a positive statement by Og Mandino

I WILL PERSIST UNTIL I SUCCEED

I will persist until I succeed.

In the Orient young bulls are tested for the fight arena in a certain manner. Each is brought to the ring and allowed to attack a picador who pricks them with a lance. The bravery of each bull is then rated with care according to the number of times he demonstrates his willingness to charge in spite of the sting of the blade. Henceforth will I recognize that each day I am tested by life in like manner. If I persist, if I continue to try, if I continue to charge forward, I will succeed.

I will persist until I succeed.

I was not delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep. I will hear not those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious. Let them join the sheep. The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.

I will persist until I succeed.

The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my goal. Failure I may still encounter at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road. Never will I know how close it lies unless I turn the corner.

Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult.

I will persist until I succeed.

Henceforth, I will consider each day's effort as but one blow of my blade against a mighty oak. The first blow may cause not a tremor in the wood, nor the second, nor the third. Each blow, of itself, may be trifling, and seem of no consequence. Yet from childish swipes the oak will eventually tumble. So it will be with my efforts of today.

I will be liken to the rain drop which washes away the mountain; the ant who devours a tiger; the star which brightens the earth; the slave who builds a pyramid. I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will never consider defeat and I will remove from my vocabulary such words and phrases as quit, cannot, unable, impossible, out of the question, improbable, failure, unworkable, hopeless, and retreat; for they are the words of fools. I will avoid despair but if this disease of the mind should infect me then I will work on in despair. I will toil and I will endure. I will ignore the obstacles at my feet and keep mine eyes on the goals above my head, for I know that where dry desert ends, green grass grows.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will remember the ancient law of averages and I will bend it to my good. I will persist with knowledge that each failure to sell will increase my chance for success at the next attempt. Each nay I hear will bring me closer to the sound of yea. Each frown I meet only prepares me for the smile to come. Each misfortune I encounter will carry in it the seed of tomorrow's good luck. I must have the night to appreciate the day. I must fail often to succeed only once.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will try, and try, and try again. Each obstacle I will consider as a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession. I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm.

I will persist until I succeed.

Henceforth, I will learn and apply another secret of those who excel in my work. When each day is ended, not regarding whether it has been a success or a failure, I will attempt to achieve one more sale. When my thoughts beckon my tired body homeward I will resist the temptation to depart. I will try again. I will make one more attempt to close with victory, and if that fails I will make another. Never will I allow any day to end with a failure. Thus will I plant the seed of tomorrow's success and gain an insurmountable advantage over those who cease their labor at a prescribed time. When others cease their struggle, then mine will begin, and my harvest will be full.

I will persist until I succeed.

Nor will I allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure. I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and greet the new sun with confidence that this will be the best day of my life.

So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.

SIX STEPS FOR SUSTAINING YOUR HEALTH AND STAYING FOCUSED ON YOUR FITNESS GOAL

There are plenty of diets, fads, work out and weight loss programs out there. Many of them are questionable, while others are reputable. However, ultimately it comes down to some pretty simple concepts to sustain your health. Eat healthy vitamin-rich foods and get regular exercise, while avoiding high fat and processed foods. With hectic and expensive lives, it is not easy to stick to your plan. Below are some ways to motivate yourself to sustain your health goal and stay in a healthy routine for life.

Tip #1 – Just Push Play

Steven Tyler may not know, but when Aerosmith released their Just Push Play album in 2001, they were providing advice for one of life’s biggest challenges – staying healthy. It really is about taking that first step! How many of us quit a diet or workout plan within a week (or few hours)?
Think about it: the first time on your bicycle with no training wheels, your first day of school or your first driving lesson all felt like daunting tasks! But once you surpass that initial step, the rest comes easier. So, Just Push Play, whether it’s literally starting your hardcore ab workout, ordering a healthful lunch or putting on your gym clothes – take that first step and don’t think twice about it!
Tip #2 – Make a Schedule (for Both Work and Play)
Humans are creatures of habit and the first few weeks while your body adjusts to changes can be tough, but you will find your body craving the healthier foods and the daily workouts. Life is all about balance and that’s why it’s important to also schedule your days off. Take a day to do something fun or relax guilt-free, since you’ve earned it!
Tip #3 – Stay Focused on the Goal
It’s easy to forget how great you feel after a tough workout. Everyday can be a struggle to remind yourself of this, especially when you’re tired or stressed. If you have trouble remembering, start a log of how you feel after a workout or a good meal. You can also take photos of yourself as you progress towards your goal to see the transformation.
No one ever regrets a good workout and yet how many of us regret sitting on the couch all night or eating that greasy pizza? It can take time to see results, so the best thing you can do is ignore the excuses and discouraging thoughts, andstay focused on your goal.
Tip #4 – Get Organized
Find ways to create a healthy environment in your home and office. Discard anything that promotes unhealthy habits, like salty snacks in your office. Also set up an area of your house for indoor workouts. Create a relaxing environment somewhere in your house to de-stress, since stress causes your body to crave sugar. Keep a protein snack in your car like unsalted nuts to curb cravings before you hit up your kitchen the second you walk in the door!
Tip #5 – Accept Your New Lifestyle
Many people don’t understand or don’t want to believe that being healthy is not something you GET TO – it’s something you live by. Once you recognize it’s not just a few months of workouts or dieting, you learn to take it one day at a time. You’ll learn what things you can do without and how to slowly change bad habits. For instance, the P90x workout works wonders for many and the show the Biggest Loser helps thousands of people. The one message that each organization continues to impress on its audience is that you don’t stop after the 90 days or one season. This is just the first step in taking control of and truly enjoying your life!
Tip #6 – Reward Yourself
After you whip yourself into shape, keep in mind that it’s vital to reward yourself in small ways to remain motivated, so that you don’t give up, say, six weeks after New Year’s! It’s a tradeoff – if you know you really want ice cream after dinner, skip the cookies at work. Or as you start to feel and see changes, purchase a small gift like perfume or piece of jewelry for yourself. You are the one controlling your destiny and no food can make you feel this accomplished.
Staying healthy or sustaining your weight loss routine can be very challenging, especially when you first embark on changing your everyday routine. But you will never regret taking control of your future and living a much healthier life. It requires consistent work, but once you create a routine, it will feel like small steps to avoid major health problems. The accomplished feeling and positive results will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced – including ice cream!

Fitness and Productivity in the Workplace

Help your staff become physically fit

Physical fitness has numerous benefits. The physical benefits of working out regularly include helping you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, warding off disease and illness, and making you more energetic. Physical fitness offers several mental-health benefits as well, such as relieving stress and improving your mood. These advantages and more make physical fitness a safe, healthy way to increase workplace productivity. Employees engaging in exercises will be out sick less often, be better equipped to handle workplace tension and feel happier and more focused.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Gym membership discount
• Trainer
• Motivation
• Accountability

1. • 1
     Contact a gym or fitness center near your workplace about a group discount for your staff members. If your business can afford it, consider paying a portion of the membership as a benefit for your staff to make it even more affordable.Fitness Experience in Scottsdale Arizona is one such place www.fitnessexperienceclubs.com or (480)451-7650
   • 2
     Hire a group trainer that will motivate your staff and make a before work, lunch or after work time spot for you . Improve productivity by offering elective fitness classes before the start of the workday or after lunch.
   • 3
     Get your employees involved in an afternoon group fitness or spin class with your local gym which will boost employee's productivity.
   • 4
     Improve workplace productivity, enhance camaraderie and raise money for a good cause by organizing a voluntary team for a fundraising walk or run held in your area. Employees who are unable to participate in the physical aspect of the event can still be part of the team by helping to raise funds, creating team T-shirts or simply cheering on their coworkers.
   • 5
     Hang posters with safe, simple stretches and poses that staff members can perform in the workplace. Taking breaks to get up, stretch and move improves physical fitness and will help employees be more alert and productive.