Whilst we can all suffer from concerns or worries from time to time, it is a sad fact that for many more people, being worried and fearful is almost like a full time plague. From the moment they wake up, they are worrying, and concerned about numerous issues, to the point that their quality of life is severely affected.

To put this in perspective, whilst we can all have, and experience worries, many of us are able to acknowledge the problems causing the worry, and then work towards a solution, rather than just continuing to worry. It is this point that I wish to expand on in this article.

I also speak from experience, as I spent many years, as a teenager, worrying about my future, and I now know this was caused by my lack of confidence in my abilities at the time. However, had I not learned the importance of being able to recognise a problem, and break it down into components, or pieces to work towards a solution, I would have allowed it to 'strangle' my success. Another way to understand the issue of worry is to know that it will rob you of your achievements and future success. I know this is harsh, but it is also true. Only by being brutally honest with yourself, and acknowledging the facts here, will you be more likely to accept your problems, and thus, work towards their solution, and thus, move on with your life.

Equally, whilst some people think of problems as 'things to be avoided at all costs', it is in fact the way for us top better ourselves as human beings. Furthermore, the most highly paid people in the world are problem solvers. Whilst I am not suggesting you look to become a professional problem solver, the fact is that all the information products on the market, as an example, are designed to solve people's problems. If they did not have a problem, there would be no market for their product.

In addition, I have witnessed people so paralysed by worry, that they feared even getting out of bed. It is pathetic, as well as sad, and thus, I hope to encourage you to recognise that all problems, no matter how insurmountable they may seem, all have a solution. Let me assure you I do not write these words from an ivory tower, as I too, have had and continue to9 have many challenges. However, I look at the problem for what it is, and analyse various possible solutions, and then act on them.

By taking action, you are more than half way through the problem, as it is the people who do not take action that are the ultimate worriers, the people that simply let the issues simmer.

For many people, the idea that they should only be grateful for receiving something after they receive it is a common feeling, or view. I am hoping to bust that view wide open, and explain why we need to look at it from another angle and perspective.

You see, if you are in a situation where you think you have nothing, you may tell yourself that you are broke, penniless, and with no hope. I can understand how you may come up with that view, but I can assure you too, that by twisting this on its side, you will see a massive change occur to you and your fortunes in life.

A bold statement? No, just a proof of an existing law of the universe.

Having thought about the above option, now consider this possibility:

You sit down, and write out all the things you are grateful for, including, as an example, your health, the fact you have a roof over your head, the fact you are reading this on a computer, where less than 20% of the world's population have a PC, or access to the internet, you can actually read, and write, and so many other possibilities, the options are almost infinite.

Now I understand you may say yeah, that's right, but that does not solve my problems now. Well, let me tell you something. The simple fact of being grateful can be taken to a new level. Consider and write down your deepest goals, and desires. All the wealthy people do this, whether they admit to it or not. Also, consider and thank the universe for providing all the things you wanted, as if you already have them. This is a key point here.

To explain in more detail, when we set our mind set in a place where we already tell our subconscious that we have the items we want, we are in effect, reprogramming our mental circuits, and this will in time, allow our selves to direct, and cause circumstances to manifest where we are more likely to come into contact with those things we want. I genuinely understand how many people may find this difficult to either comprehend, or believe at first, but these principles have been proven over time, by many thousands of successful people, many of them not born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

Again, I draw on experiences from my own life, where I have been thankful for something in advance of actually receiving it, and later, found that I often got better than I expected. One example in my life is when I planned and was grateful for a new job in a new city, six months before I was offered the position.

The fact is that these truths are profound, and even if you do not understand how they work at first, just doing them anyway, makes a difference to your life and results.

Let me ask you, if you are not an engineer, and are not familiar with the inner workings of a car engine, do you doubt it works, when you get in the car? No. You know that it will work, and just do it, even though you may not be a mechanical engineer. The same with flight, and many more examples.

Hence, to succeed in acquiring more than you imagined possible at first, just be thankful in advance, as if you already possess the items, wealth, or security you want. You already have it, and it is simply a case of being thankful for it.

The “Getting Things Done” philosophy has helped me make better, clearer plans for achieving my goals. I want to share with you some of the best points of this philosophy so you can use them in your plans as well. First though, a brief introduction on what “Getting Things Done” is.

After much reading and research, I have come to realize that there are but a few really integral solutions in the matter of developing and executing a personal development plan.

Out of them, the best in my opinion is “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. I consider “Getting Things Done”, or GTD for short, the best because it gives you the whole perspective, from Organizing, to Planning, to Execution. You can start from being completely lost and without knowing what to do, and end up with a well structured, clearly organized and prioritized action list that will make you efforts be worth so much more.

On the topic of personal development plans, GTD has many benefits that make it the best choice. It covers project management in depth, an essential skill since personal development is one of the biggest projects in your life. It also covers time and life management, something particularly useful when it comes to taking the plan into action. Probably the best point is its task prioritizing aspect, which leads to better, more flexible plans that withstand the never ending demands of life.

Besides personal development plans, GTD also helps you build the skills necessary for better managing work projects, better goal setting and better people management. You will find these skills very important, whatever your situation is.

The points I want to share with you today are simple yet very effective when it comes to proper planning. These are two questions that you should ask yourself, and answer every time you are about to plan or do something. First, what is the outcome? Second, what is the next action required?

“What is the outcome?” is a the most important question you can ask yourself in almost any situation. It is a question common in all the teachings of the major gurus from Napoleon Hill and Earl Nightingale, to David Allen, Brian Tracy, Dan Kennedy and Tony Robbins. It is just that important.

If you do not know the outcome for your actions, you have lost from the start, period. Getting clear on your outcome will be one of the best things you can do at any given moment.

“What is the next action?” is just as important when planning something. Many times I have seen people who have found their clear outcome, yet are completely lost on where to start taking action about it. Knowing what to do next in order to move the plan forward is absolutely necessary.

The most important factor to consider here is that the next action has to be completely thought through. This is, it shall not require further consideration upon execution. When the rubber meets the road, if you need to stop and think, you will be run over. You need to have thought before.

If you master these two questions and apply them to your plans and to your life, you will see, not only your productivity, but your effectiveness as well, skyrocket into the stratosphere.

Take some time to reflect upon these two questions and decide to start applying them today!