Here is a diary of one woman's journey from job loss in tough economic times to a heart that knows she has nothing to worry about because her success is in her hands. If she says she has golden hands then she does. Within three days of being notified of the job loss she quickly moved from anxiety to total confidence. She found that success was as easy as looking inside of herself and decided to start writing it down in the form of this book. The self-realization was so gratifying and pleasurable that she wanted to share the experience in hopes of helping others find their way to success or simply to enjoy her story. Written in a very conversational style this book is easy to read and chock full of believable ways to change up your life in a very positive, self affirming way. This is a fun, upbeat book which makes moving yourself on the road to success seem very do-able. Who wouldn't want to find a way to be and feel victorious on their own terms (of success)? Shelley Howe believes in herself as she believes in you. She takes you on a tour of her life for three months while she moves from unexpectedly unemployed to self employed and loves every minute of it. She makes the expression of one door closing and another bigger more beautiful opening a reality and shows you the way. Go for the gusto and get it! It is yours for the taking and Shelley both shares her story of how she got it and gives you some tools so that you can get it too. Enjoy!

Success was My Only Option

My Diary to SuccessBy Shelley Howe

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Shelley Howe, M.S., R.D.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-3713-0

Contents

1. What is Success?....................................................12. The Awakening.......................................................33. A Little Background.................................................54. Beginning the Process...............................................75. Dreaming Realities..................................................96. Imagery.............................................................117. The Plan............................................................138. Feeling Good........................................................159. Perspective.........................................................1710. Redirecting Thoughts................................................1911. Why Not Dream Big...................................................2112. New Beginnings......................................................2313. Going For It........................................................2514. Be Fearless.........................................................2715. Wisdom..............................................................3016. Confidence..........................................................3217. Gratitude...........................................................3518. Life Plans..........................................................3719. Inspiration.........................................................3920. Life is Short - Enjoy it Now!.......................................4221. Procrastination.....................................................4522. The Future..........................................................4823. Working.............................................................5124. Strength............................................................5425. Appreciation........................................................5626. Life Coaching.......................................................5927. Motivation..........................................................6128. The Time is Now.....................................................6329. Love................................................................6530. Making This Happen..................................................6731. Take Risks..........................................................6932. Struggles...........................................................7133. Attitude............................................................7334. Effort..............................................................7435. Expressions.........................................................7636. The Book............................................................7937. Career Plans........................................................8138. Setting Your Course.................................................8339. Achievements........................................................8540. Hope................................................................8741. Exhilaration........................................................8942. The President of the United States..................................9043. Mortality...........................................................9244. Life Matters........................................................9445. Resilience..........................................................9646. Moving Forward......................................................9847. Friends.............................................................10148. Giving..............................................................10349. Words of Experience.................................................10550. Finances, Clutter, Procrastination and Lateness.....................10851. Role Models.........................................................11152. It's All Good.......................................................11453. Networking..........................................................11754. Timing..............................................................11955. Happiness...........................................................12356. Evolution...........................................................12557. Quotations..........................................................12858. Positive Steps......................................................13159. Marketing Yourself..................................................13560. Luck................................................................13761. Results.............................................................14162. Time Management.....................................................14363. Baby Steps..........................................................14664. Being Whole.........................................................14965. Road to Change......................................................15166. Serendipity.........................................................15667. Taking Control of Your Life.........................................159

Chapter One

What is Success?

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A Wikipedia definition is: the achievement of something planned or attempted, impressive achievement, especially the attainment of fame, wealth or power, something that turns out well, as planned or intended, somebody successful, somebody who is wealthy, famous, or powerful because of a record of achievement.

Are you a success in your own eyes? Success is personal. We do not get do-over's in life. Wouldn't it be great to feel the empowerment of success according to you? You build on your successes in life to gain confidence and self esteem. It starts on the first day of your life and continues from there. Your parents see you on day one and make all of those pleasant smiles and noises at you and you feel good inside. That is the beginning. A few weeks later you roll over and your parents begin to applaud you. Sitting up is earth shattering. The video cameras are in full bloom for your first steps. Next comes words, then sentences and then the fun begins.

How your life journey culminates is a combination of so many factors. As a child there are so many things you cannot control, the rest of the journey from this day forward is in your hands. What do you want?

What kinds of successes are meaningful to you? Only you can design the plan for your future achievements. I started this book one day in November 2008 when life presented me with some choices.

On a Monday in late November I was told that I would not be needed at my job January first. I am the breadwinner and the insurance holder for me, my husband and my two sons both in college. I was blindsided by my supervisor's news. I had a strange reaction to that news. There was no time to feel sad, mad or freaked out as I had relatively large expenses and little time to figure out where the money was going to come from. I knew one thing and that was that even though this was occurring in difficult economic times, I had to thrive for myself, my husband and my children. Oh yes.... Fear crept in occasionally especially in the first couple of days. But on the third day I "got it": Success is my only option. I have been feeling great since that discovery.

I had always been a groupie for certain self-help people and philosophies: Oprah, Dr. Phil, Suzie Orman and the power of thinking positively. My life had all of the ups and downs of family and working life. I already knew that optimism carried me through....