Step 1

Introduction:

Get off the couch, get moving, do something different, and you will feel better! Honestly, it’s so comfortable to stay as we are, yet so uncomfortable when life and business no longer bring the joie de vivre or satisfaction you desire and deserve. The chapters in this book are based on an integrated approach to changing the status quo so that you can apply something that makes sense for you, your life, and business. The seven steps are sequential yet succinct enough that you can readily apply strategies in one chapter to initiate change.

The inspiration for this book came from a teleseminar I created and hosted based on some of the common issues people face when they realize their existing state of affairs are no longer serving them well. For those who have explored their own personal development, many of the concepts outlined are not new; however, my intention is to bring some perspective and manageable steps for you to actually take action where it is most needed in your life and business.

Through my own personal observation and experience and that of others, I can honestly say most people are motivated by pain not gain. So it is my hope to flip the drivers for change, so that your choices and actions are sustainable by positive motivation and positive gains.

So let’s stand at the edge of change together and allow me to offer up a hang-glider so you can soar and move gracefully with ease, vision and purpose.

A note about this book:

Why are we so unable to change even when we want to? Simply because we are creatures of habit. We enjoy a certain amount of predictability and routine in our lives; providing an illusion of control or at very best, security. We seek comfort; similarly, our physical bodies seek homeostasis. Even though our physiology allows our physical body to sustain a level of external change, when there is too much change occurring over a long duration of time, we eventually experience stress, burnout, or crisis. This experience will force us to change; however, what do we do when life and business is just trickling along yet deep down an underlying need is not being met? Possibly, you don’t feel on top of your game or even in it! Maybe you are noticing a disconnection with life or your business? The good news: we have a greater mental and emotional capacity to change and this doesn’t necessarily equate to a balanced state, but rather one that compels you to move forward.

There is an expression ‘why fix it, if it ain’t broke’ and this is somewhat true as you may not be broken; yet, you feel less than satisfied and possibly bored. So, if an area in your life is less than satisfying, stagnant, or boring, stop and ask yourself, ‘what is it that I want?’ Questions can bubble up, the fear of the things we don’t want to face, creating discomfort and potentially more fear. However, by exploring what it is you want, there is an unravelling of sorts that enables you to loosen the grip of fear. Action: Take ten minutes now and answer these questions: 1) Are you ready to change your life and/or business? 2) What is it that you want?

Fear can generate excitement or to a less productive experience of distress or anxiety. Fear can pull us back to our safe place, our comfort zone. Fear is the unknown. I love what David Neagle (yourauthenticmessage.com) has to say about fear and doubt, on a live call (YourAuthenticMessageCall2transcript.pdf, January 21, 2009), he stated, “when the doubt comes up, you’ve got to take it out. You cannot permit yourself to dwell on the doubt. It is the seed of all failure…you fail when you quit.”  So I suggest, disperse all those doubt ’seeds’ so far away that they lose any connection to the ground in which you stand.

Fear can be disabling so that you are no longer a contender in a healthy jest with life, business or your environment. But, it’s important not to give up in the face of fear, but rather stock up on your resourcefulness. Before we stock up, it’s worthwhile to check in with your readiness meter. Sometimes you are not quite ready, the excuses are not excuses, they are legitimate or valid. This requires objectivity and compassion. Depending on what is going on in your life and business, you may or may not have enough energy to make any changes or navigate through new territory. In step four, I share some tips and strategies to build your reserves and boost your resourcefulness. For now, assess the complexity of your world and the factors that appear to ‘unable’ you. Be real and expose those complexities; again, it will only make things clearer. Action: List all your excuses or complicating factors.

Another way in which you may disarm yourself is by moving to the ‘how’ too quickly. This can create ‘analysis paralysis’ or you may start feeling defeated by the multitude of details to manage that are necessary to create a change. Stop right now and stay with this question: ‘what is possible for you?’ This is the antidote so you don’t get discouraged or lost by the details and allows you to hold a bigger picture for the now.  The word ‘possibility’ or staying in a place of possibility, holds inspiration and hope.

Be aware of how you view change. Is your perspective of change rooted in loss or gain? Often we think too much about what we have to give up rather than gain. For example, you might have to give up some social activities to make time for a special project that requires your full attention, or you may need to give up that yummy bag of chips or delightful glass of wine to lose those extra five pounds and have the energy needed to become fit and healthy. The choice is there for you to make and I encourage you to take a choice of positive gain or reward.

Last and honestly, you may not know what to change. There are many competing factors in life or business. It’s worthwhile to consider the complexity in which you live and assess what might be a positive entry point for change. This requires a bit of objectivity and time to consider – more about this in step two.