The 21^st Century Magazine,
at South Florida's www.miami-dade-online.com.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL...by Craig Lock

Dream big dreams.

Have a goal and plan to achieve.

Love doing what you do.

Listen to the advice of your spouse/partner.

Seek help from those whose skills you don't have.

Believe you are a winner, or one who CAN be.

Work smarter, not necessarily harder.

Fly with the eagles, don't scratch with the turkeys.

Be prepared to take calculated risks.

Be aware that opportunities are always around.

Promote your product well.

Satisfy customers needs completely.

Be decisive, determined and self-disciplined.

Encourage others constantly.

A strong belief in yourself.

A stronger belief in a higher power.

"With man some things are possible, but with God ALL good things, absolutely ANYTHING is possible."

Craig Lock
20th September 2000 ,Copyright 2000

THE INTERNET IS YOUR'S TO INFLUENCE

"We can all use the Internet to reach out to the "global community" and build a better world in this new "Information Revolution" that is upon us. Let's use it wisely, respect our diversity and unique cultures; but elaborate a new world in union. One where, like your founding forefathers in America, you can first celebrate the Independence Day of the strong burning creative spirit that is within you. If set alight, it is one that will make your personal VISION of the future a REALITY."

Craig Lock
Copyright 2000

FROM EVEN THE MOST TANGLED THREAD OF A SHATTERED LIFE..

I truly believe that, no matter how bad or traumatic an event appeared at the time, absolutely everything happens for a reason - to teach us lessons in the 'scholarly journey' of life... and that this only means that something much bigger and better, something way more beautiful is waiting for you - somewhere, somehow!

God can weave a beautiful tapestry from even the most tangled thread of a shattered life.. It's just a matter of "hanging in by the fingernails" with the hidden strength of character that we all have deep within us...and which is only severely tested in trials and tribulations. Like the 'pearl of great' price, which is produced by the great irritation of the oyster. This suffering breeds our great strength of character, which is within every one of us.

It's not what happens to us in life...it's how we react to what has happened to us...and our success will largely depend on our ATTITUDE to life: by remaining optimistic and open to new opportunities in the face of hardship, when all seems lost. Continue to do your part to open new doors amidst your trials and tribulations. All we need is FAITH to keep going.

So many miners gave up within inches of finding the gold in the seam of life.

I have an absolute faith in a Power way beyond ourselves, God, Life, Spirit of the Universe, Higher Authority, Infinite Intelligence, the Ultimate Source, the Creator (whatever you wish to call Him/It). However, I also believe that God, first helps those who help themselves. He may steer the course of our lives, but we have to take action and start peddling. He always gives us HOPE and LOVE when we may think we have nothing left...and God, Life Force, the Universe wants what is best for us and for us to be fulfilled and happy. That, I believe, is why , I believe God always conspires to deliver when we want something with all our heart and soul. God can make our wildest dreams come true -ones that are far bigger and more magnificent than we could ever have dreamed ourselves.

Craig Lock
Copyright 2000

QUOTABLE QUOTES

A wish is just a wish,
A New Years Resolution is just a resolution.
Goals have deadlines and are stepping stones down the path, the stair-case to your dreams.
Meeting a goal takes dedication, effort and sacrifice and all that it takes to turn a goal into a dream is TIME."
Craig Lock
Copyright 2000

A man without a dream is destined never to fulfill his or her full potential in life. Never give up on your dream... but take time to smell the flowers on your very individual journey. Be yourself and count your blessings, then try to make a difference in the world - however small. Try to shine your own little ray of sunshine to make the lives of others easier in some little way. You can derive the greatest pleasure from treading the wildest uncertain path... and just being you."

Life is a long journey of great beauty and mystery - a magical mystery tour of growing as a human being...and we are people through other people. For me, one of the secrets of life is having passion and making it work for you. Because passion is the spring that gives us power and purpose in life. If we can follow one's passion and make it one's life's work, as well as being interested in many things, we will be happy."

Even though life may be a struggle at many times it is still an art, a magical mystery tour in 'the ghost train'" of life. (That's a metaphor, by the way!). For me life is even a daily miracle... and it up to each one of us to use the individual gifts and talents that God gave us to the absolute fullest - to make each one of our lives the masterpiece it can one day be.

"You don't just have to be the choreographer, or the conductor of your life script- rather paint the masterpiece it could be. There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, that flows through the spirit of God. So don't spend your days stringing and tuning your instrument; start making and playing your music now." - Craig Lock, 5th August 1999

For success it is essential to have a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE (P.M.A.). You can change your negative attitudes. Have optimism + be willing to take calculated risks. Ask yourself what are your interests, your passions? If you can make your job from your interests you will love doing it. Work smarter not harder. Look for opportunities; they are always around - problems are just opportunities in disguise.

You can't buy it - it has to come from within. We are all different with diverse influences on us, e.g. environment, biology. REWARDS. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside, e.g. fame, recognition, power money. Intrinsic motivation is satisfying, interesting to you.

Understanding motivation gives us the power to accept our behavior and to change what we think and do.

"The buck starts and stops with you". The clearer the goal the more powerful the motivation. WE BECOME WHAT WE THINK ABOUT. Motivation comes from a challenge, so be open to new challenges. What motivates you NOW. (this can be very different from two years ago).

Craig Lock
Copyright 2000

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