4 Powerful Mind Shifts to Create Transformation in 2019

2019 is here.

And a powerful question I want to put to you is this: Do you want 2019 to be the same and similar as 2018? Or would you be interested in – no, scratch that – would you be willing to commit to making 2019 your most transformative year, yet?

So, not incremental change.

Not taking the year that’s gone before and adding 5 or 10 percent more. Because yes, that’s an improvement on the past. But … it’s still the past. It’s a re-run. Version 1.1. It’s what I think I can achieve, as opposed to what I really want.

So instead, a step change.

A complete transformation in personal performance and self-leadership that revolutionises your career, your life and the life of those closest to you.

A complete transformation … in personal performance and self-leadership … that revolutionises your career, your life and the life of those closest to you.

Yes. I said it twice. Because I know in the few seconds it’s taken to express that thought, most of you have already dismissed it. Because you just don’t believe it.

Now, partly that’s because of the time of year. We’re inundated with this stuff. And we just filter it out.

But the deeper reason is: you don’t believe in the thought. Not really. Because experience has taught you that the best you can hope for is incremental change. “Version 1.1”. And there’s no inspiration, energy, excitement or spirit in that.

And so, meaningful change doesn’t happen.

New Year’s Resolutions are a low-level example of just that. But even with our bigger projects and more concerted efforts, we still don’t achieve transformation. Why? 4 reasons.

1. Not enough focus and attention on the being.
2. Confused goal-setting that lacks inspiration.
3. An underestimation of the power of systems.
4. And the magic ingredient!

(What’s the magic ingredient? Here’s a clue: I mentioned it in the first few sentences.)

Let’s take a look at each, in turn.

Not enough focus and attention on the being.

Every single one of my clients this year has achieved a transformation. And they’ve done so primarily through an accelerated evolution of self-concept that has taken their wants from impossible. To probable. To inevitable.

Their focus was on the BEING.

And you know this already. You know that it’s never as much about the doing, as it is about the being. That the doing is important, but that the being is crucial. That it’s that being piece that makes your success inevitable and life-long.

Yet, most people don’t direct enough of their attention on the being.

Ask yourself now: What have I been doing this year to elevate my self-concept?

Most people focus on the doing; And perhaps that’s what your past year has been about. The doing.

And that’s ok. That’s one approach. And eventually, there might be an elevation of self-concept. An evolution in the being.

But it’s a long-term game. It’s a route that has less chance of success. And it’s a path that places your success in the hands of others. As in: we do a bunch of dictated busy work. Someone promotes us. Our self-concept takes a half-step up.

But you’re not most people. And you want something quite different in this coming year. You want transformation. So, I want to invite you to reverse that process and start with the being. And have that be your foundation for the coming year.

So, here’s that question again, now looking ahead to (what might be) your most transformative year yet:

What will you do to elevate your self-concept in 2019?

Confused goal-setting that lacks inspiration.

Alongside your thoughts for an elevated self-concept, let’s talk about goal-setting.

Because, again: there’s plenty already said on this subject. Yet, still there’s confusion. And as a result: no inspiration and no meaningful change.

So, in keeping with the promise of a most transformative year yet, I want to give you 3 new thoughts to attach to your vision-thinking and goal-setting. 3 thoughts that you’ve probably not tried in previous attempts to set goals.

(Goals that, you know, actually work.)

1. Divorce your happiness from your success. Don’t allow your happiness to be held hostage by the achievement of your success. Separate your goal-setting work into 2 distinct areas: goals for success; and goals for happiness. By all means, think big for your success goals. But don’t forget the little things that make you happy, right now.
2. Divorce inspiration from reality. Inspiration has little to do with “reality”. And “realistic” goals won’t light your fire like inspired thinking will. Listen to the small voice that’s the inspired thought. Not the loud, “realistic” voice that’s full of effortful tension and stress. Inspire yourself.
3. Let go of feeling bad about non-achievement. Ask yourself: “What would I love to achieve, that I don’t have to feel bad about if I don’t achieve it.” Permission yourself. And stop derailing your purposeful pursuit with thoughts of what will happen if I don’t achieve what I set out to do.

Most people are not prepared to get so clean and clear in their inspired vision thinking. Are you?

An underestimation of the power of systems.

Ask anyone who’s worked with me and they’ll tell you about the importance of “systems”; and a key determinant of your success is the degree to which you’re intentional about the systems, structures and environments you set-up and surround yourself with.

Most people don’t get this. Most people don’t see how the company they keep, the micro behaviours they indulge in, and the daily tolerations they allow to ebb at their energy limit their potential.

And not only do they not understand the negative impacts of the wrong systems, structures, environment and people surrounding them; they don’t see how complicit they are in their design and setup!

Failure to address these factors leads to a lack of focus and a tendency to drift. An over-reliance on willpower (in place of systems). And letting mood (do I feel like doing this?) dictate your actions and achievements.

Get intentional about these factors. What environment do you need to setup and place yourself in, to make your success an inevitability?

And the magic ingredient!

I mentioned it in the first few sentences – and let’s come back to it now. COMMITMENT.

Because any transformation programme starts and ends with commitment. (Just as any failed transformation programme has lack of commitment to thank for its result.)

To quote W. H. Murray:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

Such full-throated commitment is available to us all. A space in our hearts and minds where we place those projects that we are truly committed to. Where it’s as good as done.

Let’s imagine for a moment you book a holiday. And I come to you with a date and time for our next coaching session which conflicts with your holiday. You’re going to say: “No, I can’t make that. I’ll be in Spain.” Of course you will.

But how do you know? You’ve bought the tickets, yes – but that’s no guarantee. All sorts of things might happen that could interrupt that plan.

Yet having bought the tickets, you’ll never then talk to me about trying to go on holiday. Trying to catch the flight. Trying to be in Spain.

You’re going. You’re there. That’s it. It’s a promise. You can take that to the bank. Because you’ve moved your holiday project into that committed place in your heart and mind. And it is done.

What will it take for you to move your 2019 project into that committed place?

Thanks for reading!

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