Lino is a deacon at a local church. After he leads in prayer, his loving wife Juli remarks that he overuses the phrase "And, uh." And his word-searching pauses leave the congregation guessing and disconnected. She calls him on his stuff.
Juli is Lino's chief asset...But after years of hearing her husband pray—he hasn't improved. He hasn't invested in the resources to develop his potential. He mentioned joining Toastmasters, but hasn't walked his talk.
Like many of us, we plan—but fail to execute. We massage our fragile egos hoping no one will ever call us on our stuff. We hide behind our strengths never realizing how powerful we can become if we worked through our weaknesses.
Ask me how many times I intended to attend a Toastmasters meeting and I'd reply, "At least a dozen." Ask me to join you swimming and I'd argue, "I'm not a fish."
I've made excuses, procrastinated, and did everything but. I attended seminars, bought CDs, and read books. I spent years rehearsing but never got on stage.How about you?
What should you be doing that you wanted to accomplish last year? Did you really want to lose weight or did you want to try a new diet? Did you really want to meet your soul mate or did you want to dabble in another relationship?
Positive change won't happen by osmosis. You must take specific, disciplinary action. Often an uncomfortable one. It's like swimming upstream.When I started to learn copywriting, I had to write out long drafts. Word for word. Some up to 40 pages long. Which took a week because of blisters.
Are you willing to pay the price? If yes, here are seven keys to help you get over the hump:
1) Make an investment in you. I began with books, cassettes, and seminars. Today there are CDs, DVDs, IPods, and online resources. It's available. Just one call or one click away.
This is your genesis for positive programming. You install good programming into your mind to overcome years of negative programming. This will help you take better actions toward your personal goals.
When I began, I didn't want to spend one penny buying this stuff. I was a cheap bastard. But I learned the more I paid, the more I valued and got hooked on the information.
Let your friends invest in beer, television, and other self-defeating vices that smuggle their minds and wallets. You don't have to join them. The next key is...
2) Be mindful of your time with friends. I have a long distance relationship with my old friends. I keep them a long distance from me.Most are doing well, but it's just superficial. Their lack of improvement has left them living lives of quiet desperation. They deserve limited time.
But for those who add value to my life, I grant them more time. For those whose creative juices stir mine, they have my attention.
3) Exorcise your excuses. I used to believe I wasn't talented, I'm too shy, I'm not good enough, or that's impossible. And get down on myself because I didn't know what it took to become a success.
But success is a muscle that must be continually developed and refined. Tiger Woods didn't reach the top by relaxing by the pool all day. He developed his skills daily.
And like a jacket that's no longer in style—you can take off those excuses and bury them in your closet.4) Answer the questions from your heart—not just your head. I was in a coaching session with sales consultant Greg Renstrom. He asked me four questions. It took me about an hour to answer all four. Greg guided me to probe deeper and deeper into my soul to come up with answers and ideas that blew us both away.
Prior to this, I glossed over these same four questions in a book and answered each in a few seconds. Being surface answers, they never gave me the breakthroughs I got from penetrating my soul.
To avoid answering or making decisions in haste, go to a place of silence. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes if you wish. Explore all the possibilities by expanding within. And be available when the answers arise.
5) Get a mentor or coach. That's easy. Learn from their triumphs and mistakes. There's nothing that can shortcut your learning curve faster. And pay them what they're worth. Great mentors and coaches deserve their fee.
Do an Internet search. Ask peers or associates. Sign up for newsletters. Purchase an introductory product. Listen to a teleconference. Visit their website. Enroll in their coaching program. And experience them live on the platform.
6) What's in it for you? Is it a fancy house in an exclusive neighborhood? Is it getting back at all those dream stealers to prove them wrong? Or maybe it's just to keep your job and a roof over your family's head.
When you know the reasons why—you can reach your destiny sooner.But here's a stronger motivator: If you don't change course—you'll be at the same place one, five, and ten years from now. The same income, car, and annoying neighbors.
7) Take the first plunge. Nothing happens if you don't act. You can't improve by wishing. You don't get your dream date sitting at home dreaming about it.I took the plunge by participating in a Speaking Circle. I needed lots of help in front of groups. Turns out to be one of the best investments I've made.
Think about where you want to go. And just begin.
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About the Author :
Tommy Yan helps business owners and entrepreneurs make more money through direct response marketing. He publishes Tommy's Tease weekly e-zine to inspire people to succeed in business and personal growth. Get your free subscription today at www.TommyYan.com.
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