I am writing this weeks blog while flying above the clouds about 30,000 feet in the air. It is amazing what the human mind can accomplish when it decides Winning is the only option. As I look out the window and see the world above the clouds it occurs to me how many of us feel like we are flying high sometimes when we are still on the ground. The trouble with this is that just visualizing success is where many people stop, unable to actually realize their goals and instead living vicariously through the vison of what could be and not the reality of where they are. It also is clear to me as we hit just a little turbulance how scary it can be to really dedicate ourselves to a specific plan and the worries that can go with that all out commitment.
We need to challenge ourselves to let go and move in a leap of faith towards our goal. The fear of failing paralyzes so many of us, the familar , the expected keeps our feet planted firmly on the ground, safe and predictable.The problem is that unless we can muster up the courage and buckle up for the ride we go eactly nowhere, that is not the way to be more, to become greater to build an exciting future. The "leave it all on the field" mentality we've discussed in the past requires us to give ourselves 100% in all we do. The Dojo is no place for the timid, it is a place for the strong and capable acheiver.
If we are going to become all that we can become in the Martial Art's we must be willing to look at where we are and what we are actually doing each day in reality accepting that maybe we are not Flying as High as we think we are, maybe we haven't even left the ground. The measure you might use is how far you have been traveling in reaching your own personal success goals. The only differrence between watching the Plane fly over head and watching the world under your feet is the decision to fully commit.
How do we commit to this full on ? We evaluate the goal, Is it worthy? What will change for us and in us as we get closer to it's accomplishment? If we then decide it is a goal worth the work ahead, we must then determine that the option to not reach this goal is non-existent. The next thing we must do is devolop a plan, the best way to do that is to asked others who have reached this goal before. Once we have our Plan we need to schedule a time for getting there, attaining the accomplishment. Third get a travel guide, Yep you need someone to help navigate you through the rough patches. Finally you must not look back at where you have been, instead keep your eyes steadfast on the prize and do all that is required to acheive it.
I know this doesn't sound easy, but the alternative is to always be watching others fly by and wish you had the courage to be sitting next to them enjoying the view. But I know that you will continue to push towards and eventually reach your destination, I know this because YOU ARE STRONG, YOU ARE CAPABLE, YOU ARE Z-ULTIMATE!!!
Well said sir, I have been listening to a lot of audio books lately and heard of many ways to concur fears like rejection and yes there are those days that just don't go well in the mean time.But this is the way i do it at this time, I look myself in the mirror and tell myself what my daily goals are and then repeat it 10 to 20 times.OK now your thinking Kyle your crazy and yes i am but it works. A wise man once said "If you think negatively you will do Negatively, If you think positive you will do positive" it's not word for word but you get the concept. So when you wake up put a smile on your face then when you arrive @ your schools location go to the mirror and tell yourself what you will be doing today.For me it's "I'm going to pass out 30 guest passes and SET 3 APPOINTMENTS TODAY" and say it over and over again. This is a great way to talk to yourself and convince yourself to do something.
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Hi Sir! Good to see a post again.
ReplyDeleteYou are our "Travel Guide". :)
I definitely have a fear of failure, and of disappointing those I care about. I have to stop letting that paralyze me, and keep moving. I am not getting any younger!
Emmett's Law:
ReplyDeleteThe dread of doing a task uses up more time and energy than doing the task itself.
Way easier said and acknowledged than fixed but I loved this post.
Being one of the largest schools, my current goal is to reach 250 and then 275 and 300+. As we spoke after our training session, my goal for us as a studio is to strengthen our team and grow together. I can't do it myself. Your post is inspiring and I feel we'll reach these new goals with your help and guidance. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI just got through watching the movie 'gone with the wind' for the first time. Made 70 years ago and here i read you giving the same message. Clearly the question isn't 'can I do it' but 'will I do it' and my answer here is yes, I will. I'm not picking cotton nor fighting off the yankees, simply doing what I love to do and sharing it with the world. I'm done walking this path in the mud, it is time I decided to fly. Thank you sir.
ReplyDeleteDelving a little bit more into the concept of "buckling up" . . . whenever we go somewhere even a small safety net can become incredibly important, both for our peace of mind and for our safety. Even though we have different goals and journeys, many of the paths that take us there and keep us safe on the jorney are the same. We need to remember to lean on each other and ask for and give help as best we can.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a help to the Entire Village. Thank You sir!
ReplyDeleteTim
I understand what you said about fear of failure but I sometimes find that I fall short of some goals not because I fear failing but rather because I fear succeeding. Succeeding and maintaining success requires so much more effort with things like follow-though, commitment, consistency, responsibility, productivity, etc. I mean, it's one thing to succeed but it's a whole other thing to stay successful.
ReplyDeleteI have been working on conquering that fear and one thing that has helped a lot is visualization. The funny thing about "The Secret" is that there is no secret but rather a very old tactic to help open your mind up to the POSSIBILITY of your ideal YOU. You know that "you", right? It's that "you" that has their gym cloths packed because every night after you close up, you hit the gym. It's that "you" that packs up snacks and meals for work every single day of the week. It's that "you" that sets an example for others and is constantly raising the bar for themselves. Oh, that elusive "you" how I wish we could become one! Alas!
When I start feeling like that person is just a figment of my imagination, I meditate a bit and change my focus to appreciation of the me that is. That ME that wakes up everyday with a plan, even if it's not perfect. I try to congratulate that ME that got through a workout with people who are 15 and 20 years younger. I give that ME a pat on the back that has made it this far and is willing to go the distance. For me, it's all about perspective(which Mr. Paulhus helps me keep just about daily).
I mean, when it comes down to it, success is a decision and it's one that has to be made everyday. Because one small success everyday is worth mentioning, but a string of successful days is worth celebrating!
Cheers to US!
This is a really great post and quite possibly my favorite so far. I feel that fear is the biggest thing that I do to myself that holds me back in both my sales and other aspects of myself including my martial arts.
ReplyDeleteBut it was pointed out to me today (in far more words) that "Fear is a feeling. It is not fact." The point of this statement was that my fear is mine only and if I don't allow it to consume me then it won't. 24 hours in a day is a fact. Fear of rejection, failure and success is only a feeling and I need to stop treating it like it has any real power over me.
I also really appreciated the posts from Kyle Cooper and Karla B specifically. I think it is important to be told sometimes how you help people and Kyle I am going to try your idea to verbalize and repeat my goals first thing tomorrow and I haven't heard a single thing from Karla to date that hasn't helped me in one way or the other.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
This topic reminds me of the Henry Ford quote:
ReplyDelete“Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.”
LV
With each of our journey's its truly up the weak not only the strong to keep their head steadfast and within time I’m sure the weak will realize from the strong’s devoted commitments and develop even a stronger outlook. Many times I’ve witness those who prefer to stand off to the side a witness the greatness unfold always have a comment or suggestion from what they viewed. (Keep in mind they are on the sidelines lookin in) But who learns the most from the experience? The one, who took the challenge head on, maybe made a mistake or two and realized multiple ways to adapt from them or the ones who sat back kept a keen eye but never made the attempt to get the process started? If the one from the side line gathers enough data then could they apply it more proficiently than if they never viewed the action in the first place? ... I wish many times The impulsive ( Knucklehead Aries) in me would take steps to observe like the others and understand the true balance before moving in always prepped to counter... Either way Amazing insight sir as always and I hope to see em keep comin!
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