Does a Point of Reference matter?

First of all let's define what I mean about a point of reference. A point of reference is a specific experience that you tend to go to very often. Otherwise said, your mind thinks about this event and will revisit it often. You develop a belief around this experience and it becomes your point of reference. So what does this all mean, well it means a lot rather you realize it or not. Now, the important question to ask, can a point of reference be good or bad? It can be both.

Let's take a look at an example, how about a good point of reference. An individual has been delivering presentations over the last couple years that have been going very well. This particular person had been very fearful of public speaking in the past. Now looking ahead his point of reference is I'm a growing speaker. This makes him feel great and confident and wanting more of public speaking.

Now let's check out an example of a bad point of reference. This individual has been really struggling with developing business and getting sales. He's a commercial loan officer and his primary role is to get new business. Because he's been struggling for quite some time he's developed a language pattern that he says too much. He'll often say, "I'd rather be mediocre instead of being a champion". He feels why work so hard and get so little. So his point of reference is mediocre instead of being a champion.

Is it clear that there's a difference between these two individuals? Can you see how the first person will grow and get results? And how the second will continue to struggle and truly be unhappy about his life. What is your point of reference? Is it serving you and bringing your life to the next level? Take some time to develop an empowering point of reference. Use it as much as you like and it will serve you.

Pennies to Success

Do you ever wonder how the heck you reach success? There are many theories and philosophies but what's really important is your very thinking. I'm an avid reader of books that help me live my potential. Jeff Olson the author of "The Slight Edge" is one of those books that really hit home. Jeff shares a story about a dying father who has two sons. The father wants to help his son's learn the value of decisions about their actions. He gives them two choices, take a million dollars now or take a box which has a penny inside. The box with the penny will double for 30 days. After they choose they need to come back and report their results. Well I'll leave what happens for you to find out. The moral of the story is that we need to do the actions that are simple to do but are also simple not to do. Success comes from compounding activities over time. Every day your actions are pennies, if you judge that specific day you only see pennies. You may get very discouraged and stop your actions. DON'T STOP. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson is a must read.

Goal Setting for 2010

Well, the New Year is just around the corner, are you ready? I've had some clients tell me they are so ready for this year to be over. 2009 was a tough year. Well the New Year does reset the calendar however your current situation comes with it. Just because it's a New Year don't expect to wake up January 1st and all of your challenges have vanished. It's not going to happen. Life will bring us opportunities and challenges, that's a fact. What I strongly advise is to focus on what you control. That would be YOU. Remember the basic fundamentals hold tremendous value. So start today by setting goals for next year. There is a system for goal setting and I will coach on it in my upcoming teleseminar. Just click on the title of this blog for details. Get ready for 2010 and make it a fabulous year.

Thank You Jim Rohn... Thank You

The inspirer and mentor, Jim Rohn, passed on December 5.... When I heard of this news my heart was sadden. I never personally met Jim but I have his lecturers on CD and DVD and I really enjoyed his message. His words have helped me personally and professionally. I admire what he has done in his lifetime and it truly inspires me. Zig Ziglar said "Help others get what they want and you'll get everything you want." Jim Rohn was a leader and put others first with a servant's heart.

Here's a tribute that was put together to learn more about a great man, http://tribute.jimrohn.com

Comments welcomed........

Split Second to Success

If I told you that a split second separates you from success would you believe me? Well over the last month this thought came to me when observing my five year old son Blake. He just started his first organized sport – soccer. Well, the organized part is debatable. However after watching the boys play in the game and at practice, I noticed the little guys had a pause before action. As the season went on I could tell which boys played before. Their pause was limited and didn’t happen as often. They also seemed to score all the goals too. So why do the boys hesitate anyways? Let’s take a look at what might be going on with the pause or hesitation. I don’t think it has to do with their physical ability. Their knowledge for the game seems equal, just kick the ball. The difference between the boys who hesitate versus those who don’t boils down to their thinking. The cause is their conscious mind and subconscious too. Will I get hurt? What am I doing? What do I do with the ball? I’m confused with all these boys around me… So it’s their mind that causes the hesitation. The boys who have played before have developed a different mind for the game. Their hesitation has been limited and they get better results. So what’s your hesitation been holding you back from? Have you had opportunities right in front of you that were lost? Did you see them as opportunities when presented or just more work? You hesitated, “I don’t have time” or “I don’t have the money” or “I don’t blah, blah, blah”. What’s going on with the little boy’s playing soccer isn’t any different with what’s going on with you. Your hesitation is stopping you from getting results. In order to eliminate the hesitation you need to just act. It comes down to the split second that determines results.

The crazy eight of emotions

Do you realize you live your life experiencing about 6 to 8 emotions? Oh, yes there are so many more emotions to feel and live. However, we've become very dependent on certain emotions and we've conditioned them so well its difficult to break away. The crazy eight of emotions has to do with you going from the good emotions; happy, confident and determined. To the other side which I refer to as the unresourceful emotional states; hopeless, overwhelmed and frustrated. As you look at the picture see the right side of the horizontal eight as your resourceful emotional states. Each side of the crazy eight represents the emotions you experience the most. So on the right side you have happy, confident and determined. And, on the left side you have hopeless, overwhelmed and frustrated. The process of the crazy eight is you going from side to side. The goal is to live your life on the right side, the resourceful emotions. Awareness is key to create change this is happening in your life. What side of the crazy eight are you living? You're human so it's okay to experience unresourceful emotional states. The bigger question for you, how long do you live there? The more you live a life wearing happiness, excitement, determination, passion, commitment.... the more life you live!

Are you prehistoric?

Watch out the dinosaur's are back...! Okay, I'm just kidding and I'm sure you didn't believe me (I hope you didn't). I want to use the dinosaur as a metaphor. As humans one need that's very important is growth. Are you growing or becoming extinct like the dinosaur's? What I've found as a great point of measurement of personal growth is how comfortable you are. How comfortable is your life? Do you find it easy going and possibly a little boring? When we live in the circle of comfort we aren't living an exciting life and we're definitely not growing. So what does it take to get outside of the circle of comfort? Well first you have to make a decision you want more from life. Then raise your standards in your personal and professional life. Whalla... Don't become extinct and live a comfortable life. Live a rich bold life full of possibility! What decision can you make right now to take your life to the next level? Take action NOW.