You are not a sheep wandering aimlessly, chewing grass and following the herd.    You are unique.  Your skills and talents separate you from all others.  Celebrate your difference and do not fall into the trap of comparisons.  Strive to be your best self.  Your success in uniquely yours so create your own version of success that is real for you.  Measure your progress in your life against your own desire and not against progress already made by others that do not tread your path.  Sheep follow each other along the path.  Your path is less travelled as it is uniquely your path.  This may feel lonely at times but it will ultimately take you to your field of dreams and not to the crowded field where the sheep gather to baa to each other aimlessly...

Yesterday has gone.   Tomorrow is only a dream.  Today is all there is.  Refuse to be burdened by the heavy load of regret.  Release the concerns about tomorrow.  Wonder in the glory and opportunity of each day and the chance it brings to create the life you deserve.  It is easy to wait for the future when all the pieces will be in place.  But the future never comes.  There will always be another step that could be taken or another piece of the jigsaw of your life that you could wait to appear.  And the past can linger around you like a leaden weight that pulls you down.  Both past and present are simply places in our memory and imagination.  The only truth is now.  So live in the the power of now.

Work harder and more intensely to provide a great service, than anyone would expect of you. Always give more to your clients, customers, employer and colleagues than that for which you are being paid.  Love deeper and more selflessly than each member of your family expects. Do more and expect less in return. Release the need for gratitude and accept that your giving will be returned to you in ways that you cannot plan or expect.  Be the first to give.  This is a certain way to turn failure into success.

In every challenge, setback, disappointment and upset is the seed of exceptional progress.  Your greatest lessons exist in your greatest misfortunes. The doors that close upon you are simply signposts to a new direction. Your destiny knows where you are heading and you simply need to surrender and trust.  Picking yourself up when you feel like giving up are your moments of greatest victory. Life is directed more by  your difficulties than by your achievements.  In the depth of your despair is the depth of your being.  Your inner strength, your soul and your purpose are found deep within you and not on the surface of your success.  It is how you arrived and not your arrival that defines you.

Battles were lost for the sake of a horseshoe nail.  Relationships fall apart for the sake of a gentle touch or simple appreciation.  Businesses are lost for the sake of some minor care for an employee, some momentary interest in our customers plight or for the seemingly insignificant needs of our own self.  If it is important to someone that touches your life or business, it is important to you.  Work or life progressed hastily and with no thought for those that share the journey with you, is work and life that can so simply fall apart.  Take time to listen, watch and notice the little things. It is within the little things that we do and say that our greatest progress can be made.

It takes just as much energy to fail as it does to succeed.  Be careful to avoid the trap of "busyness".  Being busy with unimportant tasks to avoid the meaningful tasks is to deny yourself the opportunity for genuine progress.  The trap of lost time cannot be escaped.  Your hours are your most precious possession.  This day is all you have.  Waste not a minute on wasteful tasks. Hiding behind "doing" rather than "being" can be the most damaging torpedo to your progress.  Aiming for rapid progress at the expense of being your true self will simply see you travel in circles.   Watch out for the temptation to convince yourself that progress is being made through "busyness" when you are in reality,  avoiding reality...

As you climb the steep and demanding ladder of success, there will be those that attempt to drag you down to their level.  There will be moments when stepping up the ladder towards your destiny is harder than simply staying where you are.  There will be times when you wish you didn't have the calling to move on and that you could simply stay amongst the crowd.  But if you listen to the patter of the rain from those that would deny you your rightful place in human kind, you deny you your own life purpose.  Your destiny awaits you and the well meaning rain makers within your family, friends, co-workers and associates may pour water on the fire of your dreams.  Bless them and grant them the serenity to live their life their way.  But maintain the fire that burns in your soul and simply keep moving.  The rain is temporary.  The fire within you burns forever.

There are many principles of success both written and spoken by many that proclaim to have found THE way.   There is no way.  There is simply your way.  The seven principles above will help you find your way and build real success that is uniquely yours. 

Go ahead.  Claim what's yours.  It's waiting for you...


This article was inspired by elements from the book "The Spellbinders Gift" by Og Madino - a story of an inspirational speaker that was alot more than he seemed...

This track was never released as a single but is a beautiful song that attempts to reassure you that despite the challenges we face as couples or as individuals, that if we just look around as what is wonderful about our lives and the worlds around us, we will be uplifted.

Take 5 minutes to listen to it and watch the (slightly strange and artistic video) that accompanies it.

The Kindred Spirit Network was formed in 2009 to offer an alternative to the mainstream business networking groups that are based upon the principle of reciprocity  - expressed often amongst networkers as - "I help you and you help me in return."

The challenge with this approach is that the element of "giving" or helping comes with an expectation that something will be recieved in return.

The principle behind the Kindred Spirit Network is simple and is based around the following question; Is it possible to help someone else with NO expectation that the person you have helped will help you in return. In other words, you give but do not expect to recieve anything in return.

The nature of giving is then more natural and the receiving, much more synchronistic. 

The members of the Kindred Spirit Network also believe that there may be a deeper meaning to life that can be shared and discussed openly in relation to business and how we progress through our lives.

Meetings are held the Birmingham area on a ad hoc basis and in between meetings, the newsletter provides articles and tips that are designed to be thought provoking and supportive.