not.” By replacing the you with an I you are putting more focus on yourself. Suddenly you realize that maybe everything is only about “I” and that just maybe the other person (You) wasn't so much in the wrong after all.

7.) It goes without saying that you must 'let go'. Never focus on the past, hold a grudge or remain bitter. You will never be able to be clear and get over your issues. Remember that anger can be an excuse for masking other feelings and issues you may have such as shame, guilt and hurt.

8.) Food and sleep affect your moods. Make sure you get enough regular sleep and be aware of the foods that affect your behavior. Producers are adding so many 'unnatural' ingredients and sugars to food that they can and do affect your moods. Start becoming aware of how the food you eat makes you feel. This alone can make a huge impact on your life.

9.) If someone has an annoying trait, i.e. is always late – you should accept this as a characteristic of that person, hence you should expect it happening. Thus plan to use that time to catch up on emails, admin, etc. Use it to be productive, rather than just waiting – then it won't upset you so much anymore.

10.) Put your anger on hold. One of the more difficult tips to do, but it is possible. You just need to try! Hold back on that outburst and consciously tell yourself to come back to it later – maybe an hour or two, or even a day later. When you eventually look back at that 'anger' feeling you may well notice that it isn't such a big deal anymore.

11.) During the time you are calming down (whichever method you prefer) look for solutions to the annoyance/problem so that when you do confront the issue, you already have possible solutions to bring to the table.

12.) Be realistic and ask yourself 3 simple questions when you get angry:
1. Is there anything positive I can do about it?
2. Is taking the necessary steps to solve this worth my time?
3. Is my current reaction appropriate to the current situation?
Your answers to these should questions should give you a good indication as to how to solve the squabble at hand.

Well there you have it – twelve tips on coping with anger. I trust these can assist you in some way and that in the month ahead all possible conflict situations will now be transformed into moments of happiness, solutions and joy.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', May 2012 Useletter, Anger Management

Welcome to April and a 'slightly' different approach to my 'Useletter' this month.

I don't know about you, but lately I am getting really tired of greedy and selfish people. At first I always thought it was the politicians who made up the majority of this group. Now when I drive my girls to school, or just pop into the supermarket I find even more selfishness and aggressiveness on the roads. It's a sickness that is spreading. What is going on in the world today? Why is it that someone cannot take note of another car behind them, or just show a courtesy to let someone in front of them during traffic? Where have the basic decency values of humanity gone? People don't invite you over anymore because they want to enjoy your company, it's because they want something from you. No one gives you good service in a restaurant, because they love their job, it's because they want a big tip afterwards. What is going on in this world that humanity has become so materialistic and false? I was always taught that your word is your bond and that you always keep a promise. Was I the only one that learnt this? 'Practice what you preach', was drummed into me from childhood – what's with all the two faced-hypocrites today that blatantly lie to your face and then stab you in the back?

Is it age that is making me see this, or is it apparent amongst youngsters as well? Lately I have been questioning the point of it all and asking myself whether I am really making a difference in the world. Honestly, there are times I feel I am farting against the wind when I stand in front of a group and pour my heart out trying to make them see the light. You see, I have this theory... if one person does a good deed for someone, and each person follows through doing the same, then the world will become a better place within days! But it just isn't happening! Now I sit and think, okay, maybe the 'nice' approach isn't working anymore. Maybe I should just be more direct and too the point, and call a spade a spade. Maybe this will make people wake up and see the light.... so here goes!

As you know, I had a heart attack 4 months ago. Of course there are many people in the world that have gone through the same thing, or had similar life changing events happen to them. My biggest change since then has been how I eat and live. I was a heavy smoker before and now I stopped. I ate all the junk food on planes and in hotels, now I don't. I was always too tired to exercise, now I do so first thing in the morning. I never looked at the ingredients and fat content of the foods I ate, now I do. Hey, I'm losing weight and feeling healthier.

Now I look at friends in similar situations to me. I visit them to see how they are coping... they have not changed their lifestyle... they are continuing with what they have always done. I hear them coughing from the cigarettes, I see them eating the fat on the meat on their plate. It's like HUGE warning signs with flashing lights going off. I see this distinctly, and they don't! Huh? I immediately worry whether I will see them again next week and whether they will still be alive then? Now I begin questioning myself... why do I see the bad things they are doing to their bodies, and they don't? Why didn't I see this either before my heart attack? Makes me think of the definition of crazy! Do you know what the definition of crazy is? It's to keep on doing what you have always done, and to expect a different result! It's almost as if they have had a heart attack, and been given a second chance, yet expect the cardiologist to give them the right tablets to look after their heart, rather than change their lifestyle. It's almost as if there is a conditioned mindset out their which is preventing people from taking responsibility for their own lives.

If you are not happy with your life and events around you, you need to change your behavior. If you don't, then you CANNOT expect a change in your life. But no – it's easier to blame the past, your parents, the government, your teachers, the local priest, or even your upbringing, than to take responsibility for yourself.

I changed my life around 180 degrees! And guess what, I am not more fortunate than you, I do not have more discipline than you have, nor do I feel that my upbringing played a role in giving me the strength to make these decisions. Basically I do not see myself as any different from anyone else. Actually I lie, I am different... see I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, and I had to work for everything I have today. In fact I started my career sleeping on Euston and Victoria Station in London, because I had nothing.... so if anything, the odds where against me back then already. Today, yes I am successful, and according to the 'Society' magazines and my current social status... I should be partying it up every night, taking drugs, getting drunk. Ah, there's another part of the problem... STOP reading this type of hyped up drivel! You will NEVER find happiness if you follow the lifestyles of the crazy 'personalities' out there. Since when do most of them have any understanding of the realities of the real world, and especially the people writing the news?

Stop being conditioned by what the media wants you to do and be! You will never find happiness or make any correct decisions in life if you base them on what 'other people' out there are doing and saying. You have to make decisions and changes in your life based on what feels right and true within your own heart. This takes guts! It's takes responsibility! Above all, it take being honest with yourself!

How did I do this... I took responsibility... and from what I have learnt I have started sharing this information with friends, family and everyone in a similar situation around me.

Greed and selfishness left my life loooong ago, I have always been a giver, but that hasn't been enough. I have learnt over the last few months that you need to focus your giving to people who are open to receiving it and doing something with the knowledge you share. Just to give aimlessly is pointless! There are way to many 'takers' out there that will literally suck you dry without remorse and without giving anything back into society.

So, here are some lessons I have learnt over the last few months coupled with 'follow-through' decisions I have made. Some or hard, but they have given me a deeper sense of contentment and simplified my life tremendously.

1.) I watch people. I watch how they behave. Here I refer to friends, colleagues and business associates. I watch how they treat other people, how they behave when they drive, how they behave in a supermarket, what they say during a private conversation with me. Basically I have become a critic! I suss them out in everything they do. Then I compare myself to them. This is the hardest thing to do, especially if you want to be honest with yourself. I look for similarities in our behavior, positive and negative. I also look for those things in that person that are important to me.

Now I make a decision, whether I want this person as a friend, or associate in my life, or not. If I don't, I add in a possible second chance by asking myself, are the bad things small enough that I can accept them, and maybe even assist this person in changing their mind-set. If yes, I take it further, if no, I focus my attention elsewhere.

I often share with companies during my customer service presentations the following advice. Spending money on training people to change their attitude often does't work and results in wasted money and time. To prevent this, why don't you just employ the right people with the right attitude in the first place?

Same with people in my life now. Life is too short. Some people just don't want to change and are set in their selfishness and negative behavior. That's fine with me, but I don't tolerate them anymore. Learn to do the same. (Footnote: Please understand that by no means do I believe that I am perfect and without faults, and I really don't have the right to judge others according to my own set of standards... but the reality is that if I try fit in with everyone and please everyone, will I ever be happy? Hence I need to reach a point in life where I make certain decisions based on what I feel is right for me. You need to do the same.)

2.) Similarly, the same now applies to my social circle. I always find I am the one inviting friends over to my place. I am the one making the effort to keep in touch. When I question so-called friends how come we haven't seen in other in the last year, they say that work and life has just been too hectic! Mmm, kinda sounds like those people that never have time for their children either! It's more important to go on a dinner date with a possible client than to spend time with your child. It's more important to be seen in the latest restaurant, than to visit your friend of 5 years that sat with you in the hospital for two weeks when you were ill. See.... here comes that greed and selfish attitude again. Humanity is all about ME! Get out of this mindset. Don't be the person with the excuses and the reasons for not having time to connect with your friends. Make a conscious decision to change this. I will now invite people over twice, after that I leave it. If they don't invite me back, I figure they didn't click with us and don't take it personally. If they phone me after a year with various excuses as to why we never got together, I politely decline. I want people around me that care the way that I do. I want a friends that will be there for me when I need them and who know that I will be there for them. How often have you heard people say that they can count their 'real' friends on one hand! Isn't that just sad? Maybe it's because they don't spend time nurturing friendships and waste time on those relationships that are fruitless?

3.) ME time. There are only 24 hours in a day. Between 6 – 8 of those I should be sleeping. Subtract another 10 hours for work and transport, that leaves me with 6 hours free time. That's less than a third of my day for social, relaxing, family and ME time. Kinda frightening huh? Of these remaining hours you MUST find some time for yourself so that you can recharge your own batteries and spoil yourself. Even if it is only 10 minutes. And by this I don't mean ten minutes sitting alone on the loo reading a gossip magazine! That doesn't count!

4.) Start saying “I Love You” to the people you do love. When last have you looked into your spouse's eyes and said this? What about your kids? What about your good friends? What about adding the reasons why you love them to this conversation? I have had two good friends die this year already, both knew I loved them dearly. It doesn't take the sadness away, but it gives me added closure knowing that they knew someone cared and that I had the chance to tell them this!

In the same vein learn to say, “I don't have time for you in my life.....” to the energy vampires and the 'users', so that you can focus on those people that are important.

5.) Finally, GET OVER your PERSONAL ISSUES! The only way you are going to do this is to let go of the past. I personally believe the world has become completely messed up because of all these self-rightious groups and 'political correctness'. Think about it, all these issues only serve the group they are aimed at, and not the rest of the populace. Hence most of these issues are flawed by design! Something I was taught when I was younger was that NOBODY can make me feel inferior unless I ALLOW IT! I need to repeat this as the majority of the world just doesn't seem to get it – NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR UNLESS YOU ALLOW IT!

Which part of this is so difficult to understand? Whether you are gay or straight, black or white, Christian or Muslim, that is who you are! Do you have a problem with it? It appears to me that most people do! Why else would they carry on the way they do? It doesn't matter what anyone says, NOBODY can change who you are inside. So why do you let them? We come back to greed, selfishness and people not practicing what they preach... then yes, I can understand why people react the way they do. BUT, if you truly are content with yourself through being honest, respectful of others and non- judgmental, surely it doesn't matter what anyone thinks or says about you? They don't have to live with you.... you do!

No matter what live throws at you, your worth will never diminish... it can only grow. Watch this month's Quick Tips. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtSEtTMLk3s

Learn to be be happy with and love yourself first, then it doesn't matter what anyone else says about you. Guess what, as soon as you reach this point in life, your attitude will change to those around you too. It's only when YOU are content with yourself, that you will be content with those around you and not be judgmental of them either.

In summary,
Become aware of how those around you behave – it says a lot about who they are.

Choose your friends carefully.
Practice 'me' time.
Tell people you care, regularly.
Be happy with who you are.

Try implement just one of these tips in April, and the whole month will be a better one! Try implement all 5 and you could be part of the first step in changing the world!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', April 2012 Useletter, Coping with greedy and selfish people

PASSION IS SUCCESS

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My first question to you is, “How do you wake up in the morning?” Is it a case of opening your eyes, not feeling your best, groaning and saying to yourself, “Oh no, another damn day!” Or, do you jump out of bed, give your partner next to you, and the cat, a huge fright as you shout, “Yes! Wow, another amazing day. So much to do and so little time!” I take it that for most people, the first example is the norm. People just aren't excited about life anymore. Just sit on the London underground and look at everyone's faces. Too few smile. If you do smile at someone, odds are you will get arrested for being a public nuisance. It's the same in the traffic in any city in the morning – just look at the faces of the people in the cars next to you – how many are smiling? It's as if the majority of people today have lost the will to live and have fun in life.

Once many years back, I actually met someone who had passion. I was sitting in the peak hour morning traffic on the M25 around London, when the man in the car next to me suddenly held up a board which read, “Hi, great morning, isn't it?” In fact he had a whole conversation with everyone around him using these boards. He had found a way to make the traffic fun!

As an inspirational speaker I find it very worrying that there are so many passionless people out there. I have conducted much research as to why people don't live life to the full, and trust that my insights will help you discover your passion once more.

I am constantly reminded of a saying by an unknown author:

Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

Isn't that so true? The older we get, the faster time seems to go? Even the children of today are commenting that their days fly by. Surely then, if this is the case, why doesn't humanity make the most of every moment they have, seeing that it all goes by so fast?

My aim today, is threefold. Firstly, I want to identify what passion is, then explain why the majority of people have lost it, and finally share with you how you can discover your passion again.

WHAT IS PASSION

I have found the following definition on the net, and curiously enough some examples say it is Cher's definition, while others claim it belongs to Madonna. Either way, this is what one of these ladies have to say, when asked how they would define passion:

"There are a number of mechanical devices which increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief among these is the Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible."

However, that's not quite the passion I am talking about! It is that drive and lust for life that is important to me. It's what makes you smile when things aren't going your way.

Next step was to look at the Oxford English Dictionary definition:

Passion: “a strong feeling, or enthusiasm.”

I have always said that I love life, and feel that love and passion are closely linked. Hence I checked out the definition of love as well.

Love: “have a strong affection, or deep tender feelings for.”

Isn't that interesting? Both definitions are pretty similar. The bottom line here is that love and passion are closely linked. They feed off each other. Think about it for a moment. If I am in love with someone, passion always forms part of that relationship. If I am passionate about a sport or hobby in life, I really love doing it. In the same vein, have you ever met someone really successful, who seems to be having fun at their job? Ask them why they do it. Odds are that they will reply, “It's my passion, I absolutely love it!”

You will notice that these people also never see their careers as work, but as an extension of themselves. They don't work nine to five, but rather 24/7, 365. They don't need a vacation, as what they do, is so inspiring for them, they never get tired.

As a keynote speaker and entertainer, people often ask me whether I get nervous on stage, or tired of traveling around the world. Huh? Why? I love what I do! If you didn't quite get what I mean, I'll repeat it for you, “I love what I do!” Even though there have been tough times, and times when the work wasn't plentiful, I always have fun. I have often said, “I cannot believe that people pay me to have fun!” I firmly believe that this is a philosophy which everyone can have... if they truly love what they do.

This we will identify as the final chapter in this book. But first and foremost, as with any problems in life, one must identify the root, or cause of the problem, and ask ourselves, “Why have we lost our passion?”

WHY HAVE WE LOST IT?

This is not an academic thesis, hence I will not become long winded and share ten different schools of thought based on various hypotheses! I could... but I won't. In a nutshell, most people have lost their passion due to expectations!

That's it, there is no more to it. It's as simple as that!

Expectations are the root of all problems!

We live in a society of instant gratification and expectations. What do I mean? Think about it... few people do anything today without expecting something in return. I work because I expect a salary. I ask someone out on a date because I expect (hope) to have sex. I make an appointment with a potential client, because I want (expect) them to buy my product. I will pick up your children from school because I expect you to do the same for me next week. I'll do the dishes for you tonight honey because I expect some action in the bedroom later. When I am born and I scream as a baby, immediately I must get milk or have my nappy changed... instant gratification.

Get the point? Too few just do things out of the kindness of the their heart. It's all about, "What's in it for me?"

Don't get me wrong, there are many people who don't follow the above example – but, those are the passionate ones! Those are the people that are enjoying their life and living every moment to the full.

I am merely trying to answer the question for you personally, why the passion has gone. Think about it, we have been brought up and conditioned in a society where 'expectation' is the norm. As a child you were conditioned to behave. If you behaved, you got things. In school we were taught to learn and pass our grades. In return we received our diploma. Then we had to study at university to get a degree, so that we could get a good job, etc. Expectations, expectations, expectations!

We have been intrinsically conditioned to expect. But, and it's a big BUT, in reality things do not always work out the way we expect! That's when disappointment takes over and we start losing the zest and passion for life. If you really think about it logically, it's a system that is bound to fail.

Add to this, the greed of big business corporations and the manipulation of the media. What chance do you have to be positive? Take the media reporting on an accident. The front page headline reads:

2 KILLED IN HORROR CRASH

A typical headline. Sensationalist, negative and attention grabbing. That same headline could read:

AMBULANCE HEROES ARRIVE IN UNDER 2 MINUTES

This is more positive and instils hope. But, according to the majority of journalists, it won't sell. It's not sensationalist enough. I have constantly challenged the press and media on the above, and maintain that if they only put the positive spin on any story (every story has two sides), within three weeks the entire city, or country will have a more positive attitude.

If you think I am being unrealistic, just read the first three pages of any newspaper. It's all about politics, politicians and their antics. 90% of what is written will never come to pass, but it sells! Take a society magazine reporting on celebrity lifestyles... I cannot believe that people actually read such rubbish. Then they wonder why they are negative. Hello... smell the roses.

People actually try to emulate well-known personalities who are so screwed-up in their heads, simply because the media gives them attention. I will never understand this. Take a popular American pop star who shaved all the hair off her head. This woman, in my opinion, is a nutcase. Do you have any idea how many people copied her? And it didn't stop there, she still has a huge following today. Huh? And all these people wonder why their lives are not working out.

How many women try to have Barbie doll figures? Why do you think you still see weight loss adverts constantly on television? In fact, a researcher did a study, and concluded that if any woman did have a Barbie doll figure, her back would break. It wouldn't be able to support her chest!

Recently, a stepson of a celebrity committed a crime. What did the press do? There were headlines nationwide with the celebrity's name in big print, about the crimes of a stepson which he hadn't seen or heard of in years. Whose name sold the paper? Whose name was damaged in the process?

Enough, I am sure you get the gist of what I am saying. Vulgar and perverse are the operative words here. It is perverse that the media and society has dictated how we need to feel and think. Occasionally there is an exposé about something bad that has happened. In many cases it is an eye blind and just leads to more problems. A great example is the 2009 recession. Governments worldwide cried wolf and claimed that excessive debts and too much credit was partly to blame. And everyone accepted that they were also to blame because of excessive debts.

Once again, the blame had been shifted to the people. Let me ask you a question and I want you to think about it carefully. Try to come up with your own answer. Name the one organization/company in the world, or your own country, that is totally useless? In other words, it doesn't generate any income whatsoever. It merely spends, and most of the time cannot do that efficiently either.

Got the answer yet? The government!

Interestingly enough, years ago no-one got the answer immediately. Today if I pose the question to a live audience, the answer is shouted out unanimously and instantly!

Back to the debt problem. Where does a government get its money from? The taxes which you and I pay. They will only get taxes from you if you work and earn money. You will only work to earn money if you have debt (mortgage, car, etc.) If you have no debt, you don't have to work. Please understand that I am not being anti-government here, but am merely trying to put the economics of everything into perspective.

Back to the above recession scenario. The governments blame excessive debt as the problem. Who is it that wants us to have debt so that we must work and pay taxes? The government! Yet via the media, they want to shift the blame to the masses. Get my point? Many governments have now implemented 'Credit Acts' to legitimize these claims and 'protect' the consumer. Interesting... the banks are still giving out loans, cars are still being sold and all these people are still making profits.

Now you want to know why you wake up depressed and are no longer passionate about life? I trust I have highlighted an angle, and made you realize that humanity is completely controlled and manipulated by 'the powers that be.' Unfortunately, not everyone has the will, or insight to realize this, and hence they fall into the rat race. The rat race is dominated by fear, and it is this fear that also breaks us down.

Remember, that even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat!

Look at children today. When I was a child I always 'wanted'. I wanted a sweet, I wanted a new train set. Listen to the kids today and how they speak to their parents. They no longer 'want' they 'need'! If you have your own children, listen to them and you will see that it is all about 'needing'. I 'need' money for the tuck-shop at school today. Listen to them, and you will see that I speak the truth. This is how the media have brainwashed the youngsters of today.

I need! If I don't get it, my need has been denied. That's far worse than a 'want' being denied! Get my point?

We have been conditioned not to understand the difference between 'pleasure' and 'joy' anymore. In fact, the media has made everyone believe that these two terms are identical, when if fact they differ hugely.

It is once you understand the difference between these two concepts, that you can begin re-discovering your passion.

Pleasure is derived from things outside ourselves – materialism. It is temporary. What is pleasure today can be sorrow tomorrow.

Joy arises from within ourselves and is a state of consciousness. It is giving attention. Ask yourself – whatever you are doing, is there lightness, laughter, ease in what you are doing right now. If there isn't, then you are living in future or past time, but not in the present moment. To find JOY, realize, it is 'HOW' you do things.

A person who is passionate and has a love for life, experiences joy in everything that they do.

It is important that you understand that 'temporary' things cannot bring you joy, but only pleasure for a limited time only. Here are some temporary things in life: Car, home, computer, PSP, eating out, spouse and children.

What! How can my spouse and children be temporary? Of course they are. One day your spouse will die and you will be left alone. The same applies to your children. They will grow up and leave the house. The times you spend with them are defined as the 'pleasure principle' and that applies to all the fun things you do. You derive pleasure at that moment.

Joy does come into the picture, only if you create memories with your spouse and children. One day when you retire and think back on your life, what will your memories be? The first car you bought, the newest quad-core computer system you had to take out a loan for? I doubt it. The memories of joy you will have, will be that first kiss, the first steps your child took.

Most people run around so much in the rat race, they only have time for 'quick fixes' and instant gratification. They forget to live and create lasting memories which will bring joy. Can you sit quietly in a room with your spouse and do and say nothing... and enjoy every moment of it? Most people cannot do this! They need to make that moment 'pleasant' by doing something. This is what society and the media has taught them. Why do you think your parents said to you as a child, “I cannot believe how quick you are growing up!”

The person who understands the concept of joy, can however savor the presence of their spouse in that moment. They can be content in the fact that they are simply sharing the same space, and each others company. They can appreciate the deeper spiritual meaning of that moment and keep it as a good memory. Someone once said, “The simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child, did wonders for me as an adult.” Isn't that what it's really all about?

Here are some thoughts by an unknown author which puts it all into perspective:

Today we have higher buildings and wider highways, but shorter temperaments and narrower points of view.
We spend far more, but enjoy far less.
We have bigger houses, but smaller families.
We have more compromises, but less time.
We have more knowledge, but less judgement.
We have modern medicines, but less health.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk way to much, we love only a little, and we hate too much.
We have reached the Moon and come back,
but we find it too difficult to cross our own street and meet our neighbors.
We claim to have conquered outer space, but not our inner space.
These are times with more freedom and liberty, but less joy....
We have higher incomes, but less morals....
We have much more food and a larger variety of foods , but less nutrition....
Today... two salaries reach home, but divorces increase.
These are times of finer, bigger and more expensive houses, but more broken homes.

And let's not forget, we have been conditioned to pass the blame onto others, whether it is the previous government, our parents, or our school. Very few people actually take responsibility for their actions. If you don't believe me, just look at any politician being interviewed on television. It's always someone else's fault. They condition everyone else to pass on the blame. Something goes wrong at work, who gets the blame?

It is very rare to see someone own up and accept the blame themselves. When it does happen, it comes as a shock to everyone around them. Huh? And I am not just blaming politicians here. Look around you, your social circle, work colleagues, even your children.

We have been brought up in a society where no-one wants to accept any blame for their mistakes. The greatest example is when people give money to invest in companies. Something goes wrong, like a market crash, and the blame is shifted to others. Here's a tip for you...

The people who really make money are those that inform themselves about investing. Instead of watching sport, or TV every night, they actually educate themselves about the financial markets. Within a short space of time they understand it, and are in control of all their own investments. Remember, as long as you let other people invest your money for you - you will never make any real profits.

There are commissions and costs that must be deducted. You get what's left... if you are lucky. Take the responsibility yourself. It's much more satisfying when you are in control of your own destiny!

Bottom line, unless YOU accept full responsibility for your own life and everything that has and will happen in the future, you will never find joy and passion.

If anything, YOU MUST first accept full responsibility of your own life.

In order to do this and find your passion again, there are a number of things you need to understand.

WHERE DO I FIND MY PASSION AGAIN?

In your own life:

Acceptance

The most important issue, is that you have to accept what has happened in your life up to today. Until you have reached that point, you cannot move further. Accept that what is done is done, and that the past cannot be changed. Also, accept that the world happens to work the way it does, whether you agree with everything or not.

You cannot change the world, BUT – you can change one person through your behavior towards them, and via the snowball effect, they will in turn affect others positively.

This can be done by following a few simple principles.

Firstly, learn to love! Above all, learn to love yourself and accept who you are as a person. Stop comparing yourself to what society says you have to be. You will never be content or happy within yourself if you try to be like everybody else. Become aware of how society is conditioned. I call people, 'Sheeples'. Why? Because they follow others and copy what everybody else does. Isn't that what sheep do?

Become aware of how the media and society control your thinking. Some things you may agree with, others not. But make sure you know the difference and negate all the negatives in your life.

Earlier I mentioned that it is expectation that breaks down our passion. Hence, when learning to love again, practice 'Unconditional Love'. This stems from within and is all about 100% giving. In other words, whatever you do in life, do it with purity of thought and from the heart. Of course this is not always easy... or is it? You will find that there are some things that are not easy to do like this, and others are. Interestingly enough, you will discover that the easy things, are those that you have an affiliation to. In other words, things you enjoy.

There is no way that anyone can be happy and content if they do things they do not enjoy. I have met so many people stuck in jobs they hate, and the day they retire they start enjoying their hobby. A few years down the line their hobby has become a booming business and they are happier than ever before. Unfortunately many die soon afterwards as well, due to ill health and age. The moral of the story: In their old age they found what they really wanted to do, while they lived an entire life of unhappiness.

If you really enjoy something, do it. Yes, it may well be tough in the beginning, but at least you are enjoying life. Look at it this way. As a child I was an amateur magician, and loved doing tricks. When I finished school I wanted to become a professional entertainer, much to the dismay of my family. I gave in and studied my degree and tried the nine to five career move. I hated every minute and held out for four years. Eventually my conscience made me leave the secure job only to end-up walking the streets of London, looking for gigs as a magician. Two years later I was leading a life of luxury on cruise ships. Eight years later I had seen the entire world and made loads of money.

Why?

Not because I was the best, but because I loved what I was doing. Putting in 18 hours a day, 24/7 was not even a question to me. I enjoyed what I did. The biggest drawcard was that everyone around me saw that I loved what I did, which made me 'appear' to be better than the other magicians. People saw my excitement - it rubbed off onto them. Who do you think people would rather deal with? Someone with a long face, or someone who radiates passion? I trust I have made my point. It's a win win situation, everyone that dealt with me was happy, and so was I.

I do not see myself different to anyone else, except for one thing... my attitude. You just need to change your mind set and have the right attitude and the world is at your feet.

However, the most important point of all... unconditional love. Where does that fit in? When you are doing what you enjoy and love doing, you do it because you want to. You do it because it gives you internal satisfaction. Whether you make money from it or not, is not the driving the force. The driving force is the enjoyment of it. Therefore, you do it without expectation, in other words, unconditionally.

You do it without any expectations. Hence, you cannot be disappointed, as there is no ulterior motive. But, the laws of the universe work in such a way that because you have this attitude, it will send everything back your way. And because you had no expectations, it becomes a surprise and makes you more positive.

There is a great saying:

"A person's true character is revealed by what he does when no one is watching."

Are you a different person when no-one is watching? Then you are not following your passion in life. I trust that makes sense.

In the same vein, another great saying goes:

"If you tell a lie, don't believe it deceives only the other person."

In other words, if you lie to yourself, it deceives you as well!

So imagine (in the words of John Lennon) for one moment that everyone in the world gave out of pure unconditional love, without expectation... don't you think the world would change overnight? And it can happen. It all starts with you!

Expanding on the above, I am sure you must be familiar with the concept that your body listens to your thoughts. What you think, you are! If you are negative and down, your outer self image shows it. Look at people around you and try identify their moods. It becomes quite easy after a while. When others see you, do they see a positive or negative person? You can try hide it, but it doesn't work. Your internal thoughts always show in your outer body language.

Thus, even if you lie to yourself and attempt to display a positive self image, it doesn't work. The real you lies in your subconscious mind, and try as you want, you cannot deceive it. It is imperative that you are brutally honest with yourself and identify the true inner you. Only then will true happiness follow.

Attachment

There is a great saying, “The best way to keep something is to give it away to others!” However, this does not specifically refer to materialistic items! It is about everything around you. If you give out love, love will come back to you. If you give out hatred, it too will overrun your life.

Attaching yourself to past events, or bad experiences leads to imprisonment and totally limits your possibilities. You are doing yourself great damage by holding onto the past. Remember that nothing in life is permanent. If you hold onto loved ones, money, lifestyle etc. you are attaching and limiting yourself. By living in the moment and savoring every minute of your life you start understanding the concept of happiness:

Living with a belief in a future heaven, only creates a present hell.

Most people live in the past, or the future. Please bear in mind that NOTHING has ever happened in the past or future. Anything that is going to happen to you is going to happen now! Let me explain. The past you cannot change, what happened then is over. There is nothing you can do about it. You can plan for the future, but that's tomorrow. It is not now. And when you reach tomorrow, then that becomes now.

Living fully in the now, makes every memory of yesterday a good one and hence makes the future look more positive.

How do you identify whether your are living in the past or future? Easy. If you are suffering from anxiety, stress, unease and tension, you are living in the future. If you are suffering from guilt, regret, grief, sadness and bitterness, then you are living in the past.

Fair enough, it's easier said than done. But ask yourself, “Will this matter one year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?” If it won’t matter in the future, then drop it!

By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Surrender

To many people it means something negative, i.e. giving up. Failing to rise to the challenges of life! That is totally wrong! The true meaning of surrender can be defined in two sentences:

* Yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life, i.e. accepting what is happening without judgement or resistance.

* By surrendering, you end the continual assessing of your mind, i.e. your mind no longer controls you and is no longer your master.

It is therefore who you truly are – it is a state of being! In this state you WILL clearly see what has to be done. It is NOT being cut off from your feelings, but realizing with deep inner peace, that what is done, cannot be undone. In other words, we constantly fight against what is going on in the world by becoming aggressive, depressed, moaning etc. This causes us to become negative and subjective, resulting in our actions being emotion driven.

By surrendering yourself to the fact that this is the world you live in, with all its problems, and accepting this, you no longer fight against it and become internally angry. Rather you can now put yourself outside the situation and look at everything objectively, rather than subjectively and realistically decide what role to play in order to begin making a positive difference.

A classic example here was Mother Theresa. She refused to take part in a march against war. The whole concept of war has a negative vibe. Rather, she would take part in a peace march. Why? Peace is more tranquil and sends a message of peace, rather than a message of war. By surrendering, your approach to negative things becomes more positive.

Therefore, when you surrender – you find joy! When Joy comes – unconditional Love comes.

At work

Let us look at a typical example in the work place. The majority of people today work in to pay bills and survive. No matter how I try to put things into perspective and try and make you follow your passion, there will always be those of you that won't change and follow your heart. There is nothing I can do about it. I must surrender myself to this fact. However, that doesn't mean that I should give up and not try, as there will always be those of you that actually follow through with these life lessons I am imparting. That alone is more than enough reason for me to do so.

Therefore, those of you who do not enjoy work and have issues with work colleagues, remember the following points:

“That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.”

“Opportunities are never lost, but someone will take the ones you miss.”

“People don't injure their eyesight by looking at the bright side of things!”

If you are in a leadership position at work, remember that successful leaders…

* Understand the values of him/her and other teams, which in turn brings compassion to the workplace.

* Changes his/her perspective which creates more allowances for each other.
* Creates a feeling of consensus, thus binding the organization together in remarkable ways.
* Practice living from the good values in the workplace, which in turn brings out the best in your team at all times.

Family

I am pretty much going to spend the most part sharing lessons which each of us can practice and learn within our family environment. My focus is on the children. The reason being that they have not yet been influenced by the media and society as much as the adults. If you want to see passion in action, look at a six year old child. Everything that is new they tackle with excitement. If you have your own children, you will relate immediately to my next point. Have you ever told your child that you are taking them to a theme park over the weekend? The days preceding the visit, what happens? The child asks every day how many sleeps still to go. They bounce up and down and get so excited. Same applies to the days before Christmas. Children show their excitement. Do you?

Basically, I want you to rediscover your passion through children. After all it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. And when you have children - there are many such happenings. They can teach us many things.

Firstly, everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
Secondly, you should never say, “No” to a gift from a child.

But let me backtrack a little, why is it that this excitement and passion disappears in children? I would like to answer this with a question. Do you remember when you were naughty as a child? What did your parents say to you? How did they scold you?

I bet it was something like this… “Wait until you grow up one day and become an adult, then you will see how tough life really is!”

Does this ring a bell? How many times did you hear it? Even worse, how many times have you said it to your own children? By saying stuff like this you are breaking down a child's passion for life. What do they have to look forward to in adulthood if all they hear how terrible it is. And then we wonder why the youth is so weird today!

Keep that magic going for as long as possible. Take a simple thing like believing in Father Christmas. I know people who told their children right from the word go that there is no such thing. This saddens me immensely – how do those children experience Christmas? The childhood fantasy land is where we build our creative thinking and visualization – it's the stuff that makes us dream when we are adults. At the time of writing this book my daughters are eleven and thirteen. Peer pressure has now made them realize that there is no Santa Clause. But, this is how I explained it to them.

I told my girls that although the Santa one sees in films and on cartoons at the North Pole may not be real – the 'spirit' of Christmas is. Each one of us can be Santa. Me, your mom, your aunt, your grandmother. It's by all of these people doing nice things and buying you gifts because they love you - in this way they carry on the Christmas spirit. Right now, I am Santa. One day when you are older, you will in turn do this for others.

At first, part of being Santa was keeping the illusion alive for younger siblings. I got to stay up late and wrap presents and fill the stocking. It meant drinking the milk and eating the cookies left for Santa. As I grew older, the Santa spirit grew. At university, my dorm mates and I played Secret Santa’s, delivering little gifts to each other during finals week.

Later in life, I'd drop off Christmas cookies to the nearest fire or police station on Christmas Eve. You can be Santa while shopping – whistling Christmas carols, wear bells that jingle, smile at those you pass – be patient with clerks. I hope my Santa spirit will be with me throughout the year, and that others will find the same joy that comes from being Santa Claus.

My girls are completely happy with that. Although my youngest definitely still believes in fairies. Why should I stop her – she's the most creative person in the family. Taking away fantasy makes humans hard and cold. Just look around you at those people that have a passion for life. They are dreamers, they have fun.

A few years ago I came home from a road show which I was emceeing and speaking at. My wife had been with the girls for over two weeks and wanted a break. As I walked into the door she gave me a shopping list and told me to take the girls with – she needed a break. What about me? Nevertheless, off I went, girls in hand. The shopping mall we were in happened to have some face painters strutting their stuff. Naturally my two girls loved this and pleaded to have their faces painted too! The more I resisted, the more they pleaded, bouncing up and down and not stopping.

To keep the peace, I gave in. Well, as soon as their faces were painted, they beamed. Everyone we walked past they smiled at and made sure people saw their colorful faces. They had fun. They laughed and made others laugh. They made me glad I had given in. That night back at home in the bath, they didn't want to wash off the paints.

Here now, my question to you. “Would you have your face painted in a shopping mall?” I guess not! I mean, what will the other shoppers think? What if someone you know sees you? Won't they think you've gone nuts?

What a silly notion to even suggest such an idea!

Are those your reactions? I assume they are. Last year at a conference I mentioned this story and as it turned out, two months later I bump into two ladies that had attended my talk. They came rushing up to me giggling, saying that they had taken my advice and actually had their faces painted. They just wanted to thank me, because that had been the best day of their lives. They laughed, joked and spoke to so many people – it was refreshing. In fact the same evening they visited a friend in hospital, and the medical staff didn't want them to leave, as they were cheering up everyone.

These two women had learnt a fantastic lesson. Let loose once in a while and discover your passion again. Don't be afraid of what others think. You are not hurting anyone, or doing any harm. You are merely having fun. We just don't play enough as adults.

On that note, let us talk about play. That's something we stopped doing as teenagers. Play as an adult is cuddling with your spouse and maybe tickling each other. But unfortunately that also doesn't last very long. Usually only the courting phase. (I suggest you read my book, 'The Art of Romance', if that's the case.)

However, we NEED to play as adults. A barbecue and getting sloshed doesn't count! Being silly and visiting a theme park is a start. But, in reality, the only adult play there is, is sex! That's the only time you get to fantasize, be creative and playful. So stop doing it under the sheets with the lights off! Learn to communicate and have fun. Many sex therapists say you should laugh during sex... after all, it's funny!

Bottom line, stop working nine to five, being stressed and moaning about life. Take time to 'play' and enjoy your life. That's the only way the passion is going to come back.

If you have fun and your children see you as a loving, touchy couple that still looks in each others eyes and laugh together, don't you think you are laying the foundation for your child to became a similar adult when they grow up?

By laying the correct foundations for your children now, you are ensuring that there will be a magical future world for our youth.

Finally, I want to share a few tips about finding love again. After all, what's the point of saying that we have to practice unconditional love and follow our heart in life when one doesn't know where to start searching for love.

Besides being honest with yourself and looking within, once again children can teach us many lessons about what love truly is. Their definitions are so simple, yet so to the point. Some should bring a tear to your heart and make you realize just how much love there is to give.

Here is what youngsters have to say when asked how they define love:

"Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way."

Isn't that so true! Think about the first time you met your partner... it was infatuation. Everything was beautiful. You only saw the positive. Hence that saying, 'Love is blind.' Similarly, the first day you got that new job. In the beginning it was a challenge and adventure all in one. Now that you are used to it, it has become a rut? Therefore, if you have lost that initial 'infatuation' feeling, think back of that time and how it felt - this can bring the love feeling back again.

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

Whatever you do in life, do you do it unselfishly? Do you carry on and try, even when it becomes difficult for you? When you love something, or someone purely, then this is exactly how you will behave.

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.”

Wow! This is so powerful. Think about your customers and clients. Do they feel comfortable and safe in their dealings with you? Do you radiate a confidence and passion for what you do that attracts them to your business? Do they spread the word about you by word of mouth? Do you find they enjoy spending time in your presence and buy from you rather than your company? If you can answer 'Yes' to these questions, only then can you confidently know that your passion is coming through to your customers.

“Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.”

I just had to throw this one in, it's cute. On a deeper level though, do you, and do your customers enjoy spending time with you? Do they feed off your knowledge and passion? Think about it!

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs," or "Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.”

This is exactly what true love and passion is about. Do you do what you do in life unconditionally without expecting anything back in return. There is the story of a builder who was close to retirement. His boss asked him to build one last house. As he was near retirement, he didn't really feel like the task and did a rush job, cutting corners, using sub-standard items. Eventually when he completed the house, his boss turned around and gave him a set of keys saying, "Here are the keys to your house, it is a retirement present for all the great work you gave us during your career."

Sad if you think about it, the builder ended up living in his own sub-standard house. No-one was to blame, but himself. If you are truly passionate, you will always give 100% every time!

“Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.”

How true is this? It doesn't matter what you do, there are always parts of your job which are not fun. Myself included. Examples are admin, VAT returns, etc. These are those tedious things we always try and put off. However, when you love what you do, these things become manageable, and because you are passionate about life and your career, it makes these things so much easier to cope with.

Believe it or not, you even manage to smile while doing the tax returns, because you know you had fun earning that money. Just imagine for one minute you hated your job and everything about it, and still have to do taxes? Which option would you go for?

On that note, I trust I have helped you light the fire within yourself so that your passion in what you do brings you the success you deserve in your life.

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Www.wolfgangriebe.com, passion, Discover your passion, passion and success, passion is success, E-Books

Your mind is the most powerful tool you possess, and with it you can create wonders with proper training. They say that the older you get, there are two things that go in life. First is your memory… second… I forgot! Only kidding!

Have you ever forgotten someone’s name, or an appointment in your diary?

Do you find yourself carrying your personal organizer with you wherever you go – so that you don’t forget anything?

Most people answer, “Yes” to the above. Yet it is so simple to train your mind not to forget.

Of course, they say that the quickest way to improve your memory, is to lend someone money!

Try the following, and follow my instructions exactly. Read the line below which contains some words. Read it through once only and do not look at it again. It is important that you do not cheat yourself by looking at the words once you have read them. Only then can you see the effectiveness of the system I am going to describe.

Flagpole; Twins; Tricycle; Car; Hand; Eggs; Heaven; Hour Glass; Cat; Bowling Ball.

Without referring back to the above, take a sheet of paper and write down all the words which you can remember… BUT, in the exact order in which they appeared, i.e. what was the 6th word, the 3rd word, etc.

Naturally in my workshops I used far bigger and more complex methods which cannot be described here in a short article. Hence I want to supply you with a simple taster of how easy it is to train your mind.

Back to the above exercise… remembering some of the words is not too difficult, but remembering them in the exact order is another story.

Firstly, you need to understand that human beings do not think in abstracts, or numbers, but in pictures. Think about your loved ones. How do you see them in your mind’s eye? As “x²y(a=b-1)” or do you actually visualize this person? Hence the most important lesson here is to realize that we all think in pictures.

To store information in your brain is the easiest thing on earth to do. The problem lies in the recall. With memory training I need to teach you how to create an effective filing system within your mind where you can store information in a logical order and also retrieve it immediately. In effect you need to create ‘Mind Files’ into which you place the necessary info.

Simply put, think of a computer. To find any info on a computer, one usually clicks on the “My Computer” folder, then on the “My Documents” folder. Inside this folder one usually finds all the work related folders on the hard disk. In other words, you follow a logical pattern to find certain information.

Imagine your mind to be the, “My Documents” folder. Inside it you are now going to create specific folders, into which you will store information. For the purposes of this article I am going to teach you a basic association method which will let you remember 10 bits of info.

You are now going to create 10 “Mind Files” in your mind, numbered from 1 to 10. Associated with each number is a picture word which you can visualize. To make the 10 words easy to remember – they logically associate with the corresponding number.

1 = Flag Pole (It is in the shape of the number 1)
2 = Twins (Duh – because there are 2 of them)
3 = Tricycle (3 Wheels?)
4 = Car (4 doors, 4 wheels, 4 wheel-drive)
5 = Hand (5 Fingers)
6 = Eggs (They are mostly packed in a half-dozen container)
7 = Heaven (Ever heard of the saying, “In 7th heaven?”)
8 = Hour Glass (It is in the shape of the figure 8 – a bigger version of an egg timer)
9 = Cat (Hello… 9 Lives! )
10 = Bowling Ball (Ever been Ten Pin Bowling?)

Now you want to kick yourself that you didn’t get all ten right earlier on! It was so easy. These ten words will now be your ten mind files. Visualize each one coupled with the number in your mind. It shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to memorize these, due to their logical associations with the numerical numbers.

As you read through the next ten examples, many of you may think this article to be a hoax, because of the crazy associations. Please bear with me and go through all ten, before you make a judgment and stop reading. I promise you it will all make sense and be worth your while later on.

Now let us look at a real life example. Imagine your daily “To Do” list. Firstly you need to buy a fax paper roll. As this is the 1st thing on your list, it goes into your mind file No. 1. The picture for this file is “Flag Pole”.

Now comes the fun part. You now have to take the item/event you have to do and associate it with the picture in the corresponding file, BUT in a ludicrous, mad, crazy impossible way which involves action and as many of your 5 senses as possible. Hence imagine you are pulling this huge flag pole out of the ground and bashing the fax roll with it. Crazy enough for you? The important thing is to imagine yourself in that situation and experience it to the fullest. Make it as mad as possible.

Secondly you need to “Make a Cup Of Coffee” to get that energy boost for the day. Place the “Making Coffee” scenario into file 2 which is, “Twins.” Again imagine a crazy scenario. You are pouring yourself the coffee from two identical kettles which look like baby twins, and as you pour it, they scream and shout! Yes, I know this sound silly, but the more absurd the better. Imagine this with all your senses – taste the coffee and hear the twins screaming!

Thirdly you need to make a phone call to Bob. File 3 is the, “Tricycle”. See yourself riding this tiny bicycle in peak hour traffic with your cell phone glued to your ear. Visualize yourself yelling loudly, “I can’t hear you over this traffic Bob!”

Fourthly you need to get some groceries from the supermarket. You need toilet paper which you now know, goes into File 4 which is the “Car”. Crazy association… the supermarket is closed and you see yourself driving through the glass entrance door, but with a toilet rolls as your 4 wheels. Or imagine yourself driving in your car down the aisle of the supermarket, stopping in front of the toilet rolls and filling the car with the entire stock, so that toilet rolls are falling out of the car everywhere. Get the idea?

You also need a new toothbrush. File 5 is the “Hand.” Pain is always a good emotion to add – it makes the association stick even more. Crazy association… peel your finger nails back and pull out toothbrushes from under them. Feel the pain!

You also need cigarettes. File 6 is “Eggs.” Crazy association… you are standing in the shop cracking open all the eggs and removing cigarettes from within. Or picture yourself buying a tray of 20 eggs, arriving home and every time you feel like a smoke, you break one open and out comes a cigarette.

You need to buy the newspaper to check the latest stock prices. File 7 is “Heaven”. Crazy association… you are crawling around the clouds in heaven cleaning the clouds with newspaper. See yourself tearing sheets off the newspaper and rolling them to clean the clouds. Alternatively, imagine yourself as an angelic newspaper vendor selling the Financial Times to a group of angels with their halos. They are all excitedly reading it and discussing stock prices

Your car needs a service and you must take it in. File 8 is the “Hour Glass.” Crazy association… see yourself jumping on top of your car roof, which is inside the top section of the hour glass. You are trying to push it through the narrow middle section so that it falls to the bottom where the service station is situated.

Next you need to arrange flowers as a ‘Thank You’ gift for your boss. Mind file 9 is a “Cat.” Crazy Association… your cat has a bunch of flowers in its mouth and is purring while rubbing up against your bosses leg. But instead of a purr sound, the cat is saying, “Thank You, Thank You.”
Lastly, you need to book a flight to London for a business trip. Mind file 10 is a “Bowling Ball.” Crazy association… see yourself rolling a plane (instead of a bowling ball) towards the pins which all like mini Big Ben’s.

At this point you are no doubt wondering what on earth is going on with all the crazy stories. Now comes the big revelation.

Think back to Mind File 1 – what is the file’s picture? A Flag Pole – what were you doing with it? See how vividly the fax rolls come to mind? How about Mind File 2 and the Twins? See that coffee coming out of the two twin shape coffee kettles. Think back to each mind file and you will see how the crazy stories just pop back into you mind and make it so easy to remember the list of 10 items you had to do.

One tip though – your associations must be as mad and crazy as you can imagine. The more outrageous, the better the chance of remembering the association. After trying this for 3 weeks it should be imbedded in your subconscious and you should be doing it without thinking. That’s all there is to it!

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Www.wolfgangriebe.com, Memory Training, Memory Retention, Memory techniques, Improve your Memory, Mind Skills

HOW TO BE AN ABUNDANT THINKER

The first step is to take a good honest look at your current and past attitudes, and assess whether your thinking has been based on abundance. If not, then you have to gauge how far away from abundant thinking you are. You should ask certain questions: Do you routinely bother evaluating how your life is faring? If so, do you accomplish what you set out to do? If you have mixed results, do you know what is working and what isn’t? Which areas need to be improved? Where does your attitude need adjusting to create a better life for yourself?

Once you know these things, the real question is whether you are prepared to do anything about it. This will make the difference between abundant thinking and scarcity thinking.

One thing to be aware of is how you talk to yourself. This can reveal a lot about how healthy your thinking really is. How many times do you use “could have”, “would have”, and “should have”? Although you may think that these are useful correctional phrases that mean you have understood your mistakes, they are nothing to do with abundant thinking. They are dealing with the past, and giving power to the things you feel you failed at. They are self-critical and full of regret. They remind you of the lack in your life; the chances you should have, would have, or could have taken. They are linked to feelings of expectation, and this is the enemy of abundant thinking. All these should be replaced with a simple “I want”. That brings our desire into the present moment, and that is the only way our brains register that an action needs to be performed now.

People who think in these negative ways make themselves victims, and this is self-perpetuating, especially when other people or outside circumstances are blamed for the hurt. Whenever you blame, you remove your responsibility to improve the situation. You are saying that there is nothing to be done to make things better because it is out of your control. You have denied the abundance in your life.

Here are some ways in which you can become an abundant thinker:

1. Identify your biggest bar to abundant thinking. Analyze why you have not embraced the concept before. Have years of negative conditioning made it difficult, or did you just not know about it?

2. Decide now that you will start to think abundant thoughts.

3. Count your blessings right now, and start being grateful for all the good things you have in your life.

4. Stop thinking of what you believe you don’t have; you are concentrating on an empty space. Instead, begin to focus on creating the circumstances that will cause abundance to fill your empty spaces. Develop your interests, knowledge, and skills in areas that will help you achieve more.

5. Exchange “could’ve”, “should’ve” and “would’ve” for “I want”.

6. Don’t feel guilty for wanting. It is your personal choice to strive for happiness for yourself and others.

7. You can want, but don’t create specific expectations for yourself.

8. Create zero expectations of what you will receive. Do not automatically assume that you will receive! Just know that anything is possible while inviting abundance into your life.

9. Be mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario. Think positively about receiving what you want, but do not take it as read. If you meet your goals, it will add to the happiness you already enjoy; if not, it doesn’t matter because you are happy with what you already have.

10. Stop thinking the world owes you a living and that you deserve to receive what you want. Everything you receive in life is a gift. The world doesn’t owe you anything, but its abundance is capable of giving you anything.

11. Stop feeling cheated, and like a victim. Take control and take responsibility for your own happiness.

12. Know that your past does not equal your future, and your current unfavorable situation does not have to last if you choose to make it better. You are not your condition.

13. Accept that you will make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up when you do; regard that mistake as a moment on your learning curve that will help take you to new heights. Learn from it and move on. Don’t dwell. Some of our hardest knocks teach us our most important lessons in life.

14. Think of a physical reminder that will help you keep your thoughts on track. Every time you feel you are drifting back to thoughts of scarcity, perform your little physical action to realign yourself with abundance. You could click your fingers, snap a rubber band on your wrist, or simply join your thumb to your forefinger as people do in meditation.

15. Develop a mantra that you repeat every morning and evening out loud, and in your head whenever you need a boost. You could try: “Abundance is mine right now and always.” Remember that whatever you say, keep it in the present tense. Saying that “Abundance will be mine” causes the brain to keep abundance in the future.
As a starter exercise, think of one situation in your life that you believe should have turned out better because your expectations were so formulated. Try and find a way to see the positives in it, how you may have learned from your “failure” to meet your expectations, and then let go of those expectations. Rephrase your expectations into a request for abundance. This is one piece of deficit thinking that is now abundant thinking.

HOW TO BE A WEALTHY PARENT

Having a wealthy-parent mindset is about focusing on the financial aspects of abundant thinking, rather than just the psychological. This involves analyzing how you view certain pertinent financial questions, and swapping a scarcity or deficit thought for an abundant thought.

1. “I can’t afford” becomes “how can I afford?” when abundant thinking is applied. This is because saying you can’t do something closes down possibilities and tells the universe that this option no longer exists for you.

2. “My kids make me poor” becomes “I want to be rich for my kids” with abundant thinking. This is not focusing on the expense of having children, but on the duty to create a more secure life for them.

3. "I don’t care about money" becomes "money is power" when abundant thinking is applied. The idea that money is somehow “dirty” is exchanged for the acceptance that money allows a person to have more choices in life.

4. "Don't take financial risks" becomes "take calculated risks” with abundant thinking. This is about trying to put your money to work whilst mitigating the risks involved.

5. "Pay myself last" becomes "pay myself first" with abundant thinking. This ensures that there is finance available for investments so further returns can be possible

6. “The state will provide for me” becomes “I take responsibility for myself” when abundant thinking is applied. This counters entitlement thinking by teaching financial self-reliance.

7. “Academic literacy is important” becomes “academic literacy and financial literacy are important” with abundant thinking. This provides a firm grounding for the real world.

8. "I work for my money" becomes "my money works for me" with abundant thinking. This is about removing yourself from the “rat race” and accepting that you are responsible for your own destiny.

9. “Making money is important” becomes “managing money is important” with abundant thinking. This concerns the ability to establish financial education that lasts a lifetime.

10. "My house is an asset" becomes "my house is a liability" when abundant thinking is applied. Although this may seem the wrong way around, this argues that anything that drains your finances is a liability, as a mortgage does.

THE ALTERNATIVES TO ABUNDANT THINKING

DEFICIT MOTIVATION/ENTITLEMENT THINKING

Deficit motivation is the opposite of abundance motivation. It is also known as entitlement thinking. This is how victims are made.

Entitlement thinking has already been discussed to a certain extent. It is that awful feeling that says you have been cheated out of your just desserts, your rightful inheritance. It is how people think when they set specific expectations for themselves that are based on their belief that they deserve more. Entitlement thinking can create the narrow miss that causes a little grimace, or a headlong plunge into an empty chasm. The latter happens when delusion is largely responsible for a person’s expectations. Think the tone-deaf crowd in the first round of “American Idol”.

This sort of thinking takes many forms. It may make you think you deserve more money, a better job, more praise, a more attractive body, better opportunities, skills, friends, partners etc. It covers the whole gamut of disillusionments that can cause our lives to be so miserable, and our emotions to be so fraught and charged with anger and resentment.

These emotions are caused by the belief that you have received less than you expected or less than you deserve. It is setting too-high minimum expectations. This is down to often arbitrary personal assessments that have no basis in reality, and that have been bolstered over the years by well-meaning but ill-advised encouragement from others. Think the relatives of the tone-deaf crowd in the first round of “American Idol”. On the other hand, entitlement thinking may be based on a sound assessment of a person’s skills and abilities, which makes missing the mark even more annoying. Either way, however, the stumbling block is the same: expectations. These are what cause the unhappiness.

Recognizing entitlement thinking is easy. It is feeling that we are in a hole and trying to climb out. It is the sense that we are constantly struggling to keep our head above water. Although these situations may be true now, they should not become who you are. A better way to think of things is to realize it could be a lot worse: the hole could be your grave that you never get out of; and at least your head is above water and you’re not drowning. With these new interpretations, it instantly becomes apparent that you have a lot to be grateful for.

Deficit motivation can cause serious harm to an individual. It can make them aggressive and negative to be around, even with those people closest to them; or especially so. It can provoke a reckless attitude to life, where dangerous and un-calculated risks are taken. Or it can cause a person to feel so sorry for themselves that they withdraw and give up, which can lead to depression or worse.

The really sad part of deficit motivation is that it can cause people to miss some truly outstanding opportunities because they do not completely conform to the individual’s preconceived ideas of how their main chance will appear to them. By the time they realize that they may have misconstrued the situation, their window has passed.

To defeat entitlement thinking, we must ask ourselves exactly why we believe we are entitled to anything at all. Mostly, it is because we have been born into a society that promotes the idea that anything is possible. This is the selling of The American Dream. Yes, almost anything is possible with abundant thinking, but we have been not been schooled in the workings of abundant thinking, we have been taught that we are entitled, and this has created expectations.

You have to separate the ideal of entitlement from the reality of what you can honestly expect. We all believe we have the right to life, the basic entitlement to live our lives peacefully, but try telling that to the have-not who intends to join the haves by using a gun on you. Nothing can be taken for granted, and once we realize this we can truly begin to be grateful for what we do have, because we will understand that it is all a gift.

Over the centuries, and recent years especially, our notion of what we are entitled to has changed beyond all recognition. Perhaps we feel we are entitled to foreign holidays twice a year, but that’s only thanks to the Wright brothers a hundred years ago. Before that, trips abroad were far more arduous and expensive affairs. Luxuries have become necessities, and our values have been screwed up. We no longer look at the simple things in life that used to make people grateful, we notice instead all the things we are lacking. We are teaching ourselves to be unhappy, and to feel that we are victims of some awful fraud.

Deficit thinking can even create paranoid thinking; that we are being “robbed” of what we deserve. We can start to view other people negatively and with deep suspicion. Anyone we perceive as having the things we want becomes the enemy. We cease looking inwardly for answers and instead focus on who is to blame for our deficit.

SCARCITY THINKING

Scarcity thinking is the opposite of abundance thinking. This happens when people focus on what they do not have in their lives. They take what they have entirely for granted, show no gratitude, and choose instead to focus all their energies on being resentful at the “gaps” in their lives.

People who live by thoughts of scarcity are creating the very circumstances that will cause further scarcity, because they are convinced that there is a shortage of the things they want in life. They do not embrace the concept of abundance, and thus do not invite it into their lives through a positive attitude.

Scarcity thinking can also produce more far-reaching negative repercussions. It can cause people to take things they don’t need, or too much of what they do need, or can make them hoard which stops them giving. Those who think abundantly, on the other hand, are happy to take only what they need, because they know that there is a limitless supply should they want any more.

CONCLUSION

The concept of abundant thinking can be puzzling if you do not understand the message that lies at its heart.

To summarize, abundant thinking is about being grateful for what you do have rather than focusing on what you lack. It involves having no hard and fast expectation of what you will receive based on some egotistical notion of what you deserve out of life. It says: be happy with what you have because it is all effectively on loan to you whilst you are here, and if you want more then take the appropriate actions to achieve more, but remain happy in the knowledge that it may not happen as you expect.

All this serves to produce the correct frame of mind to ultimately accept the gifts that the universe has waiting for you in abundance. This is where some people may struggle, because this asks that you make a leap of faith and believe that there really is an abundance out there. The only way to get round this is to realize that the alternative view is that there isn’t an abundance, and that you will have to live your life in scarcity. The choice about what to believe should then be clear.

Think of it this way: It’s your birthday. It’s not written in stone that you are entitled to gifts, so whatever you receive is a bonus and you should be grateful. However, you are more likely to receive better gifts the nicer you are, and nice people tend to have positive attitudes. A negative attitude means you are not so much fun to be around, thus fewer people will show up at your party and they will likely hand you their unwanted gifts from the previous Christmas, or come empty-handed and just drain your booze cabinet.

Which would you prefer?

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, www.wolfgangriebe.com, Abundant Thinking

INTRODUCTION

Abundant thinking is a form of positive thinking. It is about creating a mindset of positive values that allow you to perceive your life as one of abundance, not one of deficit. It teaches you to flip your mental attitude coin from negative to positive and appreciate how much you have in your life to be grateful for.

However, it does not suggest that our gratitude should cause us to stop striving for more and just accept our lot in life; rather it teaches quite the opposite: that by acknowledging how abundant our lives are already, our minds will embrace the concept that the good things in life are potentially unlimited.

Abundant means to be richly supplied; to be over-supplied. This means that we should have no fear of asking for more because we can be confident in its delivery. Abundance is a store that never runs out of its goods.

Abundant thinking is not just concerned with money, although there is a strong financial aspect that can be applied; it is a life philosophy. Where money is the issue, it is viewed as a tool that allows a better quality of life to be achieved – not just the material aspects, but most crucially the freedom to spend time doing the things that matter with the people that matter.

Similarly, being a wealthy parent, may not relate to money at all. It can even negate the willful drive for extra finances, especially where that works against the more important aspects of life, such as love and family. We all know of rich, unhappy people. We read about them every day in the newspapers and see them on the television; people who have a clear abundance of finances but who are bereft emotionally.

Abundant thinking is all about changing how you view your personal circumstances so that you can change how you view the world at large. It is realizing that you have been the cause of your sadness and struggle in life through your focus on what you don’t have, rather than on what you do have.

THE LAW OF ABUNDANCE

The Law of Abundance is one of the Universal Laws. These are also referred to as Spiritual Laws or Laws of Nature. Universal Laws are those immutable principles that rule our world and our universe, governing how the entire cosmos continues to exist and thrive.

Whilst the very notion that these laws exist may prove too esoteric for some people, there is a sound basis in science for several of them. For example, the Law of Cause & Effect states that any action produces a result in exact proportion to the action which initiated it. This idea goes back to Biblical times. It says in Galatians: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Some people think of this in terms of Karma. Others will use the phrase: “Goes around, comes around.” It all amounts to the same thing.

Universal Laws work whether we believe in them or not. Those who do not believe in them choose by default to believe that life is a random series of events that they have little or no control over, and that there is no purpose or underlying reason why things happen as they do.

The Law of Abundance states that the universe is continually and effortlessly producing, creating unlimited resources for us to take advantage of. You only have to look at Nature to know this is true.

Breaking any law is apt to cause problems. That is true of man-made laws and those handed down by the universe. Equally, misinterpreting laws can cause trouble. You may fully believe that there is abundance out there, as evidence by those individuals who appear to “have it all”, but you may be seeking similar abundance in the wrong ways. If your motivation for achieving more is to focus on what you do not have, you are not thinking in tune with the Law of Abundance. Abundant thinking is not about working more hours to accumulate more belongings, or becoming miserly with your money because you want your bank accounts to appear more abundant. These attitudes work in direct opposition to the Law of Abundance. These are reactions based on fear and panic, and Universal Laws always work in peace and balance.

WHAT IS ABUNDANT THINKING?

Abundant thinking requires that you appreciate what you have in life, rather than bemoaning the things you lack. It further asks that you focus on what is possible, and that you reach for what you want in life. If this latter point sounds like something you are already doing and it is not producing the goods, it is because you have not established the former mindset – the one that makes you always appreciative. In contrast, scarcity thinking focuses on what you don’t have, what you want more of, what you might lose, and what has gone wrong in your life.

People who think abundant thoughts are happier than those who don’t. It stands to reason. Abundant thinking is positive thinking. That does not mean they are unaware of the areas where their lives might need improvement, they are simply able to approach those areas with a positive frame of mind, confident that they will have no difficulty bringing about the necessary changes. This is because they choose to believe that there is an abundance of whatever they need just waiting for them.

Our thoughts dictate our lives. Our thoughts can attract good things into our lives, or repel them. This is another Universal Law – the Law of Attraction. One of the common sayings in positive thinking methodology is: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive of, and believe in, it can achieve.”

That is not to say you simply have to sit at home thinking good thoughts. That is obviously not enough. You will still have to take actions to back up those thoughts, but those actions will work infinitely better when they are backed by positive thinking, and abundant thinking.

The Law of Cause & Effect deals with this as well. The fewer or smaller things you cause to happen, the less effect they will have. If you want another quote from the Bible, it says in James: “Faith without works is dead.

If this all seems a little otherworldly, here’s an example of how this might happen: Let’s say you are looking for work, but your attitude is that there are very few suitable jobs, and you’ll never find one for yourself. In other words, your attitude stinks. You are thinking negatively. This may mean you take no action to find a job.

You don’t compile a CV, you don’t send email enquiries, and you don’t go knocking on doors. And if by chance you did bump into the very person who could give you your dream job, they would not offer it to you because you would not be viewed as the positive individual they would want on board. A negative attitude can therefore be self-perpetuating, as it consistently produces negative results that further reinforce your negative attitude.

Abundant thinking opens up possibilities and opportunities that we could easily have missed by harboring negative thoughts and thoughts of scarcity. It causes you to take positive actions because you firmly believe and expect that they will produce the desired results. You take as your proof for this the fact that you are already more than blessed by the abundant gifts in your life to date. Abundant thinking is about focusing on what you have right now, and using that to build a brighter future. It does not let you dwell in the past, regretting mistakes and ventures that did not work out exactly as planned.

People who think abundantly do not suffer guilt for their desire to attain more. This is for two reasons: they are already grateful for what they have, and they do not feel that asking for more will deprive anyone else. Abundance means there is plenty to go around for everyone.

ABUNDANCE MOTIVATION

A key part of abundant thinking is abundance motivation, sometimes called appreciative-assertive thinking. This is the belief that we have more than the minimum necessary to get by. It says we have more than we need, and more than we could have ever expected. It requires that you dispel any assumptions about what you will receive in life, be that from God, nature, society, parents, peers, friends, or loved ones.

Again, this does not suggest we have to stop wanting more. It is simply about establishing the correct mindset. Knowing we have more than we need makes us feel happy and grateful. We appreciate what we have, and that means whatever else we get is a bonus. Thinking you deserve more, you are owed more, or expecting more, just leads to resentment when it doesn’t show up. You have to remember how you came into the world – with nothing – and how you will end up leaving it – with nothing.

Creating a healthy attitude towards your existing abundance relies on focusing on what your minimum requirements truly are. If you have your health, enough food to eat, and a roof over your head, then you have sufficient to survive and lots to be grateful for. If you also have love in your life, you should be ecstatic.

Having any or all of these things, even at their minimum levels, still puts you far ahead of many millions of people in less developed countries who struggle every day for the basic necessities of life. Ironically, many of these people will lead happier lives than those of us who have plenty. It is all about expectations. The world does not owe you a living. It doesn’t owe you anything. But neither will it deny you anything if you honestly believe its abundance is just waiting for you.

The key is to be realistic, and not be influenced by our modern consumerist society. Commercials will try to convince you that you need certain items to be happy. You must have the latest designer accessories, the best gadgets, a bigger house, a luxury car. You believe these messages at your peril. You do not need these things, but it is certainly okay to want them.

This is because need is defined by a feeling of lacking something. Straight away, that means you are focusing on what you do not have. Think about the way different children around the world respond to receiving gifts. The key is not how much they actually receive, but how much they expect to receive. The toys you may throw in the trash would make some other child whoop with delight.

Abundant thinking may appear to be a strange and contradictory concept. It says you should be grateful for what you have, but it is okay to want more. It says you should be aware of your minimum requirements, but place no maximum limit on what you can achieve because the world can always keep on giving you more.

It is okay to feel confused about this. Abundant thinking asks that you give up the bad habits of a lifetime, and those can be heavy shackles to throw off. You are not even being asked to do anything difficult instead, and this can be part of the problem. Anyone who has spent years struggling may find it crazy to be told they can more quickly achieve their goals by doing nothing more than altering the way they think.

At the very least, abundant thinking can help set your priorities straight. You may not want much more in life that you already have, but you also may not be genuinely enthralled by all that you do have. Abundant thinking asks that you take stock and realize how fortunate you really are. It can also help develop a healthier and more realistic attitude to those times in life when plans do not work out, and upsets occur. With abundant thinking, we are forced to ask the question: “Who said I deserved any better?”

What we have to remember is that abundant thinking does not guarantee anything. If we start believing that abundant thinking will definitely bring us wealth and riches, or anything else that we strive for, we have arrived back at expectations again. All you have to do is accept the good things in your life, be grateful for them, and know that if you do want more there is an abundance out there waiting to be tapped, and it is your positive attitude that will far more readily allow you to tap it.

ABUNDANT THINKING IN PRACTICE

Abundant thinking can be used to good effect in every part of your life. It allows you to be grateful for the good health that you enjoy, and to know that if your health is suffering, it could always be worse. We can also take the opportunity to be grateful for the good health we have enjoyed in the past, and for the good health that still exists in those people we care about. It is all about perspective; seeing the positives rather than the negatives.

So how can this be applied to an unsatisfactory financial situation? What about if you sign a deal with someone and that person then reneges and leaves you out of pocket? The normal way to behave is from a perspective of loss. This is perfectly understandable because loss is involved. However, this does not take into account the imperfect world we live in. We all know that people can take advantage and that there are some who are out to rip you off.

Having an abundant thinking habit ensures that you handle this situation with the minimum detriment to yourself. It means your intent is always to maintain an abundance of happiness in your life, which will serve to counter any negative feelings, none of which are helpful. The actions you will need to take to rectify the situation can be taken whatever your mood. Your negative feelings, harbored towards the other person, do not affect the other person. The only person they screw up is you, taking away from your feelings of abundance.

Abundant thinking creates a mindset that allows a better perspective on the situation. You will ask yourself: “Has this person stolen my happiness, or am I doing that to myself through my reaction?” And if the worst-case happens and you are seriously affected by what has happened, your belief in the abundance available to you will be your reassurance that the loss will be replenished soon, and then some. This provides a speedier recovery from its ill-effects. Abundant thinking allows the person to quickly accept life’s difficulties and move beyond them to better times.

In a business environment, abundant thinking focuses on the organization's strengths and what is possible, not on what may have gone wrong. This is crucial in hard times, like those we are experiencing at the moment. Many businesses have experienced huge losses and difficulties, and the temptation is thus to concentrate on what was and what might have been. This type of thinking is based on fear of scarcity. Leaders who take this attitude in business can instill negativity in their workforce and therefore exacerbate the problems that already exist.

Go to Part 2

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, www.wolfgangriebe.com, Abundant Thinking

35 TIPS ON SAVING MONEY

This blog can be downloaded as a FREE E-BOOK from Smashwords in most reader formats, iTunes, Reader Store and Barnes & Noble.

This information in this post is based on research, life experience and personal opinion. No liability can be accepted for any advice acted upon. Please use common sense before acting on any of the information shared in this ebook.

Firstly, not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. The media would like you to believe that there are thousands of wealthy people out there and that everyone should be able to afford the nice things in life. If only this were so!

The reality is that the major majority of the world can just make ends meet, yet the media focuses on the wealthy. This causes many people to attempt to live above their means and results in huge problems, including unhappiness, stress, depression, etc.

If you consider the above from a deeper spiritual perspective, what does happiness really mean? Is it the amount of money you have, or is it the inner contentment you possess and the memories you have created?

In today's world the reality is that you need money. However, there is a difference between things you need to have, and things that would be nice to have. As human beings, we need a roof over our heads, food, health and a good social environment. In reality we don’t need much more! Look at all the technological gadgets that are shoved down our throats every day by the media and big corporations. Do we really need them, or do they mostly make us introverts and stop social interactions between people under 4 eyes?

One day when you retire, what are the memories you will have? That new car or computer you bought, or the first steps your child took? Think about it?

However, one needs to be objectively practical about the matter as well and realize that money does play an important part in our lives. Yet if one looks at the use of money in pure objective terms and does not fall prey to the clever marketing out there, you can survive with a lot less, and still be happy.

Here are now a few simple tips which I trust will help you make ends meets and reduce your financial stresses in life.

The Mercedes Model - the 'Ideal' financial model

In my opinion the ideal financial model is the Mercedes Star. (The star on the front of every Mercedes) Why? It is divided into 3 sections and this is how you should run your finances.

One third for expenses
One third for saving and investments
One third for enjoyment

It is a simplistic model, yet very few people follow it. If you can apply this, you should never have money problems. Make it your aim to follow this model.

It seems funny that all people who hate the rich, are the same ones who buy lottery tickets!

1.) No sale item will save you money!

I am in awe of people that come to me saying they saved a fortune by buying an item on sale! If you spend money, even it it is 10c, you spent it - it's gone! How could you have saved anything? To not spend the money and put it in the bank or an investment - that's saving money. Stop falling for all the sales talk!

On the other hand, if there is an item you need and it is advertised on a sale - make sure that it is in fact a sale price and the best offer at the time. Don't just believe what you read in the newspaper.

2.) Follow your finances

For most people balancing the books means going to the auto-bank machine and pushing the 'Balance Inquiry' button. No wonder they are in trouble. Keep record of all your transactions and know where you stand financially. Then you know when you must hold back, or have a bit of extra cash to spend.

3.) Spend less
This is by far the easiest and most practical tip - yet the most difficult to do. Nothing more to it - spend less money. The tips below should give you some ideas on how to do this.

YOUR HOME

4.) Get rid of your mortgage
For most people, their house is the most biggest debt they will have. Couple this with maintenance, rates and other costs - it eats up the bulk of your expenses. If you can, try and pay off extra on your mortgage payment every month, even if it’s only 50 or 100 bucks. This can reduce many years off your 25 year term and save you thousands in interest.

4.) Clean up those credit cards
Personally I have one credit card for emergencies only. I prefer a Charge Card like American Express or Diners. Why? You have to pay the whole amount end of the month. This means that I don't build up debt and get myself into trouble. If you have major credit card debt - the interest is higher than on anything else! Make it your main priority to pay it off asap. This is costing you a fortune otherwise.

Simple advice - only use your credit card for convenience - in other words, instead of carrying cash on you, use the card, but only buy for the amount you can afford and have in the bank. This means that when the bill arrives - you have the cash to pay it all immediately! Also remember to keep the slips and keep an exact tab on what you have spent. At the end of the month most banks send you a bill, but it usually only reflects up to the 24th of the month. That's not the real amount you owe! There are a few last days missing. By keeping tab of your bill you know what you owe - pay that full amount according to your records! Otherwise you will be in for extra interest charges!

Also, if you have extra cash - put it in your credit card account - you receive a better interest rate!

5.) Watch your water
Water is becoming more scarce on this planet and costs are going up.

Save bath and shower water in a tank to water the grass.
Catch rain water in tanks.
Don't let the tap run while brushing your teeth - that's wasted water.
Do the dishes by hand if it's only 2 glasses. The dishwasher uses a full load worth of water.
Water the garden at night (set your sprinkler for early morning or evening) durning the day it evaporates more quickly and much water is wasted.

6.) Watch your phone bills
Stop gossiping on the phone! Why phone your neighbor and chat for an hour if you can walk across and also enjoy a cup of tea? Today companies offer inclusive packages with cable, internet and national calls included. Look for the most cost effective package. You will be amazed at how you can reduce your phone bill. Mobile phones are expensive. Careful of these cleverly worded contracts - they cost you money. Rather use a 'pay as you go' option. It makes you more aware of the costs and you tend to waffle less on the phone.

7.) Lights
Buy the new LED lights - they use way less electricity, last longer and will save you in the long run.

8.) Geyser/Hot Water Cylinder
If you go on holiday, turn it off. Ideally get a timer installed, as it doesn't have to be on 24/7. You could save up to 30% on your electrical bill. A solar geyser will pay for itself within a few years.

9.) Cut food costs
Supermarkets use every tactic possible to get you to spend more money. If you impulse buy, you will spend more. Plan the meals for the week and make a shopping list so that you only buy what you need. You will be amazed at how this cuts down your food bill. Why do you think that there are sweets, magazines and 'special' goodies at the tills? It’s so you impulse buy. Be aware of this!

Stop the ready microwave meals. Beside being full of preservatives and not really that healthy - they are expensive. For half the price you can make your own meals. Rather buy the ingredients fresh and learn to become creative in the kitchen.

10.) Sell your junk!
If you haven't used it in the last 6 months, odds are you won't use it again. People buy stuff they don't need, and then buy a bigger house to store all the stuff they don't need! Huh? Whether on eBay or the local Pawnbroker, clear out the house and get rid of all that old stuff. You will be amazed at how much money it brings in.

Have you noticed how bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques... or is it just me?

11.) Buy used

Yes, we all want new items and buying used may be beneath you. Really? Have you ever had a good look at the many quality used items for sale? Many as good as new for half the price. If you really want to save money - you need to look at all options.

12.) DIY
Do it Yourself. There are so many videos on You Tube, DVD, etc. that teach you everything you need to know about home maintenance. Enhance your own skills and learn from these. Instead of forking out a fortune for someone to build a cupboard, or fix the toilet - it's something you can learn to do yourself and save big bucks.

If you feel you have no talent for this - find something you are good at and offer this as a trade off to a friend who needs what you have, and get him to do the practical stuff for you.

Also share with your neighbors. Why buy a ladder if your neighbor has one. In the same vein lend them stuff which they don't have. Building good relationships with your neighbors is something society is losing today. Stop competing, rather work together - it saves money too!

13.) STOP trying to keep up with the Joneses
What is it with society today that everyone must have what their neighbor has? This leads to extra stress, debt and basic unhappiness. Learn to be happy with what you have and who you are. Yes, maybe your neighbors do have a new car, but maybe they also have 10 times the debt that you have!

14.) Size isn't everything

A large house costs money. How many rooms do you really need in a home? A friend of mine once said to me, "You can only live in one room at a time." Very true! The older you get the more you realize that a smaller lock up and go home is way more convenient and practical than a large mansion. Plus maintenance costs, rates, water, security and electricity are far less. Hence the sudden surge in popularity of the security estates with smaller homes.

If you house is costing you a fortune, re-asses whether it isn't just too big, and maybe consider scaling down.

Money will not buy you happiness, but it will let you be unhappy in nice places!

CARS

15.) Do you really need the latest model?

Do you really need the latest model with the biggest engine? We all know that as you drive a car off the showroom floor it has already lost a big chunk of value. Rather buy a used car from a reputable dealer at a fraction of the cost. The latest top end luxury car may cost you 50K, but a 6 year old one, also with a full house and all the gadgets may only cost you 6K. Again, who are you trying to impress. Don't forget the higher insurance costs on a newer vehicle either... this all adds up. If you must have a new car, consider that the latest Korean car with all the bells and whistles, and higher safety ratings, is about a third cheaper than the latest classic big brand luxury vehicle.

16.) Re-assess your Insurance

Yes, you may have been with the same insurance company for years. However, there are constantly new and better offerings available on a daily basis. How much are you really paying for your short term insurance? Shop around, you will be amazed at how much you can save with other reputable companies too!

17.) Highway Service Stations
They are called 'Convenience Service Stations' for a reason! They are convenient and therefore more expensive. Shop at your local supermarket instead. Over a period of a year this is quite a saving.

18.) Take the bus or train
Yes, ticket prices may have gone up... but if you add insurance costs, maintenance, tires, fuel and unexpected costs of owning a vehicle, you will see that public transport is way cheaper, and also less stressful.

My last credit card bill was so big that before I opened it, I heard a drum roll!

Americans are getting stronger in the new millennium. 20 years ago it took 2 people to carry $20 worth of groceries.
Today a 5 year old can do it!

I'm not crazy about money... but it does quieten my nerves.

SHOPPING

19.) Stop the designer label craze!

We live in a materialistic society where everyone is conditioned to buy certain brands through clever marketing and advertising. Hello, is a designer label really going to make you better than the next person? From clothes to cars - stop being brand conscious. Look at alternative brands - you will be amazed at the savings in cost - and guess what - they last just as long!

20.) Learn to say, "No".

If your child wants something in the store that they don't need, be strong and say, “No.” When you sit in the pub with your mates and they tease you for wanting to leave early - don't stay. A drink after work easily turns into an expensive night out if you cannot say, "No".

21.) Shop for value
Just because a new store is the 'in thing' at present, does not mean that you will get the best value for money. Don't shop 'to be seen', rather shop for 'value for money.' The same applies to restaurants.

22.) Impulse Shopping
We have been conditioned to shop! Buying stuff makes you happy! Huh! Anyone that says the media isn't powerful has no idea what they are talking about! We all like to buy things when we are down. STOP! If you don't need it, don't buy it. Be honest with yourself - how many of the things in your home do you really need? Think about it. Just cutting down on impulse and emotional buying can save you lots of money. If you are in doubt, use the '4 day rule'. Wait 4 days and do price comparisons, odds are after 4 days you may not want the item anymore.

23.) Be careful of Loyalty cards
It's another clever gimmick to make you buy. If you don't believe me, work out the real cost of the 'so-called' free item… it’s usually much more expensive. Airline loyalty cards are a prime example! In general you need 10 - 12 flights to collect enough miles for a free flight. Go on any airline website and you will see two prices for tickets, one with miles and one without. The cheapest flights are half the price of those with miles! In the end it costs you 10 times the price for that free flight... excluding airport taxes! The same applies to the 'Cash back' credit cards. You are paying for those benefits - there is no such thing as a free lunch!

24.) Travel & Holiday

If you need to book a flight or a holiday - do it early. The earlier you do it, the cheaper it is.

Also, do your bookings direct. Any company or agency that offers any holiday package has to make money from it. If you don't believe me, get a quote on a package, and then research the same thing on your own on the Internet.

25.) Use the Internet, or even the library
You can find anything on the Internet today. And if you don't have a computer, go research the stuff in a Library. Yes, they still exist! Instead of going out to buy a book on a certain subject, go read it up it the library. Odds are that they have the same book... and it costs you nothing!

WORK

26.) Share cars

We all complain about the traffic! Look around you when you sit in the next traffic jam… everyone is on their own in their cars! Imagine if everyone just shared the route with one other person. There would be 50% less cars on the road, less pollution, etc. If you started a lift club - you would save a fortune on fuel and maintenance costs every month. Add that up over a year! Also, don't drive when you can walk. It's healthier too!

27.) Take your own lunch
Those ready-made meals and sandwiches you impulse buy every day, cost a premium. Make your own lunch at home - it can save you a substantial amount of money over a year.

28.) Use your lunch hour!
An hour a day equals 7 hours per week. Do you waste your lunch time to do stuff you would normally do in your spare time? Use this hour to study, research, sell stuff on eBay, etc.

29.) Use work processes at home
At work, as part of the company strategy, you have a budget plan on a spreadsheet. You have a sales goal. In fact you have a 5 year business plan. Do you have one at home and for your personal life? Use the concepts from work and implement these in your own life. Your company has a budget for costs. Do you? It creates a path of action and a plan for your life that can also save you money!

HEALTH

30.) Medicines

If you have to buy antibiotics or medicines from a pharmacy, buy generic medicines - they are as good and MUCH cheaper than the big name brands. Ideally go the herbal, Chinese or alternative route in medicine. It is not so invasive, doesn't usually have side effects and is surprisingly inexpensive in comparison to the mainstream medicines.

31.) Eat Healthy and watch what you eat
Prevention is better than cure! Look after your body and eat the right foods. Become aware of all the bad preservatives that affect your health and focus on your work life balance to reduce stress. Thus hopefully saving you huge unnecessary medical costs in the future.

32.) Memberships, policies, etc.
Many monthly fixed payments cost you extra. Find out if you can pay annually in advance, often you get one month free and only pay for 11 months. A few payment plans like this, and suddenly you have saved yourself a nice lump sum of money!

Isn't it amazing how fast later comes when you buy now?

I have never had money problems. Lack of money problems... yes!

I have enough money to retire on, provided I die by next week Friday!

I have what no millionaire has... no money!

Money doesn't buy you happiness, but it does give you more time to dwell on your misery!

If you think about it ... money isn't that important. After all is a man with $35 million really happier
than a man with $25 million?

Where there is a will, I want to be in it!

GENERAL

33.) Take up a Hobby

How much do you spend on cigarettes, in the pub or playing the lotto every week? Put that money into a hobby. It will give you time to relax, and may even be a hobby that makes money for you on the side… especially if you can teach others what you do, such as guitar lessons, or similar. I know people who have made a career out of their hobbies. They started with something small and identified a need in the industry, and off they went. I knew a couple that enjoyed gardening. On retiring they started supplying plants and advice to everyone in the neighborhood. Within a year they had a booming nursery businesses and regretted not doing it earlier in life.

34.) Shop Online
The Internet has many positive aspects to it - one is that you can shop online and compare prices, thus saving you money too. Use the Internet if you have it - you will be amazed at some of the savings you can find.

35.) Save money
If anything, your main plan must be to put money aside regularly. Haul out that old piggy bank, put a minimum amount away in it every week! You will be surprised at how quickly it adds up.

IN SUMMARY

I don't think there are any actual new tips here, but I do know that most people don't practice half of the suggestions I have shared with you. Just implementing a handful of these in your life, is fairly easy to do and can save you quite a bit of money... so what have you got to lose? Nothing!

But you have a lot to gain!

I have been saving for a rainy day. I am happy to say that in two more years I can buy an umbrella.

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, www.wolfgangriebe.com, Save money, Free E-Books, Live Frugally, money saving tips

A FURTHER 100 QUOTATIONS TO MAKE YOU THINK 'OUT OF THE BOX!'

Wow, I never once imagined there would be such a demand for life quotations! This is the third in a series of E-Books containing 100 quotations by unknown authors. These have been collected over many months as I add a new quotation daily on my Facebook page. My goal now is to eventually have 500 and bring out one mega book of quotations. If you haven't got the first two E-Books, make sure make sure to view them here on my blog, or download them for free from Smashwords in most reader formats, iTunes, Reader Store and Barnes & Noble. These quotations will not only give you something to think about, but hopefully make you 'think out of the box' and see the positive side to life. Some are funny, others more serious, but with each comes a deep seeded message to become a better you.

I added a bonus 5 quotations in the last book, and will simply continue the numbering here...

206) Everything in this life takes longer than you think, except life itself.

207) Enthusiasm is very good lubrication for the mind.

208) Focus on where you want to go, not where your currently are.

209) Often when you look at the moon, you see only a part of it, but you know there is a much larger object there. Very often we look (or converse) with a person, and we see or are aware of only a small sliver of their life and we may think that is all there is. Try to get to know more about the whole person!

210) Execute every act of thy life as though it were your last.

211) Failure doesn't mean that we are off the track to success. It merely forces us to take a detour to success.

212) Failure is merely part of the process necessary for success.

213) Failure is never as scary as regret.

214) Failure is not sweet, but it need not be bitter.

215) Failure is not the worst thing in the world -- the very worst is not to try.

216) Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

217) A bump in the road is either an obstacle to be fought, or an opportunity to be enjoyed. It's all up to you.

218) A careful inventory of all your past experiences may disclose the startling fact that everything has happened for the best.

219) We must be prepared to be part of the cure and not remain part of the problem.

220) A cemetery is the only place where people don't try to keep up with the Joneses.

221) A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.

222) A dog that barks much is never a good hunter.

223) Acceptance: A flower falls even though we love it. A weed grows even though we don't love it.

224) A fool and his money are soon parted. The rest of us wait for tax time.

225) A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

226) A genius shoots at something no one else can see - and hits it.

227) A good way to forget your troubles is to help others out of theirs.

228) We accomplish things by directing our desires, not by ignoring them.

229) We are judged by what we finish, not what we start.

230) We all know that sponges grow in the ocean but I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that wasn't the case.

231) We all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul.

232) We all need to take great interest in the future because we will spend the rest of our life there.

233) We are made strong by the difficulties we face, not by those we evade.

234) We are told never to cross a bridge till we come to it, but this world is owned by people who have "crossed bridges" in their imagination far ahead of the crowd.

235) We came here to serve not be served.

236) We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

237) We have inherited the past; we can create the future.

238) We have all drink from wells we did not dig and have been warmed by fires we did not build.

239) We hold in our hands the power to lift each other up to new heights of humanity or to let go, plunging mankind into an abyss of destruction.

240) Always strive to be part of the cure, and not remain part of the problem.

241) We must treasure the achievers of our land because it's they who raise the sights of all the others.

242) We rate ability in men by what they finish, not by what they begin.

243) A bar of iron costs $5, made into horseshoes its worth is $12, made into needles its worth is $3500, made into balance springs for watches, its worth is $300, 000. Your own value is determined also by what you are able to make of yourself.

244) A careful inventory of all your past experiences may disclose the startling fact that everything has happened for the best.

245) A good man doubles the length of his existence, to have lived so as to look back with pleasure on our past life is to live twice.

246) A good example is the best sermon.

247) A crooked stick will have a crooked shadow.

248) A family that plays together, stays together.

249) A fellow who says he has never told a lie has just told one.

250) A friend is someone you can do nothing with, and enjoy it.

251) A flatterer is a man that tells you your opinion and not his own.

252) An education never hurt anybody who was willing to learn after he got it.

253) A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.

254) A good way to forget your troubles is to help others out of theirs.

255) A chicken doesn't stop scratching just because worms are scarce.

256) A cloud does not know why it moves in the direction it does, and at such a speed. It’s an impulse... this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reason and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond the horizon.

257) A good wife and health is a mans best wealth.

258) A great fortune in the hands of a fool is a great misfortune.

259) A hard fall means a high bounce... if you're made of the right material.

260) A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.

261) A hard thing about business is minding your own.

262) A leader's job is to look into the future and see the organization not as it is, but as it can become.

263) A life is like a tree - if you don't make it straight when its young and green, you'll never do it when it's old and dry.

264) A lot of people go through life as if they are rowing a boat. They look at where they have been (the PAST) rather than where they are going (the FUTURE).

265) People achieve according to what they believe.

266) In life you have two names: the one with which you are born, and the one that you make for yourself.

267) You can fail many times, but you are not a failure until you give up.

268) You are known by the company you avoid, and the company you keep.

269) A person of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.

270) A mistake at least proves that somebody stopped talking long enough to DO something about it.

271) A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day.

272) A person doesn't know how much he has to be thankful for until he has to pay taxes on it.

273) A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.

274) A sign on the door of Opportunity reads, “Push.”

275) A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

276) A smile on the face is a sign that the heart is at home.

277) A smart person knows what to say, a wise person knows whether or not to say it.

278) A successful person is a dreamer whom someone believed in.

279) A turtle makes progress when it sticks its neck out.

280) A wise man cares not for what he cannot have.

281) A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the full value of time and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.

282) A wise man doesn't just wait for the right opportunity, he creates it!

283) A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.

284) Accept fate, and move on. Don't yield to the seductive pull of self-pity. Acting like a victim threatens your future.

285) Acceptance of others, their looks, their behaviors, their beliefs, bring you an inner peace and tranquility - instead of anger and resentment.

286) Accomplishment, like life, will prove to be a journey, not a destination.

287) Achievement is not the most important thing - authenticity is.

289) Add value to everyday. Sharpen your skills and your understanding.

290) Life is really simple; we ourselves create the circumstances that complicate it.

291) We can all take a lesson from the weather, it pays no attention to criticism.

292) All people smile in the same language.

293) All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and Jill a wealthy widow.

294) Always imitate the behavior of the winner when you lose.

295) Always keep a window open in your mind for new ideas.

296) An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life.

297) An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off the goals you are trying to reach.

298) Anyone can live heroically and successfully for one day. The man who achieves a high purpose makes that day the pattern for all the days of his life.

299) Anyone can be polite to a king. It takes a gentleman to be polite to a beggar.

300) Anger is only one letter short of danger.

301) Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.

302) An unfailing success plan: at each day's end, write down the six most important things to do tomorrow; number them in order of importance, and DO them. No planning will work unless we take action.

303) Anything you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon must come to reality.

304) Approach the start of each day with something in mind and end the day with one word, "DONE."

305) A man who has health is young, but a man who owes nothing is rich.

... and 5 more bonus quotations!
306) Attitude Adjuster: When you smile at someone, nine times out of 10 the other person will smile back and you've made two people's days brighter and better.

307) Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

308) Be a "how" thinker, not an "if" thinker.

309) Be alert to give service -- what counts most in life is what we do for others.
310) Be tolerant of the human race. Your whole family belongs to it - and some of your spouse's family does too.
I trust these quotations have given you a little more insight into life and inspired you to see that you are in control of your destiny. It's all about your attitude in life that determines who you become.

Tags: A Further 100 Quotations to make you Think out of the Box, www.wolfgangriebe.com, Wolfgang Riebe, Free Quotations, Free E-Books

ANOTHER 100 QUOTATIONS TO THINK ABOUT

Within a month of releasing the first 100 Quotations, literally thousands of copies were downloaded - I see there is a definite need for more! Here are another hundred quotations from unknown authors, starting with 101. So if you haven't got the first 100, make sure to view them here on my blog, or download them for free from Smashwords in most reader formats, iTunes, Reader Store and Barnes & Noble. These quotations will put life into perspective, plus give you lots to think about. Some are funny, others more serious, but with each comes a deep seeded message to become a better you.

101) Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.

102) Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.

103) People who wait for changes to occur on the outside before they commit to making changes on the inside will never make any changes at all.

104) We all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul.

105) Growing old has its compensations: all the things you couldn't have when you were young you no longer want.

106) Those that say you can't take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip!

107) I keep on seeing this daily in my life, hence I need to emphasize: It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste. How much time are you wasting?

108) Why do we want to test people for drugs and alcohol? Why don't we test them from stupidity & greed? (Starting with politicians.) The whole world would be better.

109) Sometimes the best way to figure out who you are is to get to that place where you don't have to be anything else.

110) The most important thing you wear is the expression on your face.

111) Character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface.

112) You are young at any age if you are planning for tomorrow.

113) Once you have learned to love, you will have learned to live.

114) If you are bitten by a snake, what's the best thing to do? Remain calm, separate the poison from the rest of your body, suck the poison out. Worst thing to do: get upset, chase and kill snake. Same when someone strikes out at you verbally. Remain calm, don't try to strike back at the other person. Don't let the poison spread throughout your system.

115) Thinkers think and doers do. But until the thinkers do and the doers think, progress will be just another word in the already overburdened vocabulary of the talkers who talk.

116) A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.

117) If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes!

118) The only way to see a rainbow is to look through the rain.

119) If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them, I'd be at the bottom to catch them.

120) If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

121) Fish lay thousands of eggs in silence, yet a chicken clucks and cackles a whole day long just to lay two eggs! Ha, ha thought that was really funny and true... those with the loudest mouths do the least!

122) When you blame others, you give up your power to change.

123) A man is getting along on the road to wisdom when he begins to realize that his opinion is just an opinion.

124) Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

125) If you love someone, put their name in a circle, instead of a heart, because hearts can break, but circles go on forever.

126) People always emphasize the negative. Why? No one puts up a sign: Beware – nice dog. Makes you think, huh?

127) It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.

128) A smart person knows what to say, a wise person knows whether or not to say it!

129) You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

130) Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.

131) Never think that the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon!

132) Every great achievement was once considered impossible... so think about that before you consider giving up!

133) Everything is okay in the end, if it's not ok, then it's not the end.

134) Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time wasted in disapproving of others.

135) The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

136) If people did not prefer reaping to sowing, there would not be a hungry person in the land. So when last have you given?

137) Mistakes are a great educator when one is honest enough to admit them and willing to learn from them.

138) Nothing ‎improves the memory more than trying to forget!

139) Opportunities are often missed because we are broadcasting when we should be listening.

140) The shortest answer is... doing the thing!

141) The secret of success is to do all you can do without thought of success.

142) If you look for the positive things in life; you will find them.

143) Our five senses are incomplete without the sixth - a sense of humor.

144) Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

145) Live life to the fullest, so that your memories will be part of your happiness.

146) It’s worth remembering that it's when you run away, that you're most likely to stumble!

147) Most people do not find life worth living; that's because they do not realize that you have to MAKE it worth living.

148) A conscience is like a baby. It has to go to sleep before you can.

149) Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.

150) With children... it is a fact that most parents criticize children more than they laud or congratulate them. We tend to be quick to criticize, slow to praise. We should be careful to keep the praise and the expectations far ahead of the criticism.

151) Let me walk three weeks in the footsteps of my enemy, carry the same burden, have the same trials as he, before I say one word to criticize.

152) The road to excellence is always under construction.

153) The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.

154) If marriage is your object, you'd better start loving your subject.

155) There is no point in arguing about matters of taste.

156) Whoever said sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.

157) Love has more to do with letting go than holding on.

158) I am the best version of me. A true original. A one of a kind.

159) Always be flexible...that way you don't get bent out of shape.

160) Let your LIGHT shine... it may be exactly what someone else needs to see.

161) Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about CREATING yourself.

162) We are all richer than we can ever imagine. And sometimes you have to redefine "rich" before you will realize it.

163) Basically, this quote is telling us to enjoy life to the fullest! should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO, what a ride!”

164) Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.

165) We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams.

166) Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.

167) Reach for the high apples first, you can get the low ones anytime.

168) Experience is the hardest teacher. It gives you the test first and lesson afterwards.

169) Happiness is a journey... not a destination.

170) Some people grin and bear it. Others smile and change it.

171) A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

172) Friendship isn't a big thing, it's a million little things.

173) We may run, walk, stumble, drive or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey.
174) In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.
175) Whatever your past has been your future is spotless.

176) The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.

177) The young sailor at sea was ordered to climb a mast to adjust a sail during a violent storm. He got halfway up, looked down, got dizzy and sick. An old sailor on deck shouted up to him Look up, son, look up. Young sailor looked up, regained his composure, and completed his mission. Moral: Look ahead, not back.

178) The best vitamin for making friends, B-1.

179) Man strives for glory, honor, fame, so that all the world may know his name. Amasses wealth by brain and hand. Becomes a power in the land. But when he nears the end of life and looks back over the years of strife. He finds that happiness depends on none of these, but love of friends.

180) The successful man is the average man, focused.

181) No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined.

182) Some people see more in a walk around the block than others see in a trip around the world.

183) The first rule of focus is ''Wherever you are be there.''

184) Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.

185) After all, life is really simple; we ourselves create the circumstances that complicate it.

186) I was dying to finish high-school and start college. Then I was dying to finish college and start working. Next, I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school, so I could return to work. Finally, I was dying to retire. And now, I am dying! Stop wishing your life away!

187) It doesn't matter much where you live. It only matters how well you live when you're there.

188) A life is like a tree - if you don't make it straight when its young and green, you'll never do it when it's old and dry.

189) We seldom lose our faith by a blow out, usually is just a slow leak.

190) You cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it is burning in your own.

191) You can always tell who the pioneers are because they have arrows in their back and are lying face down in the dirt. It is they that change the world. Remember, it is only when people criticize you that you are doing something right and taking others out of their comfort zone!

192) You can fail so very often. But you are not a failure until you give up.

193) A hard fall means a high bounce... if you're made of the right material.

194) I didn't know it was impossible when I did it.

195) On Failure: don't fail, they give up! 're on the road to success when you realize that failure is only a detour. The glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time you fall. Success is the proper utilization of failure. If you've never failed you've never tried. Failure is not the worst thing in the world - the very worst is not to try.

196) Clowns wear a face that's painted intentionally on them so they appear to be happy or sad. What kind of mask are you wearing today?

197) One thing about the school of experience is that it will repeat the lesson if you flunk the first time.

198) Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can reach. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries and predecessors; try to be better than yourself.

199) Don’t be just another member of society, be a living example of your dreams and goals.

200) Live as you wish your kids would.

... and 5 more bonus quotations!
201) The real secret of happiness is not what you have or what you receive; it's what you share.

202) You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.

203) Seek joy in what you give not in what you get. Thus, if you continually give, you will continually have.

204) Speak well of your enemies... you made them.

205) Why were the saints, saints? Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful, patient when it was difficult to be patient; and because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still, and kept silent when they wanted to talk, and were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable. That was all. It was quite simple and always will be.

Tags: Another 100 Quotations to Think About, www.wolfgangriebe.com, Wolfgang Riebe, Free Quotations, Free E-Books

This month, a slightly different format to the 'Useletter'. As we move into the change of seasons, the year is well on it's way to running away with us again. I look around and I see people back in 'survival' mode. I speak to friends and colleagues and everyone keeps commenting on the fact that they are extremely busy, yet have nothing to show for it, and basically only surviving. Sound familiar? Everyone is running around and trying to keep their heads 'above the water' and in the meantime they are not living their lives to the fullest. Of course the pessimists among them say that the current economic turmoil and uncertainty in the world is a justifiable cause to behave like this... no one knows what's coming! Huh?

That's the problem, people are trying to justify their insane behavior and not taking time to stop, and actually think about what they are doing. Whatever shape the world is in, good or bad, none of us know what's going to happen tomorrow. So why let it affect you in the negative? Yes times may be tougher and spending habits are changing, and yes this is causing more stress for a lot of people, however, there are ways of dealing with this in a simple manner.

First of all, YOU have to realize that you have value, and that you are important to many people out there. Here's a nice example I like to use in my lectures which puts the 'Importance of 'You' into perspective...

I hold up a €50 note and ask my delegates, "Who would like this note?" Hands pop up immediately. Then I follow up by saying, "I am going to give this €50 to one of you but first, let me do this." I now crumple up the €50 note, roll it in my hands and basically also try and age the note. Now I again ask, "Who still wants it...?" Still the hands go up in the air. "What if I do this?" And now I drop the note on the ground and start to grind it into the floor with my shoe. When I pick it up, it's crumpled and dirty. "Who still wants it now?" Strangely enough, hands still go into the air.

A very valuable lesson is shared and learnt by the delegates through this visual example. No matter what I did to the money, the audience still wanted it. Nothing I did to the note decreased it's value. It was still worth €50, no matter what I did to it. No matter how old and dirty I tried to make it look.

Isn't this what our lives are all about? How many times are we dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way? We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened, or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by who we are. You are special. Don't ever forget it. Count your blessings, not your problems.

Yes the world is tougher and it has changed, yet your worth remains. Understand this and the rest becomes a bit easier. Here now are a few practical tips on coping with the current economic situation in the world today (These tips are also on my Video Quick Tips this month. Click here for English, German & Afrikaans):

• It goes without saying that you should try save money rather than spend it. But many people don't know where to start, plus don't want to drop their quality of life. The reality is that you can save a lot by working smart.

• Create a daily budget so that you can avoid those unnecessary impulse spends, such as the coffees, snacks, etc.

• Pay your bills on time to avoid penalties and interest. And at the same time, don't make new debt.

• Anything you don't use in the house, sell it. Then use that money to cover debt... and not to buy a new TV!

• Get rid of unnecessary 'like to have' things and focus on the 'need to have' items. If you have two mobile phones and a land line, don't you think you can get rid of one and save some money? What about shopping around for a smaller cable package, or an all inclusive one which includes your phone line, internet, etc?

• Yes it's cool to eat out and be seen, but it's a lot healthier and way less expensive to prepare your own meals and eat at home. Invite friends over and have a picnic in the living room. It's fun, cheap and an unforgettable experience... and cheaper than inviting everyone to the latest Sushi bar!

• Put your ego in your pocket. Keeping up with the Jones's will not and never has brought happiness to anyone. Learn to be practical. That new Mercedes may be a nice car, but so is the new Hyundai and it most probably has more features and better after sales, for half the price. Stop being a slave to status marketing - I repeat - this will never bring you happiness.

• The most important thing in life is your physical and mental health. Without this you cannot make good decisions in life. Take the time to look after your own body and mind. Without health and a positive attitude in life, you will not cope.

• Never give up! No matter what people say or where the world economy ends up - you and only you can decide what to make of any given situation. By not giving up and remaining a fighter, you have a reason to live.

• Stop being a 'sheeple'. Educate yourself as to what is going on in the world. Don't believe everything you hear and read from one source. Instead, get your information from as many different sources as possible so that you can formulate your own objective opinions.

• You also need the support of a loving partner to stand by your side during these times. Rather than let the economy and tough times cause a rift between you and your partner, you need to learn to be there for each other. Here's a nice story that puts this in place.

• It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. After a while, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the warmth that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

• Moral of the story: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities. Learn to live with your partner, rather than fight the whole time. Today we need to stick together more than ever, from your partner to your friends. Let go of the judgmental behavior and learn to accept the little faults which we all have.

• And finally, on a lighter note, I need to share this cute story with you...

• A guy is 87 years old and loves to fish. He was sitting in his boat when he heard a voice say, "Pick me up." He looked around and couldn't see anyone. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again, "Pick me up." He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog. The man asked, "Are you talking to me?'" The frog replied, "Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up then,
  kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride!" The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front pocket. The frog queried, "Are you crazy? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride." He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said,  "Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog."

• Have a wonderful March and thanks for spending the time reading this 'Uesletter.'

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', March 2012 useletter, The Value of Life

Welcome to February! So much for slowing down, the year started with a bang and it just looks to get busier.

Firstly, I had some great exposure on a morning television breakfast show, called Expresso – click on the links to see the motivational messages. What is Wealth? & Wake up Positive! There will be more interviews in coming weeks, I will be posting the links on Facebook and the 'inspiringtheworld' page on You Tube.

December and January really have been enlightening months for me with many happenings resulting in me seeing life a bit differently. When we returned from our break in January, we landed at the the airport and immediately attended the funeral of my wife's best friend. We had just seen her 3 weeks ago. What a shock! What hurt the most, is that we were not there when it happened, we couldn't say goodbye, and we were not there to support her husband at the time. Couple this with my experience a month before, and I get the feeling someone is trying to give me a 'major' message here. Live life to the fullest!

On top of this, I recently read about a question that was posed to the Dalai Lama which has had me thinking seriously on what is important in life.

He was asked, “What thing about humanity surprises you the most?”

His answer was as follows, “Man!”

Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn't enjoy the present. As a result he doesn't live in the present or the future, but lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived!

Wow! That literally says it all. As we are at the beginning of a new year I think this is a very powerful message we all need to follow, so that we can look back at 2012 in 11 months time and say, “Hey, I really lived this year.”

I would like to add a few 'Rules' to follow to make 2012 more fun.

1. Keep it simple
If you have seen me speak live, you know I am a KISS man (Keep It Simple, Stupid). I cannot believe how many people over-complicate their lives believing complex issues and solutions must be better than simple ones, just because they are complex! Huh? If you are run-down and over stressed, slow down! No pill or psychologist is going to change that hectic pace – it's up to you to slow down. If you want a different year this year to last year, then do things differently this year. You cannot behave the same as last year and expect different results!

2. Take responsibility

Accept that everything in your life happens because of you! Stop blaming your parents, the government, your dog and anyone else you can find. You will never be fulfilled or happy if you do this. Realise right now that YOU and YOU ALONE are responsible for your own happiness.

3. Be satisfied with what you have!
Count your blessings! What is it with the whole materialism issue? Are you really that gullible to believe everything the media tells you on television? Do you really think that a bigger car, the latest computer, or the newest moisturizer is going to make your problems go away? Wake up and be happy with who you are and what you have. It's simply a mind-set. Decide to be happy with what you have and who your are and suddenly you become a different person. Don't knock it until you have tried it. Think about this... have you met those people at work that are always happy and always joking? They are not particularly rich, or better off than anyone else, yet they seem to be content. Don't they just annoy you? It's time you took a deeper look and realise that beauty really does come from within. Part of beauty is contentment. If you are content, you radiate a different energy and attract different things.

4. Laugh at yourself
One of the greatest lessons in life I have learnt is to laugh at myself. If mates catch me out with a joke – I will laugh louder than them, because I was gullible enough to fall for it. We all make mistakes, we all get caught out every now and then – that's life. Learn to accept this and take yourself a little less seriously. Life does start becoming fun then... really!

5. Welcome everything that comes your way

What makes us disapprove of something? It's our preconceptions and our expectations in life due to conditioning. So how about trying to dispel all your preconceived ideas and not judge anything that comes your way? Instead welcome it and try look for the deeper meaning. In other words, keep an open mind in everything you do and stay away from expectations and other agendas. It calms you down and makes you appreciates many different and new aspects of life.

6. Stop being judgmental and learn to practice objectivity
Imagine everyone in this world would give every person they met a clean slate and not judge them at all? We would be living in paradise! No matter what you think of a person of another culture, race or creed – stop pre-judging and being prejudice. Give each person the same chance in life – and you might be very surprised. Never make decisions based on emotions, instead look at all the facts – your life will flow much smoother.

7. Open your whole self up to every experience

Many people has been hurt in love, then they never want to love again. They become weary and withdrawn in future relationships. This is so sad as this person misses out of experiencing love and life in the fullest, simply because of one bad experience. By opening yourself up to every experience, and giving off yourself 100% every time, you live a complete life in the moment.

8. Live in the moment
Yes there is the need to make calculated decisions on occasion – but to hold back and wait for a better or different opportunity, or to hold back because of fear and ignorance, denies you experiencing life to the nth degree. I mentioned this last year and someone retaliated on You Tube saying that this is they dumbest thing they heard. He mentioned that if he blew all his money tonight and drank himself to a stupor, he wouldn't be happier tomorrow. On that note let me say that I fully understand that some of us don't see the meaning of my messages in the same vein as others do. Thus let me clarify 'living in the moment.' By this I mean, experiencing the moment you are in now to the fullest, as in 100%. Be there in totally with your body, mind and spirit. Stop being distracted and thinking of other things while talking to your children, or your spouse – that's not living in the moment. When you are in a park – don't just look at the monument in front of you, but look at everything else around you, the trees, the people, the children playing, the roses, etc. That's living in the moment!

9. Practice 'ME' time
You need to relax on your own. You need to have a place where you can be quiet with yourself and by yourself. The mad rush of today's world is not good for you. You need a place to recharge your batteries. Whether it is a calmly decorated room in your home, or sitting on the side of a riverbed in the park. You need to allocate at least 10 minutes a day for yourself.

10. Be happy
If you are down, go stand in front of a mirror and smile at yourself – but from within! Guess what, it does cheer you up, even if it is only a little. Now practice this more and more until cheerfulness becomes part of who you are. Smile at people around you and feel the warmth returned.

11. Stop interfering!
Why is it that people always interfere in somebody else's business? They stick their noses into things that don't concern them. Yes, obviously if there is some criminal or cruel behaviour going on, then something has to be done. But most of the problems arise from people who simply stick their noses into other people's private business. Who are you to judge others for their interests which are different to yours? You are not above anybody else, so then why should you dictate how they must live? Rather accept that person for who they are and learn to live as friends and colleagues. Rather find out what makes them tick and learn to respect the differences between you. That's what makes us all unique.

12. Don't just forgive others, but yourself too!

Besides learning to forgive others, learn to forgive yourself. Granted, there is nothing more annoying that making a stupid mistake. But that's life, accept it and learn to laugh at yourself, it will make it much easier to get over it. Just remember, everyone makes mistakes, just try not make the same mistake twice!

13. Spend more time with the important people in your life.
Your spouse, your children, your family and friends – that's where true wealth lies. Make a promise this year to spend more quality time with family. Plane dates a few months ahead for socials with good friends and stick to them. If you don't the year will just run away with you.

I trust that these 13 tips give you some ideas on making 2012 a lot more fun and allowing you to make it the best year ever.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', February 2012 Useletter, Tips for 2012]

It feels like only a few, maybe 4 or 5 months ago, that I wrote the Jan 2011 Useletter. Even my girls have commented on how time has flown this year... so it's not an age thing anymore!

Well, here we are, Christmas behind us and a new year ahead. Have you made any plans for 2012? Any real concrete goals? Remember, if you do what you have always done, you will still only get what you always had.

You may, or may not have seen on Facebook, on 6 Dec I had a heart attack. Luckily I was not on a plane or in a hotel, but at home and my wife , coming from a medical background, picked up what was coming and rushed me off the the 24hr emergency. To say that I made it to the hospital with minutes to spare, is an understatement, and I am grateful to be here today.

Why do I share this with you?

I feel that here is a message for the new year for each and every one of us. Funnily enough a few weeks earlier I had been talking to my wife, saying we had to sit down and seriously change a few things for 2012. And of course with the end of year rush and other issues taking priorities – we never got to this. Kinda the same as the year before. Sound familiar?

Now those of you who have heard me speak live, know my story of running aground on an expedition near the North Pole way back in 1997 where we all thought we may die. We said 'goodbye' to each other and really didn't believe we would make it out alive. The experience changed my life, and truly taught me the meaning of living life in the moment, trying to be non judgmental and trying to love everyone equally. The biggest challenge from this experience was that I had to learn to practice what I learnt!

Lying on the hospital bed with many wires attached to me, seeing my life flash in front of me with my wife and daughters standing wide eyed next to me... made me think seriously about what I have been preaching all these years. In fact it made me look at myself and question whether I had indeed learnt from that 1997 experience. I always say to a live audience that if ever I was faced with death again, I would never want to be in that same situation I was in back then where I had regrets. Back in '97, realising this could be the end, all I thought about was, 'What if?” What if I could have done this or that? What if I had only said this and not that? Etc. etc. Ask most people today what would go on in their minds if they had an hour left to live – I guarantee that the most would say the same – they would have regrets at the things they didn't do.

I have always boldly and publicly stated that I have learnt my lesson and that when I am ever faced with death again, I will have no regrets and will never again ask, “What if.” I have made a point of really tackling all my dreams and desires and truly living in the moment.

Well, 3 weeks ago I was given the chance to validate or nullify this philosophy of mine which I so love preaching to others. There I lay, not knowing when, or if another heart attack was going to hit. Would I survive, or wouldn't I?

Firstly I can 100% confirm that I was not scared of dying. I lay there content with my life and my accomplishments. I truly had no regrets with regard to following through on my dreams and the things I have achieved in life. I have also always said that if my time comes around again, I think my only regret would be, not seeing my daughters grow up and leaving my wife alone.

I always knew it would be tough, but never once could I have ever imagined how that thought would really make me feel! Right then and there on that bed, NOTHING else mattered, but my wife and daughters. What made it worse... they were standing right there next to me, even more afraid than I was, whether I was going to make it or not. I will never ever forget that distressed look on their faces and I hope to never see it again.

With everything I have shared and preached to everyone, I would never ever have thought that this experience would have such a huge impact on me and at this stage of my life. Right there and then I saw how much they cared for me. Yes of course I knew that, but no words could have expressed the love in their eyes I saw then. It was kinda like someone saying to me, “Yea you always talk about how much you love them, but you have no idea of how deeply they love you. It made me realise that too often I make it all about me, rather than about us.

I really try and spend time with my girls and believe that we are very close as a family. As a rule I will NOT work if they have a sporting event, school evening etc. My family always comes first. Yet, it still hit me hard – what if I had left them alone! The last 3 weeks my mind has worked overtime trying to figure this out. Why has it affected me so much? Surely I have done my bit and should feel no guilt? It just doesn't make sense!

Firstly, let me backtrack and put your mind at ease... I had an angiogram and two stents put in and feel like a new man right now. In fact that cardiologist said I should feel 15 years younger... I do! This had been coming a while and I had both front and back arteries to the heart blocked. Luckily there was no muscle damage and I am basically as 'good as new.' In fact... better... plus I have learnt another huge lesson.

A friend of mine visited me the other day and said, “But you don't look any different?” Huh! What did he expect? I definitely don't look any different on the outside, but believe me, certain things have changed on the inside … especially my way of thinking!

In fact I have decided that the 6 Dec is now my 2nd birthday to a new life and second chance in life. I spent about a week in hospital and when I got home, did I look at my family differently! I didn't just hug my girls, I really hugged them. I didn't just say I love you to them, but I looked them in their eyes, held their hands and really told them I loved them with my entire soul. For the first time I really opened myself up to them, and could now really see that same love in their eyes.

You see, life does go on, it is a rush and a constant stress on everyone. Especially the way the world is changing at present. And yes we all think (myself included) that we are spending that quality time with those we love... but are we really? Or is it all part of our daily conditioned routine? All too often we only think of our feelings towards others, and not realise just how much they care for us too. To kiss your wife goodbye every morning and think that you are a caring husband is one thing, but to really kiss her, to look into her eyes and into her heart and tell her how special she is to you – that's the little extra we tend to forget to do. To see her smile back at you and kiss you back with that same depth – that's what we tend to miss. My heart attack was a big reminder not to take things for granted, especially your family.

I also learnt that the same applies to friends. Just because someone hasn't spoken to you or seen you in a coupe of months doesn't necessarily mean that they don't care. Again I made the mistake of 'pre-judging' some people. Arriving back home and seeing the Facebook comments, having people visit me and just open up so intensely has made me cry more than I care to admit. If anything, it has made me realize that even though the world does at times appear to be filled only with greedy and selfish people, there are actually many more that are caring and loving, and I am honored to call many of them my friends.

Hence you are also getting your Jan 2012 Useletter a few days early, I am taking my family on a cruise and doing some serious catching up!

For 2012 I ask you to learn from my experience and at the every least, try and spend more time with those you love and learn to appreciate them, but also see how much they care for you too. Tell them how you feel daily. Care for those around you and don't be scared to express your feelings. Life is too short and can be taken away at any moment. Make 2012 the year of living 100% in the moment, telling everyone how you really feel.

I wish you a truly love filled 2012!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', January 2012 Useletter, Make family time over the festive season

I don't know about you, but I cannot believe it is December already. Is it just me, or has this year just flown by? Even my girls are commenting on how fast the year has gone. If anything it has taught me to really savour every moment and enjoy all the family time I can.

So I trust that over the holiday season you will be catching up on a well needed rest and spend that time with your loved ones. In a sense I think that most people are already in a good mood with the festive season on the doorstep, so I have been playing with many ideas on what to write about. Then it struck me.... this is the time of the year where everyone splurges out on all sorts of items they don't need... and then moan in January when all the credit card bills arrive.

Hence I though I would share some money saving tips with you with the hope of making you a touch more aware that money and gifts don't always buy happiness and that through careful planning you can still have a great holiday season, and also enjoy January without stressing about paying off all those bills.

Firstly, not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. The media would like you to believe that there are thousands of wealthy people out there and that everyone should be able to afford the nice things in life. If only this were so!

The reality is that the major majority of the world can just make ends meet, yet the media focuses on the wealthy. This causes many people to attempt to live above their means and results in huge problems, including unhappiness, stress, depression, etc.

If you consider the above from a deeper spiritual perspective, what does happiness really mean? Is it the amount of money you have, or is it the inner contentment you possess and the memories you have created?

In today's world the reality is that you need money. However, there is a difference between things you need to have, and things that would be nice to have. As human beings, we need a roof over our heads, food, health and a good social environment. In reality not much more. Look at all the technological gadgets that are shoved down our throats every day by the media and big corporations. Do we really need them, or do they mostly make us introverts and stop social interactions between people under 4 eyes?

One day when you retire, what are the memories you will have? That new car or computer you bought, or the first steps your child took? Think about it?

However, one needs to be objectively practical about the matter as well and realise that money does play an important part in our lives. Yet if one looks at the use of money in pure objective terms and does not fall prey to the clever marketing out there, you can survive with a lot less, and still be happy.

When it comes to Christmas gifts, we all enjoy spoiling our loved ones and money is never an object... except in January!

So here's the first tip... if you have young children include some cheaper items amongst the gifts. For a child it's the excitement of unwrapping the present. The more presents, the more excitement. Yes by all means get them something special. However, if you go into a bargain store there are many cheap toys you can buy for under 10 bucks. Simply get a few of those and make the Xmas pile look bigger. Your child's face will be priceless, plus it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

On that note, try focus on items that bring the family together, like a puzzle you can all build, or a game you can all play together. Don't always focus on items that get the children to keep themselves occupied. No wonder we have a society on loner today!

In terms of your loved ones, i.e. spouse. How about making that gift special. It's not always about the money, but the thought that went behind it. Try make something on your own using memories and items that mean something to your partner. It's more about the thought, time and effort that went into it. Today on the internet you can have complete photo books printed as a one off. Imagine collecting all those special memories and putting together a book called, 'Reasons Why I love You' and it is filled with all those special photo moments in your lives. Not only will it rekindle special memories for you while you piece it together, your partner will be blown away too.

Make a special effort to spend more time with family and play games, tell stories and just have fun. Think back of your own memories of Christmas - what do you remember? I really don't think that we are all that different from each other. If I look back at my childhood memories, I can't really remember all the toys I got. But I can remember the Christmas we spent in the mountains, and the Christmas nights in front of the fire waiting in excitement for Father Christmas to arrive! The family meals we enjoyed around the table and the visiting with friends and family on Boxing day.

Right now I look at my own girls and my memories of the last few years, is the look of anticipation and excitement on their faces. The fact that we go for a ride on Christmas Eve and look at all the lights and how people decorated their homes. The fact that we sit around the Christmas tree and talk about the year that was and share all our highs and lows of the year with each other. I am already wondering what kind of card my daughters will make for me. They always spend days designing and making their own cards - just the thought, time and love that goes into this is so very special to me.

It's not just about the gifts, but the special times that you create with loved ones over this period.

The days you have free, go for walks int he forest or by the sea. Do stuff together as a family that you don't have time to do in the year. Last December we all went fishing for the first time (and threw the fish back we caught) - what a cool memory, especially that my girls caught more fish than me and that they eventually touched the fish they caught. In the beginning they were scared of them. We had picnics in the lounge, put out a blanket and made a social event inside. I am already scheming and planning what new things we can try this year.

The wealth you have is the memories you create. It is a time of giving and loving. Make the most of it and have a truly magical festive season.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', December 2011 Useletter, Make family time over the festive season

Firstly, Happy Halloween! I had so many children knocking on my door tricking or treating - what fun! And the parties... I always enjoy the end of October, what fun.

Now on to November! One of the most wonderful aspects of writing this 'Useletter' is that many people send me comments and requests as to the topics they would like to see discussed. And it truly does make me feel that the messages are being read and helping others. Two weeks ago I received a request on how to deal with family problems. This is a huge subject and falls into various categories. I suppose most families have at least one 'problem' member, this could be the black sheep, the hormonal teenager, or even an over eager, but caring mother-in-law. These people try our patience and we often have major issues trying to deal with them, which in turn leads to anger, stress and even arguments with those close to you.

Yes, it is normal to get angry with someone that seems unreasonable, but unfortunately this just results in retaliation and ends in heating up the situation even more and damages any chance of meaningful communication to resolve the issue. Trust from either side is lost and the situation is never resolved, as mostly, each person blames the other - and a vicious circle is created from which their is no escape.

Put yourself in that family member's situation. There is a great story that says you need to wear the shoes of this family member and walk a mile a day in their shoes. Ultimately in 10 days time, you will have their shoes and they will be 10 miles away! If only it was so easy!

This months Quick Tips cover 5 tips on coping with family problems. Again, they can be viewed at the end of this email, or simply click on the language of your choice here; English, German & Afrikaans.

Here are some general tips on coping with some of these situations.

1. Listen
This is easier said than done... but it is possible. Hold back on your built up frustrations and for once just listen to the other person. Show them you are willing and open to try and understand where they are coming from. Don't just wait for your turn to talk, or for the opportunity to snap back with a hurtful comment - actually take a step back and really listen to what they have to say. Whether you agree with them or not is not the issue here! Just listen and grasp their point of view. Don't sit there and think of them as stupid, unreasonable, selfish or over bearing - hold back all your preconceptions and judgements. Yes that may be difficult to do. But you can do it if you want to!

Am I saying you must give in? No! I'm saying you must listen. Even if you believe you are in the right and they are in the wrong. This isn't the issue here - it's about one of you actually listening and seeing the other person's point of view. Odds are they didn't read this article, hence won't be the one listening - so it's up to you! It's a mind set change. You may well find now that you are actually listening, you see the situation differently. Even if they are still in the wrong, by listening you can objectively think about their point of view - the emphasis is on becoming objective. Most family issues are emotional, hence become subjective and based on personal feelings. As soon as you can take this out of the situation and look at it objectively, perspectives change!

2.) Separate the behaviour from the person
This goes hand in hand with the above. Often the feud is with a cousin, or brother that may for some or other reason have always 'been the favourite', 'married rich', etc. and we judge this person due to their circumstances or background. They could be in a relationship where they always get their way, and now trying to do the same with you, which is resulting in the argument. Instead of retaliating with, "You are an arrogant bully", rather say something like, "You behaviour is offensive to me." By doing this you are not attacking them personally which should prevent them from getting defensive. This is a subtle change but it gives the other person a chance to detach themselves from their own behaviour.

3.) Step back
Think about the problem without bringing emotions into the picture. Ask yourself a few questions; How does this affect me? Does it affect any other family members? How can I help? What will everyone else think about my solution? As soon as you step back and take other factors into consideration, it makes you more objective and lets you analyse the problem on another level.

4.) Patience
Hand in hand with the above, comes patience. It may take a few attempts of listening before the real truth comes out - the core issue of the feud. Here you need to be man/woman enough to give it time and listen, until the truth comes out. Remember that it will only be natural for them to rant and rave the first few times you listen. It may be the first time they have had a chance to express themselves without you interrupting. So it will only be natural that they will vent their own emotions and frustrations initially. Here it will take not only patience, but understanding that this is only normal.

5.) Keep your voice down
Nothing is more frustrating than when someone doesn't want to see your point of view. Often we need to raise our voices to be heard. In turn the other person raises their voice too, and it becomes a shouting match. Calmness is the secret here. Practice remaining calm and keeping your voice low. Think of any good debate on TV, the person that usually wins is the one that remains calm and collected.

6.) Don't brood over it
We tend to brood over family arguments and think about them the whole day. We analyse over and over looking for answers. This is like worry - whether you worry or not, it doesn't change the final outcome. It's the same here. The more you brood over it, the more you are going to depress yourself. Learn to let it go and give the other person a chance to calm down. After an argument, do something else, take your mind off the event. Odds are when you look back at it, it won't be anywhere as serious as it was the day before. As humans we tend to overburden ourself with thoughts about feuds which makes it worse. Thinking of something else and letting go lessens the emotions substantially.

It reminds me of a story of a man that would hang 'nothing' on a tree outside his front door when he arrived home at night. The next morning he would take this 'nothing' off the tree again before leaving for work. His neighbour watched him doing this for weeks before quizzing him on this weird behaviour. The man replied, "When I get home, I hang all my stresses and irritations from work on the tree and leave them outside so that I don't bother my family with them. The next morning when I leave is the first time I pick them up again and think about them. Guess what? In the morning they are nowhere as bad as they were the night before!" Isn't that a great analogy?

7.) Consider the outcomes
Yes, often you would like to tell the other person exactly what you think of them - it's a way of letting off steam... but that's all it is... a way of letting off steam. It may do you good temporarily, but it may cause problems for years to come and ruin future relationships. Rather hold back on personal attacks and only give an 'objective' opinion when asked for advice.

8.) Don't gossip!
This is one of the biggest causes of feuds. One family member does something wrong, and then you make a point of phoning everyone and gossiping about it. Don't do this! If someone doesn't need to know something, why stir and tell everyone? What does it say about you? Don't be one of those people that derives pleasure from other people's mishaps. Do the honourable thing and keep it quiet. If you want your family to trust you, you need to learn to be a person that can be trusted, and not gossip about every happening.

9.) Don't let them get to you!
Yes, most/many families have someone that loves stirring and antagonising other family members. You know the type... the one person that always has negative things to say, or can never be happy for your successes. Here's a reality check... you get these people everywhere and they may never change. This leaves you with two choices, get annoyed with them, or accept them for who they are and limit contact with them. That's it! It boils down to you being the better person and not letting them get to you. Ignore them long enough and don't fall into their trap of setting you off, and they will soon realise that they cannot manipulate your emotions anymore.

Keep visits with them short. If they do still manage to annoy you, excuse yourself politely and leave without causing a fuss. They may soon confront you on this, as they will see they are not getting their way. At this point don't become personal... apply point No. 2 and separate the person from their behaviour. Don't tell them you find them irritating and obnoxious (too personal), instead inform them that you see their behaviour towards you as offensive. It is then up to that person to decide whether they want to change or not.

10.) Be yourself
They say peer pressure pays a role in a teenager's life... well, family pressure plays a role in your whole life. Yes, your parents may have wanted you to become a doctor, but instead you became a street cleaner. So? Are you happy in your choice of career path? Why should this cause conflict. Imagine my family - being German - I still have an aunt who is turning 85 this month who asked me not a few months ago, "When are you getting a real job?"

You must remember, other people's contexts of what you do are not always correct. At the end of the day you have to live with yourself. Are you there to lead a fulfilled life with purpose, or always fit into what your family wants you to do? Yes they care for you and only want the best for your future, but have you gently stood your ground and tried to make them see that what you do makes you happy. Obviously if you have made a bad choice somewhere, take their advice, but if you know in your heart who you are and want to be, then don't let others change you. By standing your ground, they will eventually see your side - after all shouldn't they love you unconditionally?

Have an awesome November.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', November 2011 Useletter, Dealing with Family Problems

SURVIVAL & FEAR

I trust you are doing well and enjoying the change of season. Can you believe it's less than 3 months to go before Christmas? Where did the year go? Once again I have been living on planes and in airports, but have also had an incredible time meeting and chatting to so many new people. It appears to me that so often, one just 'clicks' with someone one meets and the discussion becomes deep and philosophical within minutes... or maybe it's just because we are all moving to a new level of consciousness? Nevertheless, a common topic that keeps coming up is the crazy events happening around the world at the moment, which in turn is causing a lot of worry and fear in many people.

Hence I though I would try and tackle this topic and share some insights on overcoming fear and becoming more optimistic.

But, before I do this, in my Quicktips videos this month, I share 5 tips on overcoming view. You can view them below, or click on the language link of your choice: English, German & Afrikaans. Also, I have just launched a DVD (in 3 languages) of the last 25 Quicktips - a great inspirational gift and good to show extracts around specific themes at conferences. Available from www.mindpowerpublications.com.

Now back to the topic...Firstly, here is a 'reality' that most people need to realise... Most people are a product of society, a materialistic, mind controlled 'sheeple' (sheep + people) that merely acts on learned impulses and habits, rather than insightful deductions of each unique situation.

Add to this technology and instant access to information that is making me more informed than ever before. Couple this with the corruption of governments, corporations and various other institutions that have a direct clash with our conditioned up-bringing, and people are starting to ask questions about the inequality in the world today and are becoming weary of the double standards and hypocrites. This is resulting in much frustration within daily life, even if it is only subconscious for many.

People just aren't excited about life anymore. Just sit on the London underground and look at everyone's faces. No one smiles. If you do smile at someone, odds are you will get arrested for being a public nuisance. It's the same in the traffic in any city in the mornings - just look at the faces of the people in the cars next to you - no one smiles! It's as if the majority of people today have lost the will to live and have fun in life.

Many years back, I actually met someone who was having fun. I was sitting in the peak hour morning traffic on the M25 around London, when the man in the car next to me suddenly held up a board which read, "Hi, great morning, isn't it?" In fact he had a whole conversation with everyone around him using these boards. He had found a way to make the traffic fun!

On top of that, there is just too little free time and life goes by too fast. I am constantly reminded of a saying by another unknown author: Life is like a roll of toilet paper... the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

Isn't that so true? The older we get, the faster time seems to go by? Even the children of today are commenting that their days fly by. Surely then, if this is the case, why doesn't humanity make the most of every moment they have, seeing that it all goes by so fast? Why don't we all let go of fear and stop only focusing on survival, but rather on living life to the fullest?

Expectations are the root cause of all problems!

We live in a society of instant gratification and expectations. What do I mean? Think about it... no one does anything today without expecting something in return. I work, because I expect a salary. I make an appointment with a potential client, because I want/expect them to buy my product. I will pick up your children from school, because I expect you to do the same for me next week. I'll do the dishes for you tonight honey, because I expect some action in the bedroom later. Get the point? No one does anything anymore because they want to do it out of the kindness of the their heart. It's all about, "What's in it for me?"

Don't get me wrong, there are many people who don't follow the above example - but, those are the passionate ones! Those are the people that are enjoying their life and living every moment to the fullest. Unfortunately, they are very much in the minority!

Think about it, we have been brought up and conditioned in a society where 'expectation' is the norm. As a child you were conditioned to behave. If you behaved, you got things. In school we were taught to learn and pass our grades. In return we received our diploma. Then we had to study at university to get a degree, so that we could get a good job, etc. Expectations, expectations, expectations!

We have been intrinsically conditioned to expect. But, and it's a big BUT, in reality things do not always work out the way we expect! That's when disappointment takes over and we start losing the zest and passion for life, and start questioning the purpose of it all. If you really think about it logically, it's a system that is bound to fail!

Plus of course the media via big business and governments had conditioned us to fear. You need the newest car - it will protect you in an accident. You need life insurance in case you die!? You need a job and must earn money to support your family. These are all fear based mind control mechanisms to make you conform to what 'big brother' wants you to do. This results in people going in 'survival' mode based on the induced conditioned false fear reality out there!

If it is in the media, it must be the truth! This is what most people believe! This brings me to my 'all time' favourite saying:

It is easier to believe a lie that one has heard a thousand times than to believe the truth that one only hears once!

We have been so conditioned to accept everything around us as the norm, that we are too afraid to look within ourselves. We simply don't know any better. We forget that through inner reflection and honesty with yourself and who you really want to be, is in fact the start of finding a solution to leading a more fulfilled existence. Yet we have been conditioned to fear this! It's easier to follow the masses and be accepted, than to stand out!

You need to realise that the first step is... becoming aware of all the control mechanisms in society today and realising that they affect each and everyone of us. We also need to understand that we cannot change this overnight, but we can change it! In fact, it starts with just one person deciding to do something about it and make others around them aware.

People who wait for changes to occur on the outside before they commit to making changes on the inside will never make any changes at all.

Just knowing how we are controlled suddenly makes you think twice before buying a product, or becoming annoyed at a negative newspaper headline. This awareness in turn makes you react differently and suddenly you find yourself not following the 'sheeples' out there anymore, and hence you start changing from within.

'Two Eagles,' a native American Indian was asked by a white government official, "You have observed the white man for 90 years. You've seen his wars and his technological advances. You've seen his progress, and the damage he's done." The Chief nodded in agreement. The official continued, "Considering all these events, in your opinion, where did the white man go wrong?" The Chief stared at the government official for over a minute and then calmly replied. "When white man find land, Indians running it, no taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, clean water. Women did all the work, Medicine man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing; all night having sex."Then the chief leaned back and smiled. "Only white man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that!"

For one moment just think about what you think about during your day. Spend 10 minutes going over your day and your thoughts. You will be surprised at the amount of negative thoughts you had. Become aware of these and start eliminating them for your daily routine. This alone will make a huge difference. Remember that we are all energy and we create reality with our thoughts. This means that your inner thoughts control the energy vibration of your outward behaviour. Thus you need to focus on 'real' issues in your life, rather than all the negativity out there. Redirect your thoughts to the things that bring joy into your life - focus on living in the moment and appreciating the little things in life.

Start learning to do things from the heart. Stop doing 'what is expected' , but rather focus on doing 'what is pure and good' and makes you happy. Suddenly you realise that you are doing it without expectations - but from a purity of heart perspective. Now you can no longer be controlled and be disappointed - as there are no expectations. Instead, the law of the universe (the energy) will now reward you with unexpected blessings (as like energy attracts like energy) and your life becomes one purity and giving, rather than fear and survival.

If you really think about it, what does a human being really need to be happy? Health, food, family and friends, and a roof over their head. Look around you and objectively analyse what is making you unhappy, and you may well realise it's all the conditioned non-important fear based issues. When you start focusing on the 'real' simple stuff and truly live in the moment, your reality changes and your start living life as it should be.

Have a great October!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', October 2011 Useletter, Survival & Fear

As a speaker and entertainer that has appeared on stages in over 128 countries, I have learnt to deal with stage fright. Here are 35 different tips and ideas which may help you feel more relaxed on stage. Not all of them may be for you, but I am positive that many of these tips will make a positive difference for you.

1. Set an end time for your fear.
If you have a presentation at 20h00 tonight, set yourself a goal to get over the fear by 16h00 so that you can focus on preparing for your speech. It sounds crazy, but by setting yourself an end time, you are actually giving yourself extra time for the fear to diffuse itself.

2. Talk to the audience as friends
If you had to do your speech for a close friend, would it sound as structured and formal as it does now? Most probably not! Look at the audience and make eye contact with one person at a time, talk to that person as if they were this friend. In other words, talk to one person at a time in the audience. This will relax you and make the whole pace of your speech more informal. As such you will be connecting on a deeper level with the audience and they will be able to relate to you more effectively. Plus of course this approach reduces your anxiety.

3. Take it easy/ Don't take it easy
There are two schools of thought here:
a.) On the day of your presentation, relax! Take it easy and don't be too busy. It will fluster you more and make you worry about preparing for the presentation. Rather schedule lots of free time on this day so you can get your mind around it.
b.) Other people find that the more they do on the day, the less they think about the stress of the presentation, and this helps them cope.

Only you know which personality type you are and what will suit you.

4. Know your stuff
I have always believed that if you know what you are talking about, there is no reason to be nervous. Make a point of understanding what you intend talking about and do not learn it parrot fashion. When you understand and know the topic, you speak naturally and hence more confidently. Also, should a technical hitch occur, because you are confident on your subject, this shouldn't phase you.

5. Stretch
If you are nervous, odds are your muscles will be tight and your body stiff. 10 Minutes before you go onto stage, do a few simple stretch exercises. This will loosen you up and relax your whole body.

6. Loose yourself in the material
When you become the material you are speaking about, you go into another zone and the focus moves away from you - this can make a big difference.

7. Practice in front of an audience
Even if you just gather your family, social circle or offer the talk for free to an old age home - an audience is vital! The more you practice with a live audience, the easier it gets and the less the fear becomes.

8. Be at the venue with enough time to spare
Obviously if you arrive late and have to run onto stage, you will be stressed. Give yourself ample time at the venue to acclimatize and get used to the auditorium. Remember, there could be a scheduling change on the day and you may have to go onto stage earlier than planned. This won't do the nerves any good if you are still in your car and get a frantic phone call from the organizer that you have to be on stage in 2 minutes! It's always better to be early.

9. Mental practice
If you drive past me when I am in my car, odds are you will either think I am mad, or I am talking on the hands free phone. I mentally practice my talk out loud and imagine myself standing in front of the audience. I even imagine, and answer people questing me from the audience. In fact, I enact the whole presentation out loudly. At home I will stand in a room on my own and pace act out the entire speech. My family already understands this and accept me as mad! Visualizing this two or three times really helps calm the nerves and cement the presentation in your mind.

10. Use your imagination
Some speakers actually imagine their audience in a funny manner when they walk onto stage - they believe this calms them down. It could work for you too! Imagine them all dressed in funny clothing, or without clothing! Whatever works for you and makes you smile!

11. When things go wrong
If you are on stage regularly, something will go wrong sooner or later. Accept this! If you know your stuff, odds are it won't phase you as much. If a microphone suddenly stops working, carry on in a louder voice, but don't let it distract you. The technical people are already stressing and trying to sort out the problem. You adding to the stress won't change anything. Think about the things that can go wrong and plan for them, thus when they happen you already have an action plan.

12. Double check everything
Do you have notes, or a laptop which you use? Check that you have them with you and that everything works. Before you leave home, have a check-list so that you don't forget anything. When you walk onto stage and suddenly realize that your notes are missing, or the projector doesn't work, it's too late! Of course your nerves will take over! In the same vein, know your speech so well that should this happen, you don't need to rely on notes or presentation slides. That alone will give you huge confidence.

13. Eat a banana!
No I am not kidding! Someone told me a long time ago that eating something nutritious, but not too filling, takes away the butterflies in your stomach. Fear and anxiety causes an empty nauseating feeling in your stomach. By eating a banana 20 to 30 minutes before you go on stage, that empty feeling disappears!

14. Do something different
Whether you listen to soothing music, phone your spouse or play a game on your mobile phone - just try doing something completely different before walking out on stage. It takes your mind away from the fear and relaxes you.

15. Be comfortable with who you are
If you are self conscious about your looks, clothes or anything about you - you will be distracted and nervous. The only solution here is to be honest with yourself and learn to be comfortable with who you are. Similarly, wear clothes which is comfortable and not distracting. New shoes give blisters, so don't wear new shoes on stage which could hurt and distract you. Wear them in first. Ladies, high heels can get stuck between floor boards! Leave them at home. If you are comfortable with yourself, it is easier to laugh at yourself, if something goes wrong.

16. Don’t rush it.
When you start your presentation - take it easy. Don't rush it. Make a point of starting slowly so that you can get into a comfortable space. Not only do you have to get used to the audience, they have to get used to you. Especially if you have an accent - they need time to understand your pronunciation clearly. I'll never forget seeing one speaker who walked onto stage, sat down on a chair, lit a cigarette and drank a cup of coffee. At the end he turned to the audience and said, "What's the matter, do you start immediately when you get to the office in the morning?" What a brilliant gag and opening! He had the time to check out the audience, plus turned it into a huge laugh which everyone could relate to. Immediately everyone was more relaxed.

17. Never apologize for being nervous
Most, if not all people may not even realize that you are nervous - so why tell them? You may feel yourself shivering and shaking, but the audience may not be aware of anything. Never mention it - it will make the audience nervous on your behalf too, and they won't listen the way they should. Instead they will worry about whether you will cope.

18. Get through the first 5 minutes!
Get onto stage and just concentrate on staying calm for the first 5 minutes. Imagine your hour speech as only 5 minutes - this makes it less stressful. Simply focus on getting the first bit done. By then you will have calmed down and the rest is downhill.

19. Stop stressing about whether the audience will like you
This goes hand in hand with being comfortable with who you are. Yes! We all want to do a great presentation and have the audience like us. But, if that's your focus, you will be distracted and nervous. Focus on doing the best you can within your parameters. As long as you honestly know you did your best, it doesn't matter if someone didn't like you. Think about it this way... does everyone like the same foods? No! There will always be some people that don't like you. Accept this and do the best for those that do like you. Your whole approach then becomes more relaxed, and odds are you'll convert the negative ones too! Will the world end if you fluff a line? No! So don't worry about it.

20. Focus on them, and not you
You are a vessel through which a message is delivered. The presentation is not about you, or your slides - it's about imparting information and knowledge to the audience. When you turn your focus from yourself to the people out there, the fear subsides.

21. Don’t share your mistakes
You have rehearsed the presentation and feel good about it. Suddenly on stage you realize you forgot an important point, or mixed up the order of topics as you had prepared them. The audience doesn't know this! Only you know your talk. If you suddenly apologize for making a mistake, or leaving out a point - you are making the audience aware of a mistake they didn't even know existed! However, if you say nothing and bring it in later - no one will be the wiser, and you will feel far less awkward. Odds are it may even work out better that way!

22. Imagine a white light
I always imagine a bright white light around me before a walk onto stage. I see this light/energy engulfing the whole audience and endearing them towards me. This can calm you down immensely... and your audience too!

23. Do a run through at the venue
If time allows, do a full practice run on the stage at the venue. This will definitely familiarize you with everything and make you feel less nervous. Think about it logically... you will have gone through the process once before, this gives your mind time to process everything around you. Hence when you walk onto stage the second time, you are already familiar with the environment and thus more relaxed.

24. Visit the venue
If you know that you will be nervous and worried what the venue will look like, make a point of trying to visit the place a day or two beforehand. This will give you time to think about it in your mind and become more comfortable.

25. Keep fit
When you are fit and healthy, you handle yourself better. Go to the gym the morning before the presentation and work all the frustrations out of your system.

26. Breathe
Nerves can cause short fast breaths and this will throw you off balance, and make you more nervous. 5 Minutes before you go on, sit down, relax and work on your breathing by taking slow deep breaths. Thus by the time you walk onto stage, you have paced your breathing to a more relaxed rhythm.

27. Walk among the crowd
Standing alone on a stage with the audience in darkness is nerve wracking for anyone. Ask the organizers to put up the houselights so that you can see the faces of the audience. Then make a point of walking into the audience and look at everyone around you one on one. Make eye contact and bond with individuals in the audience. It calms you down, plus makes you more approachable/friendly in the eyes of the delegates.

28. Focus on the importance of the event within reason
Yes! Some events are more important than others and hence your stress levels may vary. Either way, when you stand on that stage, remember that it's only that group of people that are watching you at that moment. There are another billion people on this earth that aren't watching you - so what's the big deal?

29. Love what you do
It makes a huge difference if you are passionate about the topic you are speaking on. You are thus automatically more comfortable with it and naturally relaxed. Anyone who has to speak on an unfamiliar topic will be nervous - that's a given. Hence if you have the choice, choose something you love to talk about - this will reduce any anxiety you may have had before dramatically.

30. Smile
Smile from within - force the corners of your mouth up. Make it a proper smile and not just a grin. Try it now - see how it changes your mood!

31. Fake Confidence
Imagine yourself absolutely blowing the audience away - a super star performance! Get onto stage and fake it! You'll be amazed at how quick you get into it and relax.

32. Stop being over critical on yourself
This is a huge cause for butterflies and nerves. Just realize that no audience is sitting there waiting to criticize you. The majority of them are too petrified to stand on that stage. They are just too grateful it's you. So relax and enjoy it! In the same vein don't be too critical on yourself. As a speaker I have often walked off stage thinking the audience were a bit quiet and that it didn't go down so well. In the meantime they were so into what I was doing, they forgot to respond and clap, simply because they were so taken aback. Sometimes our expectations are too high. Calm down and enjoy the moment. Often you get a far better response than you expected. Also remember that if your expectations are too high and the audience doesn't respond accordingly, you may wrongly hold back and not give as good a presentation as you should have.

33. Add laughter
Yes, we are not all comedians, and jokes take practice and timing. However, it is in your interest to find a joke or funny anecdote that you know will work - we call it a stock gag - where at least 80% of the audience will laugh. Open with this, it will relax you and the crowd!

34. Practice in front of your fear
Imagine your fear is watching you and you have to do the presentation. It's a rehearsal on your own in front of your fear. Doing this two or three times makes you confront your fear and get over it.

35. We all make mistakes
Focusing on that perfect presentation will lead to a boring speech and you will lose all spontaneity. The only way we learn is through our mistakes! It is naive to believe that you won't make any - but in the eyes of the audience it also makes you human and endears them towards you. Just don't make the same mistake twice! Through practice and learning from your mistakes you will become more proficient. This doesn't mean that an older speaker is better than you - it all depends who learnt the most from their mistakes. As the golfer Gary Player always said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Stage Fright, Overcoming stage frights, Tips on overcoming stage fright, 35 Tips on overcoming stage fright, Anxiety on stage

Wow, what happened to August? I feel as if I wrote my last 'useletter' last week! I trust you had a productive August and thanks for all the emails I have been receiving.

Last month I received a mail from a subscriber seeking advice on how to cope with people that are nasty, or negative towards you. It does happen that you get friends, family or colleagues that put you down when you suggest something, or make snotty comments when you say something. Often the person on the receiving end broods over this for the rest of the day and feels really hurt.

Has it ever happened to you that someone has said something that really bothered you? You smile and act as if it's all a joke, but when alone your thoughts a bitter and hurtful and you constantly go over the conversation trying to figure out what you did wrong?

You can check out 5 Quick Video Tips on this months Inspiring The World videos, click on the language of choice to view; English, German & Afrikaans.

Someone once told me that you can always tell who the pioneers are because they have arrows in their back and are lying face down in the dirt. It is they that change the world. It is only when people criticise you that you are doing something right and taking others out of their comfort zone!

Clever sayings aside, all I can say is that it is a normal reaction to get cranky when someone makes snotty comments. I have put a lot of videos on You Tube - a few people I don't know make such vulgar and rude comments and initially this really upset me - even all the good comments never made up for it. When I had my TV series I had tons of good reviews, but the one or two that were facetious would be the ones I remembered. So personally, I can really relate to what many people go through.

I would like to share 12 tips with you on how to cope with this. Even if you can only use one tip - at least it's a step in the right direction.

1.) Smile
A friend of mine shared a well known saying with me, "Some people grin and bear it. Others smile and change it." The power of a smile... now that's something! When these people approach you, are you smiling or do you have a long face? I firmly believe that the odds are way more in your favour of receiving good comments back when you are smiling. In fact a genuine smile is difficult to criticise. Even if you are in the wrong and deserve a sarcastic remark, it will be way more toned down if your were smiling. Think about it! I have learnt in life that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile... it makes their day, and mine too!

2.) Be happy within yourself
let's be realistic... way more people have good things to say than bad things - so I take it I am on a winning streak - that means I should remain positive. How things look on the outside of us depends on how things are on the inside of us. If I am content with who I am and know that most people don't have an issue with me, why should I let the few negative ones depress me?

3.) Be tolerant
Be tolerant of the human race. Your whole family belongs to it - and some of your spouse's family does too! 99% Of the time the people saying the bad things have their own issues to sort out, and are themselves the problem. So why should I waste my time thinking about them and their negativity? The reality of the situation is that you cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it is burning in your own. If there is a fire in your heart, you will only radiate positive energy and it is highly unlikely then that you will attract the negative people to you.

4.) Don't Criticise
Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticise them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes. We constantly like to criticise others who don't agree with us. But we must never forget that they could be the one in the right, and you could be the one in the wrong. Also, learn to look at their circumstances, is their negativity coming from problems and issues in their life. if you made an effort to find out what the problem is and helped them solve it, you would turn everything around to a win win situation.

5.) Understand that people do get jealous
Jealousy plays a HUGE role - if you are doing something right or good, for some or other reason the 'negative' people out there hate you for it and will always try and bring you down. If you have tried to help and find out what is causing the negativity and found no answers, then learn to ignore them. If anything, you should feel sorry for that person! There are certain things in life you cannot change and unfortunately some people fall into this category. Remember that opportunities are found by those who look for them. The bee has a sting, but honey too... so look at every negative and make a positive out of it.

6.) Chose to be the better person
If you cannot help worrying, remember that worrying cannot help you. Everything in life is a choice - I choose not to associate myself with nasty, negative people. In fact I don't listen to the news or read the first few pages of a newspaper - because it's all about corrupt politicians, sensationalism and negativity. By avoiding this I find it easier to remain positive.

7.) See the lighter side of life
If I am forced, i.e. in a work situation, to be in contact with a negative person, an cannot get out of having contact with them, I purposely wind them up when they start with me. In fact I agree with them on all the negative things they say. Kinda takes them off their guard and they stop. They are looking for a fight and argument - so if you just take it in your stride with humour - you throw them off balance. Thus they have no reason for carrying on with you.

8.) Stand up for yourself
You have to learn to stand up for yourself and confront them. Not in an aggressive way though! Simply be firm and inform them that you will not have any dealings with them until they change their attitude towards you. Sometimes people need a reality check. If you think you are too small to be effective, think of the last time you were in the dark with a mosquito! Catch my drift?

9.) Be honest with yourself
In the same vein you also need to be honest with yourself. If you have screwed up or are wrong - then you must also be man/woman enough to admit and accept it. Remember, we need to take responsibility of our own lives. It reminds me of a great saying, "When arguing with an idiot, make sure you are not the idiot!" Then again, it may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others!

Also, are you happy with yourself and who you are? I have learnt to be comfortable with myself and accept criticism. At the end of the day, no matter what anybody says, are you happy with the actions and decisions you made in your day? If you are, then there is no reason to let others annoy you over this. Unfortunately today more and more people bow down to peer pressure and doing what is 'popular'. Hello! You will never find inner happiness if your behaviour reflects the current 'flavour' of the month. Learn to be you and be happy in accepting who you are. Guess what, then other people will also be happy to accept you for who you are.

10.) Attitude
A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. Always strive to be part of the cure, and not remain part of the problem. Also, ALWAYS keep your words soft and sweet, then they won't be as hard to swallow if you have to eat them! Think of someone that has said hurtful things to you. If you stood up for yourself and put that person in their place - would their words be hard to swallow for them? Most probably - that's also why these types try not accept that they are in the wrong - it's too difficult to swallow their own words. Bottom line, brush it off.

11.) Time
Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time wasted in disapproving of others. I rather use my time on more positive things and improving myself. Never forget, most people get ahead during the time that others waste. The most precious asset you have is TIME. None of us know how long we are going to live. By giving your thoughts to those that irritate you, you are giving them the most precious thing you have, your life's time - are they really worth it? A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the full value of time and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.

12.) Watch your thoughts
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. If you constantly brood over all the negative things people say, your body will manifest that negativity outwardly and you will draw it towards you from others! It is imperative that you learn to stop brooding and redirect your thought to positive things - then you will draw the positive people towards you.

And finally, if you ever find yourself in the situation where you have something negative to say, think of the foolish man who simply tells a woman to stop talking, whereas a wise man tells her that her mouth is extremely beautiful when her lips are closed.
Have a wonderful month!

All previous 'Useletters' can be viewed on my Blog page, or click here.

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Dealing with rude people, October 2011 Useletter, Free 'Useletter'

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, 100 Travel Tips, Travel tips and hints, Travel

Tags: happiness, Materialism, Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', August 2011 Useletter

So, what is ship life all about?

Well, that totally depends on your attitude!
If you arrive on board with an arrogant attitude and think you are god’s gift to speaking – you may very well have a problem. That’s not to say that you don’t get big egos onboard amongst the entertainers & speakers. I’ll never forget on one cruise we had a young 25-year old singer who stuck his name on the outside of his door (in a passenger area). I won’t use his whole name. “Hugh …… Male Guest Entertainer.” He had such an attitude that even the cruise director and captain where to scared to tell him to remove the letters off his door. So one night I changed the “h” of his name with an “E”, thus changing ‘Hugh” into “Huge”. It took him two days before he noticed this, and the letters came off.
Another time during a variety show a speciality act went 3 minutes over his allotted time, and the female singer following him lost it. She screamed at this act for taking away 3 minutes of her ‘limelight’! So, yes, it does happen - thankfully very rarely. These acts usually get worked out of the system quickly!

If you approach your whole contract from a nice friendly attitude, and do a few extra little things to make the passenger's cruise all that more unforgettable – you will have a blast.
Of course you can party every night and have a hangover every morning. Then again you can just sit around and get bored stiff, and eventually end up partying and getting drunk every night. Or you can be as promiscuous as possible and bed everyone you meet (yes that happens too). Or, you can plan your daily routine and use your time on board a ship fruitfully and constructively, and enjoy quality time with your fellow entertainers & speakers.

Besides making friends and meeting many great people, you will have the opportunity of making business contacts amongst the passengers. You also have the opportunity to see new, exciting and exotic places at someone else's expense. Besides improving and expanding your general knowledge, your whole outlook on life will be changed and your thinking will become so much more global once you have experienced all the different countries and cultures. Coupled with this, you will work and meet staff, entertainers and crew from all over the world on board – again broadening your horizon on different peoples and their cultures.

They say that travelling is the “University of Life.” Absorb (like a sponge), and experience everything around you, and you will definitely grow as a person within.
As a dancer and singer, most ships have fixed production shows were you have to fit in. Thus there is a certain amount of repetitive work, over and above your cabaret spots. As a speciality act, e.g. comedian and magician, you are left very much on your own and basically do your regular normal acts. As a speaker, or lecturer, you will be working when the ship is at sea, thus have much time off to enjoy the sights and sounds of the cities and ports you dock in.

Working on ships is totally different from anything on land, as your audiences are usually international, elderly and come from all walks of life. At present the Americans are the majority of cruise ship passengers, and most cruise lines sail out of the USA. The most popular cruise areas and most densely populated with ships, are the Caribbean, followed by the Mediterranean, Baltic and Alaska. So most of your time will be spent in these parts of the world.

As the cruise ship industry has grown so much over the last few years, the ships have also become larger. The regular 28000 ton ship with its 600 passengers has now taken second place to the 130 000 ton plus floating hotels which take 3500 passengers and more. That’s excluding the crew! So the market is expanding rapidly, and the need for good speakers and entertainers is huge. In fact it is said that the cruise industry is the fastest growing tourist industry in the world, and that not even 5% of Americans have been on a cruise ship yet! Makes you think!

In theory, the closing down of the music hall and cabaret clubs on land, has now moved to cruise ships. So all those cabaret acts can now be employed here. Yes, comedy clubs have taken over on land, but most of the acts are below the belt and very controversial – and not suitable for the cruise ship market.

Working on a cruise ship sounds very glamorous and exciting, which it is... but remember, ‘too much of a good thing, isn't good for you’, and the novelty can soon wear off. After a few months of working on any liner, food such as lobsters, shrimps & fillet steaks will not have the same appeal to you as it has now. If you don't believe me... we'll speak again in six months time! Blindfolded, I can tell you the difference between Beluga, Sevruga and Osetra caviar. Big deal – but that’s a reality. You just have too much of the stuff.
On the plus side, if you enjoy your wines, traveling really gives you a broad education and insight into wines. Nothing wrong with that! So when I say that traveling gives you a broad insight into the world, this doesn’t only include the cities, ports and islands, but food, culture, geographic’s and so much more.

You will find that after a few years, your old friends back on land will almost be intimidated by your worldly knowledge and insights. In a sense it makes you a much deeper and understanding person. That is of course, if you utilize your free time to take in all the sights, sounds and people.
You also need a certain type of personality to be able to work on ships, and to cope with the confined environment.

If you go onboard with the objective of having fun, gaining experience, making new friends, and seeing the world – you will have a awesome time! It makes complete sense to my why some entertainers have spent the last 25 years on ships. It is addictive!

This is an extract from my book: Working on Cruise Ships as an entertainer and Speaker, available at www.mindpowerpublications.com

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Cruise Ships, Working at Sea, Working on Cruise Ships

This may sound like an obvious point, but it is the most common mistake new speakers make. How can you attempt to share skills with people you don't know? They may be at a more advanced level than you think, and they think the company is playing a joke on them when you are on stage. If you are a sales guru, you cannot talk about marketing strategies to the cleaning staff. If your message is partially new age and based on the laws of the universe, the local Christian ladies club won't receive you very well! Got it? No matter who books you, you need to find out as much as you can about the group of people you are speaking to. If you know it's the entire staff of a company, across the floor and they are looking for general inspiration, fine. But, if you specialise in strategic planning and will be speaking to a group of sales reps, you need to know whether they are part of this planning process, or spend most of the time on the road.

Are they MBA students? What is their age group? Younger people may just have completed their studies, are well informed and eager to please. An older group may be more set in their ways and not open to changing their way of thinking. Or it could be completely reversed - the older group may be brilliant futurists with a track record second to non and be lecturing at the local college part time, while the youngsters are still wet behind the ears. If you get this wrong, your talk can bomb. Beside speaking to the client and finding out as much as you can, do a search on the internet and read up on the company, their history and their vision. This gives you important insight into their corporate mindset. I find it a good idea to get to the function a bit earlier, even the day before. Meet with the delegates and get to know them. This gives me all the insight I need into their current knowledge base, how they think, what they think of their company, etc. This even allows me to personalise my keynote and go that extra mile.

Often you may be the last speaker on the bill. If you can arrive at the venue earlier, sit in on a few internal speaker sessions by the marketing director, financial director, etc. This gives you so much insight into who the company is and where they are heading. 99% of the time you can refer back to what the financial director said and build on points he/she made. Guess who is going to be on your side and give you a good endorsement? Stay away from any humour or issues that can offend someone. Remember, you only need to offend one person in an audience of a thousand people. This could be the wife of the CEO. No one will talk about the good points you made, but about how you angered the boss' wife! Get my point? Some politician may just have appeared on the front-page headlines of the newspaper for corruption and deserves to be bad mouthed, but for all you know it's the brother of someone in the audience.

The best lesson I ever learnt was in the USA where people are very conscious of this. A comedian friend told me to never tell jokes about a certain group, religion or culture. Rather tell an 'idiot' joke, because no one will complain that they are an idiot! In many respects it seems quite complicated as to what you can and can't say. I always follow the rule of thumb that if anything can be hurtful to anyone in any way stay clear from it. It is way to easy to pick on someone or some group of people and speakers let it slip all to easily. The safest for me is to turn everything on myself. If I am going to criticise someone, or pass a sarcastic comment, I always turn it on myself. Why? We have all done stupid things - use those as examples.

Firstly,
I don't offend anyone.
Secondly,
I come across as more human.
Thirdly,
others can then see those traits in themselves and relate to it. And best of all, it teaches me to laugh at myself too!

This is an extract from my book: Tips for Speakers, available at www.mindpowerpublications.com

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Know your audience as a speaker

I have lost count of the number of events I have spoken at where the stage is 6 foot high and the audience are seated 20 meters away. Spotlights are blinding me and the audience is in darkness. The event company has spent thousands on the staging, and I suddenly tell the technicians to put the house lights on, while I walk off stage into the audience.

Why?
You cannot connect with an audience if you don't see them! Why don't event companies understand this? Make sure that in your brief with a client, you make it clear that you need you need eye contact with the delegates.
I am not a preacher standing on a pedestal. If I want to openly communicate with an audience and 'connect' with them, I must have contact with them. This is impossible if they are meters away from me and I am standing on a high platform.

Don't get me wrong, a good speaker can still make a success of this set-up, and the keynote can still be great. But, I WILL connect better with my audience and leave a longer lasting impression if I can see and touch them.

2.) There have been many theories on how to make eye contact so that everyone in the audience feels you are talking to them directly. Some people say you need to look in a general direction, focus on someone in the middle of that group and then look left, right, in front and behind that person while talking. This gives the impression that you are talking to everyone there.
This works, but I find that I actually make a point of looking at everyone in his or her eyes. I alternate between left, right, front and back of the room. Hence the importance of having light on the audience. If there is an isle in the centre, I will walk down that isle towards the back and move around the room.
By being able to see the faces, you can see whether they are looking at you! You can see who is tweeting on Twitter. You can see who is sleeping! You can judge quite clearly whether you are capturing your audience.

3.) When making an important point, stand still. Movement is for general conversation and overviews. How can you expect an audience to grasp the importance of a point if you are bouncing up and down? Similarly body language and hand movements are important here. Standing rigid and expressionless is not going to convince anyone that they must take heed of what is being said. Hence I find that when I speak from personal experience and from the heart, my emotions naturally move my hands. Thus my actions truly follow my emotions. I have seen many speakers who try and convince an audience of a point, but their body movement doesn't follow their emotion. Afterwards they complain they didn't connect with the audience. Duh! Not everyone out there is dumb. They can see that your body language is not mimicking what your are saying. Hence the opening chapter of 'keeping it real.'
There are tons of courses and advice out there on how to stand, when to point, never to put your hands in your pockets, etc. I firmly believe that these are all courses designed for speakers who are delivering a choreographed presentation with no heart. Plus they are so focused on what to do with their hands; they are not connecting with the audience. If what you do is from deep within, everything else will come naturally. There is no 7 point system of rules for successful speaking. There is only ONE - keep it real! Then everything else follows naturally.
Do yourself a favour and look at some of the old hands in the business. Many of them will sit on a small stool, or bar chair and chat with their audience in a relaxed manner. Try suggesting this to some Speaking Academy instructors - they'll do their nut. Yet, these 'old hands' come across far better and their messages are still effective.
Why - they are comfortable with who they are. There are no pretences. Here we go again... they are keeping it 'real.'

4.) Anyone that has been in the industry for a long time will know of Dottie Walters's book, 'Speak and Grow Rich.' If you don't have it, buy it!
The best piece of advice to me, which she shares is, "Do your talk 100 times before charging for it."
I can write a book on how to cope with nerves. I can give tons of advice on how to enhance your presentation and give you hundreds of tips. All the above can be solved with Dottie Walters's advice - Do it at least 100 times!
Just be honest with yourself here. The first time you have done a talk, what happens? You drive back from the gig, or sit back at home and go through it in your mind. Suddenly you have all these thoughts on how you could have done it better! Be honest, I am right here. Why do you have those thoughts?
Because you didn't do it to the best of your ability! Why? Because you didn't rehearse it enough in front of a live audience? Rehearsing a keynote in your living room 100 times is TOTALLY different from doing it live!
Fair enough, reality is different from theory. You have an old client who begs you to do a talk on a new topic. To keep the client happy you spend days working on it and pull it off successfully.
I have been in this situation myself. My experience in the industry gives me the insight and nerve to get away with it. The audience think it is great and everyone is happy. But, and this is a huge but! If I am totally honest with myself, then I know I could have done it 100 times better. The few times I have given in to such a scenario; I always want to kick myself afterwards. I tend to rely on too much older material as fillers and a buffer to pull it off. I always think I could have done it differently afterwards.
If I look at the Keynote in my package that rocks, the one I can do in my sleep and where I know to the second what reaction I will pull from an audience - it's the one I have been doing the longest. It's that one I have done a few hundred times. It's the talk that is brilliant. It's my bread and butter talk.
Thus, if you want a great talk, you need to do it for everyone and anyone over a period of a few months. I can guarantee you that the talk you end with WILL BE vastly different in structure and content from the one you started with. It WILL be simpler, have fare more focused.
I have often been at conferences where laptops have packed up. In fact once in my life, three crashed one after the other. (That's why I use Apple Mac today - another tip!) Most of the speakers at the day conference duffed out completely - they couldn't read their points off their slides.
Hallo! Smell the roses! If you need crib notes and pointers to do your talk - you should not be charging for it. When you have done it a hundred times, you can do it in your sleep!
I am amazed at how often I see speakers do a full rehearsal of their talk at a conference, or want to blame the sound and lighting technician that they died on stage because they claim their sound was bad. I have seen speakers use a common humorous video clip in their presentations that wouldn't play, and their whole talk died from that point on.
Then when I sincerely comment that I feel they didn't know their talk, I am told I have an attitude! It has nothing to do with attitude. It has to do with stop being naive and to offer a value for money service. If your laptop hasn't crashed on you, if you haven't experienced a power failure, if a microphone hasn't died on you - IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME! It WILL happen!
Will you be able to cope? If not, I strongly suggest that you go rehearse your speech.
I have spoken to delegates in a pub, standing on a table with people all around me, in a restaurant. In fact I have spoken standing on top of Dune 7 (the biggest sand dune in southern Africa with people sitting around me. One of the most awesome experiences was standing in the Kruger National Park with the delegates sitting around a fire. The Landrover spots were my lighting, and lions where roaring in the bush behind me.
It's one of the most awesome talks I ever did. I had no technical support whatsoever, and was competing with the scenery and lions around me. Why did I handle all the above situations? Because I know my talk inside out. The PowerPoint/Keynote slides are a bonus - that's all they are. They do not make or break my talk. It's me who does. Do I connect with my audience? Do I relate to them? Do I make eye contact? Do I watch their reactions to what I say? YES!
And I can only do this when my talk is imbedded in my subconscious. I don't even have to think about what I am going to say next. It is part of who I am. Of course what also makes it easier is that I talk about personal real life experiences - so nothing has been learnt parrot fashion. It's about me and how my story can help you. Therefore, even though I know it pat off, I still bring across the real emotion of every story. But I have the confidence not to worry about what I am going to say next, which enables me to make that eye contact, read my audience and feed off them. Because it's my story and I know it so well, I can therefore also adapt and adjust it to suit the needs and mood of my audience.
I trust you see that I am not talking about me; I am trying to put a perspective on how important it is to 'know' your talk. It's only once you are comfortable with your presentation that no matter what happens, you will be able to handle it 100%!

5.) Speak clearly and be aware of accents.
Granted, due to Hollywood, everyone understands Americans. However, there are some of us that have grown up in different parts of the world, and we have an accent. Many years ago I was very conscious of this and spent a long time attending elocution lessons in order to lessen my strong South African accent. (That's where I learnt English.) The funny thing is, when I am home in Germany for a few months and dreaming in German, I have a German English accent. How's that!
If you have an accent of any sort, I have learnt that you should use it to your advantage. If you are speaking in a country where everyone sounds the same, suddenly you are different - that's a plus factor and makes people more interested in you, plus they become more attentive.
However, because you have an accent, you MUST speak a bit slower and clearer and concentrate on the correct pronunciation of all your words. Give the delegates a chance to get used to your dialect. This will take a good ten to fifteen minutes. If your dialect is too strong, you will lose them and their brains will tire from concentrating to understand you. Hence the importance of speaking clearly - then the accent becomes a pleasant one and the audience understands you better.

6.) I have spoken to more dead mics than an Irish undertaker! What happens when your microphone dies on you? Do you panic? Or is your voice strong enough to project while the sound technician does the panicking?
Practice projecting your voice and become comfortable with speaking loudly without it being forced. Voice artists will teach you this and it is some of the best money you can spend to improve your skills.

7.) When you are nervous, you tend to speak too fast. The same applies to not knowing your topic. Back to the 100 times story! When you know what you are talking about, you are more relaxed and you speak slowly and more clearly. Be very aware of this and learn to speak at a comfortable speed for the majority of the delegates listening. As soon as you speak too fast you become unclear.
Think about when you are talking one on one to someone else. How is your speech then? This is called a conversational style of speaking. If you can aim for this, then you should be fine speaking to a larger group.
In the same vein, emphasise important words. Be enthusiastic about important points. This will change the tone, intensity and energy of your voice and keep the talk interesting.

8.) NEVER read off a talk. We have enough politicians who bore us with that style. If you are getting paid for a talk, make sure you know it in your head. I know many speakers have crib notes and maybe some catch words on the podium as a back up. My question to you is, "Do you want to be a mediocre speaker or a great speaker?" Greatness is only possible if you know what you are doing and are comfortable doing it. Back to the 100 time issue once again!

9.) Have a logical flow in your keynote. There is nothing worse than a speaker hopping between topics and referring back to previous points, or saying that he will clarify a current point later. Planning your talk is the most important thing ever. It must have a logical flow. Most of the time when someone tells me they find it difficult to learn their talk - it's because it is illogical and doesn't make sense. How can you expect an audience to follow you if you have difficulty yourself?

10.) Lay an open foundation for your talk. Like everything in life, the planning phase is the most crucial. You need to have a talk that you can tailor design for a client as you are walking onto stage. The client must be able to tell you backstage that you are talking to a bunch of medical sales reps, and you must be able to walk onto stage, wowing them with the fact that they feel you designed your talk for them.

No, this isn't an unrealistic demand. It is simple to do. If I am speaking about goal achievement, the core points always remain the same, but the application and planning varies in different industries. In fact just a 5 minute brief with the client beforehand should give you enough insight to tailor the talk. Thus you should research the various mainstream industries and the types of clients you are most likely to speak to. Get to know how they think and what structures are standard in the industry. It's a bit of basic general knowledge. From there it becomes second nature to personalise the keynote.
Again we come back to the 100 times story. No matter how well you plan your talk, it WILL change over the years. By doing it 100 times you will have the time to identify the shortfalls, the parts that don't follow logically and you will have spoken to enough people to be comfortable with bringing in added industry specific elements. But this can only be done if you know the keynote 100%.

This is an extract from my book: Tips for Speakers, available at www.mindpowerpublications.com

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Become a better speaker, Improve your speaking technique

This has been a hot topic at quite a number of Speaker conventions and a topic that has caused much debate over the years. If you look at our profession and how it has changed over the last few years, keeping it real has taken a back seat.
Today speakers are popping up left and right, and the market in many countries has become over saturated. Anyone that has presented a TV program, or won a medal in a sporting event is now suddenly entering the speaking market.

Although they create a 'short term' impact on the industry, many do not last and it's always the old hands that plod along and seem to make a success though good and bad times.
This poses the question - what makes the successful speakers different from the others? Many factors come into play here, but in my opinion, it's those speakers that 'keep it real.'
What do I mean by this?
I tend to only speak about personal experiences and try relating my stories to 'everyone out there.' I find that if I 'connect' with my audience and they can relate in their own lives to what I am saying, then my message is far more powerful than hyping them up for an hour with 'feel good' stories which they forget after a few days.
This brings me to my entry into the profession. I started my career as an entertainer (Comedy Magician) travelling the world at corporate events; on cruise liners, expeditions, etc. As it happened, I had quite a few unique experiences and my own success story stemming from a belief in myself. Being a social animal, many corporate executives would chat to me after an event and be fascinated by my life story. It is them that planted the seed in my mind of becoming an inspirational keynote speaker.
My initial reaction when clients would suggest this to me is that I didn't believe in the 'ra ra' hype of the motivational speakers I knew of. They were like TV Evangelists for me, revving up a crowd with shallow 'feel good' words, and made lots of money doing this.
I have always been an ethical person, and this went completely against my principles. I tend to be someone that practices what he preaches and couldn't see myself lying to people like that. As is, I was a magician who was 'deceiving' my audience through clever sleight of hand. But at least I told them I was deceiving them, and in an entertaining way too. There was no way I could go out and do something similar, while manipulating their emotions.
Eventually, after a few years of literally every client telling me to tell my life story, I decided to do it. However, I would do it my way, or not at all.
I distinctly remember many bureaus, agents and speakers laughing at me. In fact the beginning years were tough, as hype was the in thing.
Today I look back at those times and those speakers. Few if any are still speaking. Suddenly companies changed their philosophy. They now wanted measurable, practical sustainable life skills which employees could implement immediately. They needed their attendees to be able to connect with the speaker and be given useable and attainable tips. But most of all their focus shifted from an entertaining 'feel good' seminar to something that was real and would change the future focus of the company in a realistic positive manner.
I heard a great saying in April 2010 at the Professional Speaker Association conference in Holland. One of the speaker said, "When you are young, you're a 'Go Getter.' When you get older, you become a 'Go Giver.'
That basically sums up my philosophy. If you want to speak, then it must be an 'inner calling' and you must care deeply about humanity. Above all, your audience must be able to identify this trait the minute you walk onto stage. They must see a sincere human being who cares for others and whom they can relate to in their own lives.
If you can do this, then they will listen and respect what you have to say. I look back at how I started - I reached my dreams and was successful in my career, but something was missing. Entertaining the masses and making them laugh wasn't enough? I had reached a stage in my life where I need to become a 'Giver.'
Thus, wherever you are in your speaking career, you need to first ask yourself the question, "Why are you a speaker?"
Is it the glamour of the lifestyle?
Is it the high keynote fees?
Is it the celebrity lifestyle of living in planes and hotels?
Maybe you just enjoy people applauding you?
Or is it the reason you get up in the morning?
Lets be realistic here. You haven't chosen the easiest career on earth. If anything, speaking offers you no security and every time there is a global recession, companies cut down and training and motivation.
You may have just won a sports competition, or become the new 'Big Brother' champion. But in a year or two you will be 'old news.' What happens then? Right now you may not be able to keep up with bookings, and everyone thinks you are the greatest.
Have you got a long-term strategic plan, or are you just going with the flow?
Is your keynote only topical now during the World Cup Football? What happens afterwards?
There is a reason I pose all these questions. You see, if you are truly passionate about speaking and really care about others, then your whole approach to speaking will be different from the person that is just milking the system while the good times last and riding on recent events which have put them into the limelight.
This is where the term, keeping it 'real' comes into play.
Let's be honest here, none of us are saying anything that is new and which will profoundly change the world we live it. Nothing is unique to you only. We all talk about attaining our goals and being open to change.
So what makes you different?
What makes the audience believe your story over someone else's story?

It's all about 'how' you tell your story!

The only thing that distinguishes your message from someone else, is how 'real' the audience perceive your message to be.
Please understand that I am not knocking the sport or celebrity speakers. For one moment, think objectively and think about the 'masses out there.' Yes a gold medallist Olympic winner is an inspiration to everyone. But can everyone become an Olympic gold medallist? No!
However, if a mechanic from a middle class family can become a huge national success with services centres throughout the country, many more people can relate to this person. He or she is more 'real' than the 'A' list Hollywood actor.
Whether you want to accept this or not - most people cannot relate to your story about the trouble you had on your intercontinental flight and how you overcame it. Most have never been in a plane. All they care about is putting food on the table and making their pay check last until end of the month. Most people we talk to are the employees at big companies. They work for a fixed salary. They do not live in the environment that we as speakers are exposed to. Yes they may be living it up and partying the whole night through at the conference. But they only attend one conference a year. We speak at ten per month. They live in a different reality to us!
This is where many speaker make the mistake of not connecting with their audience. They are living in an unrealistic reality.
Thus, when one speaks about keeping it 'real', your message has to resonate with the person sitting in front of you - the average middle class man and woman in the street. If you can connect with them, and they can see themselves in your shoes and believe that they have the same potential as you - then you can bring about change.
By no means am I saying that you cannot use your unique experiences, however, you have to find a common ground, which makes your audience connect with you.
Let me take a personal example. I was part of an expedition in the Arctic where we ran aground and could have died. Where we experienced temperatures of minus 40 degrees. 99.9% of people on this earth have not and will most probably never go to the Arctic. It's an awesome story, but hardly anyone can connect to this on an emotional level, never mind it changing their lives.
But, if I tell the story briefly, to give background, and then ask my delegates to imagine themselves, within their own frame of mind, in that situation where one possibly only had an hour left to live. I expand on that asking them to imagine that they must imagine the hotel they are in now was the size of the ship. That they have not contacted their loved ones at all in the last ten days. Now they realise they have maybe an hour left to live - what would go on in their minds?
Suddenly I have taken my unique story, made it 'real' by relating it to their circumstances, and now have the possibility to tap into their emotional state of being and shocking them into making the most of every moment and not taking family, friends and co-workers for granted.
There are three factors that come into play here.
1. I experienced this event myself, so I can tell the story with conviction, emotion and realism which the audience can feel through my body language.
2.) A bonus factor is that I have gained credibility with my audience as through the use of photos/videos etc. they see I really was there.
3.) Because I am 're-living' the real event with them, I am baring my soul to the audience. I am instilling a level of trust in them by sharing my most personal thoughts.
Don't you agree that because of this they are far more likely to 'connect' with me than if I was just relaying someone else's story?

Fair enough, not everyone has novel stories like this. But you don't need them! I have spoken about relating to the average person 'out there.' Sit down and brainstorm what issues these people may have.
The majority of people have financial problems. Many people know someone that owes them money, or have been done in by a scam on some sort. Who hasn't?
Odds are you have too. Tell your audience about it. Share the thought that went through your mind - odds are they will have had similar thoughts! Now you're keeping it real!
Here's another personal example. Many of us have a horror story about building our own home, or having work done to our homes where contractors have disappeared with our money. This happened to me to. In fact when it did happen to me, I paid someone to look for the contractor and beat them up. Guess what - this person also ran away with my money! If I am right, you are smiling now. Why? You can relate to it. Most people would love to get their own back if someone did them in. But various moral or other reasons stop them from doing this. Suddenly here's a guy on stage that talks about what everyone would have loved to do, and then got caught again. Everyone can laugh and relate to it. I have bared my soul. I have shown I am a 'real' person with the same thoughts and feelings as them. I also do stupid things. Now they look at me and are suddenly glad they never attempted to pay someone to get their own back. I have connected with my audience on a totally deeper level.
Now I can talk to them about the lessons I learnt and share this with them. Why one shouldn't hate, why one should take responsibility for one's own actions, etc. Odd's are they will take so much more home with them from this, compared to me just telling them that one shouldn't hate and one should take responsibility for ones own actions.
Get my point?
I am keeping it 'real' for everyone out there!

This is an extract from my book: Tips for Speakers, available at www.mindpowerpublications.com

Tags: Wolfgang Riebe, Keeping it real as a speaker, Authenticity as a speaker

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How much has happened in your life so far ? How fast has technology advanced ? In the new year it's always good to look back, as it puts everything into perspective. So let's have a look what has happened in the last 100 years and see what a huge difference a century makes.

100 YEARS AGO

The average life expectancy was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada, was only 30!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet!
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion,gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health'

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !

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Can you imagine what all is going to change in the next 100 years ? Yes, I always harp on about time and the importance of utilizing the time you have to its fullest. Especially now in this new year. Will you look back at the beginning of 2010 and say – I did it, or will you have regrets, because you wasted your time. Here' a touching story to put time back into perspective.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Smit died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."

Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over "his side of he fence" as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Smit stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," I recalled. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral."

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Smit's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture.... Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said. "What box? " Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Smit family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Smit died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. John Smit" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Rogers. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! John Smit."

"The thing he valued most...was...my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Susan… thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away,"

"Thanks for your time"

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One way to make use of your time effectively, is to think out of the box. I cannot put it better than in the last story for this month.

CHANGE OF STRATEGY

Once there was a man standing on the pavement with a sign which read, “I am blind, please help”.

A creative advertising executive walked past and stopped to observe him. The blind man only had a few coins in his hat and most people walked past. He dropped in a few coins and took the blind man's sign and wrote a new message on the back. This he then placed prominantly next to the blind man.

Later that afternoon the advertising executive walked passed the blind man again, and noticed that his hat was full of money notes and high value coins. The blind man recognised this man's footsteps and queried whether he was the chap that had re-written his sign, and what he had written. The advertising executive responded, “Yes, and I wrote nothing that wasn't true – I just wrote your sign a little differently.” At that he left.

The new sign read : “TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING, AND I CANNOT SEE IT!”

Moral of the story : Sometimes you just need to change your strategy when things are not going your way – and it may just turn out for the best.

Remember, if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten.
So make 2009 the best year ever – change your strategy !

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, January 2009 'Useletter, Free 'Useletter', Free Self Help, Www.wolfgangriebe.com

Welcome to the February 'Useletter'. It certainly is turning out to be '2000 & Mine' – I find that being positive and believing that this is going to be an awesome year, is attracting so many more things into my life and that it rubs off on everyone I come into contact with. This year I launched my new inspirational talk, 'Discover Your Passion' and am already helping so many people re-discover the fun in life. In fact, being someone that believes in humour, I open my talk with a saying, “Life is like a roll of toilet paper – the closer you get to the end, the quicker it goes!” It's mostly the baby boomers and older that really appreciate that saying. Why, because as we get older, time does fly. And we realise that one has to make the most of every precious day. It simply isn't worth it to get depressed and annoyed.
In fact one of my resolutions this year was NOT to listen to the news and NOT to read the political pages of any newspaper. Wow, it has made a huge difference in my outlook. I now don't have all these corrupt politicians irritating me anymore. Suddenly, I am smiling more and believing that the future is bright. And guess what? It's not difficult to do! If each and everyone of us just negated all those little irritations in life – everyone would be more positive, and the whole world would change overnight. Just try it! Please note, I said I don't read the political nonsense – however, I still keep myself updated with the financial markets and the business world – it's important to stay informed.

We are so bombarded by negative news daily, that it has become part of most peoples lives. In a year that is going to be mine, I definitely am not going to let an outsider influence my positive goals and thoughts. So, if I can share a bit of advice to find your passion this year, DON'T hang out with negative people, and DON'T read negative press. Remember the universal law : like energy attracts like energy – I want to attract health and happiness into my life, and I can only do so by connecting with like-minded people.
It's a decision on your part. It's an attitude – and on that note, here's an elderly gentleman that we can ALL learn an important lesson from.

A WISE OLD MAN

A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, who took great care in his appearance, was moving into a retirement home. His wife of 70 had recently died, and he was obliged to leave his house of 40 years.

After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently smiled as he was told that his room was ready. Slowly he walked to the elevator, using his cane, as the young helper described his small room to him, including the sheet hung at the window which served as a curtain.

"I like it very much", he said, with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old boy who has just been given a new puppy. "Sir, you haven’t even seen the room yet, hang on a moment, we are almost there. "

" That has nothing to do with it ", he replied. " Happiness is something I choose in advance. Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture, or the decor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it. I already decided in my mind that I like my room. It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up. "

"I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks to for those parts that are still in working order. Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life. "

" Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way. "
So, my advice to you is to deposit all the happiness you can in your bank account of memories.”

So you see, it was his decision to be positive and happy. He chose to do so. And together with that choice come the decision NOT to let outside influences get you down. Yes! It is not that easy to do at first, but start with little changes, such as not reading the negative things in the newspaper. As you practice, it becomes easier and easier, and before you realise it, you have change your whole outlook to life.
MORE LIFE WISDOMS
Health:

LIFE
Try an imagine a future time, where archeologists have just discovered a buried library.

And in these ruins they found a book, written by scholars, scientists and philosophers, all about the 21st century and the downfall of it's people.
A time where :

So what was it, that the future had learnt from the past ?

 That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. It is not the breath we breathe, that counts. But every moment that takes our breath away. Savour each and every precious moment in life and with your loved ones. One day when you look back at your life, it won’t be the material things that you remember, but the moments that took your breath away with those close to your heart.
 Never look back too often, because, then you won’t be able to see ahead. Stop living in the past and realise that it is love, not time, that heals all wounds.
 Consider that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. After all, a smile enriches all those who receive it, without making poorer those who give it. And it takes but a moment, yet the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. In fact, a smile is the most inexpensive way to improve your looks.
 Realise that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. And when you say, “I Love You’, mean it. Similarly, when you say, “I’m Sorry”, look the person in the eye. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

 Be careful how you think, as your life is Shaped by your thoughts. Our thoughts are energy ! Think positive and be with positive people – and life will treat you well. The world is like a mirror, if you face it smiling, it smiles back at you.
 Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
 And that even if you want to live on top of the mountain, never forget that all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
 Live as you would have wished to live, when you come to die.
 And remember that the purpose of life, is to life a life of purpose.

Have a brilliant February!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, February 2009 'Useletter', Free 'Useletter', Free Self Help, Www.wolfgangriebe.com

Welcome to the March “Use Letter”. I have noticed how many people have followed through with my '2000 and mine' belief and are really having an awesome year. However, with all the doom and gloom from the media on a daily basis – it is becoming more and more difficult to remain positive – or is it ? Most DEFINITELY not ! Life is so awesome and there are so many fantastic things to be grateful for, which, if we just become a little more aware – WILL keep you positive. A good friend of mine, Delycia, sent me 11 Rules to change the world. There is so much depth to these and if we all follow them – the world and your own life WILL be more positive.

SUBJECT: 11 RULES TO CHANGE THE WORLD ... AND YOUR LIFE!

1. You be the change, you dream of seeing (Mahatma Gandhi). "If everyone of us would sweep their own doorstep, the whole world would be clean," observed Mother Teresa. She was right.

2. Make time every day to reconnect to your highest ideals and boldest dreams. Without hope, people perish.

3. Leave every person you meet better than you found them. Life's too short to withhold encouragement and kindness.

4. See every setback as a stepping stone and every problem as a blessing in disguise. Contrary to what critics might say, these are NOT corny aphorisms. They are timeless truths of humanity. (And critics are just people too scared to grow their dreams anyway - pay no attention to them. The world needs more people lifting people up rather than putting people down).

5. Go the extra mile in everything you do.

6. Do what's right rather than what's easy. Being a great person isn't a popularity contest.

7. Care for your health. You elevate the world by elevating yourself, and your health really matters. Why be the richest person in the graveyard?

8. Tell your kids they are geniuses - and how much you adore them. Each of us are born geniuses but lose that gift within the first 6 years of our lives as we adopt the fears and limiting beliefs of those around us. Your kids are the leaders of the future. Grow their potential. Now.

9. Learn something new every day. As you grow, you begin to see possibilities you didn't have the eyes to see before. Read from an inspiring book, (click here) listen to an audio program, visit a good blog, go to a powerful workshop or have a conversation with an elder. One idea is all it takes to transform your life.

10. Keep your life simple! The secret to success and happiness is building your life around a few important things. The person who tries to do everything accomplishes nothing. What's the point in being busy doing the wrong things?

11. Remember that life is a mirror and we receive what we give out. To get more joy, give more joy. To have more respect, give more respect. To realize your dreams, help others realize theirs.

Last month I was literally inundated by people requesting the free E-Book of the last few year's inspiration (You can still do so on my “Free Inspiration” page on my website. Many asked if I don't have a proper published book as it would be a great bedside table read, or gift. I do listen to what you ask. The book is now at the publishers and will be available within the next two weeks. It's a 5 x 8 size book with over 200 pages of the best stories and quotes I have shared in this 'Use Letter'. The Title is “Life Lesson for the Heart”. You can order it off my website (click here) via PayPal, or click here and I'll send you banking details for a direct deposit. Also, if you are looking for a totally novel corporate gift for your clients – I can have special runs printed with your corporate logo on it.

It seems a general thread in my 'Use Letter' that I add stories about time. One of the reasons is that I have just finished the previous month's one, and suddenly I am working on the new one. Where does the time go. It's already March ! Over and over I stress the importance of savouring each and every day and truly living in the moment. A very dear friend of mine in LA, Sharon Williams sent me this beautiful story a few weeks ago about age and behind content with who you are. I don't know who the author is, but feel that is just so insightful and I needed to share it with you.

OLD AGE, I DECIDED, IS A  GIFT 

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my  body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother/father!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.. 

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. 

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. 

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. 

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until  4 AM and sleep until  noon ? 

I will dance with  myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. 

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. 

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as  well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. 

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken... How can your heart not break when you lose a loved  one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. 

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. 

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. 

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become . I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.... And I shall eat dessert every single day. ( If I feel like it). 

Have a super March!

Tags: Free Motivation, Wolfgang Riebe, Free 'Useletter', March 2009 'Useletter', Free Self Help, Www.wolfgangriebe.com

Welcome to April's Useletter. This month I want to share a few stories with you about enjoying life and being grateful for the little things. This whole global economic turndown seems to be making everyone negative. Even I am quiet (hint, hint) as companies are holding back on booking inspirational speakers – which doesn't make sense – this is the time when everyone needs to be motivated. To me it's a mindset. This should be the time when you reflect upon your life and be grateful for the smaller things. It is sad to see how most people judge their happiness according to their material worth – no wonder we are in an economic downturn. It's a mental downturn too! If you just look at all the good things around you, your health, your family and your friends. The beautiful country we live in. At the end of the day it is our inner thoughts which affect our outer behavior, and on that note – enjoy the first lesson.
YOUR WORDS, YOUR DREAMS, AND YOUR THOUGHTS HAVE POWER TO CREATE CONDITIONS IN YOUR LIFE.

What you speak about, you can bring about.

If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you're always broke, guess what? You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, our very thoughts will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action.

Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve.

Watch your "Thoughts," they become words;

Watch your "Words," they become actions;

Watch your "Actions," they become habits;

Watch your "Habits," they become character;

Watch your "Character", for it becomes your "Destiny"

So.......To prevent any obstacles.......

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

If I must reflect on my life right now, my two daughters are at an age where they are becoming so insightful and it is such a pleasure listening to their views and questions on life. The way in which they see the beauty in simple things is often a great reminder for me to 'come right' and stop fretting the small stuff. Hence here is a great insight to life, as seen from a young girl's perspective.

WINDSHIELD MESSAGE FROM A CHILD

One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.

Suddenly, my daughter, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something."

This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear. "What are you thinking?" I asked.

"The rain;" she began, "is like sin, like all the negative stuff around us, and the windshield wipers are the good and the positive, wiping our negative away." After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond.

"That's really good." Then my curiosity broke in. How far would she take this revelation?

So I asked... "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?" She didn't hesitate one moment with her answer: "Negative things happen all the time. When they do, we need to wipe them away. We must also remember that if negativity stops, just like the rain, it will come back again – that's just how it is. Then we just need to turn the wipes on again and wipe it away again. People always make it such a big deal. Why ? To flick the switch to turn the wipers on is no effort at all, and that is how all people should see it in real life. So when something negative happens, they should automatically switch over to the positive mode.

I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.

Everyone want to know the real 'secret' to life and continually imagine it to be something complicated, phenomenal and insightful. In fact it's all about the lessons in this month's 'Useletter'. As in the storey below.


FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU


THE SECRET