While I was on the Science of being well forum, I posted a message that also included my achievements out of using SOGR. I believe it should be here in the first place:

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"About the things I achieved already using mostly SOGR, I believe yes I am a typical example of the fact that it works. The previous me was just starting the business, sinking in its details and not making progress, working 16 to 18 hours a day and somehow feeling unproductive, and getting tired of my small apartment and my troublesome car. With focus and faith, and applying the following three cardinal rules of Wattle's theories, I am in a totally different place:

1- Gratitude: Every day I thank God in words and send out silent grateful thoughts to all existence. The action truly came naturally. This one was one of the strongest magical manifistations I have ever seen!! Instead of being mad at one of my partners for his interference, I sent him love and good thoughts, feeling grateful for his participation, and strangely enough in a couple of days he sends me a message saying he's sorry for his earlier interferences and that he doesn't mean to express that he doesn't trust me, and that he just got a new project that he's going to be busy with anyway for the next year or so. Did the same to some of my problematic employees and some ex-clients who left, strangely enough over a period of a month the employees either fixed their habits because of some situation they faced or agitated ones left on their own without costing me large settlements, and the ex-clients got into a rut with a twist in the financial markets (my field of business) and gave me a call asking for advice, after which I gratefully helped them and they in turn where grateful and came back. Even the silly bank, that promised so much in the beginning and later half-delivered, within a week they were strangely back on the good notes and wanted to extend further facilities to help the cash-flow problem. Gratitude by thought, words to yourself and God (the substance), followed by good thoughts to all of those you work with (ESPECIALLY those who give you trouble!) will translate into correct action on your part (10%) and will also translate in the right vibe and vibration coming out of you (90%!!) that will do the most effect in making things happen for you. NEVER neglect this one, it's SOOOO key and I understand why Mr. Wattles stressed on it the way he did.

2- Faith: Unconditional faith in the result generates that result despite overwhelming odds. I believed so strongly in the success of the business, I practically KNEW it. What I didn't know was how, and "how" just came naturally when I just let it rather than fight for it. Solutions popped up at the 11th hour too many times to be co-incidences, and trial and error proved correct in the end, as long as you're still driven with solid faith that your goal is achievable. There is an Islamic saying that God says: "Strive for your goal and I will strive for it with you" that truly puts a description on how this work. And as Wally Wattles described, things tend to happen in your favour if you believe strongly in your goal and work on it.

3- Vision Statement: Kept it in my pocket on a card, extremely effective, read it all the time to renew my goal, faith, and gratitude. Actually a technique also taught by Bob Procter, to simply write your goal as if it's already achieved (in the present tense like you gracously explained Dr. Alexandra) on a piece of paper, and to keep reading it. It keeps things vivid in your mind, and gets you going when things are down. Every chance I would read it, every time I thought things are not gonna work I would read the statement three times, and I would feel regenerated. And then with gratitude and faith, solutions unfolded, and things worked.

Before the above three points I talked about how I used to be "The previous me was just starting the business, sinking in its details and not making progress, working 16 to 18 hours a day and somehow feeling unproductive, and getting tired of my small apartment and my troublesome car." Now:

We have improved business performance, I am getting ready for my wedding, I am moving into the villa of my dreams, got the car I always wanted, and just got a new nephew. Well, not only that, but now I only work an average of 8 hours per day, can have a three day weekend if I choose, am living in a country with a fantastic 8 months of sunshine every year, and have a solid increasing cash flow that paid back all the banking facilities and now they're offering them and I don't want 'em!

It's not that I may buy a Ferrari and pay cash in full based on an impulse whim yet, (Notice that I am saying YET ) but when just 18 months ago I used to spend time on my grocery budget, and today I can walk into a five star department store and buy a $2000 watch because I liked its picture and while I am there I see a beautiful platinum necklace and I pick it up for my soon-to-be-wife as well without even taking a second to consider whether I am carrying enough cash or not, I can say that I definitely came a long way. From a studio to a three bedroom in a high-rise tower on a main city street, and on to a villa, from a 10 year old Japanese car to a brand new modified BMW sporty Alpina, and from a man with nothing more than a 10 page business plan to a successful business owner, I have certainly come a long way, and I never forget to be grateful for it."

Hold the faith, be grateful, and focus on your goal. Three key elements that made wonders with me, and hope that it helps you too.

Sam

Sam,
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration.

It's so true about sending love, peace and joy to anyone who has been a challenge for you...This has worked many times for me over the years.

The part about faith has been more of a challenge for me . . . I'm still looking for ways to keep me faith constant and steady. Saying, " ___ is already mine and the only thing for me now is to hold the vision in order to see through the illusion." has helped a lot.

And of course keeping your eye on the goal is a key part. I like to see my end result as if I'm remembering it like it's already happened.

Thanks for a great post Sam.
Love Light and Laughter,
Charlotte

Holy Cats! Thank you, Sam, for sharing your tremendous results with us here. Your shared success is the inspiration I've been needing to hold the Faith. I tend to be a little on the impatient side of things; and sometimes when I think of the Greatness of my desires, a little voice (with devil ears) will rear it's ugly head and suggest that my desires are too great to manifest any time soon, that they will take years and years to come into fruition, and that I really don't want to wait that long - so I may as well think of some smaller things to manifest NOW. Silly, silly me! So, your wonderful success story has fed my ego and assisted me in renewing my Faith that my fabulous and glorious desires are in fact just around the corner. I have even placed your post in my "Favorites" list for continued inspiration. So, I THANK YOU for your gift of sharing your success - a gift that will keep on giving for me.

To your continued success!
Tanya

Sam,

Thank you so much for sharing your success with us.

The one about sending love and good thoughts to someone who is being difficult works, and I've done it many times. (so why don't I do it ALL the time?)

The fact that you thought in the certain way and acted in the certian way and manifested your dreams is the proof that Mr. Wattles talks about in his book. And, I trust, you're continuing to do so this very minute

Thank you again for sharing this with us. For me it was the perfect beginning to my morning. What a great way to start the day

Wishing you continued success.
Sherri

Sam,

Congratualtions! That was so inspiring. Thank you for sharing the great news... I think I'll read it again.

LeTicia

WOW!!!
Way to go Sam!

This is a beautiful post!
Hearty congrats!!! I really needed this post today, THANK YOU & THANK THE FORMLESS!!!

May God bless you and may you continue to prosper.

Sam, that is an amazing story.
Thanks for sharing!
This forum continues to provide just what a lot of us need, just when we need it. Today it seems to be your turn to provide! Inspirational stuff! Wishing you much much more!
Arohanui
Jenny

I am new to this forum, although I have been visiting daily and reading all of these wonderful posts. This is such a tremendous story and I thank you for sharing it.

Like you, I just know, and have always known, without knowing why, that I would build the business of my dreams. And I am. Each day is another step closer to where I always knew I could be. This book has helped me to understand that I don't have to question my absolute faith and gut instinct and replace it with logic, or should I say "appearance"?

Thank you again and blessings to you.

Denise

Fantastic Sam!!! I am working on being more patient & not worrying about the "how", your wonderful post is just the boost that I need. I am so truly happy for your wonderful successes & am insired by all the amazing people on this foum. Thank You to all!

Hello all,

Here's a thought that has been rolling around in my head.

I also own a business and want to start another, but according to SOGR, we need only focus on what we want, not the "how."

In reality do we really need businesses? If we focus on what it is that we really want, isn't a business really telling the formless the "how?" Even without a business or for that matter a job, won't we still receive what we want from the formless?

I'd like to hear what others have to say about this.

Thanks and God bless all!

quote:

I also own a business and want to start another, but according to SOGR, we need only focus on what we want, not the "how."

In reality do we really need businesses? If we focus on what it is that we really want, isn't a business really telling the formless the "how?" Even without a business or for that matter a job, won't we still receive what we want from the formless?

Well, Bill, let's start with your first statement. You say you want to start another business. That's a "what" rather than a "how." So WHY do you want to start another business?

Yes, I do believe that focusing on what we desire and leaving the how up to "All the Mind there is" means that whatever that desire is could manifest right away and come to us in ways we never could have imagined.

No, I don't believe it; I know it because it keeps happening in my life!

Owning effective, helpful, profitable businesses is one of my desires. I like being a business owner -- how it feels, the freedom of it, being of value to others in this particular way, the fun of the "game" (where you keep score with $), the constant creativity, and on and on. For me, it's FUN.

And -- strange as it may seem -- I've discovered this past year that the LESS I actually have to do with the day-to-day operations of my businesses, the more money they make! It continues to amuse and amaze me.

(Did you get that? As I've given my focus, faith, and feeling more to the clear mental image of the parts of business that I ENJOY, I've had to do less and less and less of the parts that have never been all that interesting to me. Cool!)

Now back to your question: For me personally the business stuff is fun and is one of the ways so much good comes to me (all kinds of good). So business IS one of my desires, not a how. Make sense?

In fact, I've found in the past that during times when I didn't "need" to be involved in a business at all (no lack of money, etc.), I wasn't as happy and had less sense of purpose and direction. So I enjoy the "framework" of business (plus I think marketing is just one of the most fascinating things there is to study and play with because it's really all about why people do what they do -- how they think, take action, etc.). I'm a person who's hardly EVER felt bored, but when I don't have a business to engage in, those are the times I feel antsy.

What I've learned is that the more I just give my attention to the idea of thriving businesses and the more I see myself in that picture ENJOYING it all (it's a very detailed, varied picture!), the less action I ever need to take. Things just get done, things just come to me (things meaning physical objects, people, ideas, you name it).

Here's a current example (although it has nothing to do with business directly.) Just yesterday I noticed that a relationship situation that had been less than I desired for YEARS is now wonderful. Well, I didn't just notice yesterday that it's wonderful. That's been evident for several weeks now.

What I noticed yesterday was -- wow! -- all I did was imagine that relationship (with a number of people) being the way I PREFERRED it to be. I stopped thinking about how it was ("reality"), stopped feeling bad for any of it (whether my part or anything anyone else had done), renewed my sense of gratitude for the people involved, and so on. I began to envision that network of relationships all healed and healthy, all wonderful. And more than that, I imagined it all happening quickly, easily, smoothly, effortlessly. Not only did I not specify "how" I thought it needed to happen, I didn't have a clue how it could happen at all! But that wasn't my part so I just ignored it.

I started doing this in earnest a VERY short time ago -- a couple of months.

Now it's just amazing how that's all opened up and everything is great with everyone involved and I'm so happy about it I could bust.

Get into the image -- and realize the only real reason for doing that is to experience all the wonderful feelings NOW that you imagine you'd feel if that image were your actual reality now. That's how it becomes reality.

(One important detail: I also did NOT spend any time at all looking at the situation and thinking, when will it be ok? Why isn't it ok yet? What's happening? How can I fix this? What should I do? -- and all that kind of thing. When thoughts like those popped up, I caught them quickly, looked at them, and said to myself, well, THAT'S not useful. How can I think about this in a way that feels GOOD? And then I shifted to thinking that way instead.)

Whatever you want, you can have. Just remember to give your focus, faith, and feeling to what you DO want, not what you don't. The better you get at that, the better you feel (amazingly better and quickly, too). And the faster you'll see the manifestation that'll knock your socks off.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill:
In reality do we really need businesses? If we focus on what it is that we really want, isn't a business really telling the formless the "how?" Even without a business or for that matter a job, won't we still receive what we want from the formless?

Hi Bill -

I appreciate you posting this question. It is one I have been circling for a while. When I've gone through the process of asking myself WHY over and over about owning a business/having a certain job, they both truly reveal themselves to be a HOW.

What I have come up with so far... Like you stated, I focus on what I truly desire - the end result. Then I leave myself open to a business or job being one possibility of the How. If such an opportunity knocks on my door and strongly appears to be in the path of realizing my desires (aka I am inspired to pursue it), then I will accept that opportunity with gratitude.

So that is as far as I have wrapped my mind around this idea of having a job/business to realize my desires. One thing I am attempting to do is NOT close off this one particular avenue or channel for my desires to come to me, though I am certainly open to others. When I think about the possibility of money coming from a job/business, I imagine myself being one of those people who says, "I can't believe I get paid to do this!" This statement alone gives me that whole-body, feel good energy NOW; and it certainly is delicious.

Thanks again Bill for bringing this question to light. I hope others have more thoughts to share on the topic.

Many Blessings!
Tanya

Hi

Wonderful post,Sam,thank you for sharing with us.
Bill,I was kind of going around your question without formulating it yet,so thank you for ...doing it for me .I appreciate all the answers of Rebecca and Tanya,and it gives me more to think about.I am also engaged in a business that is great ,but not doing as well as it could,and it might not be my ultimate goal.I mean I love what I do but I would like to do it without having to think about money ;or to do something else entirely....
Anyway,thank you for the posts, I am still working...I mean having fun thinking about all I could do.

Sasha

Hi Tanya and all the others,

quote:

I can't believe I get paid to do this!"

Maybe I have been misunderstood the context of this quote you were writing, but knowing that our reality is been made by our thoughts, isn't this a quote in which you actually say and print: "I can not believe it" (with the unwanted result) so keep away from me?

Just wanting to help!?

Yeddah

Rebecca - I totally agree with you! I have just discovered in a tiny way that focusing on our preferences, relaxing, just flowing with things and being present in the moment really causes a shift! Just this morning (I usually feel so pressed for time) I decided to kind of flow with all my morning activities (exercise, meditation, showering, etc.) and to be very focused as I did each task (being "efficient" I guess!)I discovered that I had the time I needed to finish my breakfast before I went out the door (rather than eating it at work) and leave on time and be totally relaxed because I wasn't leaving at the last possible moment. I arrived at work 10 minutes early - again relaxed - usually I'm walking really fast to make sure I get there on time. It was wonderful. That's a mundane example - but it echoes what you just talked about in your relationships.

Thanks!

LauraR

What a wonderful testimonial, Sam. You've done it! That's tremendous. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story. It will keep the rest of us "keeping on" with SOGR!

Congratulations!

LauraR

quote:

Originally posted by Yeddah:
Hi Tanya and all the others,

quote:

I can't believe I get paid to do this!"

Maybe I have been misunderstood the context of this quote you were writing, but knowing that our reality is been made by our thoughts, isn't this a quote in which you actually say and print: "I can not believe it" (with the unwanted result) so keep away from me?

Just wanting to help!?

Yeddah

If the FEELING is there and it's wonderful, the words you use to express it are unimportant.

For example, I often refer to the wonderful things that happen in my life as "amazing," and I've received emails from people sort of chastising me for using that word. Their idea is that if I think these occurrences are amazing then I'm surprised they actually happened, which (to them) means I was lacking in faith.

Of course, the fact that these things manifested (and they feel even better now than imagining them into existence felt) is the only proof I need that I'm on the right track!

So I'll keep using the word "amazing" because that's EXACTLY how it feels -- and amazing feels great!

quote:

I have just discovered in a tiny way that focusing on our preferences, relaxing, just flowing with things and being present in the moment really causes a shift!

Oh, yes indeed! What you have just expressed here is "the certain way" in a nutshell, right at its essence, the whole point.

(That wasn't such a "tiny" discovery after all, was it?)

THANK YOU Rebecca and everyone else who responded to my post here.

Rebecca, as always, your explanations are the great eye opener for me. After reading any of your posts on this forum, I always walk away from my computer with a deeper understanding of SOGR.

God bless you and everyone on this excellent forum!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Sam, thank you very much for this outstanding post. It is an excellent example of how and why SOGR works.

Bill, you also posted a great question regarding starting and running your own business. Like you and others, I have started, ran, closed and started businesses again.

OVer the years, I have met people who have said to me..."I would Love to have my own business" My first question to them is: "Why?" 99.9% of the time their answer has always been: "The money!" My answer to them has always been.."if you start a business strictly for the money, you will never be happy...and you probably won't make much money either." With that comment I get quite a few strange looks, I must admit.

There are thousands of ways to achieve your dreams. Starting and running a business, or businesses, is one way. Entrepreneurs, I believe, start businesses because they are driven to take the ideas they have in their head and turn them into physical reality. As Rebecca said, "money is how you keep score in the game."

True, the overwhelming majority of people who become millionaires are business owners. But frankly, I think the money is not the driving force for them. It is a by-product of their successful creation.

Just a few of my thoughts.

Excellent discussion.

Michael M.