There are times when all seems hopeless. We want to give up. Most of us struggle with this feeling from time to time. Perhaps your financial circumstances seem hopeless, or your relationship is in trouble. It might be that your workplace is laying off people and you feel hopeless about future job prospects. Maybe you are sick and have lost hope in ever feeling better. Hope unifies us all.

You may have all the talent and skills in the world, but they alone will not get you to where you want to be in life. As a coach and psychotherapist, I teach and guide my clients that one’s attributes will only get them so far, it is the “vehicles” that will actually drive you to your fruitful life.

I often teach and speak about how a positive mindset will actually change your brain chemistry. Neuroplasticity is the science behind the facts that when we allow more positive thoughts to infiltrate our mind and push out negative thoughts, our brain is flush with the hormones that make us feel good.

This is Kelly Orchard’s Apple A Day. Sixty Seconds on wisdom, success and personal growth.  Great leaders lead by example! You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Do as I say, not as I do”, but that is no way to be a leader. That is a cop out. You must walk your talk. When a leader says one thing, but then does another it erodes the trust. Whether you are leading a team at work, or raising a family, you must create a sense of trust that builds confidence by being an example to others.

Begin today to acknowledge and track your accomplishments. When you find yourself in a position to lead, you’ll have the foundation for communicating what you have done!

How will you inspire your co-workers, employees, team or family members today? Be inspired by your passion and internal drive; others will follow!

he Power of No is helping improve lives! I just gave you thirty things to say no to! It opens up a lot of discussion over why we say yes so much. When we feel insecure or want someone to like us, we’ll say yes to just about anything. But when we let others dictate our lives or become a slave to our work – we begin to feel resentful and even angry. Say no to making excuses or sabotaging your success in life and business.

Today, let’s say “no” to ignoring your mission. When I work with coaching clients, I help them create a personal mission statement. It helps establish what is important in your life, identify past successes and core values, goals and contributions. A personal mission statement is fundamental for growth and helps build you up professionally.

Be honest; do you sometimes feel that your job requires you to lower your standards of moral and ethical principles? I can remember some days when I was selling radio advertising that in order to get a sale, I had to lower my personal standards. We often feel this way about used car salesmen. Where are the moral and ethical principles?

Today, let’s say “no” to insanity! The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results!  What is it that you continuously do but expect it to be different? Do you find yourself engaging in unhealthy relationships but expect this one to be different due to some rationalization that you’ve made?