By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
A highlight of my career was becoming friends and playing tennis with best-selling author, the late Dr. Wayne Dyer. My favorite quote of his: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” These insightful words remind us that we can change our perspective, and it can change our results! Perspective is defined as a particular attitude or a way of thinking about circumstances. Our perspective is the window through which we view our life’s experiences. How to change your mindset and attitudeWhy is a positive perspective so powerful and a must-have for success?
When someone with a negative perspective encounters challenges, they ask, “Why me?” and find problems. A person with a positive perspective faces challenges and asks, “What can I do to overcome this?” and they find solutions. For example, the Kauffman Foundation sponsored a study that found more than half of the companies on the Fortune 500 list launched during a recession or bear market. Think Microsoft and Apple, who saw opportunity amid difficult economic times in the 1970s. The fact is: Our perspective is what determines our prospects for success, regardless of external conditions. How you see tomorrow will determine your motivation today. Change your perspective by: 1. Making it a habit to notice the positive in your lifeWe have all met someone who has the habit of always focusing on the negative. No matter how good something is, they can see the bad. They have trained themselves to find the negative and are really good at it. So, instead, train your brain to be even better at focusing on the positive, and that will shape your perspective. Are there situations that make us angry or sad? Of course. But if we intentionally look for the good in life, we realize there are many things to feel passionate, joyful, and excited about. It’s up to us to decide which things, the positive or the negative, we will focus on. 2. Practicing gratitudeWhen you live life always looking for something wrong or dwelling on what you don’t have, it’s easy to overlook what’s right and forget your blessings. When I am coaching someone, I ask them to share their successes. I often hear, “I succeeded in this, but anyone could do that.” They are minimizing what they have accomplished and are unable to appreciate what they’ve done. My response is, “Perhaps anyone could do that, but not everyone would have the courage.” Your perspective becomes more positive when you are grateful for your abilities and what you have achieved. As you move forward, remember: Life is all about perspective. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!
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By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
Have you ever wondered why some people, when pursuing their goals, face adversity, get knocked down and then knocked out? While others, encountering similar circumstances, bounce back from their challenges, stay motivated, and remain focused. The difference between these two types of people is a never quit mindset. No matter what you do, challenges in life and work are expected; giving up, however, is optional! In over 33 years of speaking to organizations worldwide, here’s what I have found. You can develop and improve a never quit mindset, and it will become your competitive edge. People who refuse to quit are driven by commitment, not by their feelings. If you allow feelings to determine your actions, then motivation will be sporadic. When you feel good, you’re inspired; when you feel bad, uninspired. This is not what I’ve seen in people with a never quit mindset. At times they may also feel like giving up, but they choose not to. Here’s why. They have made a commitment to stay the course, no matter what. Our feelings may not be consistent, but our commitment can be. Consistent action with consistent commitment is what can set you apart from everyone else. To maintain a never quit mindset, remember that commitments are more powerful than goals. We have all set goals, faced resistance, and then decided to give up. When we make a commitment, however, we are emotionally connected to the outcome. A commitment is an unbreakable promise to yourself that you will find a way to succeed. The next time you feel like quitting, try looking at it from a different perspective. Giving up will surely deny you a valuable learning opportunity. Whether you succeed or fail, you can learn and grow from both experiences. A key to sustaining perseverance is staying focused on the rewards of never quitting, regardless of the outcome. Your dreams and vision of what you can accomplish are too important for you to give up. When your path to success is clear and commitment to stay the course is rock solid, you’ll find a way to go from where you are to where you want to be. Now a never quit mindset doesn’t mean you won’t have to alter your plans to get where you want to go. Kayambila Mpulamasaka, cofounder of LinkedIn, said, “When things don’t go according to plan, plan according to how things go.” Because we live in a world of constant change, be prepared to adapt and adjust. Resist thinking about a setback in global terms. In other words, don’t believe that since you failed in one area, you are an overall failure. This causes self-doubt, thoughts of quitting, and disabling self-pity. When you feel sorry for yourself, you tend to blame others and overlook your own responsibility. Certainly, we all encounter difficulties that are not our fault, for which we’re not responsible. Regardless, all of us are responsible for our responses to life’s ups and downs. Embracing responsibility for our attitudes and actions is central to a never quit mindset. My cherished friend, W. Mitchell, says, “How you respond to your circumstances determines the course of your life.” Decide today that you won’t quit. Don’t let challenges or another person convince you that you can’t do it. To do something incredible, give yourself something incredible to do, and never give up! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
You’ve likely heard this quote: “You don’t have to live in Pity City.” All of us have taken up residence in Pity City at some point. Maybe you were rejected for a job you really wanted, or you feel overwhelmed because of challenging circumstances. It’s important that your stay in Pity City does not become permanent because self-pity will:
This allows you to avoid taking responsibility for who you are and where you are. As a result, you don’t risk improving your life because you believe the end result will be negative. This is not about finding an excuse for failure; it is finding an excuse to give up. Self-pity is when you’re trying to find an excuse to give up. If we don’t risk or feel responsible for our lives, we mistakenly believe we will avoid anxiety and disappointment. Actually, not accepting responsibility creates more of the emotions you are trying to sidestep, because you’ll experience:
Don’t wallow in self pity — move on Let go of the illusion of “fair” Resist spending time trying to figure out if your struggles are fair, and focus instead on taking control of your mindset. Self-pity paralyzes you with this thought: “When life is fair, then I will be successful.” How do you really know what fair is? We don’t know all the struggles that others deal with or the unfairness they face. Mentally strong people don’t debate whether life is fair or unfair. They accept life as it is and move forward. I love this quote because it dispels the myth that life should be fair: “There is no fair. Play the hand you were dealt to the best of your ability.” -Naval Ravikant in Tim Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors Look for ways to help others When you are in a cycle of self-pity, you tend to be self-focused, thinking only about your reasons to be bitter and resentful. You can break this negative cycle by looking for opportunities to help others. One of the quickest ways to lift yourself out of self-pity is to find ways to lift others up. When you begin to help people make their lives more positive, you stop focusing on your negativity. You see your life from a different perspective and can appreciate all the blessings you have. Helping others boosts your self-confidence and gratefulness. Look for inspiration Motion is driven by emotion, so if you’re feeling down, overwhelmed, or fearful, inspiration can serve as a catalyst for motivation. Be vigilant in looking for people and stories that inspire you. Look at the facts If you are feeling discouraged, ask yourself, “What is the reality?” Gather as much information about your circumstances. When we look at the facts we often see that we have over-generalized and over-dramatized our situation. This realization strengthens us and increases our courage. Play to learn All of us desire success; however, none of us are always victorious. How we interpret these setbacks determines our outlook. Commit today to view every situation as an opportunity for learning and personal growth. By doing this, you will begin to see how even problems can provide previously unseen possibilities. We choose whether to focus on the loss or the lesson. Watch your mouth Words can be more powerful than armies. During times of challenge, it is important to be cognizant of how we talk about our circumstances. It has been said that “language can corrupt thought.” Therefore, speaking negatively about a challenge the size of a molehill can quickly become a mountain. An irony of life is that it can bring us difficult obstacles, and at the same time, amazing opportunities. These are both truths — What truth are you going to dwell on? Choose grit over self-pity Grit has two components: the ability to stick with your goals and the ability to hang in there when faced with adversity. Self-pity is the opposite of grit. When you increase grit, you decrease self-pity. But how do you grow your grit? One quality of being gritty is being hopeful. This is not the kind of hope where you sit back and wish everything were better. If your wish doesn’t come true, this can lead to self-pity. “I always have bad luck; the world is against me.” Grit is believing things will get better because your efforts will make them better. It’s not just thinking about it; it’s doing something about it. Does hope really matter to future success? Research has shown that people without hope give up easily, place blame, and avoid taking risks. Sounds a lot like self-pity to me. Thousands of thoughts run through your head every day. What thoughts will you choose to focus on? The ones that keep you stuck and make you feel pitiful, or the ones that keep you moving forward and make you feel powerful? Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
All of us have times when we feel like giving up. You’re discouraged, you’ve lost motivation, and quitting seems easier than hanging in there. When I experience those feelings, I remind myself of a couple of things that help me regain my inspiration. Regret Can Be More Painful Than Discipline World Champion Boxer George Foreman said, “Everyone wants to go to heaven; nobody wants to die.” That’s a great reminder that we all desire success but don’t always want the sacrifice. In coaching young tennis players, I found that all wanted to be a Grand Slam Champion, but few wanted to train like a champion. During times when you feel like giving up, remember that staying disciplined is hard, but looking back and regretting that you didn’t keep trying is harder. Whenever you have paid a price to achieve something awesome, did you ever look back and say, “That wasn’t worth it?” Probably not. Have you looked back at a time when you could have accomplished something worthwhile, but you didn’t even try? The remorse you feel for lack of effort is often more painful than attempting something and failing. Look at it this way, taking risks and facing discomfort are growth experiences, regardless of the outcome. Perseverance Defines You At times everyone feels like giving up because we are afraid to fail and risk disappointment. When you have those thoughts, remember that failure is simply an event; it does not determine who you are or what you are capable of. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that failing at something means you are a failure. Failure is something that happens to a person. Failure is not a person. Reflect on the failures you’ve experienced in the past even though you refused to quit. Now ask yourself this question: Would I be the same person today if I had not faced those circumstances? The courage it took you to try, to do the hard work, and endure the struggle are victories, no matter the result. Let those experiences define who you are and be a reminder of your perseverance. Discomfort Means Discovery Have you ever made an excuse to give up because you wanted to avoid discomfort? When you sidestep challenges, you may miss the opportunity to discover how awesome you are. Leaving the known can be uncomfortable, but by trying something new you can discover your hidden gifts. If you never push yourself, how will you ever know what you are truly capable of? To make a little progress you sometimes need to experience a little pain. If you want to increase your level of performance, you will have to increase your level of discomfort. When you do only what is comfortable, you limit both your life and your potential. As we begin a new year, remember that you have a unique purpose to fulfill and the opportunity to realize your dreams. Don’t give up on yourself and allow excuses, discouragement, and doubt to hold you back from becoming your very best! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
I had just returned from lunch when I received a call from a stranger. He said, “Roger, I’ve heard about your work as a motivational speaker, and there is a group in Washington D.C. that would greatly benefit from your message.” He proceeded to tell me the audience would consist of 200 injured soldiers who were currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I felt overwhelmed by this tremendous honor to address a room full of heroes, and I eagerly began planning my trip! When I arrived at Walter Reed, a young man who had the responsibility of giving me a tour of the facility, and escorting me to the meeting room greeted me. While being introduced, I looked around at these amazing young men and women and was stunned by the severity of their injuries. During my presentation, I was having difficulty keeping my emotions in check. As a physically challenged person, I know what many in the audience were feeling, and I was so inspired by the courage they demonstrated. Finding Courage Through Adversity One young soldier seated in a wheelchair had captured my attention first with his bright smile, and then I noticed he was missing both arms below the elbow, and his entire right leg. Next to him was a female who I assumed was a staff member. At the conclusion of my program, I learned that this woman was not an employee, but the mother of the soldier. The young man introduced himself, and with the stump of his right arm, gave me a unique high five. Since I used my right hand that has a single finger, we shared a hearty laugh at our high one! During our conversation, I ask him where he found the courage to face this life-changing experience. His answer continues to inspire me today. He said, “I guess a broken spirit is worse than a broken body!” Most of us will never have to endure the type of adversity this soldier has experienced. However, no one goes through life unscathed by challenges. As we navigate the inevitable challenges and setbacks that life brings, it is important to remember that what is inside of you is more powerful than what comes against you. Honoring Our Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day As we observe Memorial Day, let us not allow the true meaning to be overshadowed by the mega-store sales, the BBQs, and the long-awaited three-day weekend. We are very fortunate to enjoy these activities because of the heroic bravery and sacrifice of the men and women in our military. Memorial Day was established for honoring these brave soldiers who paid the ultimate price to ensure our liberty. Let’s not forget to take this weekend as an opportunity to pause, and extend our gratitude for those who died while protecting our great nation! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
No one likes to fail. Life, however, is filled with unexpected setbacks. Let’s face it: Failure is irritating and often inescapable, but it can also help us become our very best. Here’s what J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter, says about failure: “Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” What really matters is how you choose to respond to failure. Are you going to place blame, make excuses, and give up? Or are you going to react positively, regain your determination, and rise up? You can’t always control your circumstances, but you can control your attitude — and the way you think controls your life. Here are a several ideas that’ll help you bounce back from failure and be even better than ever. See failure as a way to fine-tune Failure provides life’s greatest lessons. That can be even more beneficial than the wisdom you gain with success. Choose to see setbacks and challenges as powerful learning opportunities to do more and be more. Every time you experience failure, it can help you develop a new approach that moves you closer to getting the results you want. Failing gives you an opportunity to fine-tune your strategy and tweak your tactics, and that will help you improve future performance. A temporary setback can provide the motivation needed to dig deep, discover new talents, abilities, and grit! Look at failure from this perspective: It’s not a loss, but a launching pad to your next awesome opportunity. Develop grit to realize your potential Can you remember a time when you felt like giving up but chose to gut it out instead? Psychologist Angela Duckworth calls this grit and says grit is the inner strength needed to achieve your long-term goals. In fact, her research found that grit is more important than talent or intelligence in predicting success. So how do we maximize our grit? The good news is that you can increase it. You can begin to do this the same way you improve as an athlete: through determination and a never-quit mindset. Think of your grit as a muscle that needs exercise to grow and develop. When we consistently push ourselves to reach higher, our capacity to persevere increases. Dr. Duckworth calls this deliberate practice. That means sticking with it when you feel like it, and sticking with it when you don’t. So, the next time you successfully navigate a challenging situation through your own grit, look at it from this perspective: You are a grittier and different person now. You have gained mental toughness and hard-won wisdom. You didn’t bounce back to where you were in the past. Instead, you bounced forward, closer to where you want to be in the future. Remember the why When you have a setback, remember why you want to accomplish your goal. Reflecting on the why strengthens your resolve and eases the discomfort of failure. During my coaching sessions, I tell my clients to make their dreams so compelling they can crush any obstacles that get in the way. It is easier to uncover and maintain grit when you are pursuing something that you are passionate about. An emotional attachment is more important than an intellectual one. Setting goals for something to which you are only intellectually committed can be difficult to follow through on. Researchers have found, however, that when you identify your purpose in life, your commitment will be emotional rather than intellectual. It follows that when you are excited about doing something, your motivation is stronger, and you achieve better results. If your why is not clear, finding the inspiration to bounce back from failure can be challenging. When you are crystal clear about your why, it gives you focus and direction. Without this clarity, you have less invested in the outcome. This lack of commitment makes it more difficult to find the courage to bounce back. The enemy of success is not failure; it’s giving upGranted, failure can hurt, but don’t use that as an excuse to quit. When you look at the lives of successful people, what do they all have in common? They refused to give up no matter how many times they failed! You have two choices when you fail: to give up or try again. The setbacks you face are the foundation on which to build your success. Failure does not mean you’re a failure; it means you didn’t succeed this time. When you throw in the towel, you’re saying failure is final, but think again! This could be the first step in discovering your greatness. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
If you have played tennis, you’ve likely been given this advice: “One point at a time.” This expression communicates a simple yet vital idea – you have to play tennis in the moment. This concept is called mindfulness and it has applications in both our personal lives and our work.Mindfulness means focusing on the present rather than dwelling on the past or predicting the future. This practice allows you to remove distractions, increase your attention span and improve your results. You may be familiar with those grand prize draws where you don’t get the prize unless you’re on location. What is true about the drawing for a grand prize is also true in life: You have to be present to win! Here is a process I have used in my coaching sessions that I hope you find useful. It helps you to spend less time regretting the past or fearing the future. RELEASE: Letting go of the past and focusing on the present is necessary to perform at your best. If you give your attention to what you cannot change about yesterday, it’s difficult to focus on what you can change today. Releasing the past allows you to restore your strength and reinvigorate your motivation. When we let go of the past, we also let go of excuses. We all know someone who has a victim mentality today because they choose to relive disappointment and failure from their past. By placing blame and finding excuses based on our past, we relinquish the power over our present circumstances. We have all faced adversity that was outside our control. However, we can control our reactions to past experiences and that determines whether we see ourselves as a victim or victor. REFOCUS: Now that you’ve closed the chapter on the past, you can give your attention to the present moment. A present state of mind is incredibly valuable to anyone who wants to perform at their best when it matters most. When you are totally focused on what you want to achieve, your desire will be stronger than your disappointments. When you play “one point at a time” it doesn’t mean that negative thoughts and emotions won’t creep in. However, this practice gives you a way to redirect your thinking towards ideas that are more positive and productive. RESPOND: The ability to live in the moment and respond based upon your current circumstances is one of the most important factors in your success. We choose to be either reactionary or responsive. When we react to something, it happens quickly with little awareness and we relinquish control of our words and actions. On the other hand, responding is calm and thoughtful. It gives us a feeling of being in control. Reacting to circumstances tends to be automatic whereas responding is intentional. Life happens in the present. Don’t let it slip by! I am writing this on my birthday and looking forward to a slice of cake. Typically, my thoughts would be on how long I would have to work out tomorrow to burn up those calories! Not tonight. I am going to enjoy every bite! Remember, you have to be present to win! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
Several years ago, I authored a book titled How High Can You Bounce. The book was well received, except when I spoke for a local skydiving association! Apparently, the thought of bouncing made them a bit uneasy. Here is the condensed message of the book: Our ability to bounce back from life’s challenges determines our level of achievement and contentment. Writing this book convinced me that resilience can be learned and is primarily a matter of attitude and self-belief. How we choose to think about ourselves and the world around us forms the foundation on which our resilience is built. A pessimistic, hypercritical view of potential opportunities makes it extremely difficult to navigate life’s inevitable bumps in the road. On the other hand, an optimistic, inspiring attitude can create a launching pad for possibilities and supply the fortitude necessary to overcome adversity. Some folks’ positive thinking habits enable them to function with efficiency and effectiveness, regardless of their circumstances. I believe that perseverance and optimism are what separates successful individuals from ones who fail to reach their full potential. If we want to learn how to become more resilient in 2019, we need to understand what makes some people more optimistic than others. Here are three things that resilient people do well: #1 Maintain a positive self-regard. Resilient people see themselves as valuable human beings who have the ability to accomplish their dreams. When faced with adversity, they believe in their ability to bounce back and realize that every storm eventually passes. Dr. Robert Schuller once said, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” #2 Control the controllable. Resilient individuals differentiate between what can be changed and what must be accepted. They discipline themselves not to spend valuable time and energy trying to change the unchangeable. Resiliency is often less about actual circumstances and more about how people choose to respond. #3 Stay hopeful about the future. Resilient people find what it takes to succeed today by seeing a hopeful tomorrow. They develop the capacity to remain hopeful, even during times of uncertainty. A remarkable study from the University of California, Berkeley, has shown that it is possible to predict the risk of illness by looking at a patient’s answers to two simple questions: Question 1: Do you feel it is impossible for you to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself? Question 2: Do you get the feeling your future is hopeless and is it difficult to believe that things will get better for you? How we answer these questions not only influences our health but will also be a strong predictor of our future success. Regardless of whatever challenges you face in the new year, you can choose your mindset which provides the courage to bounce forward and achieve your goals for this upcoming year! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
Do you remember a time when you had a challenge to overcome, an important project to complete, or a situation that you had never faced before? Were you unsure where to start? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? How did you feel about the results? What I’ve found after thirty years of speaking to over 4,000 audiences and coaching hundreds of highly-successful executives and industry experts is…the more positive you think, the better results you get. Take a look at the lives of successful people and you will find a common denominator. They have a positive mindset that allows them to break through obstacles and maintain momentum. Instead of retreating, they lean into their challenges and discover new opportunities less-successful people missed. Those opportunities create a path through obstacles that leads to achievement. A positive mindset that results in success doesn’t mean you overlook challenges. Instead, you lean in and say, “Yes I can” which helps you see circumstances in the most favorable positive light possible. If you choose a negative mindset, you will look for and magnify what is negative around you. You immediately anticipate the worst and start blaming yourself or others for a bad outcome, whether it occurs or not. There’s no opportunity to create a positive result and success. My priceless years of experience show that a positive mindset is essential to perform your best and realize your awesome potential. Here are four key ideas to develop and maintain a positive mindset. If you think with a negative mindset, you will look for and magnify what is negative around you. You immediately anticipate the worst and start blaming yourself for a bad outcome, whether it occurs or not. Your Mindset Matters!A positive mindset is essential to perform at your best and realize your awesome potential. Here are four ideas to help you develop and maintain a positive mindset. #1 Manage Your Mouth The language you use has a tremendous influence over your mindset. What you say affects how you feel; how you feel determines how you act; and how you act either increases or decreases results. Choose your words carefully because what you say impacts whether you’re crushed by, or conquer your circumstances. Positive words make you strong; and negative words make you weak. It’s important to make a habit of using words that accurately reflect your reality. This way you won’t turn a molehill into a mountain. In other words, don’t exaggerate the situation. How many times have you heard someone say something like this? “It’s a disaster!” Think again. Maybe it’s actually an inconvenience. “It’s impossible!” Is that a fact or an opinion? The important point is that using language that mistakenly depicts our circumstances is a clear path to excuse making. Failure to take responsibility leads to an inability to find solutions. When you have negative thoughts, strive to reframe your thinking in a more positive way. Instead of saying, “I am a failure,” try a more positive and accurate representation. “I failed this time, but what I learned will help me succeed in the future.” #2 You Have the Control People that have a consistently negative mindset have likely forgotten that they have control over their thoughts. They let challenges, other people, or even the weather determine how they think. The reality is all of these are completely out of our control and most often unchangeable. Would you agree that we live life from the inside out? The thoughts and beliefs you have inside shape what you see in the outside, not the other way around. One of the most important principles of maintaining a positive mindset is understanding that while you may not control your circumstances, you do control how you respond to your circumstances. Remember, you are the boss of your brain! #3 Have a Grateful Mindset People with a positive mindset resist dwelling on their disadvantages and appreciate what they do have. A grateful mindset is not automatic… it’s intentional. So, instead of waiting for something to make you feel grateful, deliberately look for the blessings you already possess. Being grateful doesn’t eliminate problems. However, by focusing on what’s good about your life helps remove bitterness and negativity. New York Times best-selling author Lewis Howes says, “If you concentrate on what you have, you’ll always have more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never have enough.” #4 Release Setbacks – Rehearse Success The next time you experience a loss, turn it into a lesson, and then let it go. Someone with a negative mindset spends time living in the past, dwelling on previous problems, and continually asks “why.” They ask themselves, “Why did it happen?” “Why me?” or “Why not someone else?” On the other hand, someone with a positive mindset is present focused, learns from their past circumstances, and then asks “how.” They ask, “How can I learn from this?” and “How do I move forward?” A positive mindset can take you from where you are to where you want to be. A negative mindset will stop you from even trying. The ability to develop and maintain a positive mindset is always within your reach, and I’ve given you four keys to help you. Lean into the opportunity to discover the tremendous potential you have and experience the great things you are capable of. Believe that success is possible, develop a winning mindset, achieve more, and become more of who you are meant to be! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
What would you like to attempt that you often thought was impossible? Is it really out of your reach, or is there a reason you do not believe you can do it? Too often, we underestimate ourselves and overestimate others. Below are four possibility-busting beliefs that often make a difference between what is possible and what is impossible. 1. Dwelling on the Negative Remember the old song by Johnny Mercer, “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, E-Li-Mi-Nate the Negative.” One way to ensure failure is having the negative belief that you cannot succeed before you even try. Our mindset can sometimes convince us that something is impossible before we even make our initial attempt. When we mistakenly believe that we lack the talent or resources to achieve our aspirations, it paralyzes our progress. Here is why having a negative perspective can eliminate potential possibilities: By repeatedly focusing on why something cannot be done, you will look for evidence to support that belief. 2. Defined by Disabilities There is a clear difference between real handicaps and imaginary ones. Real handicaps are limitations that can be overcome, adapted to and accepted. For example, in my life having only three fingers was a clear indication that I would not be a concert pianist. Once you accept your limitations, everything outside of that becomes a possibility. Do not spend your valuable time and resources focused on your deficits and fixing what appears to be broken. Instead, focus on your unique strengths, and build on those assets. If you lead with your limitations, it’s like challenging a ram to a head-butting contest. While you may have a positive attitude and give it your very best effort, you may gain little more than a headache. 3. Anxiety creates imaginary handicaps It’s important not to confuse fear with anxiety. Anytime we step out of our comfort zone, experiencing some fear is a normal, natural response to a new situation. Anxiety, however, occurs when our reaction is an abnormal response to our circumstances. In other words, it is anticipating or imagining a negative outcome regardless of the situation or opportunity. A focus on conceivable failure and disappointment is unrealistic and, therefore, imaginary. Many amazing possibilities are often unrealized, not because of real obstacles, but because of self-imposed limitations. 4. Dreaming Small Marketing guru Seth Godin, defines “going to the edge” as taking an idea to the extreme of possibility and working back from there to areas of thought and creativity that are more reasonable and doable. This illustrates the power of bold dreams as the catalyst for maximum achievement. All of us have the ability to conceive an idea, plan, and nurture it to success. So, why not make your dreams so compelling that they stir your soul and stimulate your motivation. This vision will inspire you to stay focused, put forth an extraordinary effort, while consistently maintaining a positive outlook. You have the purpose, passion, and perseverance needed to achieve your dreams. Remember, the distance between impossible and possible is often found between the ears! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! |
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