New Learnings

Attended a seminar last night, and it was interesting to learn new terminology, it was about business and investments, Ok not my favorite subject, however I was interested nevertheless.

I heard from someone a while ago, when you submerge yourself in new terminology you gain more awareness especially in areas you are not usually focused in. This is true if you want to do well in that area, so I do want to increase my investments and become more finance-savvy. Makes sense to embrace the lingo and the mechanics (basic level at least)

So I learnt new vocabulary, doesn't seem as scary anymore, especially in the future when I hear these words spoken I will be more captured than my usual 'too hard, don't get it' frame of mind. Also I will be able to contribute and ask smarter questions.

There are new learnings everywhere, we just have to say YES from time to time to get out of our zone and learn new things, after all growth is one of our human needs. In fact when you are in this learning phase all sorts of things happen, opportunities come, people approach you and you are constantly guaging if this is a good move or not. Just remember if this is infact in alignment with your values and purpose.

Too many times people say YES out of fear of rejection and do it for the other person, or the flip side of this is to keep saying NO to the new experiences and not letting people in as they mistrust the world. Do it because you want to and that it serves you to do it, and it fits in with what is important to you.

I must admit I did doze off for about 20 minutes last night, maybe the new jargon hit the overwhelm button!

Belonging

Went to an exciting seminar on Friday night and it had an impact on me. Often times we attend seminars to be inspired and gain more information, many deliver this however this one went a step further! I was intrigued by the tools used and what the impact is of being a self-employed entrepreneur. I knew that we all have a purpose to fill and being aware you are constantly monitoring your progress and the decisions you make based on this.

Imagine that what we do leaves a legacy? From how we treat each other, to our resources to adding value to every relationship we have? WOW. I thought, this made everything inter-connect and we have a sense of belonging to a greater picture. We just need to play our part.

So our part, I thought, 'what is that for me?' I know a major motivator for me is contribution, and many people today are heading in this direction with more social awareness and resources. We are more powerful than governments as we collaborate our entrepreneurial spirit to the common good.

Just look at the Gates, Bill and Melissa they are now working with developing countries and needy children, spending their millions to the cause.

People with extreme wealth are giving it back, as I see it wealth is just energy in motion and what a legacy they will leave.

Others are following suit, Nelson Mandela with his Aids for Africa charity and other celebrities helping sprend the word and aid to those less fortunate.

It happens every day, and we contribute no matter how small, collectively it is a massive transference of energy.

I feel like I belong.

Your State

Listening to some sales cds, yes we are all in sales! I came bluntly aware of my state when making calls. I was dreading them, imagine the energy I was sending out "get away from her!" no wonder I didn't do too well in my cold calls, it is an activity that requires me to be in complete STATE.

There are 3 parts to State: Beliefs (what you consider to be true) -> Language (what you say to yourself, is it positive or negative) -> physiology (how you hold/carry yourself)

All these lead to each other they are connected. SO if you say to yourself that it will not work (unconsciously because you are not looking forward to it) then you are not in state. Likewise if you slump and your posture is caved in not very confident this too definately impacts your state. Beliefs are interesting as these could be formed from a long time ago and you do not realise that some can be limiting. You may say 'I don't have anything worthy to say?" this really sets you up to not succeed. A better way of seeing this is "I am interesting and give value!"

Next time you catch the bus or the train watch peoples' state, their body language will tell you if they are in a high state: Smiling, alert and perhaps talkative. Or on the polar opposite, someone with heavy shoulders, frowning, and maybe they have their eyes closed.

SO when you really need to make an impression face-to-face or on the phone, get yourself into STATE, clap your hands, stand up straight, feel proud and say some empowering words or mantra that will get you there! Or simply focus on your body where is the tension? Let it go, smile from the inside out and believe that the next call you will make an impact!! YES YES YES

5 Stages Of Completion

Wanted to share with you 5 stages of completion, I learnt this at a recent course, personal development gives your different perspectives and awareness. You may know someone on one of these stages, or can relate to being there yourself. You work through these stages one leads to two and so forth. So you start at the top and eventually work your way down the stages.

1) Denial

2) Fear/Grief/Anger

3) Understanding /Acceptance

4) Forgiveness

5) Gratitude

On a personal note, I went through this cycle about 3.5 years ago I was stuck at the 2) stage for a while, letting my emotions govern my thinking and my rationale, I became very angry about my situation and felt isolated and alone. Then moving to understanding gave me empowerment to get creative about my situation. It took me about 1 year to get to Forgiveness as this was a MAJOR block for me, and once I released these feelings of blame, I detached in so many ways and all I was left with was gratitude for all the other things in my life.

Humility comes from being grateful and today I practice this daily as I smile at the smallest things and those people around me, all part of my day.

I say THANKS

What A Drama!

When you are in a discussion, and it gets emotional you are in the drama cycle. You can be the victim or the agressor or maybe both. You hold your position and just keep making your point. You see this in heated family discussions or in work places that have conflict.

You will not realise that you are in it, as your emotions engage you into this cycle, so you just play your part. Often times people stay here, feeling disempowered and stuck. One person wins and the other just shrinks or becomes complacent.

The place of change is being the observer, being detached or disassociated from the outcome. You are removed from this drama and can see what is really happening. As Success Coaches we become the observer for our clients, if we get engaged and make judgements then we are in the drama cycle, thus not very objective in that discussion.

We can see things from a different perspective as we are not attached to the outcome, watching the language, postures and the tonality of the discussion.

When you remove yourself and see it from the observers' perspective you can get a clearer insight even a learning!

And as we know life is all about getting the learnings, moving on and getting new learnings.

What is Your Environment

As I coached a client today, we spoke about his environment, with his social circle and with his work. Did this environment support him? Interesting enough it was not giving him the support he needed to be on purpose. He knows what he needs to do, however his environment is not in alignment with him and thus causing conflict and ultimately using reactive energy.

Got me thinking about how the 'environment' can either be on our side or against us. For those who have it running against the tide this can be an opportunity for enormous growth and motivation to get moving and 'prove others wrong'.

And for others this acts as another obstacle to overcome and it can be too overwhelming! If your environment supports you: You are invincible! as you have the confidence, support to give it a go and be a winner. Your family, friends and circle of influence all conspire towards your success, because you are in such a nurturing world. This overflows in your life to make everything seem possible and you gain more momentum and confidence in your goals and opportunties just happen.

So if your environment is not congruent with what you want, what can you do to change it?

This is why having a Success Coach assists so many people, we automatically believe in you and lift your environment wherever it is!

Games Are A Reflection of Life

How do you play games? Do you get competitive and thrive to be the first? Or are you the non competitive type and just do what is necessary and make excuses why you chose not to win? Or perhaps you do not engage and create your own rules?

Interesting when we play full out, we are an active participant we are in the moment and we play, sure we have fun that is a primary objective, its about learning and applying after all.

Those who go through live in the shadows of others (they choose to be there BTW) or simply shy at the thought of shining, these people are playing small. You may know someone like this, they put others needs before their own. They just minimise themselves so not to get any extra attention, as to blend in to the crowd. Being shy serves no purpose, I used to be massively shy, and as a consequence had little contact with others, buried my nose in the library at lunchtimes as I didn't get out there and mingle.

This stayed with me until I was in my 20s, and then I got over it, I NEEDED TO SHINE and I loved the attention and the confidence, as I played full out at every opportunity.

Life fluctuates in waves, there are ups and downs, it is just how you perceive the downs, how you handle them, that make those ups come sooner than later! So if you play full out, when the wave hits you and you are going down, just think that you are coming back up with more gusto and passion!

The moment is perfect the way it is, as you get the learnings and insights and you apply them as you move forward.

Life is a game, and the game cannot be won, only played. (this quote is from the movie Bagger Vance)