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Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is the #1 ranked Motivational Speaker (according to Google). He is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.

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How to Face Your Fears Using Progressive Overload
[Self-Improvement] How do we begin to address our fears? We do what scares us - that is, we work against emotional and psychological resistance; we lift that mental dumbbell. And then we lift a heavier one. Once we face our fears, we become stronger, we develop new skills, our mindset shifts, the "weight" seems lighter and we move to the next (heavier) dumbbell on the rack.

When Was the Last Time You Really Questioned Your Beliefs?
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] So what are your core beliefs and where did they come from? Did you choose them consciously? Did they choose you? Did you simply adopt them from someone else? What are they based on? Do they empower you or hold you back?

Ten Strategies For Success
[Self-Improvement:Success] If you're serious about creating lasting and significant change in your world - as opposed to merely thinking and talking about it for another year - there are a few things you might want to do in order to help make those intentions a reality. Know what success is. If you don't know what success is (for you), how can you possibly create it?

25 Things You Blokes (Probably) Won't Hear From Your Lady
[Relationships] Okay, here we go blokes ... words you will never hear from your lady. For those of us who like to laugh at ourselves without finding reason to get all offended and precious - which seems to be very popular these days.

In Pursuit of the Body Beautiful
[Health-and-Fitness] Recently I caught up with the very lovely Loretta Watson. Loretta is one of Australia's elite "Figure" competitors and I thought it might be interesting for her and I (and you) to have a casual chat about her habit. You know - the one where she stands on a stage in front of a big crowd, under bright lights wearing a postage stamp. Yep, that one.

Functionally Dysfunctional
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Yesterday I spent some time with a bloke who wants to shift his life focus, change his career and begin doing some work with people who are struggling with certain challenges in their world. Over the last year he has had a few significant experiences which have given him a different perspective on life, a better understanding of certain things and a much greater level of awareness, consciousness and empathy for other people; all good things.

Instinctive Intelligence - Knowing Without Thinking
[Self-Improvement:Techniques] Over the years I have often marvelled at how animals just 'know stuff'. As a kid I remember watching a news story about a dog who fell off the back of a truck without his owner realising what had happened for quite some time. After spending the best part of a day looking for his companion (the owner was on an interstate trip), the devastated man headed back home to share the tragic news with his wife and kids.

The Pseudo Olympian
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Years ago I trained a lady for a period of eight weeks leading up to her wedding. She lost about twelve kilos (26.5 lbs) during that time. Over the eight weeks I continually emphasised the need for her new pre-wedding behaviours to become life-long habits rather than some temporary phase.

The Reactive Life
[Self-Improvement:Techniques] The simple truth is that by not making a decision, we are making a decision. We are choosing to do nothing. Choosing to put our head in the sand. Choosing to live a reactive rather than proactive existence.

Don't Always Believe the Science
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] To say that a person should weigh a certain amount because they are so many inches tall is not only misleading but potentially dangerous. Stupid in fact. At best, these charts are vague indicators or guides of what may be a healthy weight range for some individuals.

How to Smoke Fifty Cigarettes a Day and Be Healthy
[Self-Improvement:Stress-Management] The Old Artist. The other night I was watching television with great interest as a journalist interviewed a ninety year-old bloke who still runs his own business, is sharp as a tack and as productive, funny, creative and happy as ever. He is an artist who sculpts, draws and paints and with the help of his young (sixty five year-old) wife, manages his own successful commercial art gallery. He also teaches (and entertains) budding Picassos.

In Search Of The Twenty Five Hour Day
[Self-Improvement:Time-Management] Many of us live under the illusion that creating positive change in our world is in fact largely about the right timing. I'm here to tell you that for the most part, it ain't. It's way more about attitude, choices and behaviour than it will ever be about timing (i.e. spending forever waiting for the 'ideal' time).

How To Change Your Mindset From Optional To Non Negotiable
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Q. Why does the mother run into the burning building with no hesitation to save her child? A. Because in her mind there is no other option. No brainer. So why don't we treat all aspects of our lives with the same non-negotiable thinking.

What's Your Brand?
[Self-Improvement] I recently spoke at a conference with a guy who (I was informed) gets paid over $15,000 for his forty five minute presentation. Was he good? Yep. Was he mind-blowingly incredible? Nope. Was he fifteen times better than the $1,000 speaker? Nope. Then why did that company pay so much for his services? Because they were buying a brand that's why. A name. A reputation.

A Lesson About Learning
[Self-Improvement:Techniques] Memorizing a whole bunch of stuff ain't learning; that's memorizing. A nice party trick but ain't gonna change your reality for the better. Some people recite motivational crap all day, but they don't actually live it. Therefore, they haven't learned.

So Educated, But So Stupid
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] In case you haven't been told, as a group numbering about six billion or so, we're not really travelling that well. We're either fat or starving, we're addicted to drugs, we spend more than we earn and we kill each other for a cause.

Life Ain't a Theory
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The following is a process that I use with my clients when working towards life-long change; forever results. It's simple and it's effective. If you actually do it, that is.

Synopsis Of An Annoyer
[Self-Improvement] Ever met the creepy, unattractive, socially inept, smelly, forty-something guy who constantly feels the need to express his alpha-male-ness (aka insecurity) and to offer himself (I feel queasy just writing that!) to every woman within a ten mile radius - no matter how disinterested, or even repulsed they are.

Potential for Greatness
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Happy to be here. At the risk of sounding a little arrogant, I gotta say, my life is great. Overall, I'm pretty darn content. Not in a smug way, just in a happy-to-be-here kinda way.

You Can't Handle the Truth!
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] The following is an extract from one of my fave movies - A Few Good Men (or as it's known here in Australia - Three Grouse Blokes): Jessep (Jack): "You want answers?" Kaffee (Tom): "I think I'm entitled to them." Jessep: "You want answers?

The Sixty One Year Old Skater Dude
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] "I love to skate and I hate it how people stop doing fun stuff because they've reached a certain age. Old people bore me. There seems to be the list of 'socially acceptable' activities for anyone over fifty and let's just say that nothing on the list really appeals to me!"

Why We Don't Get The Job Done
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] The problem is that we've been telling ourselves the very same thing (I'll change soon) for years. And we are indeed champions at explaining our lack of commitment and results; it's too hot, it's too cold, it's too late, it's too early, my back is playing up, it's a timing thing, an opportunity thing, a money thing, a travel thing...

The Fifty Success Habits
[Self-Improvement:Success] So I thought that I might write a quick review of every self-help book ever written all right here in this one little post. Simple enough.

Motivational Speaking 101
[Writing-and-Speaking:Public-Speaking] While I don't claim to be (anywhere near) the best Personal Development Speaker in the world, if you were to Google the search term Motivational Speaker you would typically find that my name usually comes out somewhere near the very top of the list of about two million matches. Now, let me quickly add that this fact has pretty much nothing to do with my speaking skills or my profile, and everything to do with Johnnie's ability to do what he does with those amazing tech skills of his. I don't really understand how he does it, but I do...

Mind of a Teacher, Heart of a Student
[Self-Improvement:Inspirational] Over the last week I have received a bunch of emails and comments asking me about my trip and what I've learned and enjoyed hanging out with some of the best educators, speakers, writers and pioneers in the world of fitness and health. And I mean literally the world; these people flew in to Colorado from all over the globe to be part of this amazing conference created and facilitated by PTontheNet (the world's largest online education resource for fitness professionals). I had the privilege of opening the conference and then being treated to two days of information, inspiration and ...

The Communication Situation
[Relationships:Communication] I think most of us would agree that on a practical, day-to-day level the most important life skill is communication. However, when we take a look around we discover that:

To Adapt Or Not To Adapt, That Is The Question
[Self-Improvement] For many people, their inability to adapt and to deal with change is what stops them from fulfilling their potential and living their best life. They are creatures of habit (bad habit) and they are largely controlled by fear.

Just Another Life
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Have you ever thought about your funeral? I have. Mine that is, not yours. Sometimes I wonder what it will be like. Who will be there, what they will say. Good stuff or bad? Will it be a sad or happy occasion? Will there be three people or three thousand? Or fifty perhaps?

The Difference Between Talking and Communicating
[Relationships:Communication] Without doubt, communication is the single most important life skill, yet amazingly, the majority of us don't consciously work at developing it. Better communication equals better relationships, and better relationships equals a better life. So why wouldn't we work at it?

Creating Your Own Performance Diary
[Self-Improvement:Coaching] Performance Diaries are without doubt, one of the most valuable, practical and convenient 'commitment' tools available to us. Used the right way, they can be the difference between ignorance and education, doing or not doing and ultimately, success or failure.

How to Operate a Human
[Self-Improvement] One of the many ironies of our world is that the most intricate, amazing and complex 'machine' in existence (the human body), comes with no instruction manual. "Here yer go Mr and Mrs Harper; one loud, screaming, kinda slimy small human - enjoy that. Er, him. I know you probably have lots of questions, but just take him home; you'll figure it out. You've got a while."

Why New Years Resolutions are Stupid
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Yep, it's that time of the year again. The time when we all tell ourselves (and everyone within earshot) just how dramatically our life is about to change. Of course it is. Of course we do. Just like we did the last twenty New Year's eves.

Beyond the Adrenaline Rush - The Self-Help Danger Zone
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The Self-Help Danger Zone; the place where dreams are destroyed or realised, where momentum is gained or lost, and where we grow, learn and adapt, or crawl back to our destructive old ways. In the course of my work (helping people create their best life), there's a place I'm always educating and warning my charges about. It's that place beyond the adrenaline rush.

A Tough-Love Lesson From Mr Nasty Pants
[Relationships:Love] The truth is, more often than not we don't know how we are perceived by others. We think we do, but we don't. We've all met the guy who thinks he's hilarious, while everyone else thinks he's annoying. And the shy woman who's perceived as a snob by her colleagues.

Living in Fat City
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] I'm amused by those who suggest that obesity is primarily an education problem, when in reality, it is (for the majority) a self-control problem. Self control: yes, that crazy, outdated notion I've spoken of many times before. We are bombarded with education but we choose not to learn.

The Muffin-Top Pioneer
[Self-Improvement:Self-Esteem] It's the late seventies. I'm thirteen years old. I'm a tank. Gorgeous, but a tank. I weigh the best part of 90 kilos (200lbs) and it's school swimming sports day. Yippee. I'd rather hit myself in the head with a hammer, but here I am. I don't want to swim but I have no option; it's compulsory. Private school rules. Everyone is put into a swimming section. Everyone races. I am in the remedial section; the home of the geek, the uncoordinated and the fat.

Donald Trump - The One From The Fishing Store
[Self-Improvement:Success] The irony of 'wealth' is that some of the people with the most money are the poorest, and some with virtually nothing are wealthy beyond comprehension. Depends on how we define wealth doesn't it?

The Broccoli Principle
[Self-Improvement:Coaching] Even as a teenager I learned that, as a rule, the stuff which tasted great was bad for me, and the stuff which tasted like complete crap, was gonna do me the most good. What a ridiculous notion. What kinda weird-ass, nasty prank is that to play on a fat food-loving kid? So not fair. So not a lesson that I wanted to learn. "Whaddaya mean, donuts don't have the same nutritional value as vegetables? Let me see that research paper."

Single? What's WRONG with Him?
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] It's like they have a picture in their mind of me sitting at home every night in my underwear, in a room lit by candles, eating meatloaf flavoured ice-cream from a paper plate, with my pet rat Eugene on my shoulder, my feet in one of those foot spas, a little 'Enya' playing in the background and some strategically placed cushions with images of my ex-girlfriends embroidered on them, lying around the room.

Mr Misery Guts
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] I've learned that an incredible day is not about fate, destiny, chance or luck, but about the mindset I take into every situation, every conversation, every experience. Last night I was out the front of my house cleaning my motorbike when Mr Misery Guts (a pet name I've given him) from a few doors down, happened along.

Ho, Ho, Ho Into Those Christmas Calories
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] How dare I suggest that we include some healthier options on our Christmas menu and that maybe we don't continue eating until we explode. What am I thinking? Apparently, the point of Christmas is food. You know that whole 'three wise men, the manger, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus' thing? Well, turns out that the real meaning of Christmas is to see how much pleasure we can give ourselves via an inordinate amount of calories. Who'da thought?

Great Body - Pity About the Rest
[Self-Improvement:Self-Esteem] Having spent twenty five years owning and running gyms and helping people create their best body has taught me many (many, many) lessons and reinforced many pre-existing beliefs. Lessons that some people desperately need to learn.

The Thief of Time
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] As I stand there in my fat body, looking at my broken car, with the words of my angry boss ringing in my ear, I wonder what became of the young enthusiastic man with the dreams, the plans and the talent. I wonder where the years have gone. I walk back to the mirror. I stare some more. Humiliated. Devastated. Broken. This wasn't my plan.

Personal Development - A Dog's Life
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] I reckon the Boss should lie in the sun with me. And chew his foot for a while. It's relaxing. It might help with his stress. Whatever that is.

Personal Development - Back to Basics
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] In my work, I use an effective step-by-step process when I'm coaching people to help them create their best life. It ain't rocket science but it works.

Opinion-Itis - What Do You Think I Should Think?
[Self-Improvement:Self-Esteem] Ever noticed how some people seem to be allergic to having their own opinion? I call this condition Opinion-itis. We see it in families, friendships, the work place, schools, the media, sporting clubs, political parties... pretty much everywhere. Well maybe they do have an opinion, but for whatever reason... they don't or won't share it. Sure, there are times to share and times not to share an opinion. And yes, we need to exercise wisdom, timing and care with how and when we express our thoughts and ideas, but there comes a point (you've been there) when we have to speak our mind no matter how comfortable, easy, convenient or popular that opinion will be. If we don't, we start to lose our identity, our individuality; us. We continue to be a pawn in someone else's game. A 'yes' man. Woman.

Personal Development Lies
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] Too many 'wanna-be experts' espouse messages that are misleading, unrealistic, impractical and potentially dangerous. Good for selling books, not so good for creating real-life results... forever change. In a culture which is desperate for a shortcut (we are the quick-fix generation) it's easy to sell lies because so many of us don't wanna buy the truth... it's not nearly as attractive. We spend millions every day on weight-loss products because we get sucked in by terms like 'quick, easy, fast and painless'... and we continue to get fatter... because all that crap doesn't work!!

Boring Old Farts
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Lately I feel like I've spent far too much time with, and around, the fun police... those grumpy, judgemental, opinionated old farts who peer down their nose at anyone who isn't like them; mind-numbingly boring, miserable and predictable. They even justify their unpleasant disposition.... "You wouldn't understand adversity if it hit you on the head... back in my day.."

Meeting Lance Armstrong
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I was sitting at the lights lost in my own thoughts when all of a sudden I became aware of a presence... no, not a poltergeist; a bloke on a mountain bike had pulled up along side me. Three feet away. Coulda touched him. Game face on... waiting for the green signal. Like an Olympian waiting for the starters gun. Focused. Committed. And dressed atrociously.

Managing Our Emotional Energy
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] A modern Zombie; going through 'the motions' of life. You've seen it; people who seem to have their 'life-force' drained out of them. Maybe at times you are that 'people'. Er, person. Simulated living... looks like living, but isn't.

Pringles For Breakfast
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Why does someone who weighs one forty kgs (300lbs) and is just over five foot tall choose a can of Pringles and a coke for breakfast? My first interesting lesson for the day was one in decision making.

The Mythical 'Slim Zone'
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Over the years I have taken thousands of 'before' photos of people (front, side and rear) before they start their weight-loss/fitness endeavour. Invariably they are stunned when they see the pictures. Why are they so shocked? Because when it comes to their body, they live in some alternative reality; The Slim Zone. The one where they look forty pounds lighter.

Be the Change
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Okay, here comes one of those wise old proverbs... it's a little philosophical so pay attention "Stop wasting your life on crap you can't change". (Deep I know).

Quick-Fix Delusion
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The irony of the quick fix... is that it fixes nothing. We were gonna go with... 'the fat, dysfunctional, drug-using, alcohol-abusing, responsibility-avoiding, excuse-making, time-wasting, frustrated, pain-in-the-ass generation'... but it was too long and we couldn't fit it on our business cards.

The old 'Prized Possession in the Shoe' Trick
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Imagine that you've lost something which is very important to you. Very. A prized, irreplaceable possession.

Weight-Loss Crap
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] While exercise, food, lifestyle and education are indeed important variables in the process, without doubt, the biggest determinant of weight loss (or gain) is what's going on in that nine pound (four kilo) thing sitting on the top of our shoulders. If you have been, or are currently, overweight, then you absolutely know that losing weight is first and foremost a psychological and emotional process.

What is the Meaning of Life
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] So in an age when space travel is possible, phones are now mobile computers and Michael Jackson can turn himself into some weird version of Elizabeth Taylor, surely I can figure out the meaning of life. Or not.

The Computer Junkie's Guide to Fitness
[Health-and-Fitness:Exercise] A practical seven minute workout for computer junkies that will improve your overall level of fitness and function and help you shed some fat at the same time. You see, there are several Craigs. There's a scary thought.

The Fat Blogger
[Health-and-Fitness] Ladies and gentleman of the jury, it is my contention that the blogoshpere is in fact a dangerous place to live. Bad for one's physical health. Nice place to visit... but not to inhabit. My daily energy expenditure is now somewhere behind that of the dugong and the hibernating bear.

Exploring Life's Most Important Skill
[Relationships:Communication] While some of us are clever and articulate, we're also crap communicators (at least in some situations and circumstances). Don't assume that a large vocabulary or eloquent speech equates to effective communication.

Excusinator 4000 Proven Treatment For Excuse-ology
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Even though a very effective treatment (a topical cream to be rubbed on the head of Excuse-ology patients) was developed in the late seventies, unfortunately it proved to make little impact as: 1) Most sufferers wouldn't acknowledge that they needed treatment and 2) They always found an excuse to avoid using the medication.

You can't get to the fridge if you don't get off the couch
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Momentum is that irresistible force that keeps us doing what we need to do and moving in the right direction, irrespective of how we're 'feeling' on a given day. The greater the momentum we create... the greater our chance of success.

'Happiness 101' Now Taught In Numerous Colleges And Graduate Schools Around The US
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] It seems that despite all our stuff (resources, technology, money, education, toys) we're no happier... in fact overall, probably less happy. Apparently, it's now something we need to teach. We're losing (or have lost) the skill to be happy.

The Ancient Art Of COMPLICATION
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] (1) Body-fat is essentially stored energy (calories). (2) If you expend more than you put in, you'll be in energy deficit. (3) If you're in deficit your body will have to 'find' some energy from somewhere. (4) It will find it on your ass (or close by). (5) If you are in energy deficit of 500 calories per day (a coke and a cookie), you'll lose about one pound (0.4kg) of fat per week. Not complicated at all.

Freak University - Part 1
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] It's seven forty five Saturday morning and I am doing my best to stay in my current state of being; unconscious, hung-over, stationary, comfortable, horizontal. Unfortunately for me, something or as it would turn out, someone, is destroying my tranquility with incessant thumping on my front door. Every thump is accompanied by a sharp stabbing pain behind my left eye. All of a sudden I'm re-thinking my whole 'anti-gun' stance.

Wasting Time at the Gyme
[Health-and-Fitness:Exercise] Creating your best body needs to be a strategic, intelligent process... and following some generic training program ripped out of page seventy-two of 'Meatheads R Us' probably ain't gonna do it for you. This doesn't mean you need to be obsessive about your training... it's simply means train smart.

Celebrate the Weirdo
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] While all the other 'normal' kids were ploughing up and down the pool with their skinny ten year-old bodies, I was splashing around in my big-ass T-shirt... to hide my numerous rolls. Knowing that they would never realise that I was obese if I was wearing my magic 'fat-hiding T-shirt'. Of course.

The Parable of the Fat Kid
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Once upon a time... there was a kid. A kid who loved to eat. Not unlike many kids, really. But this kid was different. He didn't just enjoy the occasional cookie or bowl of ice-cream. Or burger and fries. No, he lived for food. And when he wasn't eating... he was thinking about eating.

Beware the Dream Squasher
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Dream Squashers work under numerous pseudonyms... here are a few of the common ones: 1. The voice of reason. 2. A concerned friend. 3. An 'expert'. 4. Dad. 5. Mum.

Living the Dream - or Nightmare
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] His career, finances, relationships, education, attitude, goals and dreams were all like the pond at the end of his street; stagnant. Stinky. Unhealthy. He knew it. And he hated it. But one day something happened.

Sitting at Life's Train Station
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] You've been given a magic ticket. Your magic ticket will take you to the place of your dreams. All you've got to do is choose your destination, leave your comfy seat and get on the train of your choice. And enjoy.

Time Efficient Personal Development
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] "Err, yes Mrs Smith... well... the test results are back and surprisingly, your child is not big-boned... he actually comes under the clinical classification of... really fat!" "Huge even."

Goal Setting Dummystyle
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] I see this all the time and I hate it... like the parents who tell their kids what they should be when they 'grow up'. "Your great-grandfather was a lawyer, your grandfather was a judge, I own the biggest law firm in town... of course you're going to law school.." "But dad, I don't wanna study law.." "Don't be ridiculous.. you're seventeen, you don't know what you want..." "Actually I do... I wanna be a choreographer..." "A what!!.."

Head-In-The-Sand-Itis - The New Epidemic
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Here's a conversation I've had many times in the course of my work. "Okay Mrs Smith.. jump on the scales and let's see what you weigh..." (A look of terror appears on her face). "Aaah.. do I have to?"

The Master of the Pointless Conversation
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Imagine how many years we could add to our lives if we could reclaim all the time we've wasted on those pointless, meaningless, destructive, repetitious, mind-blowingly-frustrating, mind-numbingly-boring, too-many-to-remember conversations we've all had.

My Life - Five Years From Now
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Some of us are going to wake up tomorrow (seemingly) and it will be 2012. Five years will have passed and August 2007 will seem like yesterday... and not because we have an amazing memory... but because nothing will have changed in our life. We will have done nothing new or different. Despite the fact that we desperately want... new and different.

Like a Kid in a Candy Store
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] How long is it since you got genuinely excited about something? I'm not talking about moderate enthusiasm or slight motivation, no.. I'm talking about overwhelming, bursting-out-of-your-skin, child-like... excitement? For some of us, it's years.

Fakes and Frauds - Shopping for Integrity and Honesty
[Health-and-Fitness] I dunno about you guys, but fakes and frauds are very low on my people-to-hang-out-with list... especially those who want to take your money under the pretense of being an 'expert' who can help you create your best life (body, financial situation, career, mind-set, relationships).

Life Beyond the Physical... Exploring the Oogabooga (Part One)
[Self-Improvement:Spirituality] "Hey, you know what dad... I'm not sure about your perspective on the whole God, universe, eternity, spirituality thing... In fact, I've done some significant research, weighed it all up... and I think your theology is essentially flawed. Take a seat you ignorant old, brain-washed fart and let me enlighten you."

A Practical Guide to Overcoming Procrastination
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] If you've been 'about' to change your life (or part of it) for years, here are twelve practical tips for overcoming procrastination and getting the job done.

The Name-less Article - (If Prince can do it)
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Different thinking = Different choices = Different behaviours = Different outcomes = Happy Campers!! (YAY)

The Law of Attraction Should be Renamed The Law of Distraction
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I personally think the LOA should be re-named the Law of Distraction (as the title of my post suggests) as it (in my opinion) actually distracts people from change principles which actually work.

Bloggersauras? It Is SO a Word
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Blogging] Create and define your own word (or two) to add to our blogger's dictionary. The dictionary will feature on our home page (in the sidebar) for the next few months and will evolve with your help. We will credit you for your word/s.

Stop Interrupting Me With Your Logic - I'm Having a Breakdown
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Being the (wanna-be) alpha-male warrior that I am, I need to be careful when I explore the emotional stuff... wouldn't wanna be labeled as an emotionally-disconnected, insensitive, hard-core boofhead.

The Ship Without a Rudder
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The only thing which needs to happen for our life to change for the better... is us- we need to happen.

I'll Just Sneak Out The Back Door... Nobody Will Notice
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] For me, the most endearing quality a person can have is humility. It's what makes people attractive. I'm not talking about pseudo-humility here (very common these days... and an art form of it's own!)... I'm talking about 'real-deal-I-don't-know-what-all-the-fuss-is-about' genuine humility.

You're Not the Boss of Me
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] What happens in my life affects me... but doesn't define me. My choices will define me... because that's what I've decided.

Bench Press for Your Brain
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] After years of helping people get in shape physically, here are my ten tips for developing and maintaining a high-performance mind.

The Real Secret of Success
[Self-Improvement:Success] The challenge for someone whose life is about helping people move from mediocre to amazing (teachers, coaches, motivators, writers) is that... teaching and selling the value of discipline is a tough gig! It ain't easy. Kinda like trying to sell brussel sprouts. "No really... I know they're ugly, they taste horrible and they smell... but they're so good for you."

Adaptation - Happiness - Or Does It?
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Far too many of us stop (consciously) learning, growing, developing and adapting (emotionally, psychologically, academically, physically, creatively, practically, technologically) when we hit our late teens or early twenties. We become like the lump of clay that has set; no longer able to be molded or shaped.

Paris In The Big House... So Not Fair
[Self-Improvement] Poor Baby. How dare that nasty judge make her be responsible for her actions. She didn't mean it; it was all a silly misunderstanding. Besides... probation and loss of license are such ambiguous terms anyway. "Oh, you meant no driving... at all?" What was he thinking that silly old judge?

So - You Want to be a Writer?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] We've all got at least one great idea, message or story in us... it's whether or not we choose to share that with the world and how we go about it. Many (many, many, many) incredibly talented and successful professional writers have zero training and qualifications.

The Personal Development Zombie
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] Personal Development Zombie - a person seemingly incapable of independent thought. Takes on the beliefs, philosophies, ideologies and identity of other higher profile and allegedly(?) more enlightened individuals.

Creating Something (Spectacular) From Nothing
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] In 1988 I had the idea of setting up a Personal Training centre in Melbourne. There were no commercial PT facilities in this country at the time. It would be Australia's first appointment-only gym. I was young, had no business experience, no tertiary qualification and not much money.

My Body is Not Who I Am - It's Just Where I Live
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] As long as our identity is rooted in something which can be taken from us (looks, jobs, money, toys), we'll always be insecure.

Happily Imperfect
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The perfection obsession is rampant. It's completely ridiculous. It's unhealthy. It's unrealistic. And it's potentially very dangerous.

The Social Sheep
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Dogs are neuro-surgeons compared to sheep. And while it's clear that a dolphin will win a Nobel Peace Prize one day, yer average sheep has about two thoughts a year... and that's usually something like: "Hey Harry, are you done eating that patch of grass?" Sure, they're cute, they're woolly and they make great Ugg boots (I know I'm gonna get in trouble for that - but it's so worth it) but there ain't gonna be a sheep graduating from Harvard Law School any time soon. Unfortunately for us, it seems that our woolly friends have a human counterpart. For the purposes of this discussion, I'm gonna call him (and her) the social sheep.

Maybe the Beatles Were Right
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Wanna find someone who's poor and happy... no problem. Someone who's fat and happy... no problem. Someone who's physically or intellectually handicapped and happy... no problem. Someone who is intelligent, wealthy, good looking, unloved and happy... nuh. Ain't gonna happen.

Excuse Me While I Sing Into My Hairbrush
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Kids sing into their hair brushes, choreograph their own dance routines, become their favourite super-hero, build castles out of sand and junk; they express themselves fearlessly. We 'grown-ups' worry about what people think of our castles.

Don't Wait For the Shark to Bite Your Leg Off
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Have you ever noticed how many people survive some type of horrendous near-death experience (drama, trauma, accident, illness) or some other significant personal tragedy (sudden loss of a loved-one perhaps)... and then realise that they have some kind of previously undiscovered (or used) amazing ability, talent or drive to do incredible things with their life?

War of the Mind
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] If you're like many, then some days your mind is a war zone. Complete with the good guys (Mr glass-half-full) and the bad guys (Mr stay-in-bed-you-loser) fighting for your attention- your thoughts. Competing for valuable territory on your cerebral landscape.

So, You Want to Be a Public Speaker?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Public speaking is a curiosity; most people either love it... or are absolutely terrified of it. Some people are physically ill just saying their name in front of a group... while others will wrestle you to the ground to rip a microphone from your hand. Over the years I have done somewhere over three thousand presentations nationally and internationally (including corporate stuff, educational stuff, sporting teams, schools and fitness industry stuff). And at least five of those talks were good. Alright, three.

Doctor Phil's Got Issues Too
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Everyone from Doctor Phil to Oprah and everyone in between has issues, doubts, fears and insecurities. We don't see them (the issues) because we don't really see them (the private person).

Are Winners Born or Made?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] My observations have taught me that quite often the people who are given a 'running start' at life are the ones who spontaneously combust.

Un-Learning... Our Way to Success
[Self-Improvement:Success] Sometimes the key to our success, the key to creating our best life (our version of amazing) is not what we can learn but really... what we can un-learn.

Dealing with Energy Vampires
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] They live among us. In human form. To the untrained eye, it is almost impossible to tell the difference. Typically they look like you and I. But they're not. They're not like us at all.

Learning To Be Proactive Not Reactive
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I've learned that most people, most of the time are reactive not proactive (when it comes to the big-picture stuff). Here's 10 ways to move from being reactive to proactive...

Mastering Motivation - Lessons in Creating Forever Change
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The problem with motivation being (essentially) an emotional state (or a place we get to in our head) is that it's temporary. And when the motivation disappears (which it will because our emotions and mental state fluctuate from day to day and moment to moment), then so do the new-found (desirable) behaviours.

Ten Ways to be More Attractive
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Why are some people more attractive to hang around...

Stumbling into the Future
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] So many of us are sitting at that great big T-intersection of life... looking right, looking left... one foot on the brake, one on the accelerator, checking the mirror... not exactly sure what the heck we're doin'...

Lessons in Pain
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Some of our best lessons come out of painful experiences. It's how we deal with the bad and the horrible which differentiates us. Which makes or breaks us.

Do It Yourself Prison
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I've done some work speaking in prisons and I gotta tell ya, they're not that much fun. I've also done some work with people who have never been near a (real) jail.... yet in many ways, they are more 'imprisoned' that anyone I've ever met on the inside.

Exercise Adherence (14 Secrets to Staying on Track)
[Health-and-Fitness] If you have a history of getting on and off the fitness merry-go-round then perhaps today might be the day you re-write history.

The Secret of Adaptation
[Self-Improvement:Success] So why don't you step out of your 'holding pattern'... and become an adapter?

Righteous Anger
[Self-Improvement:Coaching] Too many times I have seen people's live ruined because they have been too fearful to stand up to a dominant figure or a difficult situation in their life. They live an existence of sadness, frustration and compromise because they want to 'keep the peace' and not 'rock the boat.' ROCK THE BOAT!

Excess
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] When will we realise that we don't need 1,200 TV channels... perhaps 600 is enough. One of my friends just put a dish on the roof of his house that's the size of a Hyundai... apparently it picks up Japanese TV stations... the fact that he only speaks English is irrelevant!

A Letter from Young Me to Old Me
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Dear Old Me, Hi. I hope this letter finds you (I mean me) well. I hope you're (I mean I'm) looking after my (our) body (okay, I'm seven and confused) and I bet you're (I'm) really loving being a professional footballer, rock star, fireman, racing car driver, stunt man and astronaut. It must be fun. I can't wait.

Grooming Our Kids for Failure
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] I worry that by building these weird academic environments where 'everybody passes'... and nobody gets and 'F'...

Seventy Five Years Young And An Amazing Exercise Program
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Here.. take a peek at Tom's training schedule: 10 minutes stretching - daily 200 push-ups - daily Beach swim - daily (regardless of water temperature) 700 sit-ups - daily Gym - 3 to 4 days per week (heavy weights) Runs - 7 to 8 kilometres every day (4 - 5 miles)

A Personal Mission Statement
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Don't let anyone tell you who or what you should be or become. Listen to them, consider their perspective, be respectful... but think, decide and do for yourself. One of the problems is that some of us constantly look to others for approval and validation... we want to become the person we're expected to be.

A Mildy Amusing Story About Fear
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] A certain level of fear is healthy (smart even) but a life limited, or even controlled by fear is tragic... and too many (lives) are.

Beauty... and Then What?
[Self-Improvement:Happiness] Welcome to 2007; the time when more people than ever, with absolutely no medical conditions or sicknesses, are taking themselves off to the operating theatres of the world and paying rich surgeons a fortune to be sliced, diced, nipped, tucked, sucked, stretched and implanted. Then What?

Too Much Talk Not Enough Action
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Too many of us spend too much of our life stuffing around not doing the things we know we should. We talk about what we want and how we're going to get it... we just never seem to do it. We talk ourselves into inactivity. We continue to find new and interesting reasons for not changing.

A Letter to all Blokes....
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] "Show me someone who has no fear.. and I'll show you an idiot." (C.Harper, 2007)

What Really Matters
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] One short phone call made me realize how un-important my to-do list was. Instantly I had all the time I needed because my little brother was dying in hospital. No time issues, no motivation issues, no hurdles. Nothing or no-one would stop me from going to be with him. Suddenly all that really mattered was my friend.

Sand Between my Toes
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Sometimes no plan is the best plan. Sometimes 'nothing' is exactly what our body and mind need.

Exploring the Concept of True Self
[Self-Improvement:Spirituality] Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up in his hand and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung...

Denial - It's not a River in Egypt - It's Just a Bad Habit
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Lately I've spoken to a few people who have amazed me with the skill they have to consistently avoid personal responsibility of any kind. They possess an incredible ability to ignore what is glaringly obvious to the rest of the world; that they are lazy, deluded, irresponsible, excuse-making procrastinators and that they are living in denial... and no, not the Egyptian one.

The Seven(teen) Habits of Highly (In)effective People
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Okay, here we go; my seventeen anti-personal development gems for those people who seem curiously desperate to fail and extremely determined to find a way and a reason to do it.

The Art of Connection
[Self-Improvement:Success] Some people don't 'get' that using the same communication style day in, day out for every person, every conversation and every situation is ...dumb (and completely ineffective) yet that's what many people do. Forever. And then they wonder why they constantly have people problems.

The Art of Completion
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] In a way, gym owners rely on the fact most people won't (typically) follow through with their intentions or plans. They (gym owners) know that most people will make a decision, start the process and then, for a range of reasons, lose momentum, gradually decrease attendance and then stop all together... but fortunately for the gym owner, the same person will front up in a year (or so) and repeat the process because they "are serious this time".

Different Creates Different
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] If you want to experience different, YOU need to create it. That's right... you. Not your therapist, not your partner, not your parents, not your doctor, not Oprah, not Dr. Phil and definitely not me. It's all about YOU.

Are You Wearing Cheese... or do You Always Smell Like That?
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] So there I was today, minding my own business, when a lady that I trained ten years ago came into the centre. You know what I'm gonna say right? I know you'll think I'm fibbing to make a funny post.. but I'm not. Not only did she try to kiss me on the lips but she held my wrist as she did it. What the heck is that!!? I felt violated...

Keep Your Thin Creepy Lips to Yourself
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] Did you know that a lot of weirdos have been incredibly successful people... apparently some weird, famous painter bloke hacked of his own ear.... And recently some weird, squillionaire, pop-star hacked of her own... hair. I have five questions to measure your weirdness...

Personal Development Fraud (part two)
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] Today I thought we'd discuss some of the key Personal Development fallacies, self-help myths; call them what you will .... but they inhabit the pages of many books and the teachings of many people who (I believe) should know better.

Personal Development Fraud (Part One)
[Self-Improvement:Personal-Growth] Personal Development gurus have just as many issues, fears, insecurities and flaws as the next person; they just hide it better!

So, You've Decided to Get in Shape... Again (Part Three)
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Continuing this three part series on 'What if losing weight ain't that complex?' While I acknowledge that losing weight isn't always a piece of cake (literally or metaphorically), I also know that it isn't as difficult as many people make it out to be. After all, if losing weight was simple and straight forward (energy in verses energy out, for example) then maybe we wouldn't need all those diet books would we? Mmmm.

So-You've Decided to Get in Shape-Again (Part One)
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Following are some common sense suggestions based on twenty five years of helping people create positive physical change.

Chasing Our Tails
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] They say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. That's what many of us do. We know it's dumb. But we do it anyway.

The Price of Success.
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Attention brats: the world owes you nothing. Neither does anybody else. You owe you something. You owe it to you and your family to take your head out of your butt and wake up to yourself. Stop being a pain in the arse. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and stop making excuses. Stop making life hard.

The Incredible Relationship Between Our Mind And Our Body
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] The doctor and a radiologist friend took the patient into a darkened X-ray room, had him remove his clothes and stand still for a couple of minutes while he had the 'treatment.' The 'treatment' had been to make an X-ray machine hum loudly without actually doing anything-

If I was the Boss of the World
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Perhaps we should replace (some of) our leaders with a bunch of kids for a year or two and see what happens.... Maybe we'd all have to play together because.... "that's the new rule."

What if Today's the Day?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] What if today we did the things we need to do instead of the things we want to do? If you so choose... today (this moment) can be a turning point in your life. It can be the start of something amazing. ......or it can just be another day.

Where did the Dreamer go?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Life has a great way of sucking the creativity energy out of you, if you let it. So how can you turn it around...

It's Not About My Biceps After All
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] As a fat kid I would dream of having a physique like a Super Hero (as most boys do). I figured that if I was built like Superman then chicks would dig me, guys would be in awe of me, I'd be incredibly popular, life would be great and of course, I would have no problems. One day the fat kid had been replaced by a large, muscular, lean..... insecure, dysfunctional, obsessed adult.

Loving the Now
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Have you ever met anyone who is so focused on their future .... or so angry, bitter or resentful about their past that they never seem to enjoy their... now?

HEY! Can't You Shut Those Kids Up?
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Stress isn't about situations; it's about us in the situation.

Beliefs
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Whether or not we succeed often has little to do with talent, situations, circumstances or opportunities and plenty to do with our beliefs. Beliefs about what we can or can't do. Beliefs about what we do or don't deserve. Beliefs about how others see us. Beliefs about our ability. Beliefs about relationships. Beliefs about other people.

A Successful Failure
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Every day I get up and I know that life is a gift and I have the opportunity to do something.... or nothing. I am passionate and driven because I choose to be.

Too Old, Too Fat, Too Dumb
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Why do people tell themselves (and anyone stupid enough to listen) how disadvantaged they are, so then they don't actually have to get off their arse and change their situation or circumstance because obviously.... it's all beyond their control. Sure it is Pinocchio. Boo Hoo.

Learning from the Kids
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Why is it that so many of us highly evolved, highly intelligent and incredibly complex 'grown-ups' seem to lose some really valuable skills as we age-having fun for instance.

Is it a Gift to be Gifted-or is it a Handicap
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] If you're like me, you went to school with a super good looking, super talented, super athletic, super academic, super popular guy/girl who finished school and went on to do-nothing much. What's the deal with that?

Critical of Critics
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] I'm okay with criticism (I get plenty) and I'm not precious about people having opinions about me or my work (good or bad)-in fact, I'm kind of grateful to my critic because it was the catalyst for this article-but I always wonder with criticism-what's the point?

A Mathematical Approach to Success (Personal Development for Geeks)
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I got to wondering about what would happen if we de-emotionalised the personal development process and approached the success journey from a strictly numerical and mathematical perspective.

When Inspiration Walks In
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Today I had an appointment with one of the most inspirational people I've ever met. And I've met plenty. Today inspiration walked through my door and I instantly knew what I would write about tonight.

Creating a Crap Blog in Ten Easy Steps
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Blogging] There are 55 million blog sites! Now admittedly I've only reviewed 54 million of them but I think after much exploration and quality research, I've un-earthed many of the secrets of creating a truly crap site.

Thank Goodness For Those Old Buddhist Proverbs
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] By trying to convert or convince people who don't want to hear your message, you are more likely to create a negative outcome, than you are, a positive one (and annoy the crap out of them).

The Psychology of Weight-Loss
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] Getting in shape is more of an internal process than it is an external one. When we get the internal stuff right... the external change is merely a (positive) by-product.

The Science of Success
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] If, like me, you have a propensity to spend inordinate amounts of time navigating your way around some of the squillions of personal development / motivational / inspirational / be-your-very-best-in-next-to-no-time sites, then you've probably found a massive amount of repetition, fluff, feel-good, mumbo-jumbo crap and the occasional valuable article.

Craig Goes to Blogger Kindergarten
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Sometimes the best opportunities and lessons come from the least likely places.

Already There - Just Didn't Realise
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] One of the problems with some Personal Development students is that they are so pre-occupied with creating their amazing future that they don't really appreciate, or let themselves enjoy, their pretty-darn-good 'right now.' Considering that we live in the present and never in the future, it's a good idea to be able to enjoy the here and now (while still having goals and dreams for the future).

The Resolution Revolution
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Success is always less about motivation and more about some very un-sexy things like planning, self-control, discipline, organisation, time-management, decision making and mental toughness. Not sexy, not glamorous, but effective.

A Lesson In 'Australian' For My International Friends
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] So in an attempt to bridge the conversational gap, I have decided to publish a guide to the Aussie language. I don't want to overload you in your first lesson so I'll be gentle, patient and brief. If you ever want to integrate seamlessly into the Australian culture, you'll need to master at least some of the following words:

The Success Myth
[Self-Improvement:Success] I just watched a short video of a world-renowned personal development guru sharing his thoughts and ideas on success and what we need to do to become successful. And while he didn't define success (specifically), he did infer that it is essentially about bank balances, property portfolios, cars, lifestyles and big houses; the accumulation of wealth.

How Much is a Life Worth?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The three year-old who quietly dies from starvation today in the Sudan (and he will) is just as important as the millionaire celebrity who kills him or herself with drugs.... or the high-profile philanthropist who gave away millions and died of old age. In fact, to me, the three year-old is more tragic and significant because he never even had a chance. He couldn't waste his life like so many of us do... because he never had a life to waste.

Multi-dimensional Health (I'm Not a Body; It's Just Where I Live)
[Health-and-Fitness] It's my belief that the common perception of health is a very limited, ignorant, one-dimensional and misleading perspective. In fact, I believe that many people who would typically be regarded as healthy (from a clinical perspective) are, ironically, quite often the opposite.

Tough Love
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] Over the last few years I have been involved with an increasing number of interfering, meddling, over-protective, paranoid (yes, well-intending and loving) parents who have successfully produced kids with virtually no skills for life in the real world; not the synthetic, manufactured version of the world they were raised in; but the dirty, lumpy, bumpy, unfair, unpredictable world that most of us inhabit.

The 2006 International Queen of Procrastination
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I have a friend (surprising, I know). To call her a bit of a procrastinator would be like calling Tiger Woods a bit of a golfer. In the world of procrastinators, she is a pioneer, an innovator. She's the benchmark. She has a PhD in time-wasting.

Losing Weight the National Geographic Way (The How-to Guide)
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] Okay, for those of you who want to re-connect with your body, learn something about yourself and give the instinctive eating thing a crack, here are my thoughts, ideas and suggestions (I would say rules but then I sound bossy... and we really shouldn't have too many 'rules' when the very thing we're trying to do is listen to our body and let it tell us what to do).

Don't Let Life 'Happen' To You
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] One thing we all have in common is our desire to be successful. The first question I often ask when I'm speaking to a group is: "who wants to be successful?" Naturally, every hand in the room goes up without hesitation. People don't even have to think about it. "Of course I want to be successful, what a stupid question."

Wanna Succeed - Get Uncomfortable
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] As an Exercise Scientist and Trainer I have spent much of the last twenty-five years helping people change their body. Smaller, bigger, lighter, leaner, more muscle, more flexibility, speed, power... Athletes, non-athletes, kids, mums, dads - whatever they were after; that's what I did my best to deliver. Early in my career I discovered that whether or not someone achieved their desired goals had very little to do with what was possible, or their genetic potential, and everything to do with their ability to deal with discomfort.

Losing Weight the National Geographic Way - Why The Animals Are Smarter Than Us
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] I love wild-life documentaries. I love watching those amazing creatures in their habitat, doing what they do. Well, perhaps not the tearing-each-other-to-pieces part.. but all the other stuff. Well, nearly all the other stuff. Not so long ago, I was watching a doco and it dawned on me that there ain't too many chubby animals in the wild.

I'm Very Busy Doing Not Much And Going Nowhere In Particular
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] Is it just my imagination or are we all busier than ever? And seemingly, less fulfilled, more stressed, more confused and more - lost? And having less fun. Definitely less fun. "I'll have fun later. Right now, I'm busy being important and successful, get out of my way."

Politically Correct Crap
[Health-and-Fitness:Obesity] I'm sick of people creating new labels for fat in order to make us all feel better (big, large, full-figured, heavy-boned, thick set) and I'm sick of people dancing around obesity and all it's related issues in an effort to be politically correct. Whatever you do, don't damage anyone's self-esteem - ignore the big fat gut and those clogged arteries and hand them another donut.

A Better Life in Seven Easy Steps
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] We've discussed how and why we think, feel, react, process and behave the way we do. We've looked at creating change from an emotional, psychological and spiritual perspective, now we need to roll up our sleeves and move from the theoretical to the practical. Here's my 7-Step Positive Change Model:

It's Not About Medicine - It's About Communication
[Self-Improvement:Success] Yesterday I spent some time with a bloke who is educated, creative, articulate, confrontational, blunt, controversial, honest and friggin' funny. According the world-famous Harper Success-O-Meter, he's very successful (ticks lots of boxes), is well known and respected, is down to earth, and while he can identify a problem, he's all about solutions. Love that in a person.

What's Real Intelligence Anyway
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] The question we need to ask is: Is there a correlation between people who score highly on IQ tests and those who seem to do 'better' (whatever that is) in life?

Destiny or Decisions
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] A while ago I met with a woman and her nineteen year-old daughter who (for many reasons) had a life which was, at worst, teetering on the brink of disaster, and at best, going nowhere fast. The young woman had significant personal issues (as we all do from time to time) and so the mother made an appointment for the two of them to meet with me, to see if we could possibly come up with some type of strategy to turn things around.

Rewarding Our Children - With Obesity
[Health-and-Fitness:Childhood-Obesity-Prevention] How did we get to the point in this crazy culture of ours where food has become something we use to manipulate, bribe, coerce, reward and medicate. In the good old days...we ate because it sustained and nourished us. Outdated and wacky notions I know, but effective nonetheless.

Personal Training - That Will Never Work
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] People buy largely on emotion and instinct, and if you connect with people - then there's a fair chance they'll buy what you're selling. If people feel they're being 'sold', they are less likely to buy. Despite people's aversion to high-pressure selling, many businesses continue the practice. Maybe (a big maybe) they'll hook someone short term but, will they create a long-term, win-win, relationship with that person?

Four Corn Flakes For Breakfast And A Deep-Fried Buffalo For Lunch
[Health-and-Fitness:Obesity] Research tells us (I hate that expression, but it's true) that our bodies actually function optimally on more frequent, smaller meals, rather than less frequent, bigger meals. Our body isn't built to run on a sporadic mix of whopping meals, tiny meals and 'normal-size' meals - or one or two gigantic meals.

Johnny's Not Really Angry - He Just Needs A Hug
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Have you ever wondered why men can run into burning buildings to save their buddies from certain death, give them mouth to mouth and donate a kidney - but in a different situation and at a different time, not even be able to give the same bloke a hug?

LOST: The Real Me - Call 1-800-IDENTITY
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Have you ever met someone who has seemingly lost their identity to their career (or perhaps to something else)? And if you take them away from that career (or whatever it is), it's like they don't know who they are... because that is who they are... It (whatever it is) gives them their confidence, their self esteem... and their identity.

Nothing Tastes As Good As Being In Shape Feels
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] I Love food. Baked cheese-cake in particular. And lasagna. And dark chocolate. Specifically, Lindt. And I love a hamburger with egg, cheese and onion. A massive hamburger, dripping with egg and sauce (ketchup for my American friends), covered in a pound of cheese and two inches of fried onions.

Stop Being a Big Baby and Make a Decision
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] All successful endeavours come about because someone, somewhere at some point in time, had the guts to decide.

What The F... Are You Looking At?
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Sometimes getting yourself in a better place mentally and emotionally, is about asking the right questions:

Getting Older: A State Of Mind Or A State Of Body?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] A few years ago I turned forty - a scary time for the supreme, alpha male warrior. I’m not sure, but I reckon there’s some correlation between decreasing testosterone levels and increased neurosis and insecurity in blokes.

Don't Ignore That Idea - It Might Change Your Life
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Ever feel like you're backstroking with the multitudes in a sea of mediocrity? Ever feel like you're meant to be doing something a bit bigger, more stimulating, more noble, more significant, more challenging, more creative, more fun or more financially rewarding!!?

Dumb Enough to Succeed
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Over the years plenty of well-intending people who are (apparently) much smarter, much more experienced and much wiser than me, have tried to help me steer the 'SS Harper' (AKA my life, my career).

Rate Yourself On The Harper Success-O-Meter
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] The thing with us Personal Development types is, we're always talking about creating our best life. Success. Whatever that is. We know that success is represented by different things for different people, but society teaches us that success is typically about money, position, attractiveness, power and influence.

Please Take Your Finger Out of Your Nose
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Faux Pas: a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion. Last weekend I was at my beach house, away from the rat-race and blissfully, in the middle of nowhere (I love nowhere). Like many areas, it is an internet-unfriendly zone. In order for me to get on-line and be able to write, I needed to drive for fifteen minutes, find reception and do some work in my car, while I listened to the surf. So that's what I did last Sunday at 8am.

I Don't Really Want a Porsche; I Just Want You to Love Me
[Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting] Like any self-respecting motivator, I'm always talking to people about goals and I regularly facilitate goal setting sessions; both with groups and individuals. It's no revelation to suggest that goal setting is a crucial part of the renovate-your-life process. What really interests me, is not the goals that people set, but what they believe the achievement of those goals will bring them. In other words; the goals behind the goals. What they really want.

Ogg, Does My Bum Look Big in this Bear-skin?
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] As blokes, there are some questions that we really don't want to hear. Ever. There are no winners with these questions. The Bermuda Triangle of conversation. Many, many men have been lost in there, never to return. These questions are pointless and problematic, and have been asked by women since the dawn of time.