Zen Garden > How to Stay Positive When Every Damn Thing Seems to Be Going Against You

Recently on a very large Internet Marketing forum the following question was asked: "How do you say positive? From where do you pull the energy to continue?"

I thought about this for a while then gave my answer.

I thought about this for a while then gave my answer.

I know where this person is coming from - so much to do, so little time to do it. You need to get those results on the board and you want them quickly.

To answer the question...

You "pull the energy" from doing the thing. As you achieve little incremental steps you stay inspired to go on. Only highly motivated achievers will do it. The rest will look for the next big thing and then the next and then the next... and they will get... NOWHERE. Always searching, never finding.

Just remember ONE thing here - if you can't measure it, you can't manage it. THAT is why SO many people fail. They cannot remember what works and what doesn't so they pull out the shotgun and blast everything with buckshot hoping to hit a very specific target.

To hit a specific target you need a specific plan and a specific weapon. (Sorry, If this sounds too military.)

Moving on...

I'm gonna assume that you know what a J-curve is. However, if other readers do not then it is one of those graphs that LOOKS like the letter J. See how there is that gentle slope along the bottom and then it shoots straight upward?

There. That is better.

Consider time as the horizontal axis and reward (usually money) as the vertical axis. The reward is very small for the investment of time until one day...

... the reward is "slightly" greater for the usual amount of time. Then the next day it is greater again until ONE DAY you are virtually putting in no time for massive results. You will be getting a "compounding" result. That is when you will be working your SYSTEM.

Once you can systemize then you will reduce your time input and maximize your reward.

When those days arrive you will look back on your "hard" times and they will become just a distant memory of the past.

Trust me. All you have to keep doing is inch yourself along. When something does not work then try something slightly different. But ALWAYS look forward. Look at the prize. When the prize is WORTH it the effort will be just a thing that you have to do.

Nothing wonderful was ever achieved without effort.

The main consideration is advancement - no matter how small - keep inching along. Think of that J curve.

One day that inch will be two inches, then three, then a foot, then a yard, then ten yards. I have seen this too often not to believe in it. I have done it myself - many times.

I have also failed MANY times - just like Edison did.

Keep working but work intelligently. Then, one day...

... one day....

... you will say to yourself...

And you will feel like the King or Queen of High Achievement. Then you can come back and tell us all about it and we will all revel in your success.

Brought to you by: Gary Simpson's http://www.MotivationSelfEsteem.com/Zenspiration.html website where you can receive motivating "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of the highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice." Here you will also be able to get your password for the "Wealthy Minds" Newsletter which will give you access to the MEMBERS' ONLY area of the http://www.turn-debt-into-wealth.com website.

Gary Simpson is the author of nine books covering a diverse range of subjects such as motivation, self esteem, affirmations, self defense, wealth creation and much more. His many motivation and success articles appear all over the web.

Gary Simpson is a 7th Dan karate master who teaches self defense, motivation, self help and wealth building to students around the world through home study courses. You may reprint this article as you include this author credit and an active link to his web site. Finance - Self Help - Motivation - Self Defense - Personal Growth MotivationSelfEsteem.com