Quote: Success

"The world is so fast that there are days when the person who says it can't be done is interrupted by the person doing it." -- Unknown

Quote: Attitude

"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude."

(M. Russell Ballard, “Providing for Our Needs,” Ensign, May 1981, 85)

Reading Good Books

If you love to read -- like I do -- check out my new Amazon.com bookstore. I'm getting ready to move -- and have hundreds of brand new books (or barely used books) that I'm trying to sell before I move. I have lots of LDS books, self-help or self-improvement books, business books, and much more.

I really hate to get rid of books, but I have way too many to move and I'm never going to read them all -- so I decided finally to simplify my life and give others a great deal on great books. :-)

Taking Time to Read

How do you find time to read all of the books you want to read? I think it comes down to managing time and priorities. If you come home tired and end up sitting in front of the TV for 3 hours, you probably won't end up reading that latest business or self-help book.

But if we can learn how to put first things first in our lives, and using our time wisely, not only will we get things done that we want to do, but we will feel happier and more fulfilled. It's something I struggle with myself, and want to do better. I have bookshelves filled with books that I love and other books that I want to make my own, but the past few years have been so busy, I haven't read as much as I want to.

So, that is a new goal for myself -- to take time to read!

2007 Utah Parade of Homes

I attended this year's Parade of Homes and was amazed at some of the homes. The first home was in the most beautiful setting I've ever seen -- it was nestled in Woodland Hills with a beautiful view of the mountain valley -- gorgeous! I did notice that many of the homes looked very much alike -- same type building materials, same builders or designers, very much the same. They all kind of blended in together.

I would really like to see next year have a wide variety of homes -- that's why people go -- to see ideas, styles, and get a feel about different architects and builders. I'd like to see a limit on the number of homes any one builder could submit. I did really like the renovated home on Provo Center Street. That was really a cool home -- but trying to sell it for the asking price was outrageous -- the rooms are just too small and the location isn't great -- surrounded by rentals. But the home itself was really cool.

Quote: Progress

"Progress always involves risk. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first." -- Bob Proctor, Radio and TV personality, success trainer

Mother's Tribute from Oprah

"I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is." -- Oprah

Quote: Goals

"A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it." -- Unknown

I've been thinking a lot lately about the direction life takes us. I know many people who just "go with the flow" -- whatever fits their whim, but never really getting anywhere. I've been guilty of that myself.

What I've come to discover is that it is vital to set goals for yourself -- whether it be financial, physical, or even spiritual goals -- otherwise, we certainly will not attain the heights which are possible, nor live the life of our dreams.

Quote: Achieving Perfection

"Perfection is our ultimate destination. Righteousness, or goodness, is the chariot to carry us there." -- Michaelene P. Grassli (Ensign, November 1988, p. 92.)

Direction for Life

"It matters very little what we are engaged in, it is impossible for us to do right without the guidance of the Almighty." -- John Taylor (JD, 13:221.)

Uplifting Fireside about "The Testaments"

The new film -- The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd is now available on DVD. The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd is a film depicting events from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. The story culminates with a portrayal of the resurrected Savior's visit to the ancient Americas as seen through the eyes of a fictional family. The film is now available on DVD. It is a powerful and beautifully done film and would be a great DVD to watch on Easter.

There is a fireside / talk done by Ane Marie and Tomas Kofod (the man who portrayed the Savior in the film, and his wife who helped design some of the costumes). The fireside entitled "Of One Fold and One Shepherd" contains the powerful conversion stories and experiences that Tomas had during the filming of The Testaments. He shares how the Lord tutored him and prepared him to play the role.

Tomas and Ane Marie are very good friends of mine -- and each time I have listened to this fireside, I am touched by the way the Lord is in charge -- and how He has a role for each of us. Both Tomas and Ane Marie have powerful testimonies and you will feel the Spirit as you hear about their conversions to the LDS Church, their experiences and miracles the Lord performed during the making of The Testaments.

A great gift for anyone (especially for Easter) -- it's available now as a download exclusively through LDS Audio. If you would like to pre-order a CD, you can purchase through Latter-day Light Books. If you have seen The Testaments -- you're going to want to hear this fireside! Both adults and teenagers will benefit from hearing these stories!

Quote: Measure of a Man

"The measure of a man is not necessarily his title or his position, but rather how he treats others." -- Victor L. Brown (Ensign, November 1989, p. 76.)

Quote: Thoughts

"Your outer circumstances are but reflections of your inner thoughts." -- Various authors

Quote: Patience

"We should learn to be patient with ourselves. Recognizing our strengths and our weaknesses, we should strive to use good judgment in all of our choices and decisions, make good use of every opportunity, and do our best in every task we undertake. We should not be unduly discouraged nor in despair at any time when we are doing the best we can. Rather, we should be satisfied with our progress even though it may come slowly at times." -- Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Patience, a Key to Happiness", Ensign, May 1987, 30

Book on Oprah's show

I saw on Oprah the other day a show about the book "What You Wear Can Change Your Life" by Trinny Woodall and Susannah. I loved the show -- taking women and simply changing their wardrobe -- it made them all look fabulous and at least 10-20 pounds lighter.

It's amazing how wearing the right clothes can make you feel better about yourself and can certainly help you look better.

I'd love to get the book -- but wonder if anyone out there has read it and had any success stories. If you do, I'd love to hear about it before I buy the book.

Success Life Coaching Website

I haven't linked my site and my blog together yet -- just too many other things going on, but I do have more information about life coaching on my Success Life Coaching website. Check it out.

Quote by Robert F. Kennedy

"Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream of things that never were and say why not." -- Robert F. Kennedy

Free Personality Tests

Life coaching is all about getting to know yourself, discovering your talents and abilities, learning how to communicate and go forward to fulfilling your dreams. I love personality tests, and becoming more in-tune with what I want in life in every aspect. So every book I read that helps me to get to know myself better is a book that I value.

Here is the eHarmony - Free Personality Profile. This free personality test is a great one, whether you are searching for a spouse or just trying to get to know what is important to you. The questions may make you think a bit and stop to access what you value most. I highly recommend taking advantage of the free personality assessment as a first step to get to know yourself better.

Love of Money

"The love of money is the root of many evils because it often involves selfishness. On the other hand, the wise use of money involves principles of righteousness. It involves sacrifice and discipline. It is the acid test of our faith." -- James E. Faust

Secrets to Making Money

Richard Paul Evans spoke yesterday about his book "The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me." It was a great presentation and he also mentioned Bookwise.

Richard Paul Evans is best known for his writing of "The Christmas Box" and founding The Christmas Box House - a charity which helps abused children. His "5 Lessons" book is the highest seller financial book at Costco (outselling even Oprah picks) and is the Business Book of the Month for February.

Secrets to Making Money

1. Decide to be wealthy!

Don't conform to the masses -- those who have little. If you're going to conform, find a millionaire and conform to what they are doing. Imagine what the world would be like if only the bad people had money. Money is not evil. There is much good that we can do if we have money. Think about the parable of the Good Samaritan -- he was only able to help because he had the means to pay for the care of the injured man. How many of us could do that?

The first step to having wealth -- is to deal with your own beliefs and feelings about money.

2. Take responsibility for your money.

Know your net worth -- there is a free financial calculator at TheFiveLessons.com where you can figure out your net worth. Know where your money is coming from. Know where your money is going. Know what your money is doing -- find ways to have your money work FOR you.)

3. Keep a portion of everything you earn.

"The Richest Man in Babylon" a book by George Clason taught this principle. Keep a minimum of 10-15% of everything you earn. Create a nest egg for yourself.

4. Win in the Margins.

The successful wealth builder finds additional ways to build their nest egg. You will find what you look for -- so look for ways to earn more money. Keep trying -- eventually you'll get it right. Carefully consider each expenditure -- "Do I really want it? What am I appeasing?" Use the phrase "Is that the best you can do?" -- save money on shopping and then any money you've saved add to your nest egg.

This is where Bookwise came up. It's another way to win in the margins -- another way you can add to your income.

"Freedom and Power are better than Momentary Pleasure"

5. Give back

That is the fun of having money -- being able to serve and change lives -- to help those who cannot help themselves -- to make a difference in the world.