We go to a conference and we collect business cards and come home and put them in a pile - and the next time we go to an event we do the same thing and bring the cards home and add them to the pile. Maybe we connect with a few of the people - but mostly we end up collecting cards and are unable to find the one we need when we need it. Does this happen to you?
We get a recommendation for a book from a friend or a speaker or a reference in an article we are reading and go to a bookstore or on Amazon and get the book and when it arrives we put it on our desk or in a basket or on a pile of other books we want to read when we get some time to read. The problem is that the precious time to read never comes - things are always getting in the way. So the books pile up and we become a book collector instead of a book reader.
We go on vacation and buy a trinket at every city or monument we visit.
We run marathons or perform a triathalon and get a t-shirt at every event.
We drink beer and collect the bottle caps.
We go to workshops and collect notes and workbooks.
We go to beaches and collect sand dollars, shells or rocks.
We are collecting and collecting. Some of the things make beautiful displays we enjoy every time we see them. Other collections sit there wanting and wishing to be enjoyed at a deeper level.
How can we ever get through the books and workshop books to enhance our personal growth? A bit of reflection on what you really want to learn about and what you need to apply right now to enhance your personal or professional life may help you sort through stacks to determine which book or workbook to start with. Thinking about that before signing up for a webinar, event or buying a book will help reduce the incoming and make your collections more manageable. Researching CRMs (Client Relationship Management) systems can help you stay in touch with your contacts. You are sure to find one that suits your needs with the number out there available.
Want more help with that? Look for my presentations on "MindFULLness for Peak Performance: The Cure for Infobesity" coming up soon under events at www.margaretajohnson.com or contact me for coaching on dealing with INFObesity - the overload of information - at margaret@ideasandbeyond.com.
All In - No Exception! Do it or don't do it but if you are going to do it - go all in.
There is a program called Whole 30 - a 30 day program in which you eliminate a number of foods from your diet including sugar, dairy, processed food and alcohol to reset your body. The point is to see how different you feel without those foods in you. Most people lose some weight, feel 100x better and even recover from some medical conditions including skin issues. You basically eat vegetables, protein (meat, fish, eggs), and some fruit. Everything is clean and as close to the source as possible. I eat that way most of the time but do enjoy an occasional Diet Coke (love those bubbles), chocolate every day and I sure can't turn down great bread at a restaurant.
I first went on the program last summer right before Hurricane Harvey hit. I decided I was all in and followed the program 100% to the tee. To me it was easier than cutting back on M&M's or limiting bread to one serving a day. Most people think it would be so hard but to me - going in 100% left out the decisions and the hemming and hawing that waste time and energy. There were no decisions to make - it wasn't allowed and I wasn't going to eat it. And I was very successful. Within two weeks I noticed significant changes in how I felt - no aches and pain, I was stronger and less tired. It was amazing. I gradually added a few things back but to this day have not had an M&M. I did try a Diet Coke one day when there wasn't anything else to drink - and it tasted like chemicals to me - so that was the end of that!
Jack Canfield, author of the book series, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" shared many of the struggles in his life including how he got rejected by over 140 publishers. In a video of his I recently viewed, he shares the story of how much easier it is to go all in at 100% versus 99% and says that 99% is a bitch and 100% is a breeze.
Are you ready to go all in? Take a chance! Take that step! Take that risk!
The steps for taking a risk are -
- select your smart/heart goal (S - specific, M - measurable, A - actionable, R - realistic, T - time-framed - Heart - means something to you - ask yourself why you want to do it and you will have the Heart part)
- get creative about ways to accomplish the goal
- select a path considering your personal risk taking style
- increase your chances of success - with research, taking more time to plan, share risk with others, try a prototype
- go all in 100% take action!
Need help staying 100% committed - give me a call and we will work out a plan and keep you on point. (281)648-0380
What do you think? Is it a bitch or a breeze? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
