Have You Been Conditioned to Fail? There’s an ancient story about a lion cub who was separated from his mother right after his birth… A crowd of sheep came upon him and since he was so small and frail they adopted him. They nourished him and weren’t afraid of him at all. The tiny cub had no idea who he really was, he assumed he was a sheep because that’s all he saw.  He grew up walking among the sheep, eating what they ate, being afraid of what they feared.

Sheep never walk alone, they always crowd around each other, they are afraid to be alone because it’s dangerous to be alone…

Lions never walk in a crowd, they always walk alone. They have a big territory. Lions are not afraid.

This little cub grew and grew and had no idea who he really was. He became larger and larger but the sheep were used to him and were not afraid. Although he was a strange sheep to them, he was still a sheep. He liked to be in the middle of the crowd, so he could feel safe, he never roared like a lion because if you don’t know you’re a lion, how can you ever roar?

One day an old, wise lion came upon this crowd of sheep. He couldn’t believe he saw a young, huge lion in the middle of the sheep. The old lion ran into the crowd of sheep, the sheep scattered and panicked, the young lion tried to make scared sheep noises… The old lion, with great effort, caught the young lion and dragged him from the crowd. The young lion was crying, resisting and thinking he was going to die.

The old lion dragged him to a pond and asked him to look in… where they were both reflected.

Suddenly, there was a transformation. The young lion realized the sheep was not a reality, it was a false idea programmed by his society.

The young lion lifted his head and a great roar was heard for miles around… The old lion said “My work is done. Now you know who you are really are.”

My question for you is: Have you been conditioned to live up to (or down to) the expectations of other people around you…?

Are you one of the millions of people who make New Year’s Resolutions? Are you also one of the millions who wind up breaking those resolutions? Here are the the top 5 resolutions that come up consistently EVERY, single year: Pay off debt and save money Get fit and take better care my physical appearance Do better at my job (or find a new one) Get organized Work less, spend more time with family Unfortunately, most people must keep making these same resolutions because they fail to plan! So we decided to celebrate the New Year a little differently than most!

New Year 2010

Jeff & I will be doing a completely FREE Live webinar on New Year’s Eve to celebrate everything we’ve created this year in life & our businesses AND to help you PLAN for SUCCESS in 2010…

Save your Seat for this live New Year’s Eve event here

There will be no selling during this event, only solid online strategies you can USE and a celebration for high achievers and people who want more success in 2010! Hope to “see” you there!

Are you already feeling overwhelmed with everything you have to do this holiday season? 1. You Don’t HAVE to Do Anything! just because you received an invitation, it doesn’t mean you Have to attend. Years ago, after a particularly grueling holiday season which left me frazzled and feeling nuts, I decided to cut down on the number of events I attend. Solution: Cut back on the events you feel you MUST attend. It’s better to have less events on your calendar and have your sanity intact. (and your family’s sanity, too) At least cut one event out to give you some breathing room.

2. Instead of giving so many meaningless presents, really GIVE.
This year, we decided we really wanted to do something that would help us appreciate what really matters..

• Being with loved ones
• Appreciating all the blessings you do have
• Helping others who need it for whatever reason

Solution: As one of your gifts this season, give yourself the experience of giving. On Sunday, Jeff & I are doing a Teleseminar and part of the proceeds will go to feed needy children in Atlanta! (Organized by someone we found on twitter!)

3. Breathe.

Remember to find some quiet time and BREATHE. While you breathe, think of the small things you have to appreciate right now. Even if it’s just the ability to breathe. Just 2 minutes closing your eyes to listen to your own breath and “hear” yourself again. Go for a 5 minute mini-walk. Go back to basics and remember that this time of year is about spending some quality time with loved ones AND about letting go of the past and looking forward to creating new beginnings.

Remember this is the perfect time to be selfish and get CLEAR on what you want to create in your life and then rolling up your sleeves and doing it!

Solution: Take a deep breathe right now. Refocus on your dreams.

Happy Holidays! Love, Maritza

There is power in true stories of accomplishment. When you learn how someone else overcame a challenge that you too are struggling to overcome, it can set you free..

“How Did You Do That! is that book—that book you’ve been looking for that could inspire you to change your own life.  In this collection of amazing true stories you’ll find the courage to finally go for it and do that thing you’ve been yearning to do.” Foreword by Mark Victor Hansen

I am a co-author in a new book filled with powerful stories about achievement of heartfelt desires and the courage that overcame incredible obstacles. I want to tell you about this book today, for two reasons…
First, it’s a great book sure to inspire you! But also because I am very excited to be a part of this book, and I want to ask you to support this fabulous book launch today.
How Did You Do That! features International Best Selling Authors such as Mark Victor Hansen of the Chicken Soup series, Barbara DeAngelis and 30 other folks just like you …

Here are just a few of these inspiring and powerful true stories

1.    Living Full Out
Diagnosed with degenerative eye disease at only 16 years of age, Nancy Solari went on to achieve her dreams as a singer and performer.  She attended college, enjoyed an internship with Good Morning America, and worked at Entertainment Tonight.  Although Nancy is legally blind, she lives full out – hiking, rollerblading, bicycling, bowling — she even shoots pool!
How did Nancy do it?  She achieved her goals and life dreams because she refused to accept anything that would limit her.  Obstacles most people would find daunting, she was able to use as inspiration.  Nancy’s story will inspire you and fortify your courage, so that you don’t adjust to disabilities or fears by downgrading your dreams – instead, follow her lead and live full out!

2.    Slum Lord Queen to Safe Homes Angel
Bonnie Laslo offers a delightfully surprising cooperative business model.  She could have been content making her fortune as a property manager and real estate investor, but instead Bonnie created a unique approach to become what she calls a Home Guardian.  She works cooperatively with her tenants in impoverished neighborhoods to transform the community and improve their lives in every dimension.  Her management team educates their tenants about basic – but important – financial skills, such as how to open checking accounts and create resumes.  You will be amazed how Bonnie found a cooperative way to resolve issues with neighborhood criminals so tenants are safer.
Bonnie has applied this principle to many businesses, and believes this approach of building cooperation with her consumers is the primary reason her business is recession proof.  Bonnie’s story shows how you can create an innovative approach in any industry, making your business cooperative with your consumers.  The rewards are far beyond monetary.

There are many more stories like these.  Stories of humble beginnings and heroic endings, but they are also stories of “how” — how they did it and how you can stop making excuses, start following your passion and create the life you want, too.

When all you know is the beginning and ending of a success story, getting your own “happy ending” can seem like a fairy tale.

But when you know how people overcame their obstacles, their story becomes real— and it can help you find your own path to your dream.

I am proud to be a co-author of this powerfully inspiring book, and excited to bring you a great special offer.  There is a wonderful assortment of empowering tools and priceless wisdom from leading experts to support you on your personal journey to achieve your dreams.  All completely FREE when you buy just one copy of the book today.   Go here to check it out:  www.DoThatBook.com
If you are facing any hurdle in life, you will discover at least one person whose story will provide the answer and inspiration you need to clear that hurdle from your life.  To achieve the kind of success these authors tell you about.

Then, very soon, people will ask you…  HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!