No matter what time management tools you choose to use, the one thing a time management system cannot do is make you do something.
A time management system cannot choose your priorities for you.
A time management system cannot help you if you don’t apply it.
What is almost laughable is that the most effective time management system is something you cannot buy in a store or on-line. You actually have had it with you all the time. It’s in you, it’s actually the power you have to choose your own actions. It is the fearless choices that you make when you are at your best.
I actually learned some of the powerful, fearless, and effective time management principles that I am about to share with you from Steve Chandler. Steve Chandler is the author of, “The Hands-Off Manager”, which is one of the most effective management, mentoring, and personal effectiveness books that I have ever read.
He is also the leader of http://www.clubfearless.net/ which is an extraordinary business development and personal development success club that has made a profound impact on my life and business. Anyone can join and if you choose to, tell Steve that I sent you. Ask him for a free month in the club and you just might get it!
The time management system that I am about to share with you can virtually change your life and business in a relatively short period of time. Anyone can develop the skills that I am about to share with you.
It doesn’t matter if you are a stay at home parent, a small business owner, a corporate CEO, a student, or a retiree. I am going to lay this powerful principle right out in the open where you are free to choose to use it or leave it.
The powerful principle hinges primarily on two things: purpose and boldness.
To be effective at completing an important project or achieving a worthy goal, you must first have a clear and concise purpose.
Steve Chandler says, “When you declare a definite purpose to the day, things will just fall into place.” For example, if you had to catch a flight to New York, you have a clear purpose with a precise deadline! If you are not at the airport ahead of time, then you will miss your appointed flight. We can call this disappointed! To be on time for a flight there are a cascade of events that naturally fall into place. You will pack your suitcase. You will set things in order at the house. You will lay your clothes out the night before. Basically, you will carefully guard this most important appointment. You will remove and prevent any impediment to the successful completion of the goal of getting to the airport ahead of time. By the way, we get ahead on projects, instead of falling behind, when we have a written plan that we refer to and adhere to.
To remove and prevent any impediments to the successful completion of this important task, you have to be bold. If someone says, “Hey, let’s go to lunch or can I stop by or let’s go to a movie, etc.” You immediately say with all outspokenness, “I can’t, that doesn’t work for me, I have a flight to catch.”
The event of catching an important flight made its way on to your calendar. This is a master key to effective time management, i.e., guarding your calendar. Only put things on your calendar that you are going to commit to do. If you are not planning on doing something, then don’t put it on your calendar. But if you put it on your calendar, then you must commit to do it.
Guard your time like it is money. Time is the new money. If you wouldn’t let someone steal your money than don’t let them steal your time!
Even if your time is allotted for relaxing; don’t let someone steal your relaxation time. If it’s on your calendar then commit to do it.
Steve Chandler says, “Things happen when you make time for them and when you commit to them.”
The last powerful key that I will share is the kicker. This key can almost instantaneously change your effectiveness for the better. The key is to do only one thing. That’s right, do only one thing.
When you are in a conversation with a friend, co-worker, or family member, be fully engaged in the conversation. Do one thing.
When you have set aside time to do an important project, whether that is to clean your basement or to create a business proposal; just do that one thing.
Act like whatever you are doing is the only thing you have to do all day; do it beautifully, relax into it, do it with all of the joy and creativity that you can muster. When that one thing is done, pick one more thing off of your list and act like it’s the only thing you have to do. Stress will consistently roll off of your back like water off of a duck's back, when you practice the art of doing one thing. If there are seemingly a "million" things that are staring you in the face, simply pick one, refuse to let your feathers get ruffled, and get it done. Just the one thing; do it peacefully, do it creatively, do it completely. Before you know it, it will be done, and while you were doing it you may find that you had fun. It's so easy!
No matter who you are or what you do for a living, no matter what age or stage of life you are in; if you practice the above powerful keys, you will improve your effectiveness and efficiency.
In review, remember the following keys for effective time management:
1) Declare a definite and clear purpose to your day and everything else will fall into place.
2) Don’t place things on your calendar unless you intend to do them. If it’s on your calendar then you must commit to do it. If it’s important to your life, family, career, or business then put it on your calendar and do it!
3) Practice boldness in protecting your plan and focus for the day. Stay on course. Plan your work and work your plan. Act like every task is a proverbial plane you have to catch. You would rarely miss a flight. Therefore, treat every task that you place on your calendar as equally important as catching a flight. If you do this, then you will set in motion the proper cascade of events that will help insure successful completion of your task (declared purpose).
4) Treat time like it’s money. If you wouldn’t waste money, then don’t waste time. If you wouldn’t let someone steal your money, then don’t let them steal your time.
5) Learn the power of doing one thing. Even if you say to yourself that you have a "million" things to do (which very few people actually do), just pick one thing and do it with complete focus, creativity, and joy. Act like it is the only thing that you have to do all day. When you successfully complete that one thing, then pick one more thing. By the end of the day, the week, the month, or the year; you will be a pro at effective time management. Even in “hectic” environments this can work wonders and reduce stress.
Try the above keys and see what amazing things happen for your life, family, business, or career.
Question: What keys for effective time management have you discovered or what is your greatest time management struggle?
I always look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
3/19/10
8 Ways to Benefit from a Crisis
A crisis is nothing more than concentrated information.
In spite of any situation you are facing in your personal or professional life, you can make it through with flying colors.
One of the things that I have noticed when I observe or help someone who is experiencing an adverse circumstance is how they often label what they are going through as negative, debilitating, impossible, etc.
Whatever you are dealing with regarding your circumstance, always remember that a crisis is merely providing you information, that’s all. It does not have to be labeled as positive or negative.
You got a flat tire, that’s not necessarily negative. It actually is a positive. Would you rather have had a blow out on the freeway where your life could have been at risk or would you rather walk out to your driveway or the parking lot and see that the tire is low or flat and change the tire? Many of you will only have to make a quick phone call to your road service operator and they will send someone out to change the tire for you!
No matter what the “crisis” is that you are facing, purpose to not “flip out” about what is happening. Life happens. It does not mean that something is wrong with you or that you are necessarily getting “payback” for something you did.
Author Mike Murdock says, “Crisis always occurs at the curve of change.”
I like to say that crisis occurs at the curve of positive changes.
Have you ever noticed that the world does not stop when you are experiencing a difficult circumstance? The world does not stop when you are experiencing a positive circumstance either. Traffic lights still turn green, yellow, and then red; business carries on as usual. Remember that crisis is nothing more than concentrated information, that’s all it is.
You stubbed your toe on the dining room table, your central nervous system sends a message of pain to your feet, the information let’s you know, “I need to be more careful next time and watch where I’m going.” The pain eventually subsides. No big deal. Virtually every area of your life has a similar modality.
As you or someone you know works through a crisis, remember the following keys:
1) A crisis is simply concentrated information.
2) Information is given to you so that you can process it and take appropriate action.
3) A crisis is not pervasive; it does not take over your entire life.
4) Deal with crisis appropriately.
5) Refuse to put labels of negativity on crisis. It is what it is.
6) Learn from the crisis.
7) Help someone else with what you have learned
8) Stay positive and stay proactive.
Apply the above keys to any challenging situation that you may be facing and increase your chances of having positive outcomes.
Question: How do you deal effectively with a crisis or a challenging circumstance?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
In spite of any situation you are facing in your personal or professional life, you can make it through with flying colors.
One of the things that I have noticed when I observe or help someone who is experiencing an adverse circumstance is how they often label what they are going through as negative, debilitating, impossible, etc.
Whatever you are dealing with regarding your circumstance, always remember that a crisis is merely providing you information, that’s all. It does not have to be labeled as positive or negative.
You got a flat tire, that’s not necessarily negative. It actually is a positive. Would you rather have had a blow out on the freeway where your life could have been at risk or would you rather walk out to your driveway or the parking lot and see that the tire is low or flat and change the tire? Many of you will only have to make a quick phone call to your road service operator and they will send someone out to change the tire for you!
No matter what the “crisis” is that you are facing, purpose to not “flip out” about what is happening. Life happens. It does not mean that something is wrong with you or that you are necessarily getting “payback” for something you did.
Author Mike Murdock says, “Crisis always occurs at the curve of change.”
I like to say that crisis occurs at the curve of positive changes.
Have you ever noticed that the world does not stop when you are experiencing a difficult circumstance? The world does not stop when you are experiencing a positive circumstance either. Traffic lights still turn green, yellow, and then red; business carries on as usual. Remember that crisis is nothing more than concentrated information, that’s all it is.
You stubbed your toe on the dining room table, your central nervous system sends a message of pain to your feet, the information let’s you know, “I need to be more careful next time and watch where I’m going.” The pain eventually subsides. No big deal. Virtually every area of your life has a similar modality.
As you or someone you know works through a crisis, remember the following keys:
1) A crisis is simply concentrated information.
2) Information is given to you so that you can process it and take appropriate action.
3) A crisis is not pervasive; it does not take over your entire life.
4) Deal with crisis appropriately.
5) Refuse to put labels of negativity on crisis. It is what it is.
6) Learn from the crisis.
7) Help someone else with what you have learned
8) Stay positive and stay proactive.
Apply the above keys to any challenging situation that you may be facing and increase your chances of having positive outcomes.
Question: How do you deal effectively with a crisis or a challenging circumstance?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
3/3/10
3 Ways to Overcome Worry
No matter who you are, or what your experiences have been, everyone deals with worry.
Worry is to think about something negative over and over. Worry is a form of anxiety. Worrying is an ineffective use of our creative genius. Many people worry about things that are beyond their control. The majority of what people worry about never happens. So why do people choose to worry?
It’s almost as if people act like worry is a person that forces them to think worry thoughts. Worry is not a person, worry is a choice. Worry is not a person that comes to sit down next to you to say, “Hey, why don’t you worry about how this situation is going to turn out? Come on, it’ll be fun.” No, worry is a thought path that we choose to take; no one can make us choose to worry. Even if it were possible for worry to be a person that spoke to us, we could always choose not to listen!
People worry about all kinds of things. It could be a situation at work, a challenging relationship, a problem with a key client, or a new customer. It could be your kids, grandkids, or some other family member. The list of things that people worry about is virtually endless. For most people, once they entertain one drop of worry it opens the flood gates for worry to overwhelm their mind. Worry gnaws at your insides like a termite gnaws on wood. It scratches you like a proverbial piece of sandpaper. It bothers you like a leaky faucet that won’t stop dripping in the middle of the night. We all know how worry makes us feel, and how unproductive it can be. This begs the question, how do we deal with worry thoughts effectively?
Here are three (3) effective ways to deal with worry:
1) Find a positive distraction.
One of the best ways to get rid of a bad habit is to focus on creating a good habit. The same is true for worry thoughts. You cannot really get rid of a thought as much as you can replace it with a positive thought. Instead of worrying how a bill will get paid, use your creative energy to discover ways to create wealth. Is there an additional service that you can provide to clients that will enable you to raise your rates? Instead of fretting over whether you will gain 5lbs or not, why not go for a brisk walk or stop by the gym before or after work for a 30-45 minute workout. Don’t sit and stew in your unproductive thoughts, get up and find a positive distraction that will spark your creativity, and make you feel better in the process.
2) Take action.
No matter what your situation is, sitting and feeling bad about it is not going to help anything. Do the required research, talk to whoever you need to talk to, brainstorm by yourself of with a creative group of friends, but at the end of the day, you need to make a move. Act on the plan that you have. Even if you don’t feel like you know what to do, figure out what the best move is for the time being, and set out on that path. You may not have all of the information that you feel that you need, but you probably have enough information to make a solid decision. Make your decision, and take the action that is needed.
3) Filter your communication.
One of the secrets to breaking a cycle of worry thinking is to stop talking about the thing that has you feeling worried. Brian Tracy says, “Never say something about yourself that you do not sincerely want to be true.” For example, if you are dealing with a financial challenge in your business or personal life, don’t go around saying I’m broke, I can’t afford it, I’ll never get out of this financial problem. Cut that out! Instead of complaining, say something like, “I may be dealing with a financial challenge right now but I have a plan in place and I am working out of it. Things are turning around for my good.” You can use a positive attitude and a plan to turn almost any situation in your favor, whether it’s in your business, your career, your family, or your health. Speaking negative, perpetuates the negative. Speaking positive, short circuits negative outcomes, and fuels positive results. If you catch yourself speaking negative, just correct yourself. Don’t condemn yourself or call yourself stupid, just say, “Oops, that’s not what I meant to say. I meant to say things are going to work out just fine.” If you find it too difficult to counteract the negative talk with positive talk, then just don’t say anything at all. By the way, we begin to believe whatever we repeatedly hear ourselves say. Therefore, we should continually think and speak positively, since staying positive can only help. Put a positive filter on your communication. If you are thinking or speaking negatively about yourself, other people, or your situation, just filter it by choosing to speak and think positively. Filtering your communication will help you to eliminate worry. Worry is nothing but a habit, and habits can be changed. Worry is like spam, you don’t have to receive it if you don’t want to.
Practice the above three keys and you’ll be able to effectively deal with worry.
Question: Why do people seem to find it so difficult to stop worrying? What methods do you use to counteract worry?
I look forward to reading your answer.
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
Worry is to think about something negative over and over. Worry is a form of anxiety. Worrying is an ineffective use of our creative genius. Many people worry about things that are beyond their control. The majority of what people worry about never happens. So why do people choose to worry?
It’s almost as if people act like worry is a person that forces them to think worry thoughts. Worry is not a person, worry is a choice. Worry is not a person that comes to sit down next to you to say, “Hey, why don’t you worry about how this situation is going to turn out? Come on, it’ll be fun.” No, worry is a thought path that we choose to take; no one can make us choose to worry. Even if it were possible for worry to be a person that spoke to us, we could always choose not to listen!
People worry about all kinds of things. It could be a situation at work, a challenging relationship, a problem with a key client, or a new customer. It could be your kids, grandkids, or some other family member. The list of things that people worry about is virtually endless. For most people, once they entertain one drop of worry it opens the flood gates for worry to overwhelm their mind. Worry gnaws at your insides like a termite gnaws on wood. It scratches you like a proverbial piece of sandpaper. It bothers you like a leaky faucet that won’t stop dripping in the middle of the night. We all know how worry makes us feel, and how unproductive it can be. This begs the question, how do we deal with worry thoughts effectively?
Here are three (3) effective ways to deal with worry:
1) Find a positive distraction.
One of the best ways to get rid of a bad habit is to focus on creating a good habit. The same is true for worry thoughts. You cannot really get rid of a thought as much as you can replace it with a positive thought. Instead of worrying how a bill will get paid, use your creative energy to discover ways to create wealth. Is there an additional service that you can provide to clients that will enable you to raise your rates? Instead of fretting over whether you will gain 5lbs or not, why not go for a brisk walk or stop by the gym before or after work for a 30-45 minute workout. Don’t sit and stew in your unproductive thoughts, get up and find a positive distraction that will spark your creativity, and make you feel better in the process.
2) Take action.
No matter what your situation is, sitting and feeling bad about it is not going to help anything. Do the required research, talk to whoever you need to talk to, brainstorm by yourself of with a creative group of friends, but at the end of the day, you need to make a move. Act on the plan that you have. Even if you don’t feel like you know what to do, figure out what the best move is for the time being, and set out on that path. You may not have all of the information that you feel that you need, but you probably have enough information to make a solid decision. Make your decision, and take the action that is needed.
3) Filter your communication.
One of the secrets to breaking a cycle of worry thinking is to stop talking about the thing that has you feeling worried. Brian Tracy says, “Never say something about yourself that you do not sincerely want to be true.” For example, if you are dealing with a financial challenge in your business or personal life, don’t go around saying I’m broke, I can’t afford it, I’ll never get out of this financial problem. Cut that out! Instead of complaining, say something like, “I may be dealing with a financial challenge right now but I have a plan in place and I am working out of it. Things are turning around for my good.” You can use a positive attitude and a plan to turn almost any situation in your favor, whether it’s in your business, your career, your family, or your health. Speaking negative, perpetuates the negative. Speaking positive, short circuits negative outcomes, and fuels positive results. If you catch yourself speaking negative, just correct yourself. Don’t condemn yourself or call yourself stupid, just say, “Oops, that’s not what I meant to say. I meant to say things are going to work out just fine.” If you find it too difficult to counteract the negative talk with positive talk, then just don’t say anything at all. By the way, we begin to believe whatever we repeatedly hear ourselves say. Therefore, we should continually think and speak positively, since staying positive can only help. Put a positive filter on your communication. If you are thinking or speaking negatively about yourself, other people, or your situation, just filter it by choosing to speak and think positively. Filtering your communication will help you to eliminate worry. Worry is nothing but a habit, and habits can be changed. Worry is like spam, you don’t have to receive it if you don’t want to.
Practice the above three keys and you’ll be able to effectively deal with worry.
Question: Why do people seem to find it so difficult to stop worrying? What methods do you use to counteract worry?
I look forward to reading your answer.
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
2/21/10
10 Keys to Breaking Negative Cycles
All of us deal with patterns of behavior or results that we and others may feel are undesirable.
It could be how we communicate with a difficult co-worker or vendor.
It could be how we seem to continually misunderstand a loved one or a friend.
It could be a test of life that we continually seem to fail every time it comes around.
Here are 10 keys on how to break negative cycles:
1) Realize that everyone deals with setbacks.
You are not alone. You are special, unique, and gifted. However, you are not so special, unique, and gifted that you are exempt from failure, setbacks or challenges. Setbacks are some of life’s greatest reality checks. Stay level headed and don’t panic. Realize that making mistakes, learning new methods of success, and trying to figure out how to break negative patterns are a part of being human. You will not only survive, but thrive if you persist.
2) Realize that you don’t have all of the answers.
There seems to be a wonderful feeling that feeds the human ego when we can say, “I did that all by myself. I figured that out on my own.” The truth is we need the help of other people more than we sometimes realize. For example, did you teach yourself how to walk as an infant? Did you catch yourself when you fell or did someone assist you? How about reading? Did you teach yourself how to read or did someone help you? Even if per chance you did teach yourself to read, did you write the book that you taught yourself to read from or did someone else write it? My point is we need the help of others when trying to achieve our goals. Working together with others on major and minor tasks often gets them done faster and with less effort. Even if you do feel you have everything covered, there are other people that can see your blind spots. They may see something that you don’t see and what they see can make all the difference in the world. Realize that others may have answers, skills, and resources that may be able to accelerate your progress; challenge yourself to reach out to them.
3) Previous successes can be deceptive.
Sometimes when we have had a string of victories, we can subconsciously think that we are invincible. As though, we will emerge from every battle unscathed and without any effort. There are times when world-class athletes enter “the zone”, and everything seems to flow like an unimpeded river, no problems or hiccups. However, the truth is no one really lives in the zone. You and I will not always have a perpetual string of mountain top experiences or emotions. If we did, we would never grow. When a string of successes is snapped, when we have a challenge in our personal or professional life, it causes us to pause. It causes us to retrace our steps, to recalibrate, and reconsider our actions and our strategy; improvement is often the result. Don’t take past victories for granted. Realize that you are very gifted but you are not invincible. Prepare for your goals like a world-class athlete, and you will bounce back from setbacks, and experience more success.
4) Learn the lesson and forget the details.
When we realize that we are human and that we are fallible, we can position ourselves for uncommon growth. Even though a setback or a glitch or an unsuccessful attempt may cause us to feel discouraged or dejected, it does not have to derail our progress. Feelings are fed by our thoughts. If you want to change how you feel, just change your thoughts. Instead of focusing on how embarrassed you feel, focus on what the results have revealed. The results may show us that we have some room to improve in how we execute the task. Maybe we were not as focused as we could have been or maybe we can improve in how we communicate. Maybe we need to improve our leadership skills, or simply learn how to ask for help. Whatever the occurrence, the main point is to learn the lesson, apply it, and go on with your life.
5) Relapses are no match for comebacks.
You may have slipped back into an old negative behavior; you may have dropped the ball on a major project, big deal! Get over the mistake, and get over yourself. People are not thinking about you as much as you think they are. Even if they are, what difference does that make to you, and what you need to do? Relapses, backsliding, or whatever you want to call it is no match for your next action. You may have gained 5 or 10lbs, so what! What are you going to do now? Your comeback is waiting on you. A relapse is virtually irrelevant when you start focusing on your comeback. What’s even more important is the fact that you recognized that you relapsed! This is called progress, whether you know it or not. To be aware of something that previously went unnoticed is progress. At least now you can do something about it. Get back on the path to your comeback immediately, no matter what the setback has been. Relapses are no match for comebacks.
6) Expose negative cycles before they expose you.
When you notice you are doing something that is derailing your success, get some help. It can be a major issue or a minor issue. Squash problems when they are the size of acorns, that way they don’t have a chance to grow into a forest. Pull your problem out of the darkness and into the light of someone that can help you. Negative cycles gain strength when they remain a secret. When we try to keep a problem a secret it eventually brings itself out for all to see. This happens with major corporations, small businesses, celebrities, and average Joes. You don’t have to tell everybody, but share your problem with a trusted friend, coach, business partner, family member, or co-worker. There are also resources through employers or professionals that you can access via the internet that are completely confidential. Find someone to tell. When people keep things in they often explode like a bomb or they sink like a rock. Whether it is personal or professional, don’t let your problem take you down.
7) Never share your problem with someone incapable of solving it.
One of my mentors has helped to drill this thought into my head. No matter what your problem is there is someone who has been through what you are presently experiencing. Regardless of your income or background, someone has walked where you have walked, find them. Don’t share things with people that you cannot trust. They may damage your reputation or misjudge you. Find someone who has proven themselves trustworthy and someone that can help you with your specific challenge. There are obviously some things you would not share with your 5 year old child that you will share with your 55 year old trusted friend. Be wise, but don’t be afraid to share what you’re going through with someone that can help you. Never be too proud to talk about it out loud, in the right environment. Taking this action can transform your life, your business, and your family.
8) Stop believing a lie.
Just because you have failed, experienced a setback, disappointed yourself or someone else, it doesn’t mean that you are a “failure.” What it means is that you are human. Stop accepting the labels that other people try to place on you or even the ones that you place on yourself. Refuse to attach additional baggage to what happened. Whatever it was, it just happened. It’s over now. Take ownership and resolve to do better next time. Put systems and accountability in place to insure that success has a greater chance of happening next time. But don’t make up some story that you are an idiot, stupid, incapable, doomed to be like this for life or whatever story you or someone else has contrived. The truth is today is your life. Decide what you want to create today. Forgive yourself and others; repair what you can, and don’t worry about the rest. Your past is no match for your future, but you are the only one that can initiate your next success. Decide to break the negative cycles, no matter what they are and no matter how many times they occur. Decide to never give up. Don’t give up, get up!
9) Get to the root.
Don’t just remove the rotten apple from the bushel; find the rotten tree that it came from. All of us have certain negative results or behaviors that resurface from time to time. It may be due to negligence, or allowing ourselves to get distracted, or a whole host of other reasons. The key is to find the root of the problem. If you or your landscaper does not remove the weeds in your garden from the root, they will reemerge, and possibly come back even stronger with other friends. What is the root of your problem? Is it a lack of discipline? Is it a lack of knowledge? Is it a refusal to address the “white elephant” in the room? Is it your ego? Always remember that your ego is your enemy. Confront your enemy. Author Roberts Liardon says, “Only what you confront will change; what you refuse to confront will remain the same.”
10) Give it time.
After you have been derailed, give yourself a little time to be realigned. When you experience a setback you should focus immediately on making a comeback. However, even though you are on the road of your comeback, it may take you a little while to get your bearings. It may take you a little while to fix your alignment after you have hit a virtual pothole. Your alignment may include your feelings, emotions, strategy, mentality, resources, etc. Also, give yourself some time to get it right. Your challenge or pattern or negative results may not go away over night. However, you can track your progress. Any step forward is a step of progress. No matter how small the change, change is still change. Progress should be acknowledged and celebrated. Don’t wait for someone else, acknowledge your own improvements. Celebrate your own success. Give yourself time to change. This is also known has having patience. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with others who are trying to change. Developing patience builds inner strength just like lifting weights builds muscle. If you have dealt with a negative cycle for an extended period of time, then it will probably take some time before you see the complete transformation. The process of change can be very exciting, but you must give it some time.
I encourage you to apply the above keys and break the negative cycles in your life, business, family, or career.
Question: Why do you believe people repeat negative cycles or slip into old failure habits? What do you believe is the key to breaking a negative cycle?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
It could be how we communicate with a difficult co-worker or vendor.
It could be how we seem to continually misunderstand a loved one or a friend.
It could be a test of life that we continually seem to fail every time it comes around.
Here are 10 keys on how to break negative cycles:
1) Realize that everyone deals with setbacks.
You are not alone. You are special, unique, and gifted. However, you are not so special, unique, and gifted that you are exempt from failure, setbacks or challenges. Setbacks are some of life’s greatest reality checks. Stay level headed and don’t panic. Realize that making mistakes, learning new methods of success, and trying to figure out how to break negative patterns are a part of being human. You will not only survive, but thrive if you persist.
2) Realize that you don’t have all of the answers.
There seems to be a wonderful feeling that feeds the human ego when we can say, “I did that all by myself. I figured that out on my own.” The truth is we need the help of other people more than we sometimes realize. For example, did you teach yourself how to walk as an infant? Did you catch yourself when you fell or did someone assist you? How about reading? Did you teach yourself how to read or did someone help you? Even if per chance you did teach yourself to read, did you write the book that you taught yourself to read from or did someone else write it? My point is we need the help of others when trying to achieve our goals. Working together with others on major and minor tasks often gets them done faster and with less effort. Even if you do feel you have everything covered, there are other people that can see your blind spots. They may see something that you don’t see and what they see can make all the difference in the world. Realize that others may have answers, skills, and resources that may be able to accelerate your progress; challenge yourself to reach out to them.
3) Previous successes can be deceptive.
Sometimes when we have had a string of victories, we can subconsciously think that we are invincible. As though, we will emerge from every battle unscathed and without any effort. There are times when world-class athletes enter “the zone”, and everything seems to flow like an unimpeded river, no problems or hiccups. However, the truth is no one really lives in the zone. You and I will not always have a perpetual string of mountain top experiences or emotions. If we did, we would never grow. When a string of successes is snapped, when we have a challenge in our personal or professional life, it causes us to pause. It causes us to retrace our steps, to recalibrate, and reconsider our actions and our strategy; improvement is often the result. Don’t take past victories for granted. Realize that you are very gifted but you are not invincible. Prepare for your goals like a world-class athlete, and you will bounce back from setbacks, and experience more success.
4) Learn the lesson and forget the details.
When we realize that we are human and that we are fallible, we can position ourselves for uncommon growth. Even though a setback or a glitch or an unsuccessful attempt may cause us to feel discouraged or dejected, it does not have to derail our progress. Feelings are fed by our thoughts. If you want to change how you feel, just change your thoughts. Instead of focusing on how embarrassed you feel, focus on what the results have revealed. The results may show us that we have some room to improve in how we execute the task. Maybe we were not as focused as we could have been or maybe we can improve in how we communicate. Maybe we need to improve our leadership skills, or simply learn how to ask for help. Whatever the occurrence, the main point is to learn the lesson, apply it, and go on with your life.
5) Relapses are no match for comebacks.
You may have slipped back into an old negative behavior; you may have dropped the ball on a major project, big deal! Get over the mistake, and get over yourself. People are not thinking about you as much as you think they are. Even if they are, what difference does that make to you, and what you need to do? Relapses, backsliding, or whatever you want to call it is no match for your next action. You may have gained 5 or 10lbs, so what! What are you going to do now? Your comeback is waiting on you. A relapse is virtually irrelevant when you start focusing on your comeback. What’s even more important is the fact that you recognized that you relapsed! This is called progress, whether you know it or not. To be aware of something that previously went unnoticed is progress. At least now you can do something about it. Get back on the path to your comeback immediately, no matter what the setback has been. Relapses are no match for comebacks.
6) Expose negative cycles before they expose you.
When you notice you are doing something that is derailing your success, get some help. It can be a major issue or a minor issue. Squash problems when they are the size of acorns, that way they don’t have a chance to grow into a forest. Pull your problem out of the darkness and into the light of someone that can help you. Negative cycles gain strength when they remain a secret. When we try to keep a problem a secret it eventually brings itself out for all to see. This happens with major corporations, small businesses, celebrities, and average Joes. You don’t have to tell everybody, but share your problem with a trusted friend, coach, business partner, family member, or co-worker. There are also resources through employers or professionals that you can access via the internet that are completely confidential. Find someone to tell. When people keep things in they often explode like a bomb or they sink like a rock. Whether it is personal or professional, don’t let your problem take you down.
7) Never share your problem with someone incapable of solving it.
One of my mentors has helped to drill this thought into my head. No matter what your problem is there is someone who has been through what you are presently experiencing. Regardless of your income or background, someone has walked where you have walked, find them. Don’t share things with people that you cannot trust. They may damage your reputation or misjudge you. Find someone who has proven themselves trustworthy and someone that can help you with your specific challenge. There are obviously some things you would not share with your 5 year old child that you will share with your 55 year old trusted friend. Be wise, but don’t be afraid to share what you’re going through with someone that can help you. Never be too proud to talk about it out loud, in the right environment. Taking this action can transform your life, your business, and your family.
8) Stop believing a lie.
Just because you have failed, experienced a setback, disappointed yourself or someone else, it doesn’t mean that you are a “failure.” What it means is that you are human. Stop accepting the labels that other people try to place on you or even the ones that you place on yourself. Refuse to attach additional baggage to what happened. Whatever it was, it just happened. It’s over now. Take ownership and resolve to do better next time. Put systems and accountability in place to insure that success has a greater chance of happening next time. But don’t make up some story that you are an idiot, stupid, incapable, doomed to be like this for life or whatever story you or someone else has contrived. The truth is today is your life. Decide what you want to create today. Forgive yourself and others; repair what you can, and don’t worry about the rest. Your past is no match for your future, but you are the only one that can initiate your next success. Decide to break the negative cycles, no matter what they are and no matter how many times they occur. Decide to never give up. Don’t give up, get up!
9) Get to the root.
Don’t just remove the rotten apple from the bushel; find the rotten tree that it came from. All of us have certain negative results or behaviors that resurface from time to time. It may be due to negligence, or allowing ourselves to get distracted, or a whole host of other reasons. The key is to find the root of the problem. If you or your landscaper does not remove the weeds in your garden from the root, they will reemerge, and possibly come back even stronger with other friends. What is the root of your problem? Is it a lack of discipline? Is it a lack of knowledge? Is it a refusal to address the “white elephant” in the room? Is it your ego? Always remember that your ego is your enemy. Confront your enemy. Author Roberts Liardon says, “Only what you confront will change; what you refuse to confront will remain the same.”
10) Give it time.
After you have been derailed, give yourself a little time to be realigned. When you experience a setback you should focus immediately on making a comeback. However, even though you are on the road of your comeback, it may take you a little while to get your bearings. It may take you a little while to fix your alignment after you have hit a virtual pothole. Your alignment may include your feelings, emotions, strategy, mentality, resources, etc. Also, give yourself some time to get it right. Your challenge or pattern or negative results may not go away over night. However, you can track your progress. Any step forward is a step of progress. No matter how small the change, change is still change. Progress should be acknowledged and celebrated. Don’t wait for someone else, acknowledge your own improvements. Celebrate your own success. Give yourself time to change. This is also known has having patience. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with others who are trying to change. Developing patience builds inner strength just like lifting weights builds muscle. If you have dealt with a negative cycle for an extended period of time, then it will probably take some time before you see the complete transformation. The process of change can be very exciting, but you must give it some time.
I encourage you to apply the above keys and break the negative cycles in your life, business, family, or career.
Question: Why do you believe people repeat negative cycles or slip into old failure habits? What do you believe is the key to breaking a negative cycle?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
2/16/10
3 Ways to Break Negativity
When you experience something that you label negative, how does it make you feel?
When you make a mistake or if someone “tells you off”, do you have a sinking feeling inside?
When you or someone else does not produce the results that you were expecting, how do you react?
The fact is most of us have a negative response internally, to a negative occurrence that took place externally. It is the basic stimulus response modality. Something happens, positive or negative, and we have a reaction, positive or negative. It seems pretty simple. The problem is when our own negative responses are causing problems in our lives, families, businesses, or careers.
The difference maker is that we actually can control our own reactions. We don’t have to respond the way that we feel, especially when we feel like responding negatively.
When you hear that a key client is upset and is considering doing business with your competitor, you don’t have to “lose it.” Calm down, settle yourself. Instead of getting upset, examine the situation, look and see what opportunities are at your disposal. This may be a wonderful opportunity to turn this disgruntled client into a raving fan, by simply asking a few questions and addressing a few problems. It could have been a huge misunderstanding or the client could have just been having a horrible day. Maybe the client heard some negative news and they were taking it out on you! That is the stimulus response modality. It happens all the time. You may never know what the root problem is with a client, coworker, family member, or a particular situation; unless you take the high road, stay positive, and are bold enough to ask.
We must understand that problems are not pervasive. In other words, just because you have a problem in one area of your life, it does not mean that it has to take over your entire life.
I know of one person that explained some of the tremendous problems that they were facing in their professional life. The problems they outlined would have made most people’s head spin. However, this person did not have one bit of indigestion and did not lose one bit of sleep. They were operating in total peace and serenity. Why? They learned to compartmentalize their life. Problems in one area of your life do not have to destroy the other areas of your life. Put systems in place that help you to deal with problems, and establish and maintain healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life.
E-mail does not have to ruin your day. Put a system in place. I respond to e-mail once a day, i.e., before 10:00am or after 4:00pm every day. Or whatever will work best for you, but whatever you do, create a system that will reduce the stress and keep you from getting negative. Delete the negative aspects of your life. Maintain a ruthless focus on staying positive. Don’t let negativity creep up on you. When it does, deal with it tactfully and effectively, and keep moving forward. Always operate from a position of strength, never weakness. Stay upbeat and expect even negative occurrences to turn for your good. Keep a smile on your face, walk with a purpose, and project the confidence that is resident on the inside of you. Negativity has a way of raining on your parade. However, you have enough positivity and sunshine in you to evaporate every drop of negativity.
Many things come out in the wash. Some things are not worth the time that you worry about them. Why? Because some things just don’t matter. You cannot control people, their attitudes, actions, or opinions. What you can control is how you process what happens to you and how you choose to respond. That is where your power lies. Your attitude is your choice; no one can take that away from you.
At the end of every day, make sure to archive all of the positive occurrences, put a plan in place to deal with pertinent opportunities, and choose to delete all of the negatives. You will be able to start the next day with a clean slate, fresh energy, and a plan that will accelerate positive results.
The next time you experience something negative ask yourself the following questions:
1) What thought am I choosing to believe that is causing me to feel uneasy?
Most fears are caused by a thought. Worry is a thought. It is obsessively thinking in the negative. Find the negative thought, identify it, and get rid of it. Just because 500 other people lost their job doesn’t mean that you will lose yours. And even if you did lose your job, you will not only survive, you will thrive. But only If you get your mind right; you actually have the power to create whatever you want. Find the negative thought that is messing you up and choose to replace it with a positive thought. You will feel more at ease when you do this.
2) What is good about this?
Always ask yourself what is the benefit of this situation. What good things can I pull from this experience? If you stay with this question, if you stay positive and persistent the answers that you arrive at will astound you. Maybe it’s good that you did not get that client that you felt you had to have, because 3 months down the road you heard how they made your competitor miserable with their unreasonable and incessant requests. That company that you felt you just had to work for went “belly up” the year after they turned you down for a position. Are you upset that you did not get that job now? Always ask yourself, “What is good about this?”
3) Is it true?
Everything you hear is not necessarily true. Every criticism that is hurled at you is not necessarily appropriate or applicable. You can deal with negatives more effectively if you examine to see if they are true, and if they even apply to you. There are crooked people in the world. There are dishonest people in every profession that you can name under the sun. However, there are also good people everywhere you look, and there are people full of integrity in every profession that you interface with in your daily life. You just have to find them. Don’t lump everyone into one category. Don’t let people put a label on you that does not apply to you. Never forget, you don’t have to agree with everything that is said to you. And you don’t have to get upset over anything if you don’t want to. It’s all in how you choose to respond. Just ask yourself, “Is it true?” If it is true then you can deal with it appropriately; if it’s not true then keep on keepin’ on!
A question for you: Why do you believe some people allow negativity to stop them?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
When you make a mistake or if someone “tells you off”, do you have a sinking feeling inside?
When you or someone else does not produce the results that you were expecting, how do you react?
The fact is most of us have a negative response internally, to a negative occurrence that took place externally. It is the basic stimulus response modality. Something happens, positive or negative, and we have a reaction, positive or negative. It seems pretty simple. The problem is when our own negative responses are causing problems in our lives, families, businesses, or careers.
The difference maker is that we actually can control our own reactions. We don’t have to respond the way that we feel, especially when we feel like responding negatively.
When you hear that a key client is upset and is considering doing business with your competitor, you don’t have to “lose it.” Calm down, settle yourself. Instead of getting upset, examine the situation, look and see what opportunities are at your disposal. This may be a wonderful opportunity to turn this disgruntled client into a raving fan, by simply asking a few questions and addressing a few problems. It could have been a huge misunderstanding or the client could have just been having a horrible day. Maybe the client heard some negative news and they were taking it out on you! That is the stimulus response modality. It happens all the time. You may never know what the root problem is with a client, coworker, family member, or a particular situation; unless you take the high road, stay positive, and are bold enough to ask.
We must understand that problems are not pervasive. In other words, just because you have a problem in one area of your life, it does not mean that it has to take over your entire life.
I know of one person that explained some of the tremendous problems that they were facing in their professional life. The problems they outlined would have made most people’s head spin. However, this person did not have one bit of indigestion and did not lose one bit of sleep. They were operating in total peace and serenity. Why? They learned to compartmentalize their life. Problems in one area of your life do not have to destroy the other areas of your life. Put systems in place that help you to deal with problems, and establish and maintain healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life.
E-mail does not have to ruin your day. Put a system in place. I respond to e-mail once a day, i.e., before 10:00am or after 4:00pm every day. Or whatever will work best for you, but whatever you do, create a system that will reduce the stress and keep you from getting negative. Delete the negative aspects of your life. Maintain a ruthless focus on staying positive. Don’t let negativity creep up on you. When it does, deal with it tactfully and effectively, and keep moving forward. Always operate from a position of strength, never weakness. Stay upbeat and expect even negative occurrences to turn for your good. Keep a smile on your face, walk with a purpose, and project the confidence that is resident on the inside of you. Negativity has a way of raining on your parade. However, you have enough positivity and sunshine in you to evaporate every drop of negativity.
Many things come out in the wash. Some things are not worth the time that you worry about them. Why? Because some things just don’t matter. You cannot control people, their attitudes, actions, or opinions. What you can control is how you process what happens to you and how you choose to respond. That is where your power lies. Your attitude is your choice; no one can take that away from you.
At the end of every day, make sure to archive all of the positive occurrences, put a plan in place to deal with pertinent opportunities, and choose to delete all of the negatives. You will be able to start the next day with a clean slate, fresh energy, and a plan that will accelerate positive results.
The next time you experience something negative ask yourself the following questions:
1) What thought am I choosing to believe that is causing me to feel uneasy?
Most fears are caused by a thought. Worry is a thought. It is obsessively thinking in the negative. Find the negative thought, identify it, and get rid of it. Just because 500 other people lost their job doesn’t mean that you will lose yours. And even if you did lose your job, you will not only survive, you will thrive. But only If you get your mind right; you actually have the power to create whatever you want. Find the negative thought that is messing you up and choose to replace it with a positive thought. You will feel more at ease when you do this.
2) What is good about this?
Always ask yourself what is the benefit of this situation. What good things can I pull from this experience? If you stay with this question, if you stay positive and persistent the answers that you arrive at will astound you. Maybe it’s good that you did not get that client that you felt you had to have, because 3 months down the road you heard how they made your competitor miserable with their unreasonable and incessant requests. That company that you felt you just had to work for went “belly up” the year after they turned you down for a position. Are you upset that you did not get that job now? Always ask yourself, “What is good about this?”
3) Is it true?
Everything you hear is not necessarily true. Every criticism that is hurled at you is not necessarily appropriate or applicable. You can deal with negatives more effectively if you examine to see if they are true, and if they even apply to you. There are crooked people in the world. There are dishonest people in every profession that you can name under the sun. However, there are also good people everywhere you look, and there are people full of integrity in every profession that you interface with in your daily life. You just have to find them. Don’t lump everyone into one category. Don’t let people put a label on you that does not apply to you. Never forget, you don’t have to agree with everything that is said to you. And you don’t have to get upset over anything if you don’t want to. It’s all in how you choose to respond. Just ask yourself, “Is it true?” If it is true then you can deal with it appropriately; if it’s not true then keep on keepin’ on!
A question for you: Why do you believe some people allow negativity to stop them?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
2/14/10
It Only Takes 5 Minutes
Instead of thinking about finishing the entire project; just try to do it for 5 minutes.
I use this as a tool to get any project started or to keep it moving.
I am currently writing another book. I can actually write for 2 – 3 hours or more at a time every day if I want to. I love writing. But writing is still challenging. Anything worth having or doing is a challenge. World champion athletes love the results that their efforts bring and may even enjoy their preparations and rigorous workouts. However, getting into their daily routine is still a challenge. Even though it is something that they are good at, it’s still a challenge.
For me the task of creating a book seems a lot easier and more fun to handle if I think about it as a game. A game of 5 minutes a day, that’s it. Just 5 minutes.
The funny thing is that when you commit to do something for 5 minutes, in all likelihood you will end up doing the project for a lot longer. This mental game is a way of tricking yourself into doing something and enjoying the entire process at the same time. I start for 5 minutes. I get into a zone before I know it. When I look up from typing on my laptop I smile and say to myself, “Wow! Where did the time go?”
What daunting task are you dreading? What project is trying to stare you down? Don’t think about trying to do it all at once. If you need to clean your home or apartment, do laundry, write a business proposal, review some case files, or whatever. Just take 5 minutes right now and get it started. Don’t worry about trying to finish the whole thing. Don’t worry about how big the task is and don’t fret about high pressure deadlines. Those pressures are usually created in your mind anyway. How does that image or pressure in your mind serve you?
You don’t have to feel strong and super confident. Start low and move slow. You will eventually rise higher and catch fire. The project will soar to completion before you know it.
Just try it for 5 minutes!
Question: What methods work best for you when trying to start a "tough" or "dreaded" task?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
I use this as a tool to get any project started or to keep it moving.
I am currently writing another book. I can actually write for 2 – 3 hours or more at a time every day if I want to. I love writing. But writing is still challenging. Anything worth having or doing is a challenge. World champion athletes love the results that their efforts bring and may even enjoy their preparations and rigorous workouts. However, getting into their daily routine is still a challenge. Even though it is something that they are good at, it’s still a challenge.
For me the task of creating a book seems a lot easier and more fun to handle if I think about it as a game. A game of 5 minutes a day, that’s it. Just 5 minutes.
The funny thing is that when you commit to do something for 5 minutes, in all likelihood you will end up doing the project for a lot longer. This mental game is a way of tricking yourself into doing something and enjoying the entire process at the same time. I start for 5 minutes. I get into a zone before I know it. When I look up from typing on my laptop I smile and say to myself, “Wow! Where did the time go?”
What daunting task are you dreading? What project is trying to stare you down? Don’t think about trying to do it all at once. If you need to clean your home or apartment, do laundry, write a business proposal, review some case files, or whatever. Just take 5 minutes right now and get it started. Don’t worry about trying to finish the whole thing. Don’t worry about how big the task is and don’t fret about high pressure deadlines. Those pressures are usually created in your mind anyway. How does that image or pressure in your mind serve you?
You don’t have to feel strong and super confident. Start low and move slow. You will eventually rise higher and catch fire. The project will soar to completion before you know it.
Just try it for 5 minutes!
Question: What methods work best for you when trying to start a "tough" or "dreaded" task?
I look forward to reading your response!
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
2/12/10
5 Reasons to Get Started Right Now
Like Shaq says in his commercial, Are you on demand or are you on delay?
When it comes to your dream, goal, project, or passion, what are you waiting for?
What’s really holding you back from launching that new business venture? What’s stopping you from starting that new fitness routine? When are you going to take that vacation? When are you going to write that book? When are you going to apply for that job, or start that new career? When are you going resign from that position, or organization that you know you should have left 3 years ago? When are you going to confront that situation that needs to be addressed?
“Only what you confront will change. What you refuse to confront will remain the same.”–Roberts Liardon
What’s the delay? The demand is evident. You’re tired of the status quo. The passion for the new venture is about to leap out of your chest! What are you waiting for? Your passion is your permission. You’ve drawn up plans and edited those plans 800 times. It’s time to implement the plan.
Make a decision. Put your plan in place. Take an action.
Get ready to enter a new race. Follow your true passion. It’s your time to be free. You’re going to feel like a 10 ton weight has fallen off of your shoulders. But first, you must get started.
Consider these 5 keys when you are launching any new endeavor:
1) Start badly.
Don’t worry about how you’re going to finish the entire project. Don’t worry about being flawless. Just get started. Your initial attempts don’t have to be perfect. Author, Steve Chandler says, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” What this means is you are going to make some mistakes in anything you do, but don’t let that stop you! Don’t worry, you’re not going to settle for mediocrity; because you’re passion for excellence is too strong. This is why you consistently succeed against the odds. So just get started, even if your initial results are less than desirable. Most authors will tell you that their first drafts were terrible; I know mine were. But the end result was wonderful. It would not have happened if I didn’t at least start badly. Start badly if you have to, but just make sure you get started. Excellence will rise through your persistence.
2) Put your time in.
Author, Malcolm Gladwell shares in his book, The Outliers, that anyone who has achieved world-class success in virtually any area, i.e., sports, business, technology, career, etc., has had at least 10,000 hours of practice. He cites business tycoon, Bill Gates. He shares that Gates really is not much different from you. It’s just that he started computer programming when he was in about the 7th grade. He had access to a computer lab that just happened to have the highest level of computer technology in the world at that time. The only difference is, once Gates started computer programming around the 7th grade, he never stopped! No wonder he dropped out of college. He was a world-class computer programming expert (10,000 hours of high level experience) by the time he was around 18 or 19 years of age! For most of us, 10,000 hours of practice equates to 10 years of experience in developing a certain skill. That’s why you should get started, and never stop. If you are an author or want to be one, start writing and don’t stop. If you want to be in the best physical shape of your life, get in the gym and be consistent. If you want to get a higher degree, persevere through the required academic process. No matter how tough it gets, if it’s your passion; hang in there. Never be discouraged at your results, they will improve over time. The key is to get started. How many hours have you logged when it comes to your dream, goal, or skill? Be determined to put your time in.
3) There is no “perfect time”.
If you are waiting on “perfect conditions” before you get started, then chances are you never will. Avid golfers know that no matter how “clear” the day looks, there is always some challenge that factors in to how they will execute each golf shot that day. I have never seen one golfer walk off the tee box and say, “Nope, I’m not going to hit that shot, I’m not going to play today, it’s too windy.” No, just like the avid golfer, you make adjustments. You make decisions, and you take the required actions. You may not have every piece of information that you want, but you probably have enough information to make an educated decision. Once you make your decision, it’s time to take an action. It’s time to execute the shot. Follow your “gut”. Don’t wait for the “perfect time”. The “perfect time” is when you decide to make it happen; it’s when you decide to take action.
4) Someone is waiting on you.
Do you realize that if you don’t get started, if you don’t follow your passion, that you could be robbing someone of an answer to their problem? You’ve got the answer to a question that they’ve asked for a lifetime, but your holding on to the answer by not creating. Someone is waiting to read the book that may change their life or business. Have you written it yet? Someone wants to pay you for the knowledge and skills that you possess. Have you created the business yet? There is an opportunity, or a connection with your name on it. It’s just waiting for you to grab it. Someone is waiting on your encouragement and feedback. Have you given it to them? Who is it that may be waiting on you? Go ahead and do what only you can do. Someone is waiting on you to help set them free.
5) Do the thing.
Nike says, “Just do it.” But some of us just don’t get it. Steve Chandler says, “It’s the doing of the thing that gets it done.” The way to become anything is to do the thing. If you want to be a coach or a consultant, just get started. Go help somebody. Whatever you want to become, just start where you are. Start with the opportunities that are in your life right now. Don’t wait for a “big break”. Stop taking a break and go motivate. First, motivate yourself, and then go motivate someone else. This works in any area, i.e., career, academics, fitness, business, cooking, relationships, or breaking bad habits. It works for anything. All you have to do is, do the thing.
Take the above keys and insert them into the ignition of your new endeavor. Start the engine of internal motivation. Shift the gears out of park, and into drive, and then accelerate. You will feel a tremendous sense of fulfillment, begin to build up on the inside. Measurable results will begin to ramp up on the outside. All because, you challenged yourself to just get started.
Question: What do you think really holds people back from following their true passion?
Let me hear back from you.
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
When it comes to your dream, goal, project, or passion, what are you waiting for?
What’s really holding you back from launching that new business venture? What’s stopping you from starting that new fitness routine? When are you going to take that vacation? When are you going to write that book? When are you going to apply for that job, or start that new career? When are you going resign from that position, or organization that you know you should have left 3 years ago? When are you going to confront that situation that needs to be addressed?
“Only what you confront will change. What you refuse to confront will remain the same.”–Roberts Liardon
What’s the delay? The demand is evident. You’re tired of the status quo. The passion for the new venture is about to leap out of your chest! What are you waiting for? Your passion is your permission. You’ve drawn up plans and edited those plans 800 times. It’s time to implement the plan.
Make a decision. Put your plan in place. Take an action.
Get ready to enter a new race. Follow your true passion. It’s your time to be free. You’re going to feel like a 10 ton weight has fallen off of your shoulders. But first, you must get started.
Consider these 5 keys when you are launching any new endeavor:
1) Start badly.
Don’t worry about how you’re going to finish the entire project. Don’t worry about being flawless. Just get started. Your initial attempts don’t have to be perfect. Author, Steve Chandler says, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” What this means is you are going to make some mistakes in anything you do, but don’t let that stop you! Don’t worry, you’re not going to settle for mediocrity; because you’re passion for excellence is too strong. This is why you consistently succeed against the odds. So just get started, even if your initial results are less than desirable. Most authors will tell you that their first drafts were terrible; I know mine were. But the end result was wonderful. It would not have happened if I didn’t at least start badly. Start badly if you have to, but just make sure you get started. Excellence will rise through your persistence.
2) Put your time in.
Author, Malcolm Gladwell shares in his book, The Outliers, that anyone who has achieved world-class success in virtually any area, i.e., sports, business, technology, career, etc., has had at least 10,000 hours of practice. He cites business tycoon, Bill Gates. He shares that Gates really is not much different from you. It’s just that he started computer programming when he was in about the 7th grade. He had access to a computer lab that just happened to have the highest level of computer technology in the world at that time. The only difference is, once Gates started computer programming around the 7th grade, he never stopped! No wonder he dropped out of college. He was a world-class computer programming expert (10,000 hours of high level experience) by the time he was around 18 or 19 years of age! For most of us, 10,000 hours of practice equates to 10 years of experience in developing a certain skill. That’s why you should get started, and never stop. If you are an author or want to be one, start writing and don’t stop. If you want to be in the best physical shape of your life, get in the gym and be consistent. If you want to get a higher degree, persevere through the required academic process. No matter how tough it gets, if it’s your passion; hang in there. Never be discouraged at your results, they will improve over time. The key is to get started. How many hours have you logged when it comes to your dream, goal, or skill? Be determined to put your time in.
3) There is no “perfect time”.
If you are waiting on “perfect conditions” before you get started, then chances are you never will. Avid golfers know that no matter how “clear” the day looks, there is always some challenge that factors in to how they will execute each golf shot that day. I have never seen one golfer walk off the tee box and say, “Nope, I’m not going to hit that shot, I’m not going to play today, it’s too windy.” No, just like the avid golfer, you make adjustments. You make decisions, and you take the required actions. You may not have every piece of information that you want, but you probably have enough information to make an educated decision. Once you make your decision, it’s time to take an action. It’s time to execute the shot. Follow your “gut”. Don’t wait for the “perfect time”. The “perfect time” is when you decide to make it happen; it’s when you decide to take action.
4) Someone is waiting on you.
Do you realize that if you don’t get started, if you don’t follow your passion, that you could be robbing someone of an answer to their problem? You’ve got the answer to a question that they’ve asked for a lifetime, but your holding on to the answer by not creating. Someone is waiting to read the book that may change their life or business. Have you written it yet? Someone wants to pay you for the knowledge and skills that you possess. Have you created the business yet? There is an opportunity, or a connection with your name on it. It’s just waiting for you to grab it. Someone is waiting on your encouragement and feedback. Have you given it to them? Who is it that may be waiting on you? Go ahead and do what only you can do. Someone is waiting on you to help set them free.
5) Do the thing.
Nike says, “Just do it.” But some of us just don’t get it. Steve Chandler says, “It’s the doing of the thing that gets it done.” The way to become anything is to do the thing. If you want to be a coach or a consultant, just get started. Go help somebody. Whatever you want to become, just start where you are. Start with the opportunities that are in your life right now. Don’t wait for a “big break”. Stop taking a break and go motivate. First, motivate yourself, and then go motivate someone else. This works in any area, i.e., career, academics, fitness, business, cooking, relationships, or breaking bad habits. It works for anything. All you have to do is, do the thing.
Take the above keys and insert them into the ignition of your new endeavor. Start the engine of internal motivation. Shift the gears out of park, and into drive, and then accelerate. You will feel a tremendous sense of fulfillment, begin to build up on the inside. Measurable results will begin to ramp up on the outside. All because, you challenged yourself to just get started.
Question: What do you think really holds people back from following their true passion?
Let me hear back from you.
Turn Your Setbacks into Accelerated Comebacks,
Craig L. Sanders
“The Comeback Specialist”
P.S. To inquire about Craig's book, "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny", his coaching packages, or to have him speak at your event, please visit his website: http://www.craiglsanders.com/
P.P.S. Follow Craig on these following social media sites:
Twitter: @CRAIGLSANDERS http://bit.ly/5rMQy5
Facebook: http://bit.ly/8DHOzU
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/5kLw5F
Copyright 2010 Craig Sanders Unlimited, LLC
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