Monday 25 September 2017

Looking Through Inspiring Cliches to the Message Within.

You've probably heard "inspirational cliche's" so many times in modern culture that you just don't listen to them anymore; they've become just some words in the background of your busy life. They are used by big name manufacturers (Nike, Pepsi, BMW, Armani etc), on children's TV shows, sports commentators and of course banged out on social media and often with pretty pictures (MEMES).
The intent of course is to inspire you to buy a product or at least feel better about it and yourself and often created by "normal people" in PR / Marketing Departments who hope to inspire someone else or at least lift their moment. But over use has made them bland and most have lost impact.
The challenge for writers, especially writers of self development books is how to find a way to motivate people who read their books without using cliche's that have become part of the background noise of life.
One of them particularly for me stands out "Life is what you make it." Used by many writers and performance coaches and hijacked in various forms in advertisements often subtly; especially in Car advertisements (Buy our car and have a better life).
Because . . . . the "phrase" itself although over-used is still true. At its heart are simple things;
Make good Decisions.
Take appropriate Action.
Communicate effectively.
Learn to do these things better and your life gets better. Learn to do these things amazingly well and guess what happens to your life?
The most important person you communicate with is yourself. Remember that, if you recall nothing else over the next few days. Get your internal communication right and you can take on anything.
Of course I'm going to ask you to use my book to help you get the life that you want but you don't have to as there are lots of resources from other writers who offer different approaches and ideas. Find the one that connects with you and use it. 
This is me promoting my book; Creating A Wonderful Life is written in an easy to read style with no flammaryno smoke and mirrorsno lengthy unnecessary explanationsno filling up with flowery prose; just straightforward things to do that will make your life wonderful. Follow through with the actions and your life will get better. End of advertisement :)
Most people do not get what they want in life because they give in when they hit a challenge that seems too difficult to get over. Everyone should know that life will always test you to see if you really want something (or someone). Your energy and enthusiasm hit a low and all you've really done is changed life's routines  (don't get me wrong it's nearly always a better routine). "Giving in" is your emotional response to a situation that allows you to accept the new normality and carry on with life (albeit with some distant feeling of loss or failure). 
However, sometimes giving in can be the right response; for example allowing one of "life's" occasional storms to move on and calmness return so that you can continue. This then becomes a pause and not an end; bear that piece of wisdom in mind next time your world goes bonkers (either at work, family or in the bigger world).
Life is a series of phases for you to negotiate and in time all will pass. You evolve. You learn continuously (whether you think you do or you don't).
The only thing I ask from you (and for you) is commitment; in fact it's the only thing in life that truly matters. If you start, you must finish! Your life is really what you make it (yes you own it). Once you realize that simple truth you begin to take control of events and your future. Put aside the fear, put aside the voices that say you cannot; because inside you know that you can. Right?
Some people and you may know one (you may even be one) love the beginning of new things and they are full of energy. The excitement of something new, the thrill of new experiences, people and things seems to drive them; but once the initial high energy phase is over "like a butterfly" they lose interest and look around for something new to get excited about. 
The biggest failing that people experience is not following through. Sure it's great starting with enthusiasm and high energy; but the trick is to maintain that activity and you can learn how not to give up in my book Creating A Wonderful Life
Learn to finish what you start, however hard, however challenging; learn to go the distance. 
What you do everyday really makes a difference. What you do only once changes only that moment.
Can you look at inspiring cliche's with new eyes now? Can you see through the spin and sparkle to see what is meant and what you should do when that realization occurs? I hope so, I hope today that you heard you're own personal wake up call. Whether you go on to buy my book or someone else's I hope you learn to make your life wonderful. If you choose mine it's available on Kindle and as a paperback in all great bookstores and Amazon.com
I truly wish you a great day.
#life #makeadifference #yesyoucan

Monday 11 September 2017

A New Beginning; A New You, A Better Future.

When you feel like you’ve hit the buffers and you are out of energy and ideas; you need somewhere safe and sound to revitalize and refresh your life. Trust me you were not wired to give in and just accept your lot in life; but there is tremendous pressure from society to do just that. 

When you know that you’re much better that what you are experiencing, when you’re frustrated that you’re somehow stuck and your horizons are limited reach out for help. There are huge resources available both online and in local libraries; everything from inspiring quotes to masses of self-help books (yes I wrote one for you and it's available on Amazon and in good bookshops worldwide). The first step is to recognise that you need some help to get up the next step or over the slump phase you're in. 

As hard as it is to admit you don't know everything; you don't. Yep that's tough I know, we all think we know best. Everyone has at some point started building flat-pack furniture without looking at the instructions and some people even complete the task; but they often find there are screws and "bits" left over. Sound familiar?

All I'm asking is that you put your ego and stubbornness aside for a moment and think about what you want in your life and why. There are many approaches you can use, and many are readily available free on the internet via your favourite search engine. You'll find inspiration on Youtube, in blogs and essays from all over the world. 

But seeing as you're here I would like to recommend my book "Creating A Wonderful Life." It's a lifelong friend of a book that you can take anywhere (unlike the internet) and it won't let you down. 

You'll find examples from my real life experiences, diagrams and easy to follow instructions; and lots of straight forward actions to take. Are you ready yet to discover the masterpiece that is hiding within you? 

You will learn to; 



  • Become an effective communicator
  • Maintain a resilient outlook that will defend you against negativity.
  • Make the right choices even in demanding and stressful situations
  • Create robust and realistic goals and then plan, manage and review your progress towards your goals and importantly make adjustments to achieve your goals.
  • Develop your own unique personal and powerful winners’ strategy.

I wrote it so that it is uncomplicated and free of jargon. There are no confusing scientific or psychological theories to learn and there's no padding or waffle. This will enable you to follow easily what you need to do and then take the action required to create your own wonderful life. 

The book also contains highlighted “Insights” for some key learning points, making it very simple for you to capture the important points and use them routinely.


Remember that life is a journey; success is mostly how you feel about your life and not what you have in your bank account or parked on your drive. Feel good and good things happen, you get what you focus on. Get your copy today and start creating your own wonderful life.

Wishing you a great day full of inspiration.



Get your copy in Paperback or Kindle versions on Amazon here;

Creating A Wonderful Life

It took me over two years to put the book together and it's based on over forty years of experience using self help development tools and methods from some of the best known exponent’s in the field. It includes everything that helped make me successful before my illness; and that also helped me face and overcome many of my health challenges since then. 
Still don't believe me that this book is an investment for your future? Look at what some other readers say about Creating A Wonderful Life;

By Milly B on 8 Dec. 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Michael writes in an easy style. You forget you are reading a book and instead almost hear the words. This is a great book capturing hints and tips to help you be the best you can.

It doesn't lecture, it doesn't railroad you ... it just gently reminds and shares ways to get the best from you. It draws on known techniques, but also introduces new ideas to help inspire
and guide you.

This is a book you need to read whoever you are .... just starting out, it will set you up for life ... mid life, it will remind you how to keep on track ... and even further down the line it's a fantastic reminder to take stock of where you are.

If you only read one book this year, make sure it is this one. It will teach you how to balance yourself to find time for any others!

It tapped right into my core. It made me think of things I'd pushed to one side when I was busy thinking I was getting on with life. It woke me up again to me. It made me think about and remember who I am and how to rediscover me. I will certainly be using the suggestions given to try to keep me on track. I feel focused again,and it's awoken my ambitious side, but with a life balance view. I am in a different place to where I was in my mid twenties, older, wiser, and with a family. But that just means I have more to give not that I have to settle for less.

Great to see the paperback version is now available. Christmas shopping sorted! I think everyone should have a copy of this in their life.

By Amazon Customer on 15 Dec. 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
This is one of those books that you really can't put down. I really enjoyed this book it's easy to read and practical. I'm really glad I read it and can absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to see a positive improvement in their life.


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#success #betterlife #happiness #learning #selfworth #ANewHope #freshstart #motivation 

Tuesday 14 June 2016

Life is What You Make It. "Did you hear me?"

 "Life is What You Make It."

You've probably heard that phrase so many times in modern culture that you just don't listen to it anymore; it's become just some words in the background of your busy life. It's used by advertisers, children's TV shows, sports commentators and of course banged out on social media and often with pretty pictures.

The intent of course is to inspire you to buy a product or at least feel better about it and yourself and often by normal people who hope to inspire someone else or at least lift their moment. But over use has made it bland and it's lost its impact.

The challenge for writers, especially writers of self development books is finding a way to motivate people who read their books without using cliche's that have become part of the background noise of life. 

Because . . . . the phrase itself although over-used is still true. At its heart are simple things;

Make good decisions

Take action

Communicate effectively.

Learn to do these things better and your life gets better. Learn to do these things amazingly well and guess what happens to your life? 

The most important person you communicate with is yourself. Remember that, if you recall nothing else over the next few days. Get your internal communication right and you can take on anything.

Of course I'm going to ask you to use my book to help you get the life that you want but you don't have to as there are lots of resources from other writers who offer different approaches and ideas. 

My book is written in an easy to read style with no flammary, no smoke and mirrors, no lengthy unnecessary explanations, no filling up with flowery prose; just straightforward things to do that will make your life wonderful. Follow through with the actions and your life will get better. 

The only thing I ask is for commitment. If you start, you must finish. 

The biggest failing most people experience is not following through. Sure it's great starting with enthusiasm and high energy; but the trick is to maintain that activity and you'll learn how not to give up in the book. What you do everyday really makes a difference.

Life is what you make it. Did you hear me and understand what I meant? 

When do you want to start making it wonderful?

Have a great day.




Thursday 19 May 2016

Join Me for a Wonderful Life on Facebook.

Join me on Facebook for shots of Optimism and Inspiration; and I may mention my book once in awhile.









Have a great Day!



Sunday 15 May 2016

Happy? If you always do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got!

Happiness. . . .  .    .     .      .        .

That sometimes elusive state of mind that enables you to enjoy the world, your life and the important people with you on your journey. Happiness doesn't just happen to you, you must make it and if you can't make it you must at least be ready to receive it; if by chance it stumbles cheerfully and accidentally into you like a little child chasing a kitten.

Yes that's right YOU control how happy or not you are; we'll come back to this shortly.

Some people truly believe that the only route to happiness is through having huge amounts of money so they can buy all the things they've always wanted and travel to places they can only dream about. I can absolutely assure you that money, especially lot's of it, on it's own, will not make you happy. It will ease some of life's pressures, but it brings new stresses and strains that you cannot imagine. If you are not happy before you become wealthy, you will not be when you are.

Apart from looking back through recent history at very rich and famous people who have done crazy things because they are unhappy and worse have given up the gift of life; I personally know very wealthy people who were not happy with life, until they had help, either from me or others.

Happiness is in your mind. How you talk to yourself, how you respond to events, what you decide to do; these are all actions that you control

The problem nearly everyone has, is you think you are in control and procrastinate about any self improvement action you ought to take because of the illusion of your purposeful identity. Meaning that you say "this is just who I am" to yourself or "I'm OK, it's just a bad day," or "I haven't got time."  
Creating A Wonderful Life helps you take action. In small steps you learn about what to do and how to do to break down the barriers that have been holding you back. You'll learn how to talk to yourself effectively and rub out negative self talk, how to communicate with other people to get positive results and how to make better decisions amongst many other important life skills. Please don't put off any longer the chance that you have for a wonderful life.

There is no other way of changing your life into a wonderful one unless you take action.


Buy your copy of Creating A Wonderful Life here either in paperback or as a Kindle ebook. 


Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars
5.0 out of 5 stars







Thursday 31 December 2015

New Year, New You?

We are at the beginning of another Year (2016); many great things have happened in the past twelve months, along with many awful tragedies. Other writers and News websites will cover this topic in detail and so I shall leave that to them. Stay informed but do not let the constant stream of broadcast tragedy and trauma affect you.

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." 

Walt Whitman

January is for many people a period of reflection and a time to look forward hopefully to a the New Year. Many people, maybe even you, will have made New years Resolutions that they hope will make their lives better in 2016.

Often New Years Resolutions are about getting fit and losing weight and it's no secret that Gym memberships peak in January only to fall away by April as people give up on their good intentions.

A few people will make Resolutions to improve their mind and sign up for College courses or on-line language courses or even learn new skills to improve their career prospects. Sadly many people in this group will drop out as well as the pressure and momentum of their everyday lives sucks them back in.

Don't get me wrong many people will follow through in both groups and a few will go on to gain amazing results just by sticking to the decision they made.


"With self-discipline most anything is possible."

Theodore Roosevelt

The reason a few gain exceptional results from one decision is not because they are any better than you or me. It's almost entirely due to their commitment and their ability to literally change their mind to do something and then change their lives to make it happen. It sounds simple said like that doesn't it? But of course it's not.

Most of us don't want to change the World if we're honest with ourselves; we just want a better life for us and for those we love and care for. Everyone needs help and guidance to start something new or get better at anything, whether it's learning to Drive a Car or baking your first Cake or even becoming an Elite Athlete. You can't just magic these new skills from nowhere! First you have to want to, then you find out how, then you practice until you get it right. Again sounds simple doesn't it? 

People talk about having commitment as if it's something you can just apply without effort and of course it's something you build (one of my daughters is an Elite Athlete so I know all about commitment, not just from her but from the entire family that support her; yes that's a proud Dad moment). 

Commitment is also a skill, the same as planning, the same as communication along with many other life skills that people often take for granted until they come to use them. And that's often when a failure happens. When you over-estimate your ability; at that moment when you are trying to do something and you thought that your innate skill would carry you through but you just don't have the tools available to you.

You thought you knew what to do but the ability you thought was just going to appear for you when you needed it, did not. Winning is not trying, it's doing, and that means preparation and that also includes learning.

"Do or do not. There is no try!"

Yoda (Star Wars)

My book Creating A Wonderful Life gives you access to a tool-kit for life. These are techniques that are tried and tested in my life and also with others that I have mentored and managed over the years. 

You'll learn about communication, how to maintain a positive outlook, how to make great decisions even in stressful circumstances and most of all you'll learn how to plan your goals so that you achieve success every time.

Now ask yourself this question, "do I want to have a Wonderful Life?"

If the answer is yes (which I sincerely hope that it is - and yes, I know I'm biased - but you should know that I wrote this book to help others - not to become a Millionaire). Buy or borrow Creating A Wonderful Life and follow the actions and you'll be surprised how quickly you'll be able to make lasting improvements in your life. It works.

See what other people are saying who have bought and used this book here  

Finally I'd like to wish you all the very best of health, wealth and happiness for 2016. Happy New Year!



Available in Paperback and Kindle editions.

Thursday 3 December 2015

Build a Successful Life That is Deeply Fulfilling.


What you choose for yourself today, will be a pivotal point that will change your life forever. Could you take the challenge to improve your life? 

Are you ready to take the first step to create your own Wonderful Life?

Do you want to;

  • have truly effective communication skills?
  • have a positive mind and resilient outlook.?
  • make the right choices even in demanding and stressful situations?
  • know how to create robust and realistic goals and then plan, manage and review your progress towards your goals and importantly make adjustments to achieve your goals?
  • develop your own personal and powerful winners’ strategy?
If you can answer YES to these questions; Creating A Wonderful Life, the book, is for you! 

I'm not going to hard sell you with special offers that end soon, or super one time discounts (that last forever). No. This book is written for people who are ready for it; people maybe like you who ready for taking action and making the changes that will make their life wonderful. 

 Creating A Wonderful Life

Available as a Book or as a Kindle ebook.

Written in an uncomplicated easy to read style and jargon free, enabling you to easily understand what to do and take the actions required to create your own wonderful life. The book also includes highlighted “Insights” for some key learning points, making it exceptionally easy for you to capture the important points.

Look at what people say who've bought and used the book here Amazon Customer Reviews


You'll find examples from real life experiences, diagrams and easy to follow instructions; and lots of actions to take. Want to build the masterpiece that is you? This is the book that will change your life forever.


Take the first step into your wonderful life now and get Creating A Wonderful Life today.