If You Swim in a Sea of Lack and Limitation, You WILL Get Wet!

sea of lack and limitation?Are you swimming in a sea of lack and limitation? Are you surrounded by people, places, things and attitudes that inspire you? Or do you find yourself in an environment that reflects values, attitudes and beliefs you really don’t want as a part of your life?

So many people are afraid that they’ll be called a “snob” if they refuse to compromise on their environment. That’s a real shame, because as much as we affect our environment (and we certainly do), our environment also affects us. If you surround yourself with poverty, lack, ignorance, hopelessness or helplessness, it’s going to be almost impossible for you to live any kind of wealthy life.

Why? It has to do with our beliefs and are paradigms. Our beliefs determine what we “see” ourselves as being capable of. And trust me, you will NOT achieve something you cannot see yourself being capable of — most of the time you won’t even try it.

World renown psychologist Albert Ellis once famously said, “we become what we think about all day long.” Ellis was pointing out that our beliefs and paradigms are “shaped” and “solidified” by the things we choose to give our attention to. And, of course, our beliefs and paradigms determine what we realistically think we can achieve, what we think we deserve, and where we “fit in” in the world. And wherever we “see” ourselves fitting in to the tapestry of life, that’s pretty much where we’re going to be. Re-read that last sentence and think about your current situation. You’ll find that it is true beyond any doubt.

The problem is, if your environment has the smell of lack and limitation all over it, that is what is going to be on YOUR radar all day long — every day. Given enough time, it WILL affect your state of mind, your beliefs and how you think.

If you swim in a sea of lack and limitation you WILL get wet.

I grew up in a very poor area, among people who worked extremely hard (much harder than I work) for very little pay, always struggling to get by. They always talked about how tough things were, they planned for the worst and they expected life would always be hard. But here is a question I want you to REALLY think about:

Do poor people talk about how tough things are and expect life to be hard because they are poor. OR…are they poor BECAUSE they talk about how tough things are and expect life to be hard? (continued below)


Every second that you spend talking about lack and limitation is a second you are not focused on recognizing the abundance and opportunity around you. And don’t kid yourself — abundance and opportunity are always there. As many millionaires are made during times of recession as when the markets are booming.

I want to be clear though; I’m not “beating up” on poor people or judging them. On the other hand, I’m also not praising or honoring them. I point this out because many people have a habit of praising those who work very hard for very little reward. Why? Does it somehow make a person more noble or more ethical to work their fingers to the bone and not be abundantly compensated for their efforts? Of course not.

People are just people — some people do things that get good results, and some people don’t. Good or bad doesn’t enter into it.

I’m the type of person who generally gets along with everybody — I pretty much always have been. But I’ll tell you a “secret.” I don’t hang out with people who are focused on lack and limitation, and nine times out of 10 those people are poor. I don’t do this because I think I’m better than anyone — I do it because I want something different in my life, and I KNOW that surrounding yourself with lack-based attitudes has a very detrimental effect on your state of mind.

Remember Albert Ellis’ “law”: we become what we think about all day long. And for better or worse, whatever it is in your environment is going to be on your mind. It is your responsibility to surround yourself with good attitudes and positive concepts such as abundance, opportunity, personal responsibility (as opposed to the victim mindset), and values you agree with.

If your current environment does not reflect these things, it’s up to you to start making some changes. Now, I know you may not be able to change a poor or lack-based environment overnight, but you CAN begin shaking things up. And even if you begin modestly, you will see the snowball effect begin to work. And by all means, if you have people in your life who constantly focus on lack, try to gently nudge them in the right direction. If you can’t, fair enough. At least you tried. But you may have to simply spend less time around them if they’re not ready to move on to a better place in their life.

As you increase your attitude of abundance and your recognition of wealth and opportunity around you, it’s good to bring other people up with you — if you can of course. But remember, you do not have to hang out with ANYONE or any situation that reinforces a mindset of lack or limitation. In fact, if you want to live any kind of successful life (however you define success), you can’t afford to.

Money too Tight to Mention? Or Is It Actually Abundant?

untitledbbI’ve heard it said that money won’t solve all your problems, but I can confidently make this assertion: there is NO problem you can have in life that LACK of money won’t make worse (think about it).

We all want financial success, but not many of us understand HOW to attract wealth. Most put it down to luck or being born wealthy or some other outside influence. When the truth is…wealth begins inside you. It all starts with your beliefs and your habitual way of looking at the world.

Have you heard the old expression “money is the root of all evil,” or something similar? This paradigm is common in society, and yet there is no truth to it at all. Money is neither good nor bad — it is what we do with it that makes all the difference.

In order to attract riches into your life, you must appreciate all the good money does in the world. If you see money as “sinful” or “evil” you can’t be too surprised when it doesn’t exactly flow to you like a raging river…

It’s true, of course, that there are tight-fisted, stingy and money grubbing rich people. But by the same token, there are also many generous and giving rich people who do untold good in the world (look at the billions of dollars Bill Gates has donated to charity, for example)

It’s helpful to remind ourselves that financial wealth does a lot of good in the world. It builds hospitals, funds charities, paves roads and provides clean drinking water (a really big deal in much of the world) for millions of people. If those aren’t positive things, I don’t know what is. (continued below)

The law of attraction teaches this point of view about money, and I believe it is a useful perspective. Too many of us have been brainwashed into the assumption that lack and scarcity are simply “the way things are,” and abundance is just an illusion. This is the complete opposite of the message of the law of attraction, and completely out of touch with reality and common sense.

Thinking that we have to scratch and claw in the “rat race” for money is a lack-based mindset, and (take it from someone who’s been there) it’s also completely false. This false paradigm points us toward a belief that it is hard to be wealthy (when it actually isn’t). But as long as people embrace this notion, they find it hard to get ahead in life, and often struggle to attain any success at all. Their BELIEFS hold them back.

To attract wealth and abundance, we have to establish a positive relationship with money, and learn to give and receive freely. The enemy, as always, is fear.

Fear tries to convince us that we don’t deserve wealth, or it would be a hassle if we got it, or that it would change us into a bad person, or any number of other silly mistruths. The reality is, we should never buy into “the myth of lack.’ Nature is abundant, and there is always more than enough for everyone, once we open our eyes to it.

A competitive or fearful mindset derails many people who want to attract wealth. It stops the flow, and prevent us from giving and receiving openly. And once that happens, we are no longer living in abundance–we have turned to the “dark side,” the side of fear and the competitive mindset.

The competitive mindset is that little voice that tries to make us resent the success of others, or criticize those who have created abundance. It attempts to convince us we must compare ourselves to other and “keep up with the Jones’.” It is, without any doubt, the reason so many people wind up feeling trapped in the “rat race.” It is nothing less than a prison for our minds.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can realize that every one of us has our own path to abundance. And if an individual we know comes into wealth we can feel happy and excited for them, and we should — because our time will come too.

The truth is, there is no reason to EVER compete for wealth. The abundant universe provides plenty for all. Plenty of money, love, success and everything else. It’s all there, just waiting for us to turn our attention to it.

Are You Addicted To (Artificial) Drama?


Everyone who works with the law of attraction realizes that it’s important to stay focused on what you want and not waste your energy on things you don’t want. Of course, this isn’t just a law of attraction idea; it’s common sense.  After all, why would you give your energy and attention to things you don’t want? It’s like eating at a restaurant every day where you hate the food. You keep going back for more and giving them your energy (time, money), but you get nothing enjoyable out of it.

I’m certainly not the first law of attraction coach to observe that people LOVE to focus on things they don’t want sometimes. And I’m not immune to it either. I sometimes struggle to turn off television shows or films about subjects I definitely do not want in my experience. There seems to be a part of me (maybe a part of everyone?) that craves having a little bit of drama and conflict. The real question is, is this drama addiction human nature, or just a bad habit?

Law of Attraction NLP ResourcesI don’t have a definitive answer to that question; but I do know one thing: there is enough drama and conflict in life already, without us creating more by focusing on “artificial drama” (television, etc.).

Conflict, drama, confusion and heartbreak are all part of the human experience. I truly doubt anyone could live a life completely free of these things (or should). But that DOES NOT mean we should go around looking for them! This is how I interpret the law of attraction concept of not focusing on things you don’t want. It’s basically saying, don’t go looking for trouble. haha

Now Here’s Where It Gets Tricky…

The main concept of the law of attraction seems so simple a child could understand it: focus on positive things you WANT, and don’t give attention or energy to negative things you DON’T want. But in order to focus on things that are positive, you have to first figure out what is positive TO YOU. A very positive and happy experience for one person can be an absolute nightmare for another. Here’s an example:

I have a close friend who always e-mails or texts calling me s**thead, d-bag, or worse. Of course, I do the same thing back to him, and we’ve had this playful exchange of obscenities going on for more than 10 years now. Is it juvenile and silly? Of course! But it’s our male bonding ritual, our way of staying connected with each other. Being typical males, neither of us is entirely comfortable showing affection for the other, so the obscenities have become a kind of code for expressing these positive feelings.

The point is, some people would find these comments offensive and negative, but for me it’s always a very positive experience because of WHAT IT MEANS TO ME.

Likewise, what feels positive and uplifting to you might feel negative and depressing to me. So there is no universal standard for “positivity.” Even emotions like gratitude that feel very positive to most people can feel negative to some. One person e-mailed me recently and said making gratitude lists and thinking about gratitude made her feel fearful and depressed. My response was basically, “then don’t do them.”

If it Doesn’t Feel Good to You, Its Not Good for You…

Anything that makes you feel fearful or negative is simply not working for you. When you encounter experiences, people and things that bring on these emotions, you really only have two choices: continue to allow them to make you feel fearful and negative, or do a 180 and walk in the other direction. Even if it’s a person place or thing that everybody else loves. Your job is simply to focus on what feels good to YOU. Do that, and everything else will take care of itself. :-)

A Reader Asks, “Why is a Positive Attitude so Important?”


I received a Tweet yesterday asking two good questions: “why is a positive attitude so important,” and “isn’t the law of attraction just denial?”

So lets start with why I think a positive mindset is so critical: Encouragement and motivation help us to see possibilities where we once saw walls. Every battlefield commander or football coach understands the importance of “rallying the troops” because it changes their mindset. And when you change your mindset you are capable of different things.

My high school football coach would curse and scream at halftime and motivate us that we could do it. And his speeches would have a big effect sometimes and change the outcome of the game.

How is that possible? That someone’s words could change the results other people get on a football field?

A positive mindset can mean the difference between success and failure. Attitude has been know to win unwinnable wars many times (and football games).

Click Here to Discover the 11 Forgotten LawsWhen you learn to focus your mind on the BEST things, the things you want, and ignore the other, you will naturally begin to DO different things, and that leads to getting different results.

This is why a positive mindset about money is important. You need to believe that you deserve it and there is plenty to go around for everyone (this applies to other things too!). That belief affects what you do and the choices you make, it also affects how other people see you.

Example: I just hired a guy to help out with some new web projects because I could “sense” a very positive and prosperous vibe on him. He carried himself like someone who believed he would succeed. ALL employers are attracted to that (so are friends, potential dates, etc).

But if he had had a lack-based vibe I honestly don’t think he would’ve got the job. Attitude is so important in school, business, everything.

The law of attraction isn’t denial — among other things, it’s a tool to help us keep a positive attitude and focus on the best in life and ourselves. And doing this makes us capable of achieving more — much, much more!

Cool Law of Attraction Affirmations! PLUS 30% New Year’s Discount!

Law of Attraction NLP ResourcesHope you all had a wonderful holiday/New years, and are looking forward to a kick-ass 2010! I’m already feeling great about it and I wanted to do something special for all our supporters. So I’ve set up a cool New Year’s special over on www.JonMercer.net .

Through Jan. 15th you’ll save 30% on our uber-popular NLP Power Affirmations sessions (any of them). These powerful NLP sessions are attracting fans from around the world, and I personally love them! Try them for yourself and save big while the discount lasts!

To get the 30% discount just enter the promo code: 956Z4222

AND, we’re also offering 30% off on “The FireBreathing Introvert” coaching series (recommended for introverts and anyone who tends to be “sensitive.” Learn how to use your sensitivity (and even shyness) to your advantage!

And last but but least, we’re offering the 30% discount on our new “Attitude is NOT Optional” coaching series. This one is guaranteed to shake up your mindset (contains brief strong language–NOT for the kiddies!). I highly recommend this program to start your 2010 on a powerful and positive note! Check it out.

Remember to enter the promo code: 956Z4222 when ordering to get any (or all) of these programs for 30% off!

This offer is only valid through January 15th. So head on over to JonMercer.net to start your new year off on an extremely positive note!

To your increasing peace and success in 2010!
Jon
www.attractanything.com

Why the Law of Attraction Doesn’t Work Sometimes

 << Listen to This Article on Our Podcast!



Why does the law of attraction not seem to work for some people? This is a topic that’s been covered many times before, but I want to look at it from a different angle. I sometimes get e-mails from people who have been trying to use the law of attraction to improve some aspect of their life, but without much success.

In almost all of these cases the person has some sort of emotional block about what they are trying to attract — whether it’s money, a new relationship, job, car, whatever. And the truth is we all have blocks in certain areas — most of us have baggage from our past, and if we don’t “air it out” and deal with it, it can poison our emotions and state of mind, causing us to attract unwanted things into our lives.

Here’s an example: my friend CG sent me an e-mail telling me about his experiences using the law of attraction to gain financial security, improving his income and his standard of living. But he also mentioned he had been trying to use the exact same techniques to attract a better relationship with his family, but he hadn’t been very successful in this area — yet.

This isn’t really surprising because many of us have baggage and “issues” relating to our families. Sometimes it is sibling rivalry;  sometimes it’s as Discover Success as a "Loud and Proud" Introvert!simple as not feeling appreciated by family members, or having them treat you as if you were still 10 years old! To make matters even worse, these kinds of blocks are usually buried deep in our subconscious, making them difficult to understand and deal with.

I also have blocks in certain areas that I have become aware of over the years — and perhaps I have blocks in other areas I am not even aware of (haha). Here’s my rule of thumb for dealing with these kind of deep-seated issues that are causing you to attract things you don’t want:

If you can’t get over it, learn to accept it.

Sometimes we have baggage that we’re just not ready to let go of on a deeper level and it becomes like a sore spot in our life. Now ask yourself, what do you do if you have a sore spot on your body? Obviously, you see a doctor and get it fixed if you can. But if it won’t heal completely and it becomes a chronic problem, the best advice is simply don’t mess with it, and don’t focus on it.

What we are talking about here is ACCEPTANCE. We have to improve what we can, and learn to accept those things we cannot change. Now, to some people this sounds like simply giving up. They believe that if they accept their baggage or emotional issues, then these things will be with them forever and their situation will never improve. But fortunately, that is usually not the case.

Many times, accepting an aspect of ourself we don’t like actually begins the healing process. We have to make peace with who we are: the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you’ve tried to change a situation unsuccessfully for any length of time, it is time to upgrade your strategy — STOP trying to change it and learn to accept and even appreciate it as a part of your overall personality. Ironically, doing this often improves the problem substantially. There’s an old Buddhist saying that explains this phenomenon:

If you focus on something too intensely, your energy will push it away.”

Some people struggle and try so hard to attract something into their life that their energy ends up pushing it away. That is why practicing the law of attraction as a philosophy should always be done with an easy-going spirit and a joyful heart. Take it seriously, but NOT so seriously that it becomes work or a chore. It should be a fun and positive experience.

If it seems like hard work, you’re doing something wrong!

So here’s my best advice: make having fun and enjoying yourself a top priority in your life, no matter what! When you are in a positive, happy state of mind, your vibration immediately changes and you begin attracting very different circumstances. So do everything you can to feel as good as possible as often as possible. And don’t forget to share those good feelings with others (this just magnifies the effect).

Remember, the law of attraction is not brain surgery — keep it light, easy and joyful and you’ll get MUCH further in attracting the life you really want!

The Fire Breathing Introvert Official Launch (watch the video)



The Fire Breathing Introvert, our all new, all-introvert oriented coaching series is now officially live. Watch the video on the homepage to learn more about what the FBI series (as I call it) can offer you! I think you’ll be impressed: www.firebreathingintrovert.com

(or you can watch the video on YouTube here: Jon Explains the Fire Breathing Introvert Philosophy )

AND…The FBI Coaching series marks the very first time I’ve demonstrated ‘The Hemisphere Techniques” to the public. The Hemisphere techniques are a series of physical NLP ‘tricks’ for making very rapid changes in self-esteem, socializing. These little beauties have been very well received by my coaching clients. Now you can try them too. Check  out @ www.firebreathingintrovert.com

And before I forget,  Follow Me on Twitter!  Come’on,  join the conversation already! What’s the matter with ya!

Take care!
Jon

 

Jon Mercer
www.attractanything.com
Managing Director, Youniverse LLC

Introverts Rejoice! Brand New Coaching Series on the Way

The Fire Breathing Introvert!Even though it may seem like things have been quiet around the AttractAnything offices lately, we have actually been quite busy over the last several months working on new programs. This coming week we’ll be rolling out the first of these, a video/audio coaching series called ‘The Fire Breathing Introvert.’

As you might imagine, The Fire Breathing Introvert (or FBI as I like to call it), is a specialized coaching series aimed specifically at introverts, and includes lots of techniques, demonstrations and coaching sessions to make sure that introverts not only survive in the world of extroverts, but also THRIVE out there!

Being an introvert, I am incredibly passionate about this subject. There is so much bad information out there regarding introverts. For example, some people believe that introverts don’t like poeple or they are anti-social. Wrong. This has never been the case with me, and dozens of other introverts I know.

Being an introvert has to do with where you get your energy from. Unlike extroverts, introverts do not get energy from being with others. They tend to GIVE energy to others, not take. It has nothing to do with how social you are or how much you like people.

Still, I feel that introverts have been kicked around by society long enough (haha), and it’s time for them to stand up and be loud and proud about being who they are. And they should be! Introverts have tons of natural strengths that extroverts tend not to have. And MANY of the world greatest acheivers are introverts (including the two richest individuals in the US).

The FBI series is designed to massively boost your pride in being an introvert and to teach introverts specific skills to thrive in every area of life, from relationships to finances.

I’m really excited about finally bringing this series to the public. It is a message that desperately needs to be heard, especially in extrovert-oriented societies like the US. Stay tuned for more details over the coming week!

AND we’ll be offering special discounts to our supporters at the official launch. If you or someone you love is an introvert, you definitely don’t want to miss it.

Peace and prosperity,
Jon

PS: in case you’re not an introvert, not to worry. We have several other brand new programs that we’ll be rolling out over the next month. I’m so excited, I’m practically bursting at the seams to say more about them, but I better leave it there for now. Watch this space.

Real Wealth: What Is “Real Wealth” and how do you get it?



Sometimes I get e-mails or comments along these lines: “I don’t care about all the touchy-feely stuff about real wealth; I just want to make a LOT of money.”

To me, this represents a misunderstanding about the nature of wealth. No one is wealthy simply because they have a lot of money. In fact, I have met some desperately poor and miserable individuals who had large bank balances. One guy in particular comes to mind; a business owner from DC who contacted me a few years ago. His bank balance was healthy, to say the least. And yet, he was one of the poorest individuals I’ve ever met. He had been married and divorced a handful of times; his children would barely speak to him; he had very few friends, but many enemies; and worst of all — he lived in a constant state of fear and paranoia that his “great wealth” would be taken away from him at any moment.

To me, his life sounded like a living hell, not something anyone in their right mind would aspire to.

So what is real wealth? It is about happiness and freedom, in that order. And yes, having a good income does make it easier to live a wealthy life — but only if you understand that your wealth does not COME from bank accounts or material possessions. In fact, becoming wealthy begins ENTIRELY as a state of mind.

Click Here to Discover the 11 Forgotten LawsDon’t believe it? Consider this point: a person with a miserable mindset can NEVER be wealthy, no matter how much money they earn, how big their house is, or how many toys and possessions they own. With the wrong mindset, life will always be a hassle, people will always be hard to deal with, and you will always struggle with personal issues.

But with the right mindset, every day becomes an opportunity, people become sources of love, strength and inspiration in your life, and the everyday “trials and tribulations” of life become challenges that are manageable, and at times even educational.

And here’s the biggest irony of all: when you realize that real wealth is all in your head and begin appreciating the love and abundance all around you, the financial success has a way of taking care of itself. Sounds crazy, right?

Someone once said, “happiness is the foundation of all success.” I know to some people that sounds like a “touchy-feely” idea that has nothing to do with the hard-nosed business world. But in reality, it has everything to do with business, with success, and with creating real wealth in your life — including that big bank account so many people dream of.

Here’s my personal philosophy on the subject of attracting real wealth. These three points have worked for me, and for individuals I have coached of the years.

1. My state of mind is the most valuable thing I own. Without it, I can achieve nothing, create nothing, or enjoy nothing. Therefore, protecting and nourishing my state of mind is always job one. I will engage in no business practice, or work with no client that negatively affects my state of mind.

When your state of mind turns sour, EVERYTHING in your life turns sour. Protect your state of mind like a beloved child.

2. My two primary goals in life are 1) to enjoy myself as much as possible, and 2) to help others enjoy themselves as much as possible. Anything worthwhile always falls under one of these categories, whether it’s learning a new skill, helping a client overcome personal issues and achieve greater success, playing obnoxiously loud music in the office while working (our neighbors must be saints), contributing to a charity, going for regular dental checkups (perhaps not so enjoyable short term, but clearly increases happiness long term), or taking a crazy road trip across the country with my friends.

Anything that doesn’t help me enjoy my life more, and/or help others enjoy their lives more — has absolutely no place in my life and is promptly discarded.

3. I NEVER worry about money. And believe it or not, it’s not because my income has risen over the years. It is primarily because I figured out that worry, fear and desperation were the BIGGEST ENEMIES of real wealth and success. You know the old saying: “you can’t play the game with sweaty palms.” Sometimes we feel like we “have to” do certain things. We have to take a certain job; or we have to socialize with people who make us uncomfortable; or we have to lose 20 pounds, go to the gym more often, quit eating carbs, get that big promotion at work, etc….

The truth is, you and I don’t “have to” do anything. Sometimes it’s so easy to get scared — to think that life is just going to “swallow us up” if we let down our guard for one split second. But you know what? It won’t. Go ahead and decide that the universe is on your side, that things always have a way of working out for you (haven’t you noticed that already?). It seems like a big leap of faith to take, but once you take it you be wondering what all the fuss was about.

The Most Important Question



I’ve got a critical question for you today:

Right now, are you where you want to be in life?

For too many of us, the answer is “no.” Another year goes by, without the income, success, lifestyle and peace of mind that, deep down, you know you really want.

For the next 48 hours only, the Deluxe AttractAnything! Series — the same program that has kick-started hundreds of financial success stories all over the world — will be offered at our lowest price ever, AND includes over $276 in valuable bonuses!

And this is no marketing trick–when the 48 hours is gone, the offer is over. Full Stop. So take advanatage of this 48 hour promotion while you can: http://www.attractanything.com/order.html

Let me be clear: the Deluxe AttractAnything Series is designed to do one thing: kick you in the butt to get you motivated, engaged and DEMANDING (and attracting) MORE from life.

_beach_7IF…you’ve had ENOUGH scraping to get by, enough disappointment, fear and self doubt.

IF…you are ready for a prescription-strength dose of SUCCESS, THE WEALTH MINDSET, SELF-CONFIDENCE, CREATIVITY and PASSION FOR LIVING THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS…

Buy the Deluxe AttractAnything Series and take it seriously: you WILL achieve better results in EVERY area of life — guaranteed.

Deep down, you know only one person can stop you (Mirror, anyone?)That same person can also be an extremely POWERFUL force for change! It’s up to you…

Click Here to order today: http://www.attractanything.com/order.html

This special offer ends on midnight Friday (US EST), so don’t delay. And don’t let another year go by settling for less than you REALLY want!

To your increasing financial, emotional, spiritual and physical success!
Jon Mercer, MA
www.attractanything.com

PS: you are curious what kind of drastic lifestyle changes are possible using these principles? Watch this video on the AttractAnything YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFMfXyhX7qQ