One of the most difficult things to take is criticism. Let’s face it, criticism can sting even if it’s done tactfully. On the other hand, no matter how it’s delivered, one can learn from criticism. That being the case, there are certain qualities that are needed in order to be willing to take criticism and turn it into an advantage. What are they? Let’s explore them.

Handling criticism is difficult for most people because it’s often equated with failure. You’re in business to succeed and any hint of failure is generally not welcome. Criticism though can actually assist you in improving your marketing skills. For that to happen you have to cultivate a mindset that allows you to receive and process criticism.

5 Ways to Turn Criticism into Positive Growth

When it comes to criticism a good leader should expect and welcome it. Those expecting criticism are less likely to be caught off guard, thus opening the way to process anything that will help them to improve. Much of the criticism you receive will be constructive. So be willing to view it that way. In that case you’ll probably find gems of wisdom that will accelerate your business forward. Keep in mind that criticism taken in the right way will assist you in growing your business, and it will also help you to grow as a person.

One key to using criticism to your advantage is to be willing to accept it. Following are five things that will condition your mind to accept and apply criticism.

1. Be open to make any suggested or necessary changes for improvement.
2. Exercise humility and seek suggestions for further advancement
3. If you feel the criticism was unjustifiably negative, turn it into something positive
4. Don’t internalize criticism to point of giving way to doubt or fear
5. Life is challenging, so expect criticism and handle it in a constructive way

You certainly can benefit from criticism by cultivating the proper mindset. Using criticism to your advantage will make you unstoppable as an entrepreneur.

Remain Calm When Being Criticized

At times you’re not going to like the way a person delivers criticism. However, keep in mind that everyone has different styles of communication. Some individuals are less tactful and gracious than others. So focus on the message rather than the way it is delivered. Don’t allow pride to stand in the way of improvement. That way you’re leaving yourself open to suggestions that could very well move your business to the next level.

Use Criticism to Advance to the Next Level

Criticism, regardless of how it is delivered, can really aid your personal development. In that light you’ll want to be sure to receive it with an open mind. Now obviously there are those who harshly criticize out of jealousy or in a mean fashion. If you’re accosted by someone like that, it might be good to take your leave. You don’t need that kind of negative criticism. No, you’re looking for constructive criticism, that which will assist your growth.

When you receive constructive criticism be sure to express your appreciation to the one offering it. When applied properly criticism can assist you to grow in ways you never thought possible. So, keep an open mind and be receptive to using criticism to your advantage.

When it comes to getting what you want in life there are two essential elements that must be cultivated, namely, desire and persistence. Yes, you must have intense, burning desire coupled with unstoppable persistence. How can you cultivate it? Let’s explore the subject.

What it Means to Cultivate Intense Desire

Have you ever wanted something so bad that nothing could stop you from getting it? More than likely you’ve had that experience. For those who accomplish all they set out to do such traits are clearly evident and exercised. Burning desire is not a hope and it’s not a wish. In the beginning it might have been a mere wish or hope, but over time it transcends into an intense desire. It’s a keen, pulsating desire, which transcends everything else. It’s a desire so intense that the thing desired is believed to already have been achieved. It is a desire so intense that nothing will stop you from obtaining what you’re after.

Fulfilling your intense desire requires that you have a definite goal, coupled with exerting all your energy and will power to reach that goal. You won’t reach your burning desire in one day, so you’ll have to reach it with well-placed stepping stones. So you’ll have to go through a process that goes something like this….

• You think of an idea that leads to an intense desire
• You get input from research and others to feed the desire
• You put your plan into action
• You evaluate the action taken and get more input
• You refine the process to near perfection
• You plan further steps and take more action

You can see that this process requires forethought and ingenuity. Clearly, this kind of desire is not driven by emotion and desperation. Rather, it’s a course where one exercises forethought and ingenuity. Couple these characteristics with persistence and you’re well on the way to getting what you want.

How to Cultivate Unstoppable Persistence

Now it’s time to cover persistence. What is it? Persistence is the ability to maintain action regardless of your feelings.  You press on even when you feel like quitting.  Persistence is a process, not a personal quality or mindset.  It usually occurs in the thick of things, rather than in isolation. It is one of the most important ingredients for success, and nothing can take its place.

In order to cultivate unstoppable persistence, you have to know exactly what you want. As you take continuous action to fulfill your intense desire, persistence will move you forward. As you move closer to the prize, you’ll find that even the toughest obstacles cannot stop you from getting what you desire. Unstoppable persistence does not accept failure as an option. It motivates you to push on through mountain-like obstacles to success.

Intense Desire and Unstoppable Persistence Leads to a Huge Payoff

Sadly, there are many people who give up when the going gets tough. But spasmodic or occasional effort will never lead to real success. That’s where you need to be different. You must have an intense, burning desire coupled with unstoppable persistence in order to be a winner. There’s no substitute for that kind of mindset, and those who cultivate it will always come off a winner.

The kind of desire, determination and persistence needed can be well illustrated by a man who played quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) from 1956 to 1976. The quarterback’s name is Earl Morral, and his story proves what a person can accomplish with intense desire and unstoppable persistence.

Earl Morral played for twenty-one seasons and over that period of time he was traded to six different teams. During his first several years in the league he worked without distinction for four teams, playing back up for the most part to other quarterbacks. When he did start, he enjoyed some success, but winning was not the order of the day. However, that all changed in 1968.

Morral went to Baltimore in 1968 to fill in for an ailing John Unitas. It was at this time that Morral’s intense desire and unstoppable persistence began to see results. During the 1968 season Morral summoned up all his powers and enjoyed tremendous success. He enjoyed what many would consider a “career year.” He summoned up skills that many thought he had forgotten. He seemingly acquired skills that he never had. All of this led to Morral being named the MVP in the NFL in 1968. Morral led the Colts to a near perfect 13 wins and 1 loss. They went on to win the NFL Championship 34-0 over the Cleveland Browns.

However, when the mighty Colts faced the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, they were defeated by a score of 16-7. Though it was a disappointing end for Morral, he never lost his burning desire and persistence.

A couple of years later in Super Bowl V Morral was again called on to replace an injured John Unitas.  Likely, he thought back to Superbowl III when he crumbled under the charge of the New York Jets. But if he did think back to that temporary failure it was not evident on that day.  He indeed proved to be a steady commander who showed what it means to exercise burning desire coupled with unstoppable persistence. Morral led the Colts to a dramatic victory. They won the game with a last second field goal by Jim O’Brian. Morral received his ring for Superbowl V. Burning desire and persistence led to accomplishing the reward. But he didn’t stop there. He continued to exercise intense desire and unstoppable persistence.

After his success with the Baltimore Colts, Morral was traded to the Miami Dolphins. In week 5 of the 1972 regular season starting quarterback Bob Griese went down with a severe ankle injury. Backup quarterback Earl Morral came into the void left by Griese and directed the Dolphins to perfection. They won all their regular season games to go 14-0. Ultimately, Miami went to Superbowl VII and defeated the Washington Redskins, thus completing a perfect 17-0 season. Though Morral was replaced for the playoffs by a healthy Bob Griese, it’s evident that he never lost his intense desire and unstoppable persistence that led to the huge payoff.

The story of Earl Morral clearly shows that anyone who is determined to succeed can do so with a burning desire coupled with unstoppable persistence. Though he suffered temporary defeat, he never gave up. Ultimately he enjoyed one of the best careers a player could have hoped for. Enjoying success on top of success is possible for those who cultivate an intense desire and an unstoppable persistence that never gives up.

You too can Receive the Big Payoff

If like Earl Morral you exercise intense desire and unstoppable persistence, you’ll receive the reward you’re seeking. So keep the fire burning! When you get there, basking in the glow of success, you’ll be glad that you persisted in the thing intensely desired.

To enjoy magnificent success in business and in life is what every entrepreneur wants. Every person measures success a bit differently, but however it’s measured, complete success is the thing desired. When a person has that kind of success, they usually have everything they want. But if you aren’t quite there, you may wonder how to get there. Check out the following keys to attracting everything you desire.

Cultivate and Maintain a Positive Attitude

This point cannot be stressed enough! If you fail to remain upbeat and positive, likely you won’t get what you desire. You may contend, ‘I’m surrounded with negativity!’ That may be true, but you have the power within to shield yourself from negativity. Here are some suggestions.

• Make friends with positive, upbeat people, and cut negative ones loose
• When you suffer adversity view it in a positive light. There are many beneficial lessons to be gleaned. Endurance makes you stronger.
• When working toward a goal don’t say to yourself and others, ‘I’m trying to ….’ No. Rather say, ‘I’m in the process of….’ This one technique alone will keep positive thoughts flowing.

Keep Moving Forward With Persistence, Determination, and Endurance

Any goal or pursuit has challenging points to conquer. Keep in mind that when the going gets tough, the tough keep going. When challenges and obstacles appear to be immoveable, continue to pursue your goal without letup. Soon you’ll hurdle the obstacle and meet the challenge. Your persistence, determination, and endurance will have paid huge dividends. The key here is to NEVER give up! You’ll attract the thing desired if you remain in pursuit, no matter how long it takes.

Surround Yourself with Positive, Like-Minded People

This point was previously touched on and certainly cannot be overemphasized. What do you want to accomplish in business, and in life? Surround yourself with people who share your interests in business and otherwise. Here’s where a mastermind of like-minded people can be such a powerhouse! Draw on the positive energy of one another and great things will unfold. Positive business associates and friends will inspire you to accomplish things that you may have previously thought were impossible. Yes, you will attract everything you desire.

Keep Up the Pursuit….

If you’re still in the process of attracting everything you desire that’s okay. Conversely, you may already have everything you desire, and that’s great. In either case remember this Japanese proverb: “When you have completed 95 percent of your journey, you are only halfway there.” True to that proverb, if you’re still pursuing everything you desire, continue without letup. For those of you, who have attracted everything you desire, strive to make continuous improvements in your life. Yes, keep up the pursuit!

Feeling alert and readily able to make decisions throughout the day is quite desirable. However, many people feel just the opposite during the course of each day. Why? Because stress, anxieties, and other matters sap them of brainpower and rob them of clear thinking. What can you do if you fall into that category? Note the following 7 useful steps to clear thinking.

1. Get up and take a walk. Taking a leisurely stroll can relax your mind and prepare the way for clear thinking. While walking be sure to occasionally breathe deeply through your nose. Increased oxygen flow through your body will aid clear thinking. You’ll be amazed at how freely productive thoughts will flow.
2. Keep your work space organized. An organized, uncluttered work area clears your mind for the task(s) at hand. Having to constantly look for things can muddle your thought process. Keep your workspace organized and clear thinking will prevail.
3. Make a list of the tasks you want to accomplish. What works well is to make a list the night before. It doesn’t matter whether you put it on paper or in electronic form. Make a list and revise it at the end of each day. Do this each day and your mind will stay organized.
4. Tackle one task at a time. Taking your mind in a dozen different directions at the same time can hinder clear thinking. A distracted mind usually isn’t a focused mind. Resist the urge to do too many things at once and you’ll experience increased brainpower.
5. Be quick about making decisions. Decisions have to be made each day, and at times, you have to face multiple decisions. It can be quite frustrating to keep putting off a task that needs to be done. So look at your agenda and follow through on pressing matters. Failing to make quick decisions on necessary matters can be overwhelming, thus stifling clear thinking.
6. Satisfy your physical needs. Being hungry or thirsty can be very distracting. If you’re to enjoy clear thinking, you have to take care of your physical needs. Be sure to stay on schedule for your meals and consume a lot of water. If you get hungry between meals have a healthy snack.
7. Be moderate in food and drink consumption. Eating too much can bog down your thought process. Also, overindulgence in alcohol can hinder clear thinking. Exercise moderation in these areas and you’ll find little interruption with clear thinking.

There you have 7 useful steps to clear thinking. Apply each point and you’ll see a vast improvement in your thinking and productivity. Yes, clear thinking will prevail, important decisions will be made, and you’ll feel great each day.

Life is full of fascinating things to keep you busy. Many of those fascinating things are time absorbing hobbies and recreation. There’s certainly nothing wrong with having a hobby or relaxing, but if you operate a business you must be careful not to allow those pursuits to steal precious time that could or should be used to build your business. So, how can you maintain self control and focus on business?

Control technology rather than letting it control you. Advanced technology has certainly made life better in many ways. For example, in the old days in order to do a mailing one would have to send ‘snail mail’ to prospects. Today, we use email. It’s faster, cheaper and can reach far more people almost instantly. The downside is one could waste a tremendous amount of time checking email. Next thing you know, you’ve done a lot of busy work that has contributed very little to your income. The same can be said of social sites, smart phones, the Internet, etc. If you don’t control technology, it will control you.

Control self and your habits. When you control yourself it’s possible to be balanced in every facet of your life. All of us need a little recreation from time to time, but do you sometimes find that there’s little or no time left for your business? It’s vital to keep recreation in its proper place. We all need it, but if it robs time from business pursuits adjustments must be made.

How you can focus on business and maintain self control. In order to properly focus on your business it’s wise to have a written schedule. You can write it out in a tablet, type it out and keep it on your computer, or keep it on a hand held electronic device. It doesn’t matter how it’s done, just be sure to make a daily schedule and follow it.

You’ll find that following a schedule will make you much more productive. You’ll also experience feelings of satisfaction as you daily accomplish tasks on your list. Your business will thrive, and you’ll actually find that you have more time for recreation. That’s true because you’ll be more organized.

So as you can see there are benefits for remaining focused and exercising self control. When you get the mastery over how you carry out your daily activities, you’ll find that prosperity will flow into your life in yet greater, and never ending quantities.

And that dirty little four letter word translates into something that could be holding you back from accomplishing great things. What is it? FEAR! One dictionary defines fear this way: “A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.” That’s one definition, but here’s another way to look at it: Fear can be False Evidence Appearing Real.

Yes, many fears are the result of a runaway imagination. Things that aren’t real or may never happen are imagined to be real. You can see how such a state of mind could hold one back from accomplishing great things in business or in life. So, how can you keep fear in its proper place?

To keep it from throwing you into a state of inactivity, you need to understand how devastating unbridled fear can be.

• It can hinder your creative imagination
• It can cause indecisiveness
• It can destroy initiative, ambition and enthusiasm
• It encourages procrastination
• It will kill your dreams

In view of what unbridled fear can do one must have a plan of action to combat it. The first and most important step is to be determined to fight against fear in its many forms. To do that you’ll need to control your mind by filtering out fearful thoughts that could hinder your success. It also means that you’ll never give up when it comes to accomplishing your dreams and the lifestyle you desire. You’ll confront your fears and work through them. You might be wondering at this point how to develop that kind of mindset.

Simply put, daily move your mind in a positive direction and away from negative, fearful thoughts. To be sure that’s easier said than done, so you may want to obtain assistance. Napoleon Hill’s book “Think & Grow Rich” has an excellent chapter dedicated solely to conquering fears of various kinds. You can either get the book or audio recordings of it.

Certainly that provides a good start, but you should continue filling your mind with positive reinforcement. There are scores of authors out there with much to offer. Research, find and absorb such material. It’s a good idea to have a daily source of such information. Do that and unbridled fear will never again hinder you from accelerating to success in business and in life.

The good news is you can overcome faulty reasoning and limiting ideas. There’s a nine minute video I’d like you to watch that proves you can move past potentially limiting obstacles. This guy named Will Landrum explains how he has transformed his life and business by overcoming his own limiting thoughts.

This is a video well worth watching because not only does he explain how he has overcome negative thinking, but he also tells about some business strategies that he is using to take his business to the next level. What he explains can be applied to any program or niche. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this free video presentation.

By the way, if you’re into rock guitar in the genre of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, this guy gives awesome free guitar lessons on his website in those styles of rock guitar. Will is a pretty amazing guitarist. So go check it out. Enjoy!

Yes, great minds do think alike and those are the individuals you want to work with. But how do you find like-minded people to partner up with in your business ventures? One way to do it is to keep up with what people in your industry or niche are doing.  How? Let’s look at a way that you may not have previously considered, namely keeping an up-to-date contact list.

This contact list isn’t necessarily like a list in the traditional sense. You know, normally you think of having someone join your list through a splash page and the like. While it may be true that you’re building a list or lists like that, the type of list being focused on here is a bit different. So what exactly is it?

This list is a group of individuals that you’d like to work with in various ventures. These are people who think much the same way you do when it comes to building a business. They’re people who promote many of the same business tactics you do. Indeed, great minds think alike!

To eventually work with people like that, you have to keep track of what they’re doing so that when the opportunity arises, you’ll be in a position to contact them and thus share your idea with that potential business partner. At this point you may be wondering just how to put together such a contact list. Note the following ideas.

• Join a person’s newsletter or subscribe to their blog
• Bookmark and visit their websites
• Buy their affiliate products
• Find like-minded people on forums related to your niche
• Build relationships with network marketers from various companies
• Get to know marketers from your own company though not in your group

You can probably think of more, but that small list will get you started. Imagine about how effective it could be to more closely follow ‘great minds that think like you.’ Even if you never partner up with many of them, you’ll be able to read their newsletters or blog posts and glean considerable insight that will assist you in your own marketing efforts. Same is true of going to company events and getting to know fellow marketers, or getting to know them through a forum.

So by all means keep up-to-date with what your fellow marketers are doing. To be sure “great minds think alike!” What’s more, those are the people you want to keep track of and work with in order to prosper financially.

I found an excellent article on Copyblogger titled, “The Cure for Analysis Paralysis” by Taylor Lindstrom. It’s a great article for assisting one to keep moving ahead. The article highlights three points.

1. When analysis paralysis is beneficial.
2. When analysis paralysis is detrimental.
3. How to cure analysis paralysis.

Check out the article and transform your thinking sessions into an unstoppable powerhouse. Your business will consistently move ahead and prosper. Without a doubt you’ll love the results!