We all have stories about how hard it is to change. Why do we dislike change so much? Because doing things in the same way (read same old, same old) eliminates the need for thinking. Thinking is hard. And thinking fresh ideas to pull you forward is really hard. Or, is it?

If there is one thing we all need to accept it is that the information age is forcing us to change, to grow and to reinvent who we are.

Think of your current job. How many things have changed just over the [...]]]>

Self insight, strengths, and the process of re-inventing yourself                                     #65

If there is one thing we all need to accept it is that the information age is forcing us to change, to grow and to reinvent who we are.

Think of your current job. How many things have changed just over the past 18 months?  Have those changes given you insight on where you need to learn, to grow or to adapt?

Adapt how you think & what you think:

I once took several classes from a great trader who is a strong advocate of “learning how to adapt” our thinking.   His point is that many people fail to see the connection between their own deteriorating conditions and the fact that they have not changed.

When your world changes and you don’t, you will be left behind.  It is as simple as that.

Conversely, to accomplish the new conditions that you want, you must determine what you need to learn so that you can grow into the better condition.  Sounds obvious, but most of us will either fight or ignore the condition instead of growing.

2 action steps:

Seek feedback on your core strengths and what you can do to improve them. This will help you know where to build and where you lack skills.

Decide where you can begin to reinvent yourself. Consider where you are now, what you want to learn and where you expect to be. That will help identify the steps you need to take.

I hope that you can use this as you plan the rest of the year.

Cheers,

Richard L Reardon

310 838 9900

For years, our sales team was required to make predictions on the success for major sales initiatives.  Everyone had to briefly describe what the sales action was intended to accomplish and the reasoning behind the idea in the first place.  Then they would write their prediction and opinion of the intended action.

The [...]]]>

For years, our sales team was required to make predictions on the success for major sales initiatives.  Everyone had to briefly describe what the sales action was intended to accomplish and the reasoning behind the idea in the first place.  Then they would write their prediction and opinion of the intended action.

The fun came when we would compare actual results with the predictions.

What was the point?  There were three key points:

1. No one could claim they didn’t understand the sales actions needed.
2. Every one took part in anticipating good results.
3. When the actual results were known, we could all figure out where we needed to improve.

Lesson learned system:

Imagine having your own personal “lessons learned” folder going back over the past twelve months.  If you want change or growth, this type of record is priceless.   Not knowing the recent lessons learned leaves you at the same place you are now.

Most of us do not remember what we learned even last week.   Ask people, “What did you learn last week?”  They will not know what you mean and cannot provide a very good answer.  We are all busy- too busy to learn.

Do this: 

Examine your major desires and record your predictions ahead of time (only the areas important to you current plan of development).

Week-by-week record what actually happened and compare that to your prediction.

Decide where you were “on” and where you were “off”.  Most importantly, record the lesson learned.

A personal gold mine:

Write these lessons down, capture what they tell you, and by year end you will have a gold mine full of nuggets for your growth. Realize that you only record lessons in areas important to your major plan.

Try this on yourself.  Think of the actions you are up to and predict the outcome.  I predict you will not only enjoy it, but will learn a lot about yourself and what is behind your current pace/progress.

Cheers,

Richard Reardon

We all understand the value of knowing the actions you will take toward your goals. When you begin your week knowing what you want to get accomplished, you are miles ahead of the game.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t know what actions to take.  We are far more likely to simply do [...]]]>

We all understand the value of knowing the actions you will take toward your goals. When you begin your week knowing what you want to get accomplished, you are miles ahead of the game.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t know what actions to take.  We are far more likely to simply do or respond to whatever comes along.

Nothing better to do?

This is another way of seeing that people do things because we don’t have anything better to do (as Thomas Leonard would teach).

Something better to do:

If you want to advance much faster toward your goals, start each week with three images in mind:

1. What do you want to accomplish this week. Make it pin point specific. No vague, unspecific dreams or weak ideas.  
2. What do you expect will happen this week?  Know from the inside what you expect to happen and why that is preferred.  Note the distinction between your expectations and your actions.
3. Now decide the needed actions.

The fact is we always act in line with what we expect.  This is good news, for once we clarify what we want to have happen, we can adapt/change and choose the actions needed.

Idea for action:

1. Choose one area of interest and track what actually happens during the week.  Keep notes.  Observe and register what happens. Do not analyze or try to fix. Just notice.
2. Now compare what did happen with what you expected to happen.
3. Decide what actions you might have taken if you had had different expectations.

Yes, this takes repeated practice.  But it is far more beneficial than going around the barn repeatedly.

Summary :

Your expectations are the driver behind what you do, and, subsequently, the key to what you achieve.

I hope you will try this.

Best,
Richard Reardon

You begin the week and have a fresh idea that you really want something.  That something is a part of your natural need to grow i.e.  Advance, progress, accomplish, etc.

Before you get very far with the idea, you experience a strong sense of indecision.  It is a very familiar feeling and probably [...]]]>

You begin the week and have a fresh idea that you really want something.  That something is a part of your natural need to grow i.e.  Advance, progress, accomplish, etc.

Before you get very far with the idea, you experience a strong sense of indecision.  It is a very familiar feeling and probably more “like you” than the fresh idea.

The process continues slowly over the next few weeks and months, and the indecision leads to second guessing, doubt and eventually fear.

You don’t act on the idea and experience more & more of the same old routine, as in status quo living.

Fear chokes progress – and does it quietly:

We all want to advance, grow and add more value. This requires operating from strength, coupled with your own view of what you want (possibility).

The problem is that while vision and fresh ideas expand you, indecision, doubt and fear shrink  you.  They act to protect you by keeping you locked in where you are. They actually serve to block your way.

To me, the odd thing is they (in-decision, doubt and fears) are so subtle, they sneak in “on cat like feet”, and you think they are real, a part of the true you. They aren’t.

Scan on a weekly basis:

To solve this problem, look at your own thinking every week.  Just compare what you want to have (accomplish) with how much indecision you are generating at the same time.  It is as if you are a radio station broadcasting two opposite signals simultaneously.

When you see the indecision, you will know what to do. The weekly scan is the way to catch it early.

Action idea:

• Surface the idea of what you want.  Refresh it.
• Immediately list all the ideas you get that argue against it.
• Accept that these thoughts (destructive thinking) are an older part of you that have outlived their usefulness.
• Don’t fight it. Instead, expand more and more energy toward what supports where you want to go and what you want to have.
• Remind yourself that your desires are key to the future and must be protected.

It may not be easy, but it is quite simple and well within your capability. You are training yourself to reject what you don’t want.   Success and failure are the result of how you think and use your mind.

Try it. It’s a good idea!

Cheers,

Richard L Reardon

Los Angeles,  CA.

Have you ever experienced wanting something important, a vision of possibility or a great idea only to see the originating desire fade to zero within days or week?

It is common. We all have things we want but lack the know how to keep the desire alive. Desire is necessary, for it [...]]]>

Have you ever experienced wanting something important, a vision of possibility or a great idea only to see the originating desire fade to zero within days or week?

It is common. We all have things we want but lack the know how to keep the desire alive. Desire is necessary, for it is desire that fuels your imagination and helps to fill in the needed details of what you actually want. Most importantly, it provides the energy needed for lasting motivation.

Three pre-requisites to sustaining desire:

1.    Accept the beginning of an idea –something you may want to have (an inspiration, vision of possibility, yearning for something you don’t now have, etc.

2.   Take a closer look at and exploration of what this vision is, could be and will do for you.  Add details and see it unfold. Give it some time to develop.

3.   Develop the details so that you add, help to clarify, modify, or expand the idea. The clarification comes from your natural, creative, inner vision.  The more you “see” and design it, the easier it is to believe it and want it.

Here is the whole point. Desire flows from the combined effect of 1, 2, and 3. When we skip steps, as we often do, desire fades fast.

Action idea

Develop a routine where you review what you want and why you want it.  Always add to your picture. Keep today’s view of tomorrow fresh in mind. Do this repeatedly, even though it may seem redundant.

Cheers,

Richard Reardon

Luck, fate, hope and chance will never help you move forward.

Just the same, many people are waiting for “something to come along” or when the timing is better, etc.

I think we have been trained to delegate our own success to outside factors.  Not a good plan.

Learn how to [...]]]>

Luck, fate, hope and chance will never help you move forward.

Just the same, many people are waiting for “something to come along” or when the timing is better, etc.

I think we have been trained to delegate our own success to outside factors.  Not a good plan.

Learn how to look for and develop your own opportunity:

1. List and study the significant restraints and limitations you now face.  Get behind each to see what is at the core.
2. Choose three you want to transform.
3. Imagine these three as keys to your own platform for change. Address them, and you will see change. Live with them, and you will see more of the same.
4. Looking to the future (say six months), ask yourself how you can use these as an opportunity. Look at the personal and business (professional) sides of this question.

The point is:

Opportunity is where you look for it, and looking at current restraints is a good place to start. In a way, it is all you have at this point.

Realize, too, that you don’t need more strength or talent. You just need to work with what is in front of you.

Richard  L. Reardon

800 560 0880

If you really want to go after something important, apply the principle of clarity. Most of us don’t, and progress is slowed to a crawl.

If you really want to go after something important, apply the
principle of clarity. Most of us don’t, and progress is slowed to a crawl.

Lack of clarity (weak focus & indecision) flows from
having too many vague wishes.

If you were to ask 100 people what they wanted, how many
could tell you? I say 5 tops. If you asked these 100 to write down the
single most important / desirable thing they were going for, I would be surprised if 3 could do it.

We all have lots of desires. But, they can be so numerous
they will they compete for your attention. Having 5, 7 or 10 things you think you want is
a hidden way to hedge your bets and do nothing substantial.

A low level commitment to any one prevents failure,
lowers risk and removes all responsibility to move. For some, that is a payoff. If your desires are hazy, your actions and
decisions will hazy, be too.

Clarity helps in
three ways:

1.
You identify what it is you want it and why you
want it. That clarity opens possibilities that did not exist before.

2.
Once a decision is made, you will to move to action.
Clarity always pulls you forward, moves you to creative action.

3.
There is a strong connection between what you
truly want and your highest talents (what you have to offer). Being clear is just the beginning step.

Every successful business organization follows this same
process. Know what you want, why you
want it and how it will help you and those you care about.

Cheers,

Richard Reardon

We all need new ideas. Old ideas, those that got you to where you are now, have served their purpose. Useful or not, those ideas are gone.

A long time waiting:

I never realized how much my own thinking [...]]]>

How to create ideas that give you forward movement: #58

We all need new ideas. Old ideas, those that got you to where you are now, have served their purpose. Useful or not, those ideas are gone.

A long time waiting:

I never realized how much my own thinking affects the ideas that I never got. I would wait for some idea to come along, and since no really good ideas showed up, I would wait. This cycle can go on a long time. My thinking was that ideas come on their own. Yikes!

How to get ideas that are good ideas:

The starting point for moving forward (there is an idea) has to be knowing the future. True, we don’t really know the future, and we have to live in the now. However, you can easily anticipate your future — the future condition you want. That simple anticipation of what could and should be will cause ideas to come to you. It is those ideas that can shape and give direction to what is next for you.

Try it:

1. Choose something you would like to see happen and list your three best ideas .

2. Next, list the information you would need to know to make these ideas blossom.

3. Save time every day to think about one and two.

You will be amazed with the quality and number of good ideas you have.

Why it works so well:

The theory is, one you decide to make a change you, already have the ideas and ‘steps’ in your mind to make it happen. Decision precedes getting the ideas. This is simple, but not well practiced by most of us.

Cheers,

Richard Reardon

800 560 1880

You only have two choices – just be sure to pick the one that helps you.

When it comes [...]]]>