Sunday, September 16, 2007

 

Why Is Being A Winner So Hard?

What is the hardest part about being a winner?
Hard work, imagination, creativity, or getting along with other people?

Believe it or not, the answer is believing you can be a winner. Just believing you can do the dog gone thing is the hardest part.I kid you not.

The process of actually accepting in your mind’s eye the possibility and reality that you in fact have what it takes to reach your prized goal is a big part of being a winner.

What is this “process of actually accepting”? It means knocking down the door of fear and walking directly into the light of positive belief and expectancy.

This is not the easiest thing in the world to do. The best way to approach this matter is to use the Incremental Process. And, what’s that? It’s the method used quite successfully in martial arts. It can take a white belt in martial arts all the way up to a black belt which is being a winner.

I am a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. So, I have some background in what I am talking about. The most practical approach to accomplishing the seemingly impossible is to use the incremental approach.

Let’s go back to the example of martial arts and incremental progression. A white belt student starting out is lucky if he can lift his leg, let alone execute a proper kick that has force and direction. Imagine how he must feel when he observes black belts executing fancy spin heel kicks and breaking boards held over the holder’s head!

Normally the entire spectacle is very overwhelming. Most white belts feel, after observing seasoned black belts execute these advanced kicks with force and precision, they will be lucky if they can advance to the next logical advancement of belts; namely, the yellow belt. In another words, forget about being a black belt. That whole process is entirely out of the question. It’s beyond a possibility of ever happening. The task is just too daunting.

So what do we do about this mess? Simple answer. We inject incremental progression and get everybody off the hook. How does this work in martial arts? Martial art schools introduce their students, Tae Kwon Do, to very basic kicks in a slow but sure manner. This is a sure way to being a winner.

The white belt learns to execute a “front” kick initially. This kick is integrated with various exercises to add interest and variety to the student. After several months of this, the instructor tests the white belt on basic key points. The student gets promoted to a yellow belt status, assuming he passes the white belt test.

This process is repeated over an over, all the way up to and through Black Belt tests. This step by step process helps the student avoid being overwhelmed by the daunting tasks of executing the more advanced kicks and maneuvers that exist with the advanced belt designations in martial arts.

Interestingly, only about 10% of beginning white belts aspirants actually go on to obtain a Black Belt. The same analogy can be applied to other endeavors in life. The point being, you can obtain seemingly very difficult tasks, if you approach them in a “incremental” manner which is being a winner.

First set your sight on your desired goal. Then immediately break it down to small manageable steps. The important thing here is to allow yourself enough time inorder to reach your goal. For example, it took me 7 years to reach my coveted goal of obtaining a black belt in tae kwon do.

I didn’t mind the time required, because I enjoyed the actual process of doing and participating in the martial art. This is very important. You must enjoy the environment you will be in during the process of your coveted goal obtainment.

If you don’t love the “environment” that comes with your desired objective, then forget about it and go on to something else more suitable to your talents and temperament. Sometimes you need to try different things and explore. Don’t be afraid to do this. Change and exploration is an essential to growth and success. Stand for Your Greatness

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 

How Humility Can Be Your Best Friend

That's right, humility can really help you rise to the top to whatever is important for you. Can you imagine that?

Why? Because it will let you say and do things that would otherwise be impossible for you. I am not talking about subservience to others. Webster refers to humility as a state of being humble. And being humble means not being arrogant or haughty.

I personally can think of many instances where being humble would have served me in good fashion. No you guessed it. I can think of many times in my life were I was anything but humble. It would have paid me big time if I had worn the cloak of humility.Stand for Your Greatness







I am referring specifically to an out of control ego and how that hurt my bottom line or pocketbook. After a series of negative instances like this, I took pause and reflected upon the unfortunate situations I had created for myself.

“Gee, I wish I had exercised more self-discipline.” You know, things like that. Psychologists will tell you that this appears to be examples of a sense of inferiority or insecurity. As I look back on the unfortunate situations, there probably is some truth to that.

On the other hand, had I been living with some genuine humility, I have no doubt in my mind, things would have turned out different for me. Certainly in a more positive manner.

Lets face it, if you have genuine humility, the world and everything in it, can be your oyster. I mean, like you can live your life like a genuine champion. Like how?

Well for starters, you can live with the certainty and knowledge that there is nothing out there that will be a threat to your ego. You know what I am referring to when I mention “ego”. I am referring to the “man in charge”. The deal breaker. You know, the guy that is always sticking his foot in his mouth. Like saying the wrong things at the wrong time.

His boss is Mr. Fear. This is who he takes his orders from. Anyway, back to subject at hand…living with humility. It’s a no brainer. Take the shield of humility with you into what ever arena you choose, and believe me, you will be very pleased with your results.

Like how? Most importantly, you will be the master of your emotions. Now how is that for starters? How many times have you let your temper or whatever negative emotions you can think of, get in your way of making a good impression, sealing a deal or handling criticism, or frustrations?


Speaking for myself, I over the years, have been my own worst enemy. I am sure you know what I am talking about.

Another big advantage of wearing the shield of humility is, not many people are going to be envious or jealous of you. Who can get mad at a genuine humble person? Why? The answer is simple, nobody will consider you a “threat”.

In this regard, it is only human nature, to want to help a humble person. Why? Because most humble people are enjoyable to be around. They are not arrogant, threatening, or invasive. A humble person makes you feel good about yourself. A humble person normally doesn’t “rub you the wrong way”.

Remember Marco Polo? History tells us that he was a very humble guy. Whoop! Whoa. Stop right here. Being humble doesn’t mean you don’t possess self confidence.
Goodness no. A really confident person doesn’t need to show boat his abilities. A “quiet self-confidence” serves to sooth the anxieties and tensions of the moment.

How do you think Marco Polo was able to get along and persuade these movers and shakers from entirely different cultures and customs then what he was from? He did it with genuine humility and leadership.

The same can be said for Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Alexander the Great, for that matter.
You might not associate humility with Alexander the Great, but it is true. If you do any ready about Alexander, you will realize that humility was one of his greatest attributes.

His claim to glory was the fact that he was barely 30 years old when he conquered the known world for his time. And how did he do that? Why of course, he did it with his army. But, he didn’t have a huge army. Not by any means. In fact, in military terms, it was quite common for his army to be outnumbered by the enemy.

The secret to his incredible military leadership was that his men actually loved and adored Alexander. They would march to hell for him. And why was this? The fact be known was that Alexander approached his men with great humility. He made it a habit to arise in the mornings very early with his men and do the compelling physical work outs with his men.

He led his men into battle, not from the rear away from danger, but right smack dab in the front. He always placed himself in the thick of the action. In fact, it is said, that Alexander, possessed more scars from battle then needle point marks on a quilt patch.

During Alexander’s long march in one of his India campaigns, the thirst and exhaustion became devasting for the entire Macedonian army.
The troopers were dropping off like flies. Finally, Alexander called a halt for a rest period. During this reprieve, the troops shared all of their water and poured the remnants in one cup and gave it to Alexander for his nourishment.

What did Alexander do when he received the cup with water? He turned to his men and said that if there wasn’t water for his troops then he wouldn’t drink the water. Then he poured out the water to the ground. His army roared with praise and approval. The loved him.

Monday, September 03, 2007

 

Seismic Change, Are You Ready For It?

Seismic Change? Are you ready? Good, then let's kick it up!


That’s what I thought. Most people want to make positive changes in their lives. But, they want to do it slowly and gradually. Apparently it’s too painful to walk away from old routines, habits and friends-like frustration, anxiety, fatigue, anger, jealousy, and despair.

It’s better to deal with the old enemy you know then encounter someone or something brand new and different. Right? Here we go again…Nobody wants to leave their comfort zone! Who's ready for seismic change?

I mean, like most success strategies, are really self-defeating. No wonder so many people are frustrated and unhappy. Isn’t this how it works? You focus with your desired goal. Draw up a strategy and tactics to back it up. Then what happens? Well, usually, you work like crazy trying to materialize your desired outcome or reach your goal. Right? Isn’t this the way it works?

I can speak from personal experience. Yes, this is the way it works. Oh yeah, there are all kinds of nuances that you can put in play. You know, things like visualization and the Law of Attraction. But gee whiz, gosh almighty, most often this doesn’t work either. Right ?

Ok, are you ready for Seismic Change? Then, let’s kick it up! I have some wonderful successes in my life and also a bunch of failures. Wow! I mean those failures were really great “learning opportunities”.

Forget about the successes. Let’s talk about things that didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. The most obvious thing that sticks in my mind is that I would get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of executing my strategy. You know, applying the various tactics. Dealing with the everyday brick and mortar stuff. Just hanging in there and slogging through.

The sixty four million dollar question is when do you bring things to a halt and change direction? Make seismic change? Huh? What’s that? Change direction. I didn’t say “give up”. Or “quit”. I said “change direction”. You know, re-evaluate, or reassess the situation.

Here is were most people make their mistake. It’s human nature, to want to “hang on” to the old stuff we know about and are familiar with. Here’s that “comfort zone” rearing its ugly head again.

Anyway, the point being here is…you gotta have the integrity and courage to break free of the old habits and ways of thinking that haven’t been working for you. Just like busting up an unworkable relationship. Right? Sometimes you really have no alternative. No matter how badly you want things to work out.

You have to come to the realization that things aren’t working and if you continue in the same direction and manner of doing things, well, you are simply kidding yourself.

The problem with this “insight” is that it takes a great amount of character and mature judgment inorder to know when to keep fishing or cut bait. And herein lies the secret and also the problem… “sometimes it pays to hang in there and push a forward a little longer and other times it’s simply a question of “fish or cut bait”.

Everyone has their limits for toleration of frustration and punishment. If you have given your project your best shot and you still have not realized your objective, well then, perhaps it’s time to make some Drastic Changes. I mean big time, earth shaking seismic changes. And no, it’s not itty-bitty inch by inch change. What it is…is big time, holy smoke changes.

Men and women at the top of any substantial venture in science, business, military, sports or what have you will tell you that oftentimes drastic change needs to be contemplated and acted upon.

Just look at the war in Iraq. Look at what’s happening over there right now. Super big time change is being acted out and contemplated both on the military and political side. For example, in some Iraqi provinces, Sunni militants who fought along side with the Al- Qaeda are now being nurtured and compensated by the U.S. Military . Subsequently, these Sunnis are now fighting with the U.S. against these Al-Qaeda groups. Desperate times require desperate measures.


Are you ready for seismic change? Then, let's kick it up! See the Rest of the Story

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