This Is Unacceptable

By Lisa Christiansen

Mastery in one’s career and self growth simply requires that we consistently and constantly produce results beyond the ordinary into the extraordinary by producing outstanding results. Mastery is attained by consistently stepping outside of our comfort zone, going beyond our limits with the knowledge that the only limits there are in life are the ones we set for ourselves. Open your eyes, listen to hear, feel your achievement and breakthrough your limits to the success you deserve. For most people, this starts with technical excellence in a chosen field and a commitment to that excellence. This needs to begin with a clear vision and the decision to do what it takes making success your only option. If you are willing to commit yourself to excellence, to surround yourself with things that represent excellence, your life will change because you are your five closest friends. (When we speak of miracles, we speak of events or experiences that go beyond the ordinary into the extraordinary.)

It’s remarkable how much mediocrity we live with, surrounding ourselves with daily reminders that the average is the acceptable, we must decide this behavior of mediocrity is UNACCEPTABLE. More often than not you will find the common belief is limited thinking with a mindset of go to school to get a good job to retire comfortable and then you die. I urge you to look inside yourself and identify the things that are keeping you powerless to go beyond any “limit” that you have arbitrarily set for yourself, take a moment to assess all of these things around you that promote your being “average”, now take action to remove these things from your life even if this means making new friends, because often your friends will bring guilt to your dreams by saying "oh, you think you are better than me?" or "what makes you think you can do that?" these are dream thieves and you need dream achievers in your circle of friends, with that being said you must reach up to those that frighten you and cultivate friendships where you once thought were impossible you will be surprised how many will be excited to mentor you. To begin mastery is to remove everything in your environment that represents mediocrity, removing those things that are limiting. Again, one way is to surround yourself with friends who ask more of themselves than anyone else ever would because these are the ones who step up to defy the odds, to set new standards and to be the change they want to see in this world by being the example. It is this recipe for success that you must emulate to achieve your success because if you find someone who is successfully doing what you are passionate about you simply have to follow their formula to achieve the same result.

Another step on the path to mastery is the removal of resentment toward masters whether on your level, below or above your level, this action is very important because these are your potential mentors. We are always learning from each other so respect is critical, if you don't respect the person please respect their gifts to contribute to others even if you don't agree. Develop humility so that while in the presence of masters you are emotionally available with an open heart and an open mind to grow from the experience. Do not compare yourself to others and do not resent people who have mastery, remain open, respectful and receptive; allow the experience to enrich you like the planting of a seed within you that, with nourishment, will grow into your own individual unique mastery.

We are all created equal, mastery is learned through education, life experiences and the examples laid before us. A true master will embrace their flaws and weaknesses as a tool to relate to others with a genuine appreciation of their circumstances. A master recognizes this fault as a foundation for building the extraordinary instead of using it as an excuse for inactivity, use this as a vehicle for growing, which is essential in the process of attaining mastery. You must be able to learn, grow and accept criticism without condemning yourself to accept results and improve upon them. Growth is essential to power and mastery because if you are not growing you are dying.