Author: CLFurlong

Seeing this, inspires me to continue to motivate, encourage and help those who wish to aspire further, or even those already seeing the results they are chasing.

Regardless, I want to bring it back the very essence in which our ideas and passions are rooted by.

Creativity.

All these ideas, these skills and talents we have and even the passions we follow, they are all derived from creativity.

Creativity is based on our personal perspectives, influence, inspiration and basically through what and how we have interrupted the skills we have.

We all have these skills – even if we don’t like them or hate to admit it.

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love says that:

“Fear and creativity are conjoined twins. What holds people back from being creative is that in order to murder the fear, they end up killing off the creativity as well.”

Below I have collated four of the most common fears associated with creativity, I have also provided a point or two on how you can tackle them:

Fear that you are not Creative

If you think you’re not a creative person, I think you need to widen your definition of creativity.

Anyone that can fix a computer glitch, that can use a substitute when you don’t have an ingredient for a recipe.
If you can work an excel sheet or build one from the ground up. Maybe you’re a musician?

These are all examples of being creative – creativity doesn’t just apply to a visual artist.

Fear of Failure

It’s no wonder we fear failure, we are told over and over again, that the best way to learn is by doing and then when we get it wrong, people criticize us.

But the best thing you can do is:

“Fail, fail again, fail better.” said Samuel Beckett.

The best way to do this is find new ways of trying things, without having to reap the consequences of failure that are overwhelming.

Fear of the Unknown

It can be hard to be creative when we can’t even see the end design in you mind.

But you also need to realize, usually the most amazing and successful creations are those which differ from the original idea in the first place.

To defeat this is to take a day, a moment or some spare time and use it as unplanned time.
This time should be all about doing things that you haven’t planned for.

Like exploring the city, trying a new recipe, or simply doing something you wouldn’t normally do.

Fear of being Judged

It hurts being judged.

Being embarrassed can cut us deep at the core.

Even if the judgement isn’t intended to hurt us, it will.

But because we do feel hurt, we avoid taking the risk of being creative, as this will only bring us embarrassment.

“Your biggest critic is the voice inside your head”  – Chris Furlong

The best way to overcome this is to set yourself a challenge.

For 30 days force yourself to create (whatever it is you do) and do it for 30 days, keeping each created material for the whole time.

If you want to challenge yourself that little more, do this publicly.

Set the framework/context behind it, detailing that you are doing this to stretch yourself.

At the end of it just see how AMAZING you are and the progress you have made, being both creative and confident.

So are you going to make some changes to how you view your creativity? Will you decide to take a challenge?

Remember you only need to beat yourself, not others.

Each day should be full of wonderful opportunity and it should be presenting it’s self consistently.

We may not be able to control all the dynamics of any one single day; But we can control how we act, react, make a difference and encourage those around us.

The question I want to raise today is:

What if you have one month to live. How would you spend it?

As soon as we add in this restriction to life, our priorities, our ideas and our thinking changes.

It changes based on the fear of missing out, that we wont be or do so much.

Most people will spend their remaining time with loved ones, they would spend it through experiences, learning and creating.

Any of these choices, or all of them would be great way to spend your final month.

The real elephant in the room is…

Why must you have a restriction or deadline on life, to realize that life is limited and precious.

If you go through life expecting you can do or be something/someone ‘one day’ but you’re not willing to start working for it now – then you will probably never see it.

You need to make a choice to make time for your dreams and goals as your time won’t be increasing, but only depleting.

 “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

Below is a list comprised from Megan Auman’s manifesto.

Her manifesto is relevant on how we should embrace life in its fullness:

• Attitude is everything.
• Own the room.
• Don’t wait for permission.
• Worry less, do more.
• Don’t settle for boring.
• Follow your passion.
• Ask for what you want.
• Never let fear stop you.
• Try it and see.
• Believe in yourself.
• Be unapologetically you.
• Make a statement. Every day.

The above points are perfect ways to embrace life, but an additional point is to embrace your faith.

For me this is living and trusting in God.

Regardless – don’t wait around for a restriction to put on your life, before you can realize the importance of your time.

Start today and work towards your plan.

As I have progressed I have become more and more open to learning new ways and more effective ways of how I do this.

With this said a key element I needed to apply across my life was the adoption of learning to stay on course.

To do this it meant taking action regardless of how big or small. As long as I was consistent and honest, it worked.

All you need is an attitude of willingness, determination and confidence.

Starting out your new life change is going to require some effort.

But as soon as you realize you have no one but yourself to prove yourself to… then you are half way there.
I have said this many of times, that you are your greatest competition.

Maybe you want to finally take the plunge and start a change in your life?

• A change could be the breaking of a bad habit
• A change could be stepping up and out of your comfort zones
• A change could be setting up a new business
• A change could be kicking off your passion
• A change could be eating healthy and tracking your fitness progress

Before you can take the plunge you need to be rid of these excuses:

• Fear of change
• Not wanting to be uncomfortable
• Fear of uncertainty
• Being tired
• Fear of failure
• Fear of not being good enough
• Not having time
• Being busy with all kinds of things
• Waiting for something to happen
• Perfectionism
• Being overwhelmed with all that you have to do
• Not knowing how

We all have these fears and reasons for not taking action.

However, as soon as we ignore the above and just START.
The sooner you will begin making progress,

Below are some quick ways you can adopt, to aid your “just start” approach:

 You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. – Zig Ziglar

Mistakes are made to occur, and they are the small reminders that we are human and that we will never be perfect.

Today I would like to remind you that when we do make mistakes we have one of two options.

Embrace it or believe it.

Unfortunately, we can become so stuck on believing that our mistakes & troubles are who we are and what we will always be. That we end up losing any sense of who we really are and sometimes even give up.

Living a life of what could have been, or dwelling over the what ifs is only going to diminish and lower your dreams, expectations and any will to push on.

Failing and knowing you can come back is always going to give you an advantage.

Embracing the failure, understanding the key messages and really analyzing what went wrong, can help you pick up and try again. But this time better than ever!

Regardless – failure is a crucial key to success. Why? How?

Below are 8 valid reasons of why failure is the key to success.

1. It will define your character
2. Failure, will force you to forge your own path
3. Opportunity to develop talent and/or skills deeper and greater
4. It will help you discover what you really want
5. It will boost your creativity
6. It will teach you who your real friends are
7. Will reveal to you the true meaning all success

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well have not lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” – JK Rowling.

The trick is not to avoid failure because you are afraid of what people will say, but instead to allow failure to help you to navigate towards your goals and dreams.

So get out there and prepare yourself that failure might come. But when it does, you can be ready to take it on.  

Also remember – You need to put your past behind you. If you have failed before, it is time to move on.

Take the same idea here and apply. Identify what has gone wrong, and now prepare yourself for a reboot.

This time you will do even better – you know it and I know it. 

A bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t change it, you’ll never go anywhere. – Unknown

As said by John N. Mitchell, “Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.”  

Attitude has the power to determine just how much we succeed in life. But more so each day.

Each day we have the ability to formulate, control and regulate just what temperature we can set out mood.

Regardless of the day before, if you want to smile you can. But you can also be stubborn enough to yourself and hide this smile.

If you struggle with setting your mood right, or your attitude for the day, then the below techniques may just be right for you:

1. Start the morning listing the things you are grateful for.
2. Love life, not the stuff.
3. Be patient.
4. Believe and have faith in yourself.
5. Work smarter, not harder.
6. There is no such thing as failure – unless you choose to give up.

You can adjust your attitude at any point in time. Now this isn’t easy but it will pay off.

Your attitude will impact your perspective, what you notice, and what you fail to notice.

Change your attitude – shift your reality.

The quality of your life itself is what will bring you the most happiness, not the quantity or quality of your stuff. – Unknown

I challenge you today to take an attitude check. Identify what your view is of the day. If you are worried, stressed or unmotivated…

Try and identify the root of this. Is it work, is it relationships, is it something more or something less?

Find this – so you can work on the problem, rather than fighting it with a jumpy attitude.

Every task becomes a burden, you’re tired and all you want to do is binge watch the latest episodes of your favorite TV Show.

I have these days all the time, however this doesn’t mean I give into them.

These are the days in which I embrace the challenge, I fight my mind and work to become better than myself.

If we allow our moods to dictate our actions – soon enough we will be procrastinating, distracted, lacking any sense of exercise, struggling to eat healthy and who knows what other bad habits.

Today is your day to take ownership.

When it comes to the time that we need to take action – how about when you get the feeling of “I don’t feel like it”, try saying one of these instead:

1. I made a plan and set a goal, I gotta do it.
2. Past Me said I should do it, and Future Me will thank me, so let’s do it!
3. Once I start, I’ll be glad I did. All I have to do is take the first small step to start.
4. I don’t need to decide on this, or think about it. It’s already decided.
5. I am doing this for others, to set an example for others, to make the world better. Aspire to Inspire.
6. It’s time, let’s get to work like a pro.

“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you are struggling to start something… a new routine, exercise, working on your passion, or whatever it may be. Just do something.

Just get started and begin actually doing it.

Don’t worry about whether you’ll do it for 10 minutes or an hour. Don’t worry about how good you’ll be at it, or what people will think of it, or whether you’ll succeed or not. Those are not relevant to the task. Just do it. Put your mind completely in the activity.

You can only get better as you keep at it.

I challenge you to do this for a week straight. Do something, for X amount of time regardless if you are good at it or not. Track the results and just see how you go.

The most important day of the week is here.

Today.

Everyday is your most important day. As each evening peaks, I know it is common for a lot of us to get worked up and become anxiously nervous, discontent or grumpy with the thought of tomorrow being another hard day.

Now when it comes to this – my blunt reaction is: “You signed up for this, so if it isn’t working, find something that does.”

Meaning; if you’re that worried, annoyed, frustrated and discontent by what is to occur tomorrow, then clearly you are not doing something you enjoy, or where you want to be.

Now – just because it may be hard, doesn’t mean it isn’t right for you.

Seriously! If you are waking up each morning fighting and trying to find reasons not to be doing whatever it is you do…or maybe you are feeling the burden before even getting out of bed…then you need to change something.

However, if the task is hard and is growing you and is challenging this is still good for you. But if you are seriously not loving what you do. I think you should be working towards or literally doing what you love.

Whatever your passion is – make that the rest of your life. Find what makes you tick and keep it ticking! – Chris Furlong

Regardless – here are some quick points you can use to help MOTIVATE your day(s).

• DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
• ORGANIZE YOUR WORK AND PLAN YOUR DAY (BEFORE)
• BREATHE FRESH AIR
• DANCE/EXERCISE/BOUNCE
• CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS
• HAVE FUN

Challenge Today. Conquer Today. Own Today.

I don’t know about you, but so far this year I have been able to grow more and more each day. Not only in one aspect of my life but across multiple areas in my life and I just can’t wait to see what the year still has in store.

Less about me more about you.

For those who have taken on the same trek as myself, to aspire to push further and make this year the year it can be.

Day 60 is a crucial day as we have now officially completed 2 months. By tomorrow you will be kicking off March. 

Time flies when you’re having fun.

Today I want you to reflect back on the last 60 days and highlight 10 Key things you have achieved, developed or stretched in your life.

Before you start though, I challenge you to write these down on paper.

Applying the mind to paper technique will always present better results, as it activates your brain power in a different way than it would via technology.

Don’t get me wrong, the devices themselves are beauties and should always be utilized at their max capacity. This is simply a challenged suggestion.

See below – I have written my 10 Key points from the past 60 days in which I have grown in. (you should do it on paper)

These are in no particular order.

As you can see I have not elaborated on these here. I would recommend you do or jot down a few extra dot points for these (extra details).

1. Confidence
2. Willpower
3. Mental Capacity
4. New & Known Skills
5. Exercise
6. Healthy Living
7. Advocacy
8. Writing & Blogging
9. Self-worth
10. Faith

From these 10 Key points, I want you to think about how the next 30, 60 and even 90 days are going to look.

How will you continue and how you will leverage these days into creating and aspiring further.

But the main note I want to get across today is:

Remember we are only 60 day’s in. If you’re not seeing results, its OK.

The whole point of writing down 10 Key points, was to help you see that you have made progress.

Remember:

• Practice makes perfect
• Progress over perfection
• These things take time
• Maybe you haven’t realized (ask someone for feedback) – different perspective
• Keep going – it will soon click
• Ask for help and support (I would love to encourage you more)

Stop beating yourself up. You are a work in progress; Which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once. – Unknown

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If you haven’t seen it already, we just released its book list that every dreamer on a journey to greatness should be reading. Click below to see more details!

Happiness is not necessarily getting everything you want. 

“It’s enjoying the little things in life—whether that’s starting to eat healthy or just waking up a little earlier to enjoy more of your day.” —Jane Ko, editor of A Taste of Koko

The point is – we all have a decision to make when it comes to being happy.

You can wake up and choose to have a happy day or you can choose to submit to the everyday drag in which society tells you to live.

You see, if you choose to see the small things, the beautiful things and the things that inspire. Then you will always be happy and even successful.

Taking a positive approach will inspire others to embrace the very same enthusiasm.

Below are 10 ways you can get yourself to a mental state of happiness:

1. Inhale, exhale, repeat.
Breathe. Take a moment and just relax. Let the air flow in and out.
Embrace and really notice the air you breathe. Take note as life is full of it.

2. Chat yourself up.
Challenge yourself, encourage yourself, push yourself.
I’m not saying walk around talking to yourself, but rather spur yourself on.

3. Say thanks.
Be polite, thank people, make them feel welcome and happy.
By sharing the love, the care and manners – happiness is created.

4. Become fluent in body language.
Understanding and identifying just how body language works, can tell a better story than words.
Identifying how people are reacting, especially in a positive way, will only encourage your happiness.

5. Pursue (physical and mental) fitness.
Exercise is a key of making you feel better than ever.
Running for instance will grow your mental capacity and will power as well as your fitness.
Once you complete, achieve or do more than you have before. You will be inspired and encouraged.

6. Eat smart.
Eating healthy is another key to being happy. 
As much as binge eating, sweets and sugary goods make you feel nice…
Overcoming this and having a fresh, healthy and clean eating lifestyle will reflect:
– Positive Attitude
– Happiness
– Bounce

7. Get adequate shuteye.
In a busy world, adequate sleep can be hard. But your body requires it and if you adequately suffice your body with it,
Then your body will be react efficiently, effectively and readily. You will have a buzz.

8. Spread joy
Sharing your bounce, your buzz or even a smile, will create happiness.
Your attitude will trickle on to others – so make sure it is spreading joy.
As you encourage others, their enticed happiness will spur on your own.

9. Embrace Opportunity
Everyday is a new chance to change your life, embrace something new and discover more.
Being able to grow more, aspire further, share joy and open and close doors, really entices ones’ excitement.
Embracing the above and the challenges, with an optimistic attitude will soon enough bring you happiness.

10. Faith
Your faith – should always be your inner happiness.
What you believe in and stand for, will sculpt who you are.
If you live for what you believe in and stand for – you will always be happy.

 I am my own superhero – Erika Chau

Do you have a way of being happy? Do you think the above 10 ways are true?

Today I wish to remind you to keep your mind fresh full of ‘thinking cap’ questions.

To help spur you on, these questions will be in relation to locking down your passions and reminding yourself of your journey.

Regardless, if you answer these questions or not (you should though), today I challenge you to take action.

Whatever your dream and goal is – work on it today. Whether it is 5 mins, 10 mins, 30 mins or a few hours.

I can only push you so much… you need to push yourself more!

If you’re still in the stage of locking down you passion, then the below questions are perfect for you.

If you’re trying to realign, stay a course and on track, these will help prompt you of why you started! 

Question 1: As a child what were you passionate about?

Question 2: If you didn’t require a job, how would you spend your time?

Question 3: What do you get lost in so deep, that the world seems to stop?

Question 4: What issues/concerns do you keep closest to your heart?

Question 5: How are you interacting with your friends? What conversations do you have?

Question 6: What is on your bucket list?

Question 7: If you could make your dreams come true, what would you make happen?

“Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.” – Rosa Luxemburg