IQ Matrix Blog

Overcoming Insurmountable Obstacles

Adam Sicinski — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:45:27 +0000

Introduction

Setting goals is the first step… achieving them is the second step… and it’s at this second step that most of us stumble. We stumble NOT because the goal is unachievable, but rather because of unexpected obstacles and challenges that arise along the journey that make the goal seem unachievable.

It’s important to understand that every goal we set naturally comes with a plethora of “land-mines” that are attached to that goal. These land-mines show up in our lives as a set of obstacles, challenges and problems that we must surpass in order to get to our end destination, which is our goal. In fact, unless we successfully maneuver through these land-mines and overcome them, than we will fail to learn the valuable lessons that are required to help us achieve — and keep — our goal when we get to that end destination.

Have you ever heard of multi-million dollar lottery winners who are far worse off today than they were before they won the lotto? They lost their money because they didn’t go through the struggles, obstacles, challenges and problems that self-made millionaires face, and as a result they weren’t able to hold onto their goal when it was clearly within their grasp.

This blog post won’t help you win the lottery, however what it will do is help you to deal with the obstacles that you will likely face as you progress along your journey towards the attainment of your objectives.

Types of Obstacles

There are 3 types of obstacles that you will likely face along your journey towards your goals. These include personal obstacles, environmental obstacles and social obstacles. Each is outlined separately below.

Personal Obstacles

Personal Obstacles are related to our psychology, behaviors and states of mind. They can include limiting habits, debilitating emotions, fears and beliefs. These obstacles prevent us from moving forward towards the attainment of our goals and objectives because of the thoughts that we tend to dwell upon on a daily basis [see: goal setting] . These thoughts naturally prevent us from making effective decisions and undertaking the actions that will help us create the momentum we need to get to our end destination.

Here is a list of Personal Obstacles that could be preventing you from moving forward in your life:

Lack of Pain [see: pain and pleasure principle]
Lack of Discipline
Lack of Knowledge
Lack of Inspiration
Lack of Desire
Lack of Skill
Fear of Change [see: comfort zone]
Fear of Failure [see: overcoming fear]
Feeling Unworthy [see: raising self-esteem]
Procrastination [see: overcoming procrastination]
Perfectionism [see: defying perfectionism]
Disorganization
Pessimistic Thoughts [see: positive mental attitude]
Too many Time Constraints [see: time management]
Too much Complacency
Too much Blaming of Self and Others

Identify if any of these obstacles are currently preventing you from getting what you want most out of life, and choose today to take control of your thought patterns and begin making better and far more effective decisions [see: decision making].

Social Obstacles

Social Obstacles are related to people who either do no cooperate with you, sabotage you, or are simply incompetent and unable to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to them.

When it comes to social obstacles, it’s important to do a little forward planning, to make sure that you clarify your needs adequately, your knowledge thoroughly and your instructions carefully — ensuring that that the communication doesn’t break down at any stage. It also helps to develop good strong bonds and relationships with the people you rely on most.

You will go out of your mind if you try to control everyone’s behavior, decisions and actions. Instead try to subtly influence people and understand their needs, motives and desires. Only in this way will you successfully improve your chances of manoevering through the social obstacles in your life [see:personal influence].

Environmental Obstacles

Environmental Obstacles are often unexpected conditions, occurrences and circumstances that you have very little control over.

Because these events and circumstances are unexpected, we are often ill-prepared and unable to deal with them effectively. However, if we do a little research and use some forward planning we may be able to predict and oftentimes influence these occurrences by setting into place contingency plans. To do this, begin by following Murphy’s Law [see: murphy's law]:

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong at the worst possible time, all of the time when you least expect it. So what are you going to do about it?

When you plan for the future, you effectively gather a better understanding of the possible scenarios and consequences of your decisions and actions. Planning also gives you insight into additional resources you may need to help you overcome environmental obstacles that lie on the journey ahead.

Obstacle Analysis Questions

As a Life Skills Coach, I often work with clients who are struggling to overcome obstacles in their lives. They don’t know what to do, where to begin or how to move forward. In such instances I will ask them a series of questions that helps them gain new perspectives and understandings about their circumstances. As a result they begin to awaken hidden resources they never realized they had before.

I have outlined the specific questions I ask below.

Question the Problem

What are the indications that this is a problem for you?

How do you know this is accurate?

Question the Origins of Problem

How did all this start?

Who or what perpetuates this problem?

Identify the Details

When did it happen?

How did it happen?

Where did it happen?

Determine the Consequences

What would happen if you ignored it?

When could it become a bigger problem?

What could lead to this specific outcome?

How does this affect you?

How does this affect others?

How does this affect life?

Could resolving this cause other problems?

Take Control

Whose behavior do you control?

What aspects of this problem can you control?

What aspects of this problem can’t you control?

How must you respond to what you can’t control?

Identify the Positives

What is happening that is good?

What would you like to have continue to happen?

Gain Perspective

What are your assumptions about this?

How are your assumptions contributing to the problem?

What is another perspective you haven’t considered?

Who has successfully overcome this?

What can you learn from this person?

Expand Your Options

What could you do differently?

Who could assist you here?

Where haven’t you looked for a solution?

How will you know when this problem has been resolved?

What is your criteria for success?

Tips for Overcoming Obstacles

When confronted with obstacles, problems and challenges, it’s easy to become a little overwhelmed [see: beating overwhelm], especially when the circumstances are unfamiliar and seem a little threatening and urgent. However, no matter what life throws your way, keep in mind that there are always options available, there are always things you can do, actions you can take and decisions you can make that will keep moving you forward in the right of your goals.

The final two branches of this IQ Matrix Map provide general tips and suggestions that you can utilize today to help you overcome the obstacles standing in your way.

Step Back Emotionally

When unexpected obstacles suddenly show up, it’s easy to react emotionally to the circumstances. However, emotional reactions are often not very productive, and more times than not they don’t alleviate the situation. Instead we must learn to step back from our emotions and see the situation from an external perspective — through logic and reason [see: emotional mastery]. It’s only once we grasp the circumstances from an intellectual perspective that we begin to identify the true relevance and significance of the events that have taken place.

Gain Necessary Resources & Support

At times we simply do not have the necessary resources to help us deal with the situation at hand [see: resources list]. In such circumstances we must question what pieces of the puzzle we are currently missing, and then look for the necessary tools, strategies, knowledge and the support we need to help us overcome this obstacle successfully.

Acquire Different Perspective

Sometimes obstacles are only as real as we make them out to be. In fact at times obstacles are simply misunderstandings and generalizations that we have made about circumstances. At other times obstacles are only as real as the assumptions that are clouding our vision.

To begin shifting your perspective, start by viewing the situation you find yourself in from another person’s perspective. Alternatively you can utilize a plethora of framing and reframing techniques that will help you shift the way you think about your circumstances [see: reframing reality].

Seek Guidance

Often the answers we need to help us overcome the obstacles in our lives can be found by simply talking to other people. In fact, other people might have already dealt and successfully overcome the circumstances you find yourself in. You must therefore seek out mentors, life coaches or experts to help you find the answers you need to move you forward towards your goals and objectives.

Breathe, Take Control & Take Action

When obstacles overwhelm us, our first automatic response is to freeze. This paralysis may seem unhelpful at first, however it gives us time to ponder and think strategically about the circumstances we find ourselves in. Take these moments to breathe deeply and ask yourself the following questions:

What is it that I control?

What is it that I don’t control?

How can I gain control over these circumstances?

If I cannot gain control, than how can I influence these circumstances?

If I cannot influence them, than maybe I am not seeing things clearly. Where must I look for more information?

By asking and taking action on these questions you will gain some sense of control over your circumstances and can slowly start building momentum moving forward towards the attainment of your goals.

Adjust Your Priorities

At times we are unable to overcome certain obstacles in our lives because our priorities are simply out of order. This is especially relevant when you consider that spending a little more time concentrating on developing a certain skill or gaining knowledge in a specific area of your life can have a significant impact on your ability to overcome difficult circumstances.

Assess Your Obstacles

You will rarely be able to overcome an obstacle unless you are able to figure out how it originated and weaseled its way into your life You must therefore ask yourself:

What went wrong?

What could have caused this?

What must I do now?

List Possible Options

Sometimes obstacles have a tendency to lock us up mentally in a confined space, thusly limiting our thinking and perspective of the situation. In such circumstances we must realize that solutions can only be found when we open our minds to possibilities and options that we hadn’t considered before. To do this, simply sit down with a pen and paper and ask yourself over and over again:

How can I overcome this obstacle?

What options haven’t I considered?

The more options you have, the more opportunity you have to find a suitable answer to the problem you are facing.

Ask Effective Questions

The above two examples hopefully help unlock the power of questions and how asking effective questions can help you gather new and different perspectives about your life and circumstances. Also spend time overviewing the obstacle analysis questions that are listed on the 2nd branch of this IQ Matrix Map. Together they provide a powerful example of how questions can be utilized to help shift your perspective [see: strategic questions].

Experiment in New Directions

Asking effective questions will help you gain new insights into the obstacles that are standing in your way. Use this gathered information to try new things and move in new directions that you never considered before. It is after all the path less traveled that will make all the difference in the end

Accept & Acknowledge Circumstances

When confronted with an obstacle, the worst thing we can do is to deny that the problem exists. When we deny that something exists we close ourselves off to solutions, answers and opportunities that are waiting for us to discover. We must therefore accept and acknowledge the circumstances for what they are from an optimistic, solution orientated yet very realistic perspective.

Think Critically & Creatively

Creativity and Critical Thinking was built upon the foundations of the obstacles and problems that people have dealt with throughout the course of human history [see: creative thinking]. In fact, without obstacles and problems there would be no need for creativity and critical thought [see: critical thinking]. You must therefore utilize these two tools to help you unlock the solutions and answers you need that will help you overcome the obstacles in your life.

Take Small Steps

By taking small steps you ensure that you always remain in control and do not get overwhelmed by circumstances. To do this, simply break down what you need to do to overcome this obstacle into small manageable chunks, then progressively work on one or more chunks per day until you successfully reach your outcome.

Make Necessary Sacrifices

At times we find it difficult to overcome certain obstacles because we are simply unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices to make the changes in our life that would help us to successfully overcome the problems we are confronting. Sometimes it’s not what you do, but rather what you let go of that will have the greatest impact on your life.

Learn from Mistakes

Progress is built upon a myriad of mistakes that we make on a daily basis. Some are big, some are small, but one thing is certain, they are all significant in helping us learn the lessons we need to learn, to help us achieve our goals and objectives [see: lifelong learning].

Take time to learn from every unsuccessful attempt, from every failed result, and from every unsatisfactory outcome. The more you learn, the more you will grow and the better you will be able to deal with the obstacles that lie ahead on your path towards your objectives.

Keep Things Simple

When dealing with obstacles, simplicity is the key. The more we try and complicate things, the more likely we are to become overwhelmed with circumstances. You must therefore keep things as simple and straightforward as possible, because the toughest of problems are often solved in simple ways.

Cultivate Self Belief & Confidence

You are unlikely to overcome an obstacle if you don’t believe that you are capable of overcoming it. Your doubts will only paralyze you and focus you on problems and not the solutions you need to get the outcomes you want. You must therefore develop the necessary confidence and self-belief that will help you to think far more effectively about the obstacles and problems in your life [see: belief transformation].

Cultivate Calmness

Calmness provides you with clarity of mind, which enables you to ask better questions, think more creatively, critically and effectively about your problems.

When your mind and body is calm, you naturally tap into a reservoir of internal resources that you normally wouldn’t have access to if you were to react emotionally to circumstances.

Cultivate an Active Mindset

An Active Mindset helps you to proactively deal with circumstances. It’s a mindset that asks effective questions, that always looks for new answers, opportunities and solutions, it’s flexible, adaptable and constantly learns from past mistakes, while moving forward towards the attainment of its goals and objectives.

Cultivate these Indispensable Qualities

Those who successfully overcome the obstacles in their lives, consistently cultivate the following qualities:

Discipline
Commitment
Foresight
Resilience [see: resilient willpower]
Enthusiasm
Gratitude
Optimism [see: positive mental attitude]
Curiosity
Patience

I will break down each of these qualities — as well as other qualities — within future IQ Matrix Maps.

Don’t Dwell on the Negatives

When you dwell on what you Don’t Want, you will get more of that in your life, because we attract what we focus on. Therefore if you focus on worst case scenarios that will rip your life apart, than you’re not focusing on solutions, and if you’re not focusing on solutions than you are unlikely to find the answers you need to help you overcome your problems.

Don’t Throw Blame on Self or Others

It’s paramount that you do not blame yourself or others for the circumstances. Yes, you can acknowledge that someone was at fault, however it’s often not the “person” but rather the systems and processes in place that lead to this outcome. Fix these, do not lay blame, and the obstacles you are facing will be fade away.

Don’t Look for Sympathy

When we look for sympathy from others, we come from a point of weakness and an inability to control our fate and destiny. We must instead look to come from a place of personal empowerment, where we take full responsibility for our life and circumstances. This of course does not mean that we shouldn’t ask for help or assistance. What it does mean is that we should focus on always exploring options that will move us forward towards the attainment of our goals and objectives.

Don’t Quit

Finally, no matter what, do not quit, because the greatest opportunities are always interlocked with the most difficult struggles of your life.

Final Thoughts

Frank A. Clark knew all about the value of obstacles when he said:

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.

Obstacles are just “things” that are there to teach and strengthen us for the journey that lies ahead. We must therefore not view them as insurmountable problems that will prevent us from achieving our goals, but rather as small — and at times large — stepping stones that are required “modules” we need to pass in order to obtain our Ph.D. in Goal Achievement. And finally, it’s important to remind ourselves of the indispensable lesson that many former Lottery winners have found out the hard way, that there is only one thing worse than being poor, and that is “being rich and then being poor once again”

Take time to learn the lessons that life throws your way, because these lessons will be critical to your success as you move forward into the future.

4 New Premium IQ Matrixes

Adam Sicinski — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:35:44 +0000

I would like to announce the release of 4 New Premium IQ Matrix Maps that will help boost your effectiveness, efficiency and productivity throughout the day. They have been designed for business professionals and career driven individuals who are searching for an extra edge that will help accelerate their potential and results. Each Mind Map focuses on a slightly different area of Excellence. The topics include:

Below is a short description of each IQ Matrix Map. Detailed posts of each of these topics will be written up at a later time.

Each IQ Matrix Map is available as a Premium pdf Download or as a Laminated or Non-laminated Wall Poster available in A3 or A2 paper sizes from the IQ Matrix Shop.

Critical Skill Areas

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

Critical Skills IQ Matrix breaks down the fundamental skills you need to help you reach new heights in your business or professional career.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Identify Your Skills

First it’s important to identify the skills that you will need to help you launch your business or career to new heights.

Effective Thinking

Delves into the fundamentals behind the process of Effective Thinking and how this can be used to help you think better under different conditions.

Enhancing Memory

Breaks down the fundamentals behind the process of Enhancing Your Memory and how this can be used to help you improve your working memory.

Accelerated Reading

Identifies the fundamentals behind the process of Accelerated Reading and how this can be used to help you become a far more efficient reader.

Improving Writing

Delves into the fundamentals behind the process of Improving Your Writing and how this can be used to help you communicate much more effectively with others.

Upgrading Speaking

Breaks down the fundamentals behind the process of Upgrading Your Professional Speaking skills and how this can be used to help you excel within your professional career.

Take time to master each of these critical skill areas and incorporate them into your professional life, and you will progressively take your business or career to new heights by working on yourself while maximizing your own unique and individual potential.

Visit the IQ Matrix Shop for more.

Maximizing Effectiveness

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

Maximizing Effectiveness IQ Matrix will help you to maximize your output in work and life, enabling you to become more productive and far more effective throughout the day.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Boosting Creativity

Breaks down the process of creativity and how it can be used to help you maximize your effectiveness throughout the day.

Managing Time

Identifies fundamental time management principles that you can utilize to help you maximize your effectiveness throughout the day.

Boosting Productivity

Presents several ideas, suggestions and tips that will help you to boost your productivity and as a result your effectiveness throughout the day.

Prioritization

Shows you the fundamentals of how to prioritize your tasks and activities in order to maximize your effectiveness throughout the day.

Reducing Stress

When we are stressed, getting things done becomes excruciatingly difficult to do. This branch provides guidelines that will help you reduce your stress levels, thusly maximizing your output throughout the day.

Assessing Progress

This branch breaks down the importance of assessing the progress you are making towards the attainment of your goals and objectives on a regular basis, and how this will help you to maximize your effectiveness in the long-run.

Stick with these principles and guidelines, memorize the strategies and incorporate the suggestions into your life, and you will progressively save time and maximize your output and effectiveness throughout the day.

Visit the IQ Matrix Shop for more.

Maximizing Your Potential

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

Maximizing Potential IQ Matrix breaks down the key areas that will help you get the most from your natural ability in your business or career.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Assess Current Abilities

To reach your full potential you must first assess your current abilities and performance. This branch provides you with tips in this area.

Develop and Maximize Your Potential

Once you have identified your strengths and weaknesses, now comes time to begin cultivating the 3 fundamental keys to personal achievement. In addition to this the final 2 branches of this IQ Matrix provide you with further tips and suggestions that will help you maximize your potential in all professional areas of your life.

Stick with these principles, memorize them and incorporate them into your daily habits and actions, and you will progressively tap into your hidden potential and maximize your results in any area of your life.

Visit the IQ Matrix Shop for more.

Creating Unstoppable Momentum

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

Creating Momentum IQ Matrix will help you to build massive amounts of momentum that will carry you forward towards the attainment of your goals and objectives.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Reassess Goals

As you are moving towards the attainment of your goals, it’s important to periodically reassess them and ask yourself 5 fundamental questions that will lead you down the right path.

Find Mentors

We always need guidance along our journey; we need people to give us feedback and help us adjust our course if we stray in the wrong direction. Mentors are absolutely critical, and this branch of the IQ Matrix provides you with guidelines on how to find the right mentor for you.

Build Partnerships

Success cannot be achieved alone. For this reason we need to build relationships and partner with people who can help us attain our goals and objectives. This branch of the IQ Matrix provides some guidance in this area.

Take Initiative

Those who succeed and create forward momentum towards the attainment of their goals do so by taking initiative and proactive action on a regular basis.

Forward Planning

In order to get-ahead you need to learn to plan-ahead. This banch presents you with 13 questions you can ask yourself and a few tips to help you develop unstoppable momentum as you move forward towards your goals.

Stick with these principles, memorize the suggestions and apply them into your life, and you will develop the momentum you need to propel you foward towards the achievement of your goals and objectives.

Visit the IQ Matrix Shop for more.

Unlocking the MasterMind Matrix

| Download Sample pdf |

These 4 IQ Matrix Mind Maps are critical additions that help expand important components of the MasterMind Matrix Chart.

Over the coming months we will continue unlocking additional segments of the MasterMind Matrix within individual IQ Matrix Mind Maps – helping to provide you with the most comprehensive Visual Thinking and Self-Improvement tool for Personal Transformation.

To find out how to get your hands on the MasterMind Matrix, please visit the IQ Matrix Shop.

IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership

For those IQ Matrix Blog Readers who have purchased an IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership, you gain instant access to these new IQ Matrix Maps direct from Your Account Page.

The IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership gives you instant access to all current and future IQ Matrix pdf downloads (including the MasterMind Matrix) the moment they are released to the public at the IQ Matrix Shop.

Purchasing the IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership will help support the ongoing development of IQ Matrix Posters in the years to come – providing you with a comprehensive Self-Improvement Reference Library to help transform your life and keep you on track towards the attainment of your goals and objectives.

FIFA World Cup 2010 Mind Map

Adam Sicinski — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:22:32 +0000

| Free Download | IQ Matrix Gallery | FAQ |

Celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2010

To celebrate the FIFA Football World Cup in South Africa, I have created an IQ Matrix that maps out all 32 participating teams and their world rankings coming into the championships. You can download a high resolution pdf copy of this map by visiting the IQ Matrix Shop.

Upcoming Premium IQ Matrix Maps

Keep an eye on the IQ Matrix Blog over the next day or so as I will be releasing 4 new premium IQ Matrix Maps that are focused on helping you get more from your business and career. These maps will focus on the following topics:

Critical Skills for Business & Career Success
Creating Momentum to Achieve Your Goals
Maximizing Your Effectiveness in Work and Life
Maximizing Your Potential to Maximize Your Results

Overcoming Obstacles IQ Matrix Map

Over the next week I will be releasing a free downloadable IQ Matrix Map that will present you with guidelines and suggestions on how to overcome obstacles in your life.

As a Life Skills Coach my main objective when working with clients is to assist them to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to help them overcoming the numerous obstacles and challenges in their lives. This IQ Matrix Map will delve into the process of identifying and overcoming the obstacles that life often throws our way. It by all means won’t provide solutions for every possible scenario that we might come across, but my hope is that it will help challenge the way you think and how you approach the obstacles in your life.

By the way, if you would like to view this IQ Matrix Map before the blog post is published, than feel free to visit the download page

Creating Your Life Resource List

Adam Sicinski — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:30:09 +0000

Introduction

A Resource List is an indispensable tool I utilize in my professional life as a Life Coach and in my personal life to achieve my own Goals and Objectives. In fact, it’s a tool that is absolutely CRITICAL to the achievement of success in any field of endeavor.

Resource Lists are very much like the food we eat on a daily basis that helps nourish our bodies. We eat this food because it provides us with the energy we need to do what we do throughout the day. Likewise, our Resource Lists provide us with the nourishment we need to overcome Obstacles and achieve our Goals and Objectives [see: SMART goals].

Developing your own Resource List could very well be the start of a remarkable journey of transformation. Furthermore, it could determine whether or not you achieve your Goals or overcome those niggling Obstacles that are standing in your way.

What are Resource Lists Exactly?

Resource Lists provide you with helpful strategies, ideas, answers and solutions that will help you achieve your Goals and Objectives.

Resource Lists give you a set of tools you can utilize that support the tasks and projects you are wanting to achieve. They also supply you with everything you need to help you overcome obstacles, challenges and problems as they arise [see: problem solving].

Resources can be classified as being external (outside of you), or internal (inside of you). External Resources may include books, blogs, journals, software programs, gadgets, support from others, etc. While Internal Resources can include things such as the knowledge, qualities, habits, skills, emotional techniques you have learned, etc.

Finally, it’s important to classify resources as being Acquired and Required. Acquired Resources are the Resources that you currently have at your disposal to help you achieve your Goals or overcome the Obstacles that are preventing you from achieving your Goals. Your Required Resources on the other hand are Resources you have identified that you need in order to accomplish your Goals, but you haven’t as yet Acquired them.

The key here is to identify your current set of Resources, and then pinpoint the Resources you still need — developing a plan of action on how to acquire them.

Achieving Your Goals

Venturing out to achieve a new Goal can be a rather daunting experience, especially when we are unfamiliar with the territory or haven’t accomplished anything similar in the past. This is in essence the first hurdle that we must overcome. And in fact, this is the hurdle that stops many people in their tracks — dreams never become Goals, and Goals never become reality.

If I don’t know what to do, where to begin or how to achieve this Goal, than how in the world am I going to get it started in the first place? This is where Resource Lists come into play.

Over several years now I have kept a Resource List of things that could potentially assist me to achieve my Goals. Any new skills that I have developed, new information I have acquired, techniques I have learned or productivity tools I have gained access to, I simply add all these to my Resource List, which keeps growing over time.

Now comes the time to launch a new venture and achieve a new Goal that I am rather unfamiliar with. In such situations, I simply begin by overviewing my current list of Resources and ask myself:

What Resources on this list could help me achieve this Goal?

This provides me with clarification and confidence that I already have a few tools that I can immediately make use of that will help me get started on this new venture.

Once I have identified the Resources that I already have in my arsenal, I then ask the following question:

What Resources will I possibly need to help me achieve this Goal?

How will I go about acquiring these Resources?

Once I have listed the Resources I need to achieve my Goal, and have developed a Plan of Action [see: plan of action] on how to acquire them, than I am ready to begin moving forward with greater confidence and assurance that this Goal can actually be achieved.

I outline this process in a little more detail a little further down this post.

Overcoming Obstacles

Every Goal that I am wanting to achieve has a set of Obstacles or Roadblocks that are typically attached to it. I must therefore effectively overcome these Roadblocks in order to achieve the Goal I want in my life. To do this I must first identify what Obstacles could potentially prevent me from achieving my Goal [see: murphy's law].

Once possible Obstacles have been identified I will typically ask myself the following set of questions:

What Resources do I currently have on hand to help me overcome this Obstacle?

Are these Resources adequate, or will I need additional Resources to overcome this Obstacle?

What additional Resources must I acquire?

How will I acquire these Resources?

These questions help clarify what it is that I need to do in order to overcome the Obstacles that may prevent me from achieving my Goals and Objectives.

With this information, I am now more confident and capable of handling the Obstacles standing in my way. On the other hand, if I didn’t have this information, than I may simply not know what to do when confronted with setbacks.

Types of Resources

There are a plethora of different kinds of Resources that you can utilize to help you achieve your Goals and overcome Obstacles in your life.

Here is a list of Resource Categories that I use to help me keep track of my Resources:

Mindset

Here I list Resources that are connected to my State of Mind. These include:

Personal Qualities

These are personal qualities and strong attributes of my character that can assist me to achieve my Goals [see: qualities of success]

What indispensable qualities do I have?

How do these qualities assist me?

Language

This includes Affirmations, Quotes, Power Words and Questions that I can utilize for different purposes [see: asking effective questions].

What affirmations inspire me?

What quotes can help guide me?

What Power Words move me forward?

What questions empower me?

State Anchors

These are Emotional Anchors that I have created.

What empowering anchors have I created?

Beliefs

These can include Beliefs about Self, Others and Life [see: beliefs].

What empowering beliefs do I have?

Time

This is the time that you have available to work on your Goals. This is important because the one thing we can’t get back is Time. Therefore Time is one of the most important and indispensable Resources we have available to us [see: time management].

What time do I have available to me?

When specifically is this time available?

How can I best use this time to achieve my goals?

Support

This is the support you can acquire from others to help you achieve your Goals and overcome Obstacles.

This support can be acquired from:

Friends
Family
Work Colleagues
Partner
Online Communities & Forums
Clubs
Associations
Organizations

Where can I gain the support I need to achieve my goals?

Who can provide me with the support I need?

How exactly can others support me in my ventures?

Habits

It is important to list specific Habits that you cultivate on a daily basis that can be used to help you achieve your Goals [see: habit transformation].

What personal habits do I cultivate that will help me achieve my goals?

Skills

Every Goal can be achieved and Obstacle can be overcome with a certain set of Skills that you have at your disposal.

Skills could include:

Time Management Skills
Negotiation Skills [see: negotiation]
Networking Skills [see: networking]
Persuasion Skills [see: persuasion]
Writing Skills
Programming Skills
Marketing Skills
Communication Skills [see: a person of influence]
etc..

What skills do I have that can help me achieve my goals?

Physical Possessions

These are any Physical Possessions that you have on hand that can help you achieve your Goals.

The possessions you list here will represent different things to different people. For some people it might be Money, while for others it could be something completely different. The key is to identify what you currently have on hand that can assist you.

What possessions do I have that could be useful to help me achieve my Goals?

Information

Being able to find the relevant information you need to achieve your goals is absolutely critical to your success. You can gather this information from books, blogs, journals, newspapers, podcasts, magazines, etc. Look to these sources to help you find the information you need.

Where can I access the relevant information I need to achieve my goals?

How specifically can this information help me achieve my goals?

Knowledge

Knowledge is something that you OWN, something that is stored within your memory, and something that you can bring forth at any time.

Look for Knowledge that you already have that is immediately applicable and practical to help you achieve your Goals.

What knowledge do I have that is most valuable to help me achieve my goals?

Physiology

How you use your body at any given time has a dramatic impact on your emotions, which likewise influences how effectively you are able to think and what you are able to do at any given moment in time. This is why it’s important to maximize how you use your body in order to get the most out of your abilities in any given situation.

Pay attention to your movement. If you are moving like a slug, than you will also feel like a slug

Move with conviction, passion and a sense of purpose. Breathe deeply, walk with poise and confidence.

How can I use my body to enhance my levels of confidence?

Technology

Technology can be used effectively to boost your creativity, productivity and even to help you overcome problems.

These days there are a plethora of online applications and websites that can help you get organized, manage your time and systematize your entire life. There are also desktop mind mapping applications, office tools, and then there are gadgets, iPhones, computers, iPads, etc.

What technology and tools make me more productive?

Which of these can help me best achieve my goals?

Techniques

I have learned over many years numerous Neural Linguistic Programming and Life Coaching techniques, strategies and principles that I utilize to help me get what I want out of life. These techniques are indispensable and are an important part of my Resource List.

What psychological techniques and strategies do I know that can help me achieve my goals?

Which of these techniques can help me overcome the Obstacles that are preventing me from achieving my goals?

Evaluating Personal Strengths

To help you begin creating your Resource List, it’s a good idea to start by identifying your Personal Strengths [see: strengths and weaknesses].

Ask yourself:

What do I consider to be my strengths?

What do I excel at?

What things am I good at?

What do I enjoy doing?

What do I do better than most people I know?

How can all these things help me achieve my goals?

Creating Your Resource List

Once you have identified your strengths, it’s now time to begin creating your Resource List. To do this you must follow the ILPA formula (Identify, List, Pinpoint and Ask):

Identify Your Goals

Your first objective is to identify the Goals you are wanting to achieve. These Goals will then become the primary focus that will help you to develop your Resource List [see: growing your goals].

List Potential Obstacles

Having clarified your Goals, you must now take into consideration two important key factors.

The 1st factor includes all the Obstacles (problems, concerns, setbacks, roadblocks) that you may encounter as you move towards the achievement of your Goals. Clarifying these will help you identify the potential Resources you may need to acquire to overcome these Obstacles.

The 2nd factor includes all the Tasks and Projects you will need to complete in order to overcome these Obstacles and attain your Goals. Identifying these will help you to get a better understanding of the work required to help you achieve your Goals.

Pinpoint Acquired + Required Resources

With your renewed clarity, now comes time to pinpoint all the Acquired Resources you current have at your disposal. Simply go down the list discussed above and insert all your Resources into their relevant categories.

Secondly, list all the Required Resources you will need in order to overcome the potential Obstacles that could prevent you from achieving your Goals.

Ask Effective Questions

Having completed all the above steps, ask yourself the following set of questions:

How can I best utilize the Resources I have to help me achieve my Goals?

How can I best utilize the Resources I have to help me overcome potential Obstacles?

Where can I acquire the Resources I need?

How will I go about acquiring these Resources?

How can my current Resources help me acquire more Resources?

How can I best utilize these Acquired Resources to overcome potential Obstacles?

How can I best utilize these Acquired Resources to achieve my Goals?

Growing Your Resource List

Your Resource List should grow over the years as you mature and progress through life. Every experience you have, skill you master, and practical knowledge you acquire you should add to your Resource List, because the BIGGER your list grows, the more confidence you will have and the more Resourceful you will become in the face of adversity [see: never give up].

The only challenge you may face along this journey is a method of collating this information in a structured and organized manner.

There are two methods of building your Resource List that have worked for me.

The 1st method is the Old School method. This involves purchasing a Ring Bound Folder with dividers that allow you to insert random pages between the dividers. Each divider can be labelled with a Resource Category, and you can add Resources and pages to the folder as you piece your Resource List together.

The 2nd method involves using a Mind Mapping Software application such as NovaMind to help you organize all your Resources in an easy to reference program [see: mind mapping]. This is the method that I currently use, and the method that I would highly recommend. Simply, begin by creating your main Mind Map branches listing all the Resource Categories presented earlier in the post. Then insert sub-categories listing down all the Resources you have at your disposal.

Finally, it’s important to distinguish between your Acquired Resources and your Required Resources. These can be color coded on the same Mind Map, or a separate Mind Map can be created for both.

I will provide more in-depth analysis about Resource Lists and provide actual examples at the MasterMind Matrix Blog, when it officially launches a little later this year.

Final Thoughts

Someone once told me that the BIGGER your Resource List the greater your chances of achieving your Goals.

The importance of this statement cannot be understated because when you are struggling to achieve your Goals, it simply boils down to how you utilize the Resources you have at your disposal.

To put it another way, Resource Lists are like the lottery. The more entries you have the greater your chances of success, however unless you cash your winning ticket in, you will never reap the benefits. You must therefore make the most of the Resources you have at your disposal.

So the next time you are confronted with a large and seemingly insurmountable Goal, simply turn to your Resource List for a solution, it may very well have the answers you are searching for.

MasterMind Matrix 2.0 Released

Adam Sicinski — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:46:02 +0000

Announcing MasterMind Matrix 2.0

After a couple of months of updates and refinements at long last MasterMind Matrix 2.0 is finally here. It’s taken a while to piece together, update and restructure the chart with many new additions and changes, however it’s been well worth the effort . Version 2.0 is clearer, more comprehensive and easier to follow than Version 1.0, and is available for immediate download to IQ Matrix Lifetime Members and for those who purchased Version 1.0 of the MasterMind Matrix in 2009.

“Wow! What more can I say? I was looking for words to describe this amazing piece of work. I just starting following the first steps in the Matrix, and it’s absolutely mind-blowing to see the culmination of years of life coaching experience — along with dozens of personal development books — all on a single mind map! As for me, I can’t even imagine the work involved in making all these pieces fit together in a single framework. Thank you so much for putting it all together, Adam!” ~ Luciano Passuello

MasterMind Matrix 2.0 Updates

Large chunks of the MasterMind Matrix have been updated, some segments have been deleted, and new sections have been added that help provide a more in-depth and accurate picture of the habitual patterns of the human mind.

There are simply too many changes to list them separately here. However, I think it’s important to note that almost 100 IQ Matrix Maps have now been integrated into the MasterMind Matrix, providing you with a very comprehensive tool for Personal Development and Growth.

“This is an incredible piece of work and one which I am sure will become very popular and deservedly so. Reading the MasterMind Matrix is like navigating a Google Earth for the brain – I kept smiling as I discovered more and more and more. It is like a blueprint of the human makeup…. or a workshop manual to being human. As I was looking around the Matrix it felt like someone had put a balloon in my brain and was pumping it up…what I mean by that is, it encompasses all of the many hundreds of books I have read on my own personal journey and it feels like this is a Master Plan that brings everything together; that makes the connections. I feel this is a wonderful overview and guide to self-improvement and it will enable readers to quickly identify where they are in their own personal development, and where they need to concentrate their attention and efforts to make further progress.” ~ Paul Foreman

Preview Version 2.0

A PDF sample of Version 2.0 can be downloaded by clicking here. Alternatively you can view selected screen-shots of the MasterMind Matrix by clicking on the image links below:

“This MasterMind Matrix is jam-packed with content and concepts. The amount of information in it could take quite some time to process and make use of. Its sheer size make it somewhat of an item that is a definitive foundational source. The imagery in it consists of high-quality creations that make the map much more visual than the vast majority of mind maps that have been released. Someone could easily focus on a small section of the whole matrix for a day, and then focus on another section the following day, eliciting beneficial effects from the whole entity for a substantial period of time.” ~ Armen Shirvanian

MasterMind Matrix Resources

Here is a list of additional resources and tools that will help provide you with a deeper understanding of the MasterMind Matrix:

“At first glance the map might seem overwhelming but it is more and more powerful the more you explore it and study it. The map is simply packed full of helpful concepts, outlines, and reveals a lot about oneself when you really take some time to keep exploring it. It’s certainly impressed me and I know I can always find new ideas and topics to ask myself questions of as I continue to access it in for some time. Thanks for the map Adam, it’s been a joy to use it!” ~ Mike King

Purchase MasterMind Matrix 2.0

Purchase the MasterMind Matrix as a PDF download or A0 Laminated wall poster. The downloadable version also comes with 5 additional IQ Matrix bonus maps that are designed to help you improve your thinking. Click here for details.

“Looking at the chart as a whole is like seeing the map of a city. You can see roads to multiple blocks within the city. Within each block, you can see how those roads split into small streets. Following the roads in the chart makes you feel like you are traveling in the city of Self Improvement.” ~ Donald Latumahina

MasterMind Matrix Website

The MasterMind Matrix website is the central hub that will explore and break down the MasterMind Matrix in finite detail. It will be the ultimate resource center for the MasterMind Matrix that will provide you with ongoing tips, techniques and strategies to help you navigate through the MasterMind Matrix in real life scenarios.

The site hasn’t as yet officially been launched. However, please feel free to visit the site, subscribe to the 2 blogs, and register at the forum.

The Blog

The MasterMind Matrix blog will break down each segment of the MasterMind Matrix in finite detail through weekly posts that expand specific areas of the chart. It will include Personal Case Studies, Analysis Posts, Question and Answer Posts, Life Coaching Exercises, Mentor Interviews and much more.

RSS Feed

The Forum

The MasterMind Matrix Forum is a place where you can connect and interact with other like-minded individuals who have common goals, objectives, values and challenges. It is also a place where Life Coaches will help answer your questions in order to assist you through difficult times.

The Wiki

The MasterMind Matrix Wiki will provide you with a comprehensive reference library for the MasterMind Matrix.

iCoach

iCoach is a mini-blog that will provide you with short daily bursts of information comprising of Life Coaching tips, strategies, techniques, exercises and relevant web links that will help keep you on track towards the attainment of your goals and objectives.

Content is currently being added to iCoach, however it too won’t be up and running officially until the final major piece of the puzzle has been set in place. See below…

RSS Feed

MasterMind Matrix eBook

Next on the agenda is writing up an introductory Free eBook that will summarize the major segments of the MasterMind Matrix in a convenient and easy to follow manner. My hope is that the eBook will help provide a deeper insight into the MasterMind Matrix allowing others to navigate the chart as I do while coaching clients.

Stay tuned to the MasterMind Matrix Blog for more details about this eBook.

More IQ Matrix Maps in 2010

In 2010 and beyond I will focus on creating even more IQ Matrix Maps that will focus on life, career and business related topics.

Here is a list of Life Success topics that are on the agenda:

Overcoming Guilt
Overcoming Discomfort
The Power of Focus
Acquiring Resources
Overcoming Loneliness
Dealing with Panic Attacks
Overcoming Shyness
Transforming Physiology
Becoming More Assertive
Achieving Excellence
Coping with Grief
Identifying Opportunities
Keys to Better Meditation
Cultivating the Art of Patience
Effectively Handling a Crisis
Building a Strong Support Network
And others topics that are relevant to the MasterMind Matrix that haven’t as yet been decided.

Here is a list of Business and Career related IQ Matrix Maps that are also planned:

Appraising Staff
Balancing Work and Life
Career Management
Coaching People
Communicating Clearly
Putting Customers First
Delegating Effectively
Dealing with Difficult People
e-Business Principles
Getting Organized
Global Management
Influencing People in Business
Interviewing
Leading Effectively
Making Better Decisions in Business
Managing Budgets
Managing Change
Managing Meetings
Managing People
Managing Time for Business
Managing Teams
Marketing Effectively
Minimizing Stress in the Workplace
Motivating People
Effective Negotiation in Business
NLP Skills
Presentations Skills
Public Relations
Selling Successfully
Thinking Creatively in Business
Thinking Strategically
Writing Effectively

If you have any suggestions for topics that you would like to see turned into IQ Matrix Maps, than please let me know via email or by leaving a comment below this post.

I look forward to your feedback