Several years ago, I attended a "success" seminar in northern Virginia. "Think of how you'll feel when you reach your goal. Imagine you've arrived! Feel it, smell it." I don't remember the name of the seminar nor the presenter, but I have two small pieces of wood that have locked that seminar in my mind and changed my life.
If you've ever attended a motivational seminar, you may remember the presenter encouraging you to "be all you can be." You may have been convinced that you can make a million dollars or reach other dreams using their methods. This seemed like the way that seminar was headed, until someone began passing us pieces of wood, an 8 X 12 inch board three-quarters of an inch thick. "Think of how you'll feel when you reach your goal. Imagine you've arrived! Feel it, smell it. Now in one word describe the feeling." I was skeptical, not really with it. Suddenly inspiration hit-WOW! That's how I would feel. Then the presenter told us to turn the board over and write on the other side what was standing in our way. I couldn't think of anything and as he kept talking, I figured, "Well this is a waste." From out of the blue came, "not good enough." My insecurity, feeling inadequate, thinking of everyone who could do things better than I, held me back. So I wrote "not good enough" on the board, only half listening as he was explaining the next step. With our bare hand we could break through the negative idea we'd written on the board and reach our goals. "Oh, yeah," I thought. "Right." I had to be the oldest, most out of shape person in the room!
Other people rushed to the front of the room to be first in line to break the board. I sat still, looking for someone like me. People began to step up and break through the board. I measured them and compared myself to them--still thinking "not good enough" without realizing it. Then someone failed on the first try and broke through the board on the second try. That broke the ice for me. I ambled over to the end of the line.
My turn came all too quickly. There I was facing the presenter who was going to hold the board so I could hit it with one hand while I held the other hand behind my back. He explained how I should position my feet, which part of my hand to use, and what I should be thinking. I was squaring my shoulders when he stopped me. My feet weren't just right. "Let's try it now," he said. I drew back my arm and thrust it forward, breaking the board on my first try. There followed the most unexpected emotion I've ever experienced. Wonder turned into awe. How could this be? I was overwhelmed.
The attendant ushered me to the side so the next person could have a turn. I joined the group who had broken the board and stood still while a wave of emotion enveloped me. Tears came to my eyes, but I checked them. I can! I am good enough! I can never go back and hide behind that thought again. I must move forward.
I still have those two pieces of wood and when the going gets really tough, looking at them takes me back to that awesome experience. I reach deep inside, call up all the reserves I have, and carry on.
If you experience self-defeating feelings that you're just not good enough, look for a breakthrough experience. Concentrate on your accomplishments, any small or large success in your past. You are good enough for any task you want to undertake. You have an obligation to the rest of us to share your talents and be the person you were created to be.
Let your light shine!
Jo Condrill is an acclaimed author, speaker and consultant. She went from part-time worker in Texas to suprvisor in the Pentagon in less than 10 years. Jo is the author of "Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams," "101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly," and "From Book Signing to Best Seller." Secretary of the Army, Togo West awarded Jo the highest civilian honor one can achieve, the US Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. Jo shares her unique experiences in seminars and speeches on leadership, team building, personal development, and success strategies. http://www.goalminds.com/primer.html
same day cleaning service Des Plaines ..Driven by cultural imperatives and inner promptings, we drive ourselves... Read More
Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More
I've long been a student of those who have achieved... Read More
IntroductionSuccess - we all read about it, hear it on... Read More
Remove these words from your vocabulary!The words "If only ?"... Read More
To make change effective, you have to BE what you... Read More
People often ask me how I became successful in that... Read More
You must understand You are already a Success, and before... Read More
As a golfer and coach, I've been thrilled to watch... Read More
By popular request, I thought I would put together this... Read More
What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from... Read More
One of the most overlooked opportunities for learning and personal... Read More
Absolutely no one can underestimate the power of the mind... Read More
Far too many of us struggle through life despite more... Read More
Imagine you are a fire. Fires burn at different levels... Read More
I succeeded. I achieved my goal. I am successful. I... Read More
If you are looking for a surefire strategy to ensure... Read More
Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds, was over fifty when... Read More
I've just sent an email to my mailing list based... Read More
Response means "to answer" and that idea, in its purest... Read More
I always say to my children, as long as you... Read More
Hi, Jim Rohn here. This month we focus on accelerating... Read More
Asking questions is one of the most basic ways that... Read More
I started taking stock of my year in 2002. I... Read More
Our expectations get us into a lot of trouble and... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..1. Open your mind to new ideas: Positive behavior change... Read More
People often ask me how I became successful in that... Read More
"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what... Read More
Of all the things that can have an effect on... Read More
Lets face it, no one enjoys rejection. But the reality... Read More
Management by Objectives, strategic planning, quality, teams, re-engineering. Passing management... Read More
Too many times in the pursuit of our dreams, we... Read More
A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More
Do you know what the problem is with asking successful... Read More
In my work with clients, the issue of perspectives comes... Read More
Exercising is not one of my favorite pastimes but I... Read More
Because Not All Skills Are Equal?Public Speaking MasteryHello,Tom Cruise is... Read More
Let's say you're moving forward in your efforts to achieve... Read More
In so many areas of life we must always be... Read More
You must understand You are already a Success, and before... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.... Read More
You have complete control over your thoughts. Thought patterns develop... Read More
An unexamined life is not worth living ? SocratesAll too... Read More
"I am the greatest warrior. I have fought with gods... Read More
1. Believe in yourself and what it is you do.... Read More
Okay, so you've finally made that big decision to start... Read More
My studies of the highly successful prove that they continually... Read More
How do you define success?According to the Collins dictionary, success... Read More
How many times have you thought about being successful, famous,... Read More
Success |