Eight Ways of Making the Impossible Possible
Eight Ways of Making the Impossible Possible
With the election of a new President, this month has been filled with hope for change and possibility for a better tomorrow. As each of us looks with anticipation to the future, it seems like a great time to discuss making changes that will mean a difference to your business, your family, or your life. For so many people the idea of change seems overwhelming because they don’t know where to start or they have failed in the past. Both of these things are natural reactions to the word “change.” Although I cannot promise that it will be easy, I can promise it is possible!
Let’s explore some steps to bring about the positive change you want to see in your life in 2009:
1. Stop Focusing on the Gaps: Often we stop ourselves because we are afraid we won’t be perfect. As adults, we are pre-programmed by society to look for the places to fail and, many times, fear of failure can cause procrastination mixed with paralysis. By discontinuing your focus on the negative aspects, the positive is able to come through and amplify the opportunities to succeed. Make this the year you get in action. You have nothing to lose but that same pattern that you’re trying to break free from.
2. Create a Vision: What is the vision of your life, career and business that you are living into? Having a compelling vision for where you want to go is crucial in order to give you the courage, strength and commitment to make it happen. By asking yourself what you truly want to accomplish in life and building a compelling vision surrounding that inevitability, you are generating energy to keep you moving towards something meaningful for you, your family, and your life.
3. Take Responsibility: Do not let life ‘happen’ to you. You will never find time to make changes in your life. You have to create time. That means learning how to ‘own’ your choices and the change that is important to your happiness. Once you shift from bystander to owner, you will be able to take responsibility for your future and your progress, and stay empowered even during the stormy times.
4. Design a Roadmap: As with any trip, you need a map to chart your trip, acknowledge your progress along the way, and know when you’ve arrived at your destination. Set specific goals that stretch you a little, and then break down these goals into manageable tasks. Creating a strong plan for success with milestones and measurements gives you an idea of where to start, what the next step is, how far you have come, and how far you have to go!
5. Commit to your Plan: You are either committed to something or you are not. Don’t waste time and energy being half-committed. It is the worst place to be. By committing to your plan of action, you will gain motivation and the inner resiliency you need to take the consistent action that will change your life. Place your plan of action at the forefront of your vision, keep your perspective and flexibility, and focus on success.
6. Take Action Everyday: Many times, when we think of change, we automatically believe that we have to commit to something life altering. Instead of setting yourself up for ambitious failure by trying to change your whole life in 30 days, make a list of a series of small things you can accomplish in the next 30 days that will follow your roadmap towards your vision. Small changes completed over time will give you a series of motivational victories that add up to a big difference.
7. Build your Support Structure: By finding the people who will embrace your change and support your efforts, you will double your chance at success because they will help motivate and hold you to your plan of action. Our personal support networks can provide many different kinds of support for us including encouragement and motivation to help us stay strong, focused and committed throughout our journey. So, share your plans with your support team!
8. Don’t Round Up: It is easy to say, “I will start next week” or rationalize procrastination with “Maybe Monday is better than today.” Tomorrow comes and we still want to start tomorrow. Hesitation adds up - one day of procrastination is 24 lost hours of your life that you will never get back. Stop living like you have endless tomorrows! The hardest part is taking that first step to begin building momentum. So, before you put off starting one more day, look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions…”What if I would have started 5 years ago? Where would I be today?” Remember, tomorrow starts today!
9. Give yourself a break: Many of us feel that a small slip means falling off of the wagon. In fact, it is just an opportunity for us to recommit to our goals with a richer understanding of what is important. After all, if the change you want to make in your life is easy, then it is not really a change is it? Forgive yourself, accept that you are human, and do not backslide by giving up. Instead, give yourself credit for making it so far and pick up where you left off!
Henry Ford was right on target. The key to making the positive change you want in your life is within your hands. You have to make the commitment. You have to reach for the possibility. Using my own WakeUp Call, I strive to aid people in making these changes in their lives. I have seen some extraordinary success and I am constantly amazed by the power of the human spirit to overcome the storm of adversity to change their lives.
To use your moment of truth, your WakeUp Call, to change your life is one of the most important steps you will ever take. It is easy to live in the comfort and complacency of every day. My challenge to you is to make every day extra-ordinary. WakeUp: Your Life is Waiting for You!
Eight Ways of Making the Impossible Possible - To learn more about this author, visit Michael Jaffe's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
“Whether you believe that you can or that you cannot, either way you are probably right.” - Henry Ford
With the election of a new President, this month has been filled with hope for change and possibility for a better tomorrow. As each of us looks with anticipation to the future, it seems like a great time to discuss making changes that will mean a difference to your business, your family, or your life. For so many people the idea of change seems overwhelming because they don’t know where to start or they have failed in the past. Both of these things are natural reactions to the word “change.” Although I cannot promise that it will be easy, I can promise it is possible!
Let’s explore some steps to bring about the positive change you want to see in your life in 2009:
1. Stop Focusing on the Gaps: Often we stop ourselves because we are afraid we won’t be perfect. As adults, we are pre-programmed by society to look for the places to fail and, many times, fear of failure can cause procrastination mixed with paralysis. By discontinuing your focus on the negative aspects, the positive is able to come through and amplify the opportunities to succeed. Make this the year you get in action. You have nothing to lose but that same pattern that you’re trying to break free from.
2. Create a Vision: What is the vision of your life, career and business that you are living into? Having a compelling vision for where you want to go is crucial in order to give you the courage, strength and commitment to make it happen. By asking yourself what you truly want to accomplish in life and building a compelling vision surrounding that inevitability, you are generating energy to keep you moving towards something meaningful for you, your family, and your life.
3. Take Responsibility: Do not let life ‘happen’ to you. You will never find time to make changes in your life. You have to create time. That means learning how to ‘own’ your choices and the change that is important to your happiness. Once you shift from bystander to owner, you will be able to take responsibility for your future and your progress, and stay empowered even during the stormy times.
4. Design a Roadmap: As with any trip, you need a map to chart your trip, acknowledge your progress along the way, and know when you’ve arrived at your destination. Set specific goals that stretch you a little, and then break down these goals into manageable tasks. Creating a strong plan for success with milestones and measurements gives you an idea of where to start, what the next step is, how far you have come, and how far you have to go!
5. Commit to your Plan: You are either committed to something or you are not. Don’t waste time and energy being half-committed. It is the worst place to be. By committing to your plan of action, you will gain motivation and the inner resiliency you need to take the consistent action that will change your life. Place your plan of action at the forefront of your vision, keep your perspective and flexibility, and focus on success.
6. Take Action Everyday: Many times, when we think of change, we automatically believe that we have to commit to something life altering. Instead of setting yourself up for ambitious failure by trying to change your whole life in 30 days, make a list of a series of small things you can accomplish in the next 30 days that will follow your roadmap towards your vision. Small changes completed over time will give you a series of motivational victories that add up to a big difference.
7. Build your Support Structure: By finding the people who will embrace your change and support your efforts, you will double your chance at success because they will help motivate and hold you to your plan of action. Our personal support networks can provide many different kinds of support for us including encouragement and motivation to help us stay strong, focused and committed throughout our journey. So, share your plans with your support team!
8. Don’t Round Up: It is easy to say, “I will start next week” or rationalize procrastination with “Maybe Monday is better than today.” Tomorrow comes and we still want to start tomorrow. Hesitation adds up - one day of procrastination is 24 lost hours of your life that you will never get back. Stop living like you have endless tomorrows! The hardest part is taking that first step to begin building momentum. So, before you put off starting one more day, look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions…”What if I would have started 5 years ago? Where would I be today?” Remember, tomorrow starts today!
9. Give yourself a break: Many of us feel that a small slip means falling off of the wagon. In fact, it is just an opportunity for us to recommit to our goals with a richer understanding of what is important. After all, if the change you want to make in your life is easy, then it is not really a change is it? Forgive yourself, accept that you are human, and do not backslide by giving up. Instead, give yourself credit for making it so far and pick up where you left off!
Henry Ford was right on target. The key to making the positive change you want in your life is within your hands. You have to make the commitment. You have to reach for the possibility. Using my own WakeUp Call, I strive to aid people in making these changes in their lives. I have seen some extraordinary success and I am constantly amazed by the power of the human spirit to overcome the storm of adversity to change their lives.
To use your moment of truth, your WakeUp Call, to change your life is one of the most important steps you will ever take. It is easy to live in the comfort and complacency of every day. My challenge to you is to make every day extra-ordinary. WakeUp: Your Life is Waiting for You!
Eight Ways of Making the Impossible Possible - To learn more about this author, visit Michael Jaffe's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
|||
Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
|||
Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
|||
David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
|||
Linda RichardsonLinda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
|  |
Subscribe to Michael's articles
 | |
|
|  |
 | |
|
| |
 | |||||||
|
 | ||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
| ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 Powerful Living A Clean Desk What’s Wrong With Your Site? Learn From Success Strategic Alliance |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Raising Capital Blogs
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008 | |
 |
Top 50 Debt Blogs
Learn To Get Out Of Debt | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||