​Greetings one and all, and I hope you’re keeping cool during yet another heat dome this summer. I’ve spent my time under AC vents working on updating book promotion, and one new venture I’ve launched is a YouTube Channel. A series of events gave me the opportunity to record a promotional video for a friend and member of my book family, which led me to the idea of launching a whole channel focused on inspiration and writing.

My first video picks up on the recent passing of Ozzy Osborne, and how his Back to the Beginning concert inspired me to “step up” with my writing. You can see the entire video below on finding the courage to overcome fear and pursue your dreams and vision for life. Today, I’d like to talk about what it takes to start this venture, and three things that are vital to do it.

You often hear of what I call “trifectas of progress.” It’s usually three item lists that promise to give you balance and focus for the best life possible. Christians are told to read and meditate on The Bible, pray, and be obedient to the Holy Spirit working in them. Health experts and therapists say that eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep are key to a happy, healthy life. Certainly, these things are critical to living your best life, and I encourage you to heed them. However, I believe there’s one more trifecta you can tap into to overcome fear, reprogram your subconscious mind, and rise to the next level.

It all has to do with changing your habits. We naturally resist this because we naturally form habits to make life easier and save energy from excessive thought on repetitive things. The key is to use this tendency to your advantage so you can make your habits serve you and your purpose for life. To do this, you need three things:

Internal motivation. You need to clearly and specifically define what you want. Meditate and pray on what’s in your heart privately, and define a goal. Don’t ask everybody else for advice, because that will only confuse you and it will only be revealed to you. Outwitting the Devil, by Napoleon Hill, warns readers of the dangerous habit of drifting that most people are prone to – and defeated by. Too many people simply drift through life with no goals or purpose, taking what they find. The problem is that life gives you what you ask for, and if you ask for nothing, then you get nothing! Don’t be a drifter. Know what you want, and focus on it. And if you haven’t read Outwitting the Devil , get it through your library on Hoopla. It will teach you how to not fall victim to this common and all-too-successful trick.

Self-Discipline. Don’t wish for it, work for it. I recently ran across a quote from Bruce Lee that says “Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal” and pinned it to my Vision Board. One thing a day is an easy start to find a path toward the life that you want. A month ago, I asked a friend online one question that led me to adding a valued new member to my book team who has been a tremendous help and motivator for my writing and book sales and promotion (and led to the YouTube Channel). The path starts with a single step, and usually builds from there. Stay focused on the goal you defined and follow the Spirit promptings of inspired action. Keep moving forward, especially on slow or “down days.” You never know what will lead to a big breakthrough, and it always starts with the small stuff. Fortune favors the persistent. 100% of people who succeed don’t quit. 100% of people who quit fail. There are few absolute statistics in life, but those are two that are universal. Believe them, and live by them.

Personal Growth. Expansion is life and stagnation is death. This is a major theme in The Dark Mirror Trilogy, and is a fundamental truth of life. You need to know yourself, and dedicate yourself to evolving into the best person you can be. This is where those other trifectas come into play. You need to dedicate yourself to growth and evolution so you can fill the space around you. Don’t waste potential. It was put there for a reason, so use it! If you need help or inspiration in this area, read The Secret. It’s available through your library through the Libby app, and will inspire you to set your mind, heart, and attitude right so you can see the joy, gratitude, and potential in yourself and in the world. Take care of yourself, believe in yourself, honor yourself, and respect yourself. That last one alone will set you apart from most people.

Simple? No. Changing how you think and your habits is one of the hardest things you can do. If you watched my video then you know that I’m doing it with you, so let’s start a movement. Ozzy left us with a heck of a legacy. Now let’s create our own. Take up all of the space. It’s expanding (especially in this heat) so you might as well fill it with right things.

That’s all today. Take care, and have a great week!

Bye!