I was on a call this morning with a gorgeous, talented business woman. Throughout our call I noticed her language. There was a lot of "I should', 'I have to' and 'I need to' language peppered throughout the conversation. I asked her to substitute the phrases with 'I choose' whenever she catches herself saying them. Let me tell you why. 

When we use language that makes us feel guilt or anxiety we take our eyes and our focus on the things that will bring us the success we want. When you tell yourself what you 'should' do you feel guilt that you are not already doing it. When you say 'I have to' it's a message to your brain that you don't want to do this thing and it feels imposed on you, which can cause resentment. And when you say 'I need to..' it causes anxiety because most of us are already busy and when we have a need for something again our focus goes to that thing. 

Let me give you an example. Let's say you are a start up business and are procrastinating because you feel overwhelmed by all the things you are learning and doing while you establish yourself in the marketplace. During a conversation with a friend you hear these words come out of your mouth....'I should do some marketing for my business because I have to make it work. I need to the money to come in so I can pay the bills.'

Now all of that may be true....but let me ask you this. While you are having the conversation are you taking any action? Does it make you feel good? Does it get your message, brand and product out to the world? NO, it doesn't. What it does is make you feel even more overwhelmed, anxious and stressed out about what you have not yet done. It also puts the message to your subconscious on the money rather than how your business will benefit your clients. While it's true that we live in a society that uses money as the exchange for the things we use in our own lives it is just that....currency to exchange. So, what do you choose to exchange for the money?

Let's try that conversation again with I choose in there instead. 

'Today I will do some marketing for my business because I know how much my (product, service) will benefit people.  I know that when I choose to put it out there that the clientele will come pay me well in exchange for what I have to offer.'

Every morning as you get ready to start your day say this or something like this to yourself. Use your words and make it personal. Please feel free to comment below. 

How good are you at 'going with the flow?' I can tell you it's the greatest place to be. I can also tell you it can be scary. It is often unpredictable, frightening and unsettling. Going with the flow is not a guarantee of peace and harmony that many people think it is. It is a place where change can be rapid and what seemed certain is suddenly not. 

It is also a place where if you can maintain  a curious mind and be open to the new experiences, your life will be far better than you imagined. The human condition is one that seeks security but gets bored with it too. We all at some stage have a craving for more excitement. 

You can read more about this in our newsletter that went out to members here. 
So be flexible, and look for the blessings and the lessons in everything. Even that which seems difficult is some of our greatest.

Recently i had the great pleasure to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon doing not much of anything. A friend and I headed east in the car, found a winery, had a cheeseboard for lunch and some great conversation. We then headed back towards home but didn't want the day to end, so ended up at a country hotel, laying in the sunshine, listening to the band. It's amazing how relaxed and recharged you feel after spending time with someone doing not much at all. And the great conversations that are had. I recently wrote about conversations in our newsletter. You can read it here. 

Tony Robbins is probably the greatest coach in the world. I was listening to one of his videos recently and he was explaining the fundamentals of leadership. This is what they are.

• See things as they are. Not any better or worse than they are but as they truly are.How often do we spend so much time pondering things rather than doing something about them. So acknowledge, honestly, exactly how things are today. 
• See things as better than they are - Imagine how things can be. What can make it better? Is it just a matter of thinking differently or focussing on some other aspect of a dilemna. 
• Take action - do something. The minute you take action things change. While you are busy thinking about your problem you are not taking action. Even positive thoughts will not change your circumstances. Only taking action will change your circumstances. A movement in any direction will change things. 

So today, tomorrow, this week. create a better world for yourself by following theses three steps. And make a way to improve your life. A true leader will either make a way or find one to have a life they love and that serves others as well. 

Happy action taking! 

Til next time 

Sherry

The photo of the door in this blog was taken on a recent holiday in Bali. It was a large door at the front on a home. 

I remember when I was much younger reading a book by W Clement Stone. He states that big doors swing on little hinges. And when i look at a door now I remember that quote. A door can be very large and heavy and yet the hinges can be small and seemingly insignificant. 

I believe that we are all hinges. We can make things happens. And there are things that will never happen without us doing our bit. I would encourage you to always see yourself as a hinge. You can move things and overcome things that seem much larger than you. None of your attempts are in vain. 

So this week, get out there are swing some doors. 

Have a great week. 

til next time


Sherry