Wake Up and Take Your Life Off Autopilot!

Sep 082010

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This post was inspired by Dennis Merritt Jones

Every day, each of us makes a multitude of choices that will impact our lives…the quality of our choices will dictate whether we will struggle in frustration or live an extraordinary life—the life of our dreams. ~ Debbie Ford

In her great book “The Right Questions”, author Debbie Ford titles the second chapter, “Waking Up from Autopilot.” This is precisely the task we encounter if we desire to live an exceptional life founded in healthy, life-affirming choices. As we consider the world these days, it might appear that nearly all mankind exists at the level frozen on autopilot, essentially unaware that the decisions we make each and every moment of every day, individually as well as jointly, establish our experiences in this world.

This really is self-evident with the zombie-like harm being done to our environment as well as ecosystem, and maybe much more so through turmoil among people around the world.

Whenever we don’t use our mental strength and function on autopilot, the inclination is to live unconsciously, self-servingly, and reactively instead of proactively. As a species, one could state we’ve created more than several brainless choices. I find this intriguing given the fact that the opportunity to make conscious choices is among the primary things that separate us from every other Inhabitant on the planet. The good news is it’s not too late to learn that we can choose again.

The point is that mindful choices start with becoming conscious. We know the phrase “Think globally, act locally.” What this implies to me is that to be able to influence positive change in the world, we must first start with ourselves. To individualize this idea, I’d like to ask you these questions:

Can you remember everything that you put into your body yesterday?
Alternatively, do you remember precisely what came out of your mouth?
Can you recollect the particular way in which you chose to communicate with and treat everyone you had contact with yesterday?
Do you remember the instant you considered (or avoided thinking about) doing your workout program and the action you took (or didn’t take) to follow through?
Can you remember the day you made the decision to attend college or not to?
To purchase or sell your house or not to?
To have children or not to, to take or leave a job or not to?
To enter or exit a relationship or not to?

From the seemingly commonplace choices we make daily to the colossal, once-in-a-lifetime choices we make, they all have one thing in common: they define who we believe ourselves to be.

A different way to evaluate it could possibly be to say that regardless of the levels, each and every choice we make leads us closer to or further away from being the person we wish to be and our personal success (however we each define it). The more conscious we are in the choices we make, the clearer we are on whom we are. Our flexibility to decide is that powerful!

Think about the concept that whenever we come to an intersection while driving our car, the decision regarding which way we turn can literally determine exactly what happens next in our life. The metaphor is that our lives are always at an intersection. You are at an intersection right now…which way is your life inclined to go?

My question for you today is profoundly simple, but also intensely meaningful: How conscious will you be of the choices you make today? Will you turn right or left…or continue on the same road you have been traveling? This mental strength questions are imperative to ponder for your own sake, personal empowerment and personal success, as well as for your family, your friends and your community.

It’s time to wake up and take our lives off autopilot!

Where can you begin? Commit to using your mental strength and make conscious choices for the next twenty-four hours. Begin with the next thought you have that necessitates a choice of any kind. It doesn’t matter what it is, use your mental strength and challenge it.

In your mind, fast forward and review the consequences of that choice. Will you be truly at peace with the consequences, or resent yourself later for the choice you made? Regardless of the scope or scale of the choices you make today, ask yourself if the consequences of the choices are ones that serve you, as well as others, in an affirmative manner. In other words, does this choice affirm a whole and fulfilling life for you and harm no one in any way, shape, or form? Most importantly, work diligently at creating space for the loving presence of your Higher Self to be revealed and then listen because that voice is always available. You will know what choice to make.

Let me know what choices you’re going to make in the comments below.

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Action vs. Delay – Part II

Mental Strength Coaching, Personal Develpoment No Responses »

Sep 072010

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This is a follow-up to Part I of my post on Action vs. Delay

My coaching, ICA, has been such a great inspiration and source of information for this post, I’d like to thank them again!

In order to achieve a goal and personal success, we must be ready willing and able to take action. Without consistent and persistent action, the goal will not be achieved. It is for this reason that action is at the heart of my coaching practice.

Action is described in the dictionary as ?”the process of doing something in order to achieve a purpose.” Action is extremely powerful and is the catalyst used in my coaching to create change and personal empowerment. It is important for us to recognize that nothing happens without action. In order for us to achieve different results in our lives, we must DO things differently.

To create change in our lives and move forward in achieving personal success, we must take action. We can spend our entire lives dreaming, thinking, planning and preparing to accomplish our goals, but without action, those goals and dreams will never be anything more than a desire. It is true that we must first know what it is that we want to accomplish before we can move forward but in order to get from point A to point B, our success essentially comes down to acting on our knowledge and plans and taking the steps necessary to move forward. By taking action, we create the movement that is necessary to make things happen.

If we look at action as an accelerating force that moves or pulls us forward, we can also look at delay as an accelerating force that pulls us back and keeps us stuck. Delay works in opposition to action. There are many factors that feed each of these forces. A Native American story illustrates this concept:

A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles to a friend.

“Inside every man there are two wolves.

The Bad wolf is mean and angry.

The Good wolf is good and kind.

The Bad wolf fights the Good wolf all day.”

When asked by the friend which wolf wins, the elder reflected for a moment and replied,

“The one we feed the most.”

Just as in this story the Bad wolf fights the Good wolf; delay opposes or “fights” action. The better we can manage the decelerating force of delay, the more acceleration and momentum we will experience in moving forward.

Self Application

Sometimes we feel that being in action all the time is too exhausting, even not possible. How many times have you heard someone say that they can‘t be in action all the time, that it is just not natural?

We may convince ourselves that being in action is not always possible. Let‘s look at what being in action looks like. Being in action doesn‘t only mean running marathons, climbing mountains, acquiring businesses, finding a partner, We can sometimes feel that action is huge and therefore must be about physical movement and that movement must be huge or we are just not successful or moving forward. This is not the case.

A small thought can create a huge shift which in turn can change our whole life. This is action. Reading, thinking, meditating, reflecting, writing, talking, coaching, walking, mentoring- all of these steps create movement and movement is action. Sure we can talk and talk and not move forward, but with a good coach this is not possible. All of these steps require us to want and to be open to moving forward. They all then become forward movements. This is action.

However we often confuse action with the achievement of a goal or the outcome of a goal. The huge achievements above, marathons, etc are not an action step. They are a total of action steps. You don‘t win a marathon by waking up and going to the track and winning. It has planning, training and great thought put into it. When we are not in action we often think of these goal outcomes as the next step, so we don‘t get started. The end result is not the action that needs to occur right now. We have that end result as a guide, a vision, a dream, a goal, not an action step. Imagine the role of parenting for a moment to see the role of action.

A new baby is born. The first thing the parent wants is the child to be healthy not to be able to walk and talk instantly. Over several years the progress of a child is celebrated, every action is recorded- a little smile, a grin, the first mouthful of food, and so on. Until after many years the child is walking and talking. Yet as adults we may expect to achieve years of action steps in the next ten minutes. We live in times of immediacy. We want success now. What ever happened to the training we had as children, to celebrate each step and to be present and enjoy the moment. Action is the process, the goal is the outcome. By entering the process, you are in action. The process is fundamental to the achievement of the goal. It is the path to growth, learning, self esteem and confidence. It is action.

Delay is being afraid, worrying, getting stressed, feeling tense, uncertain. Action is certainty.

So what causes delay?

If we know that action creates the results that we desire, why do we delay things?

People get stuck when their fear, limiting beliefs, commitments, judgments or Underlying Beliefs (UBs) are greater than their motivation to move forward in action.

Fear- It is fear that steps in the way and prevents us from moving forward. This fear may stem from many causes. Some of us fear failure. We may fear making mistakes. Others may fear success or change. The way fear impacts us is that it literally freezes us. It turns us into a hard frozen block, giving us no flexibility or flowing movement. If you take this analogy even further fear makes us cold, rigid and static. We dare not alter the temperature or the environment as it could cause a meltdown. But we must move forward and the only way to do this is that we have to change. We must open ourselves to moving forward. We must recognize that the fear is greater than the change. We must make a shift. We must take one step forward….this will create personal empowerment.

Limiting beliefs/ Judgments- It can be our own limiting beliefs or judgments that hold us back from being in action. For example – we may believe that we don‘t deserve to achieve a particular goal; we may believe that we are not smart enough; we may judge the financial gain that comes with success as “bad‘; we may have a belief in futility, so we take the attitude of why bother, it won‘t work. We may believe that we will never amount to much and accept this belief. To move forward we first need to understand what our beliefs are. How do they impact the way we think and believe?

Commitment – If we are not committed to taking action then we just don‘t. You know that familiar story of “Tomorrow I am going to join the gym.” Yet it never happens. If we are not committed to joining the gym then we won‘t achieve the first action step to doing it. Tomorrow comes; we wake up and convince ourselves of all the reasons why we shouldn‘t go to the gym. Perhaps for some reason we have come to believe that the goal of going to the gym should be our goal. We see others achieving it, we know it is good for us, but it just isn‘t happening. We are not committed to this action. Instead of beating ourselves up over not achieving going to the gym we should look at what is the action that we want to take to move forward.

UBs or behavioral patterns- Whether we are aware of it or not, a certain pattern of behavior that is so automatic to ourselves may be hindering us from taking action. This behavior is so much a part of us that we don‘t and may not be able to see it. For example, an underlying beliefs might be to be unsuccessful; to feel safe; to not become responsible or “blamed” for something; or to avoid “failing” at something from the very start therefore taking no action. Just writing down some of our behavior patterns around achieving action can move us forward. Another list could contain all the behaviors we take when we delay.

Next week I’ll finish up with action vs. delay.

My e-book, “Develop the Mental Strength of a Warrior” can assist you tremendously in moving from delay to action. If you’d like to experience Coaching for Success request your Introductory Consolation.

Please let me know your thoughts so far on this series on the comments below.

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Warrior Mind Podcast - Visualization and the Law of Attraction

Podcast No Responses »

Sep 052010

We finish up our discussion about visualization in this podcast by discussing:

Techniques vs. End Goal
1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd person perspective
Clearing the Past
Associated and disassociated
Rapport with the Unconscious

This information will assist you in achieving your personal success developing mental strength and enhance your personal empowerment.

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Who Ever You Think You Are, You're More Powerful Then That

Please let me know your thoughts and other topic ideas in the comment section below.

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40 Powerful Mental Strength Quotes for Personal Empowerment

Mental Strength, Personal Empowerment 2 Responses »

Sep 042010

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Quotes can be much then a source of inspiration and motivation. When used as a contemplation or affirmation they can be transforming!

With the Labor Day weekend here and most of us have a long weekend this would be a great time for some focused contemplation and affirmations….or as Tony Robbins says describes them “incantations.”

To give a brief overview of each so you’ll be able to experience the power of the below mental strength quotes here are the basics.

Contemplation – focusing on a single thought and asking questions about how this quote applies or can apply to your life. The contemplation should last 5 minutes and ONLY focus on a single quote and deeply think about it’s meaning, what it means to you, how you can use it, how it can help you. Keep creating deeper questions. If you can answer the question quickly go deeper. At some point you should “stump” yourself and have to wait for the answer. This is contemplation.

Affirmation/Incantations – Again, select one quote and repeat is out loud (to yourself) with emotion. This is not a simple memorization process; this is to create energy, passion and new belief. Also, select a different word to emphasize. Say that you select “Men’s best successes come after their disappointments.” For the first 5 times you say it out loud with energy on the entire phrase. Then emphasize the word “men’s”, for 5 times, then “best”, and so forth until you have repeated the entire phrase. I find this process very inspirational when I talk a walk.

If you really want to experience a shift this weekend, combine the contemplation and affirmations. Perform the contemplation first thing in the morning for 5 minutes. Then go out for a walk and use the same quote and perform your incantations.

I guarantee you feel a difference.

So…here are 40 very powerful mental strength quotes for personal empowerment and personal success.

1. Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. – Albert Einstein

2. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. – Henry David Thoreau

3. Inspiration and genius–one and the same. – Victor Hugo

4. To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says: “Leave no stone unturned.” – Edward Bulwer Lytton

5. If you would create something, you must be something. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

6. Every artist was first an amateur. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

7. The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be. – Horace Bushnell

8. Life has no smooth road for any of us; and in the bracing atmosphere of a high aim the very roughness stimulates the climber to steadier steps, till the legend, over steep ways to the stars, fulfills itself. – W. C. Doane

9. Do we not all agree to call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of inspiration? – George Eliot

10. No great man ever complains of want of opportunities. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

11. Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can. – Thomas Carlyle

12. Men’s best successes come after their disappointments. – Henry Ward Beecher.

13. Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. – Leon J. Suenes

14. The power of imagination makes us infinite. – John Muir

15. First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. – Epictetus

16. It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are afraid to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

17. Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash. – George S. Patton

18. If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes. – St. Clement of Alexandra

19. We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

20. Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day. – Thornton Wilder

21. The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible. – Arthur C. Clarke

22. Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks. – Johann Gottfried Von Herder

23. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. – Aristotle

24. Work spares us from three evils: boredom, vice, and need. – Voltaire

25. If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. – Destitutus ventis, remos adhibe – Latin Proverb

26. Experience is the child of thought, and thought is the child of action. – Benjamin Disraeli

27. You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind. – Author Unknown

28. The best way out is always through. – Robert Frost

29. o not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking. – William B. Sprague

30. Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. – Samuel Johnson

31. Fortune favors the brave. – Publius Terence

32. hen the best things are not possible, the best may be made of those that are. – Richard Hooker

33. He who hesitates is lost. – Proverb

34. Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. – Albert Einstein

35. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

36. We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls. – Winston Churchill

37. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

38. For hope is but the dream of those that wake. – Matthew Prior

39. Constant dripping hollows out a stone. – Lucretius

40. Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose–a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. – Mary Shelley

Please let me know how you plan to use these quotes, or if you have a favorite of your own in the comments below….and enjoy the long weekend….you deserve it!

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Self-Discipline, Freedom and Personal Success

Mental Strength, Personal Develpoment No Responses »

Sep 032010

It can be done when you believe it can….

It’s known as a “self-fulfilling prophecy” whenever something happens simply because we think it will. Your mind is built to ensure that it continuously looks to manifest into physical reality the things it acknowledges most. The majority of us will never understand the enormous potential we possess-because we’re unwilling to believe that we can achieve things that other people consider are impossible. “Impossible” tasks demand extra effort and greater focus, but when they’re finished, the rewards and personal success, i.e. financial and psychic, are proportionate with the work required. You may not be able to achieve everything you’d like, but you won’t accomplish anything unless you believe you can.

And when you come across a situation that you are absolutely positive that can’t be accomplished or solved you need to put it out of your mind immediately and forever. Think of it as the mental strength task of “closing a door.”

Here’s what Dr. Napoleon Hill has to say about ‘Door Closing’

“Consider the rather serious problems which arise in one’s mind in connection with disappointments and failures of the past, and the broken hearts that occur as the result of the loss of material things or the loss of friends or loved ones.

Self-discipline is the only real solution for such problems. It begins with the recognition of the fact that there are only two kinds of problems: those you can solve, and those you can’t solve.

The problem which can be solved should immediately be cleared by the most practical means available, and those which have no solution should be put out of your mind and forgotten.

Let us think, for a minute, about this process of forgetting. Refer to it as closing the door on some unpleasantness which is disturbing your emotional equilibrium. Self-discipline, which means mastery over all emotions, can enable you to close the door between yourself and the unpleasant experience of the past. You must close the door tightly and lock it securely, so that there is no possibility of its being opened again. This is the way to treat unsolvable problems, too. Those who lack self-discipline often stand in the doorway and look wistfully backward into the past, instead of closing the door and looking forward into the future.

This door closing is a valuable technique. It requires the support of a good, strong will, and you have a strong will if you have the departments of your mind organized and under the control of your ego, as they should be.

Door closing does not make you hard, cold or unemotional, but it does require firmness. Self-discipline cannot permit lurking memories of sad experiences, and it wastes no time worrying over problems which have no solution. You cannot yield to the temptation to relive your unhappy memories, for they destroy your creative force, undermine your initiative, weaken your imagination, disturb your faculty of reason, and generally confuse the departments of your mind.

You must place the power of your will against the door that shuts out that which you wish to forget, or you do not acquire self-discipline. This is one of the major services self-discipline can perform for you. It closes the door tightly against all manner of fears, and opens wide the doors of hope and faith!

Self-discipline closes the door against jealousy, hatred, revenge, greed, anger and superstition, and opens the door to friendship, goodwill, confidence and love.

Self-discipline look forward, not backward. It roots out discouragement and worry and other negative emotions. And it not only encourages the positive emotions, but it forces them to come before the faculty of reason every time they express themselves so that they, too, may be kept under control.

Self-discipline makes your mind strong. It enables you to take possession of your mind and exercise your God-given right to control your mental attitude. You do not have real self-discipline until you organize your mind and keep it clear of all disturbing influences. Every principle of this philosophy must function through your mind, and self-discipline, which keeps your mind orderly, is the controlling factor in this process of becoming successful”. - Source: PMA Science of Success. Pgs. 286-288.

I often find in my coaching that many clients think that self-discipline restricts them of their freedom. Just the opposite is true. When you have the mental strength and self-discipline to adhere to a task or structure you free up other ‘space’ to be creative.

Think if this….a long winding river with deep strong banks. The banks provide the discipline and structure so that the river can free flow around and about. If the structure of the banks were not there the river would flow everywhere without ‘purpose’ and perhaps even cause damage to nearby homes, gardens and people.

My challenge for you is to create personal development plan to create structure and self-discipline in ONE area of your life and execute this plan for 30 days. Then take a look at this area and see how far you’ve come.

I’d like to hear about your plan, please share it in the comments below.

If you’d like some assistance with this request an Introductory Consultation

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Persistence vs. Consistency for Personal Success

Mental Strength, Personal Empowerment No Responses »

Sep 022010

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” — Calvin Coolidge – 30th president of the United State.

Persistence Defined:

Dictionary.com gives one definition of Persistence as “the continuance of an effect after its cause is removed.”

Most people are not persistent and this definition explains why.

Think about this…you’re 10 pounds overweight (the ‘cause’) and you decide to take up a fitness program (the ‘effect’). In a few months you succeed in losing the weight….you feel good about this and you stop your program.

Then in 6 months your back to being 12 pounds overweight and you do the same thing again and again and again.

Why?

Lack of persistence!

Once the ‘cause’ was eliminated (the excessive pounds) the ‘effect’ stopped (the working out)

If there you had persistence, your exercise program would have continued past the point of losing the weight.

Now let’s look at consistency

Again, dictionary.com defines consistency as “steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc.”

Taking the above exercising example, you were consistent in getting to the gym, but once you lost the weight you were not persistent with the exercise program.

Do you see the big difference in the two? You can, at some level, have consistency but not have persistence. But you can’t have persistence without consistency.

Let’s look at achieving a goal of making $100,000 a year by starting your own business.

You set-up a business plan, a marketing strategy and you start to let the word know about your product or service. You market on a very regular consistent basis and within a year you hit your goal! You’re making $100,000/year!

Then what happens?

Most people will pull back on the marking thinking that momentum will take it from here. This may be true, but only for awhile. Without persistence (continuing the marketing plan after you’ve hit your goal) you’re revenue will drop off.

Just as fear is a prerequisite for courage, mental strength is a prerequisite for perseverance. It takes mental strength to continue PAST to point of success. Simply measuring how long someone sticks with a task until they reach their personal success doesn’t capture the true essence of perseverance.

Persistence and Personal Success

The formula of 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration applies to consistency and it great up to the point of reaching your personal success goal. But this formula needs to be modified to add variable of persistence. I would say that constancy X persistence = personal fulfillment. And personal fulfillment is the achievement of a goal and moving beyond that goal to something great.

This can only be done by combining constancy and persistence.

Since consistency is a prerequisite for persistence lets look at some aspects of consistency.

Consistency and Mental Strength

In general people with a higher level of mental strength will be consistent in tackling a difficult task to the point of success. This seems intuitive. If you believe you are a capable person with a good chance of succeeding at most things, you are less likely to quit.

What seems less intuitive is the following finding: People tend to be consistent longer at solving problems when they are told that what they are doing is difficult as opposed to easy.

Why?

Failing at a task that everyone else finds easy can be humiliating and damaging to mental strength and personal empowerment. In contrast, there is minimal shame when one fails a widely acknowledged difficult task (Starnes & Zinser, 1983; Frankel & Snyder, 1978)

A destructive compromise is self-handicapping. This is a detrimental byproduct for failing to be consistent. Most often the term is used in the context of a failure to be consistent at practice or in preparation for a major task or event. Golf is a great example of this.

Developing Persistence

The following exercises for building mental strength capability of consistency were adapted from a list provided by psychologist Jonathan Haidt at the University of Virginia:

Finish a project ahead of time.
Notice your thoughts about stopping a task, and make a conscious effort to dismiss them. Focus on the task at hand.
Begin using a time management aid of some sort (a palm pilot, a daily planner, etc.). Find a system that works and actually use it.
Set a goal and create a plan for sticking to it.
When you wake up in the morning, make a list of things that you want to get done that day that could be put off until the next day. Make sure to get them done that day.

So now that we’ve briefly gone over consistency how would I describe persistence?

Very easy….”Start Strong and Finish Stronger ™”!

Now it’s your turn….let me know your thoughts in consistency and persistence in the comments below.

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Great Mental Strength Tips From Jon Gordon

Mental Strength, Personal Perfromance No Responses »

Sep 012010

Here are some great mental strength tips from Jon Gordon

9 Ways to Beat Negativity

1. Tell yourself a positive story. Life is a story. The story we tell ourselves and the role we play in that story determines the quality and direction of our life. Successful people are able to overcome adversity by telling themselves a more positive story than the rest. Instead of a drama or a horror movie, they define their life as an inspirational tale. Instead of being the victim, they see themselves as a fighter and over-comer. You may not be able to control the economy, but you can influence the outcome of your story.

2. Model yourself after success. Are there people in your industry succeeding today? Of course there are. Seek out those people in your industry and ask to meet with them. Learn from their advice and model their attitudes and actions. If they can succeed, so can you.

3. Focus on the important stuff. Tune out the negative voices and start making positive choices. What are you doing on a daily basis to grow yourself, your team, and your business? Don’t focus on the negative things other people and the media are saying. Instead, focus on marketing your business, taking care of clients, and building loyal relationships. Every morning ask yourself this question: “What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?” Then take action on those items.

4. Replace “have to” with “get to.” This simple word swap can change your mind-set and your approach to work and life. It turns a complaining voice to an appreciative voice, and acknowledges that life is a gift—not an obligation. So often we grudgingly say things like “I have to go to this meeting,” “I have to meet with this client,” or “I have to make a bunch of phone calls.” In reality, it’s not about what we have to do. It’s about what we get to do. Research shows that when we practice gratitude, we get a measurable boost in happiness that energizes us and enhances our health. It’s also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time.

5. Refuse to participate in the recession. Professionals who’ve thrived during past recessions continued to go about business as usual regardless of market conditions. They worked hard and focused on taking actions to grow their business. As others are paralyzed by fear, take the opportunity to charge forward.

6. Boost your marketing and advertising. It may seem counterintuitive to spend more money on advertising and marketing right now. But with so many of your competitors cutting back in these areas, this is a great opportunity to build your brand and gain market share. People are still buying and selling, and they will buy from those whom they trust and see in the marketplace.

7. Create a positive vision. Instead of being disappointed about where you are, make the decision to be optimistic about where you are going. Create a positive vision for your future and the future of your team. Vision helps you see the road ahead and it gives you something meaningful and valuable to strive towards.

8. Invite others on your bus. Invite colleagues and customers to board your bus for a positive ride. Send them an e-bus ticket at The Energy Bus. Share your vision with team members and ask them to join you in making this vision a reality. Be a positive influence.

9. No more complaining. Abide by the “no complaining” rule. When you realize you’re about to complain, replace your thoughts and words with positive actions. Let your complaints help you identify what you don’t want so that you can focus on what you do want. The key is to turn complaints into solutions.

What strategies do you utilize to deal with negativity? Share your tips in the comments below.

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Action vs. Delay - Part I

Mental Strength Coaching No Responses »

Aug 312010

The power of action is to bring about progress.

“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it.” – Goethe

Goethe has said it beautifully and in this post we’ll expand on this.

I’d like to thank ICA one more time for their inspiration and assistance with this post.

In order to achieve a goal, we must first conceive the idea, create a plan and know what it is we want. Having the idea is the first step in creating what we want. We then must create a personal plan of action that will make it possible for us to reach the goal. But this is not enough, it doesn’t stop just there. The only thing that will move us forward beyond a strong desire to our personal success is action…and usually massive action

Action is the single thing that will bring about results. We can have a great idea, but ideas without action are worthless. We can have the best and most well thought-out plan in the world, but if we do not take action, the plan is not worth the paper it is written on. Taking action is the only thing that will get us closer to our goals. By taking action, we create the movement that is necessary to make things happen.

You’re probably reading this and thinking, “So what? I know this.”

I think we all know this: Action creates results. The problem is that somehow just knowing it isn’t enough. Knowing that we need to take action and actually taking action are two different things. Most people know what they need to do; it is the not doing that gets in the way.

If we all know that action creates results, then why don’t we take the actions we know we need to take? What happens to many of us is that fear steps in the way and stops us from moving forward. Some of us fear failure, are too disappointed to move on, or fear making mistakes. We may have all the good reasons to fear all of these issues. Our thinking may be along the lines of “when we begin to make changes, we might experience failure and disappointment, and make mistakes.”

If you want to make changes in your life, you will have to face fear and build your mental strength. When we honestly accept this, it makes it a little easier to move forward. When we begin to make changes, we might face disappointment. Do not worry. No one has died of disappointment yet, so expect it but move on. Finally, when we begin to make changes, we might make mistakes along the way. Celebrate the mistakes because it means you are moving forward and get on with it! Once you realize that facing failure, disappointment and making mistakes are all part of bringing about change, you can be prepared to move forward and take action.

Remember, if we want to create something new, we must take action. Having a great idea and a well thought-out plan are not enough. Action is the only thing that will move us forward.

As we act and create change, we will have to deal with fear, disappointment and mistakes. You can also think of these as “results”…they might not be the results you were looking for, but they are results never the less. Think of this as simply a part of the process. Embrace it and move on. Become good at facing your results. Accept disappointment and learn from your mistakes. This is all part of learning the many lessons which life offers.

Contemplation

1. What action do you need to take right now to move your life forward?

Post your answer in the comments below or in your personal success journal.

Why take action?

In action there is life because life is dynamic, active, full of movement and progress.

Motion creates emotion and new circumstances and awareness which allow us to experience life fully.

Without action we may observe and experience life from a passive rather than an active position, in the same way a spectator watches a sporting event from afar. Sometimes, observation and inaction can be very powerful for moments of enlightenment. But if indulged, it can become boring very quickly, and also lead to apathy and stagnation.

Obviously what we all need is synergy in life.

In my coaching practice, sometimes I find that the only thing my client needs is Action. Not strategies, not the right action, not validation, not even results.

Just action…or as Nike says “Just Do It!”

Action get’s them unstuck.

What causes delay?

When delay occurs, it is most likely because we have some kind of belief, judgment or Underlying Automatic Commitment (UAC) that is holding us back. Whether we see it or not, a UAC may be hindering us from taking action. For example, an underlying automatic commitment might be to be unsuccessful, to feel safe, to not become responsible or “blamed” for something; or to avoid “failing” at something from the very start therefore taking no action.

We use these belief structures to hold us back from taking responsibility and from taking action and our personal success. But these beliefs are based on fear and the only way to overcome them is to think clearly through the false reasoning of fear itself. The only way around fear is to move through it.

Techniques for Action

Here are some mental strength methods to help shift from inaction or Delay, to Action.

Goal Setting and Specificity

Sometimes all that is missing is an inspiring goal. Many times when I help paint an exciting future for my clients and they create a future pull and “automatically” move forward. Something I use another technique to help my clients move forward and that is to create a pathway. If my client can see what major steps need to be taken, and where they need to start, it’s much easier to begin – it may even make the goal seem doable or achievable.

I help my client break a goal down into small and manageable pieces. Every goal has sub goals, which are steps that need to be taken in order to reach the final goal. I help my client create a structure with the necessary steps to be taken. Often times, the larger goal may seem overwhelming. But once the goal is broken down into manageable steps, my client can simply follow each step towards the final completion of the goal.

Address Fears

Examine the underlying fears and help my client create an personal empowerment and a new perspective.

I assist my clients to overcome their fears by tackling whatever seems to stay in the way of their progress.

Address Underlying Automatic Commitments (UACs)

Is there a UAC sabotaging the stated goal? Is the client committed to failing?
Avoiding failure?
Success?
Is the client trying to prove their unworthiness?
How about just seeking sympathy?
Or trying to stay “safe” by avoiding something?

Set up Accountability

Set up accountability – particularly using structures – to empower a person or a relationship. By holding someone accountable to an action they promised to take, may be all that is required to keep them in Action.

Create a shift in Perception

I often help my client create a new and different way of looking at a situation. I usually do this by asking a question, pointing out a different point of view, or creating a compelling vision.

Here are a few ideas that I use to support my client in creating a shift in perception:

You could die tomorrow; if you did would you regret not doing this?
What would you do if you had your courageous hat on right now?
You’re scared and living in your comfort zone – and it’s okay to do this. But how many more years would you like to do this for?
Consequences

I also often my clients see the consequences for not taking Action or falling into Stagnation. Yes, there could be a risk in taking action, but what is the risk involved for not taking any action?

Which is worse?

Ask Yourself

1. Which of the above approaches to generate Action most appeal to you, and why?

2. Think of one more approach, and post it in the comments below.

Action vs. Delay.

Some techniques in coaching can be quite “push” oriented. Others such as making the goal more attractive or fun are “pull” oriented. Deep down there may be a reason as to why you’re avoiding a specific action. I make sure that my client’s are truly willing, ready and able to take action. Otherwise, it may be best to put the action aside until they can truly commit to it.

Coaching is about being in action. If something else is happening, then there may be issues that are not being addressed. If my client is not willing to move forward and take action they may not be coachable at this time. I’ll always check in with my client and let them know what you are observing. This insight alone often helps them see what they need to see to be able to move forward.

On the other hand, something’s my client’s past is blocking them from moving forward, then I take out the ‘big guns’ like NLP, hypnosis and Time Empowerment®, and this combination assists them to remove whatever it is that is blocking them from making progress.

Mental Strength Question

This exercise may be somewhat confronting, but prove to be a very enlightening one:

1. Let’s pretend that you’ve been told you are going to die in one year’s time. You’ve been informed that you will be healthy until the time of your death, so nothing will get in the way from doing what you really want to do. Write how you would change your life right now. Are there different actions you would take? More actions perhaps?

2. What actions have you been delaying that you would now do?

Post you answers in the comments below and/or your personal success journal

Remember, action brings results and personal empowerment; it makes us live life to its fullest potential, it elevates our confidence and worthiness, it keeps us active, joyful, hopeful and allows us to help others who are ready to be blessed by our experiences of achievement. Take action, make progress and reach your personal peak potential.

You can find our more about how to take action in the e-book “Develop the Mental Strength of a Warrior.” If you’d like personal assistance in taking action set-up a Introductory Consultation

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Warrior Mind Podcast – Visualization vs. Imagery

Podcast No Responses »

Aug 252010

Sorry all for the delay in writing post. My laptop is still in the shop and I have limited access to another one.

Here’s the latest Warrior Mind Podcast. This week we discuss visualization vs. imagery and the three perspectives of visualization – 1^st person, 2^nd person and 3^rd person.

Enjoy!

Warrior Mind Podcast

Who Ever You Think You Are, You're More Powerful Then That

Also, please let me know what other topics you’d like to hear me cover in the comments below. The info in the podcasts and posts are for your personal development and help you with your mental strength and personal success.

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Struggle is Good

Mental Strength, Personal Develpoment, Personal Empowerment No Responses »

Aug 202010

If you are sure you are right, don’t worry about what the world thinks.

If you are ever to achieve personal success in your life, you must be willing to stand apart from the crowd. Success is something that is achieved by the minority, not the majority, of people. As you climb the ladder of success you may discover that there are a few who, out of jealousy or envy, will disparage your achievements.

If you have the mental strength and courage of your convictions, nothing can discourage you from your mission. You develop a warrior mindset of confidence in your beliefs by doing your own personal development, mental strength thinking and by constantly testing and revising your knowledge. I suggest looking into W. Clement Stone’s R2A2 Principle to Recognize and Relate, Assimilate and Apply information from any field to help solve your problems and direct your thinking….adapt and continue.

As you adapt and continue you’ll discover something about yourself…you’ll discover your hidden assets.

Here’s what Dr. Napoleon Hill says about using your hidden assets.

“Each of us has locked within us all that is necessary to achieve wealth and greatness. It’s merely a matter of learning to use these hidden assets, of investing them so to speak, so we can cash in on them.

The tragic thing is that so many go through life without ever putting them to use. Sometimes, trouble and adversity is necessary to make people use their resourcefulness and brain power to achieve success.

A bookkeeper lost his job as Christmas was approaching. He had no money to buy his 10-year-old son a gift. Instead of merely despairing, he went to work making the boy a gift.

Using two wheels from a discarded baby carriage, a few pieces of lumber from the basement, and some bright red paint, he constructed a toy that captured the attention of the entire neighborhood.

Other children wanted similar toys. The demand grew so fast that the unemployed bookkeeper turned his basement into a factory, then moved his production to a real industrial plant.

The toy the bookkeeper designed was called the “scooter.”

Or consider the case of a soldier returned from World War I. He had been a salesman before the war but was not unemployed. He used his hidden assets too. He took a chunk of ice cream, stuck a stick in it for a handle, dipped it in chocolate covering—and the Eskimo Pie was born!

Then there was a young man working as a filling station helper in Dallas. The work was hard, hours long, pay short—all adding up to a state of mind I call “constructive discontentment.”

The young man began selling for a publisher of children’s books. But instead of approaching parents, he made friends with school teachers and got their permission to tell the children in class about his books.

Then he would ask the children to arrange an appointment with their parents so he could sell them the books. The plan worked wonderfully and the last time I saw the young man he was preparing to go into the publishing business for himself.

Have you searched carefully for any “hidden” resources you’ve overlooked simply because they weren’t in some form you could bank immediately?

Have you some plan or idea which might prove of great value if you brought it into the open and put it to use?

A very successful man once gave this splendid formula for gaining wealth.

“Get some useful item that will bring repeat sales,” said he. “Then put everything you have into taking it to the millions of people who need it.”

His name was F. W. Woolworth. He didn’t create anything new. He merely took something old and gave it a new method of sales distribution.

The opportunities our country offers today are greater than ever—and growing constantly. Think, for example, of the millions to be made by someone who devises some simple method of reducing traffic accidents.

Somewhere you have unused assets. Put them to work for you and make yourself financially independent.” – Source: Success Unlimited. December 1966, pp. 33-34.

Did you notice that the individuals ‘hidden assets’ where discovered under adversity? This is main principles of developing mental strength, to seek out ‘resistance’ so that you can train your mind (and discover your hidden assets). If life was easy we would never find our hidden assets or build our personal empowerment.

We must have resistance, struggle and adversity in order to grow!

What’s one situation that at first seemed ‘bad’ or ‘negative’ that actually uncovered a hidden asset or helped with your mindset? Let me know in the comments below.

If you’d like some assistance in your own mind training take a look at Coaching for Success