I recommend Leider’s book because it is one of the best I have read on purpose and mission. He has managed to synthesized many key ideas and topics related to purpose in a concise and clear manner.

For anybody wanting to explore the issues related to creating meaning in their life and work, s/he will find this book very worthwhile.

“Greed, excess, irresponsibility and lack of regulation in the financial system have left wounds that will take several years to heal…recessions should come every three to four years to keep fear and greed within limits, good and bad times have to succeed each other every three to four years otherwise greed become geometric or fear becomes excessive.”

In a speech given in Montreal, December 2008

Here are some great techniques to sabotage your success!

• Have no clear sense of direction or clarity and you don’t know what you want.
• No motivation. Motivation is what makes you want to get up in the morning. It comes from desires and needs. Fear can be a good motivator sometimes when you use it in a resourceful way.
• Not wanting responsibilities. If your dream comes with a lot of responsibility, you may not want this, so develop a dream that is realistic and meaningful for you.
• Fear of success. Yes, some individuals feel undeserving of success and can’t handle it when it comes along. Perhaps you subconsciously fear it may change what you have presently or your relationships. To overcome this feeling is to become successful in another area of your life. Allow yourself to win. Success can become addictive.
• Fear of failure. But then if we don’t fail, then that’s probably because we haven’t done anything. Let yourself fail. Often. That’s the way we learn and  grow. Some people say there is no such thing as failure…only feedback. It is the environment’s way of telling us we haven’t quite got it right, yet , but to continue trying.

So, what to do with our sabotage techniques?

• Honestly evaluate what they are. List them.
• Replace them with positive empowering thoughts and action that will bring you closer to your goals.  Remember that great truth: “What you focus on, is what you’ll get.”
• Get a partner who respects and admires you to help you stay motivated and on track.
• Reinforce powerful beliefs and visualize yourself succeeding.

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Woody Allen

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” Napoleon Hill

Meditation better than medication…i.e. Plato not prozac.
In December 2008, the London Daily Telegraph reported  that psychologists from the Universtiy of Exeter published a study into “mindfulness-based cognitive therapy” (MBCT) finding it to be better than drugs or counseling for depression. MBCT marries Eastern meditation with Western Cognitive therapy. “Patients are taught the simple technique over 8 sessions and then practice it at home for 30 minutes a day.”

The technique revolves around “mindfulness meditation” in which a person sits with eyes closed and focuses on breathing. Concentrating on the rhythm of the breath helps produce a feeling of detachment, and the individual comes to realize that thoughts come and go of their own accord, and that the “conscious self” is distinct from  thoughts. This realization is the key to the transformation that many people experience.

Now that we’ve all decided that this is as good a time as any for a recession (‘What you focus on is what you get’), here are some tips for transforming our old way of life:

• Cut back on useless expensive items and cook dinner for your friends, get them a nice bottle of wine or beautiful flowers
• Spend more time with family and friends. Go for a walk, spend some time catching up or writing to old acquaintances. Rekindle friendships.
• Take the time to live in the moment. Contemplate a sunset; go to a botanical gardens and smell the flowers; make the best of those moments; savor time and the people around you; volunteer at a hospital or go spend time with individuals who need attention and affection. Get a dog or cat and learn from them.
• Join a group; a dance class; get involved helping others. Helping others, dixit the science of positive psychology is THE answer to everything and a shortcut to happiness.
• Now is a good time to do something different or new. When is the last time you’ve done something for the VERY FIRST TIME? Now, is the time to do it again and reap the joy. Leave your comfort zone behind…Create that new vision for yourself and your environment.
• Focus on prosperity and wealth…and encourage others to do the same thing. You’ll soon see the recession recede. I promise.