What's on the horizon these days?
Change...
Change is always on the horizon. As I sit down to write my newsletter...(and I only do it every other month), I meditate on what it is I am going to write about. Usually it's what's on my mind...and lately...change seems to be on my mind a lot.
Personally, I am looking at my life from every possible angle. It's like I am in the process of a re-do, a makeover if you will and I am thinking to myself..."Self what the heck...here we go again...my entire life is up for grabs right now...and it's going to take everything I have to make some postive moves in my life so that I remain healthy, wealthy and well." It's going to take focus, determination, a positive attitude, vision, a mission and surrounding myself with a really supportive cast of people in my life.
It started back in March when I looked at myself in the mirror at Wal-Mart. "My god I shrieked...where did that gut come from...it's not like I really over do it in the eating department...and darn it if I don't get to the gym 3 times a week...what the hell is going on with me"? I asked myself...I knew then and there somethings had to change. The tough thing is not to make yourself wrong about a seemingly bad situation, but to accept what is and embark on taking action to change.
So I got pro-active. In early April I booked for my annual physical. I saw my dentist too, went to my gym and took the plunge and signed on for 24 personal training sessions...
On April 30th I had my annual physical with my doctor. My numbers are up as it turns out and I must work harder at bringing my sugar levels, and my bad cholesterol levels down a bit.
On May 1st, I started and signed up for 24 personal training sessions at my gym. (Goodlife) and so far to date my personal trainer (and he's a gem Chris Bennett) is putting me through the paces of a very high energy workout twice a week and he's kicking my butt to be doing something physcial 5-6 days a week. He's also got me eating better too... We've had 8 sessions and my strength is top notch, I still have to work on more conditioning and taking off the belly...
On May 6th, I signed up for a tele-class series too with a new associate coach friend of mine Kim Ades from Opening Doors Coaching...Kim is a very awesome coach and speaker and is on the cutting edge of the work you need to do today in order to bring about successful change in your life and business. She and Jacqui Markowitz are outstanding leaders. They are leading a pilot weight loss tele-coaching session, complete with journaling each day and weekly assignments.
Also in April and May, I met with Carol Ann Walker from the Business Advisory Centre Durham and I am in the process of re-shaping my business and my business plan. Carol Ann is a gem of a woman and business ally.
Add to the fact that gas prices are forcing me to re-think my spending. Economics and a slight business down-turn for me are forcing me to really prioritize what I do and where I spend my time, money and efforts.
These are all major issues facing a lot of us today. Health, energy costs, business success, direction, managing and dealing with never ending change that permeates are lives everyday.
An earthquake in China, a cyclone in Myanmar...rising prices...it's all enough to make one totally be on edge. How do we make sense of life when it seems to be out of control?
I believe it starts with us. Each one of us has to manage better.
So how do we manage it all without going absolutely off the deep end? How do we make adjustments to our way of life, our businesses, and our economic model without it being too painful?
Look at your return on investment
I believe the most important thing to look at is R.O.I. What is bringing you a good return on your investment. Is the work you're doing bringing you joy? If not why not? Are the areas of your business brining you a decent income? If not why not?
Is the marketing you're doing working? I know a lot of us love to network...but really when you look at it...does going to those morning networking meetings pay a dividend for you that's quantifiable?
Look at the Return on your investments...what's working for you and what's just a bust?
Take care of you first:
The next area you have to examine as you go through change and managing your business so that it works better is to take care of you first! I don't mean this in a narcissitic way, but purely from the point of view that you matter. Your health, your wellness, your sanity, your savings, your money, family, social life, home, business...if they aren't firing on all cylinders than it may be time to impliment some change.
When I talk here of taking care of you...it doesn't mean to all of a sudden hoard your money or not be a giving, decent, loving and charitable person...it means that if you're not happy with the results in the key areas of your life, then it's time to make adjustments, changes so that those areas can now become way more satisfying to you.
If your eating needs work, then strive to develop a plan and actions that will line up to you making improvements. If your business needs to change, look at the areas that work and aren't working and decide where to invest time and energy. If you even want too at all.
In some cases what might happen is you may decide to throw it all up for grabs. Like a Toronto lawyer named Jeff Brown. He gave up his law practice to pursue a more spiritual journey. He's written a book about his experiences and his determination to bring "Unity Consciousness" to the planet. Check out the work Jeff does by logging onto http://www.soulshaping.com/ . It's a powerful shift and change that speaks to his soul and life purpose.
Put a daily plan of action together and put in place some accountability to help you make changes that ensure you take care of you first. It could be meditation, getting a coach, being more aware of your choices and if they line up with your goals.
Here is the last point on you taking care of you first...and why it's perhaps the most important...If you fly any of the major airlines...they always instruct you to take the oxygen mask and place it on you first even before your kids. It's not that you don't love your kids with all of your heart and might...but if you faint from no oxygen...how on earth can you take care of your kids...so put your mask on you first!
Do an inventory of your life:
What's really important to you? I mean really...what is it that you can't live without? Is it the big stuff? Like more technological gizmo's or that new SUV? Probably not right? I mean there nice to have...don't get me wrong...but when you do an inventory of what's really important...it's usually the simple things in life. Like music, reading, sipping a coffee, doing yoga, watching a sunset, walking on a nature trail.
What is important to you and put more attention and focus on that.
Make friends with being flexible:
As we encounter the overwhelm of change that we literally face everyday...you've got to really go with the flow. The upset from this is..."it's supposed to look different way, right"? Life has to be just as is or...maybe if it's not it's because you failed at it...well I am here to tell you that whatever isn't working in your life, whatever change you're going through is not always a reflection of you. Sometimes it's just what's so. Sometimes there's nothing wrong with you...it's just a matter of what it is.
Sometimes even you with your best intentions and efforts may not get the ideal results you seek. So be open to change, to making modifications towards your ultimate goal and vision and have less focus on why things didn't work out for you.
A good colleague once said, "You don't drive looking out you're rear view mirror...so why on earth do you do that in your life"?
Focus on the what, how and when...rather than the why...and stay flexible...don't stay stuck. The change you might be going through may not be your fault. Just move forward!
Exercise:
I can't say this enough...get thy to a gym or a yoga class or a nature trail and include excerise as part of your daily to do. My colleague Benjy Karsh, who works in sales at Chum-fm, once said about going to the gym, "it's the most important appointment he has all day"...
When you exercise have some variety too so you don't get bored and maybe have a buddy to go with so you can challenge eachother and have more fun.
Surround yourself with optimistic-proactive people:
Do you have a mastermind team? A coach? A mentor? If you're thinking to yourself no...no I don't have any of these things...then you may be missing out on you getting more optimum results. The best of the best in business have all of these. Why? Well to quote master weight loss coach and expert Harvey Brooker from Brooker's Weight Loss for men..."If you could have done it on your own you'd have done it by now".
Sometimes you can't do change alone. Sometimes you need a Sherpa guide to help you climb the mountain.
Put in place a mastermind team, hire a coach or at best get a mentor...someone you look up too in your industry that you can speak to once a month for ideas, feedback and advice.
Hold the vision:
These times demand we be sharp and at our best. I can't explain why I feel this way...but we really have to be on our game right now in order to make it. We have to be in shape, healthy, mentally and spiritually healthy as well. One way to do so is to really focus on your vision. What is it that really lights you up, turns you on and makes you giddy? Take that, bottle it and keep visualizing it happening. Isn't it a good feeling when you do?
Make a daily practice of having a news fast...not watching the news and holding onto your vision...
Meditate daily, visualize, keep the focus, and be a "spiritual warrior"
I am always reminded of Mr. Honda...seriously, he invented the Honda engine and motorcycle. He did this amidst the death and destruction of Japan during the 2nd world war. He collected parts (gas cans from the U.S. bombings) to build his motor bike and he got the fuel from those empty gas cans (funny how there is enough fuel for a war...but not for people) ...anyway he held his vision...overcame bankruptcy, loss, and the 2nd world war...but hung onto his vision to build the Honda motorbike.
Today, Honda is a leading automotive manufacturer and has led the way in building enviro-friendly Hybrids.
So keep the focus...do it daily...feel it, let the good thoughts and visions over-take you so they become you.
Take Action:
With respect to goals, projects, and other to-do items, it’s easy to get stuck too long in the thinking and planning phase. You can sit around writing and rewriting your goals, delving into your subconscious mind, working through emotional blocks, summoning the power of Thor… whatever. But if you don’t eventually get into action, you’re wasting your time.
What you resist...persists, right? But if you have a challenge in front of you big or small at least take action steps. Get educated, learn and explore the situation you're needing to put to attention to and take the proper action steps needed to reach your end goal or vision. Chunk things down, take baby steps and you'll get there!
Choose love:
Oh gosh, I sound like a hippie now..."Choose love man"!
Whenever you're facing change or a situation that is forcing your hand...choose love. What would love look like now? Let's say it's confrontation with someone else or it's a bit of bad news that you're facing...ask yourself..."What's the most loving act I can do for me and for the other person" and choose that over fear or retribution.
Conclusions:
I would love to hear your thoughts on managing change and managing in this kind of economy...what works for you? Let's start a forum for positive change and a community of those that can help, lead and inspire.
Enjoy our video...on Change...it's short, funny and to the point...
Have a great summer!
David
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