Three Steps To Finding Your Ideal You

What Success Demands I’m of the not-very-popular opinion that the majority of people who say they want to change their lives – or part thereof – in a significant way are simply not prepared to do what’s required; you know – the hard stuff. As a consequence, they will never begin to explore the limits of their potential, power or possibilities – and not because they don’t have a capacity for brilliance, excellence or success (we all do) – but, rather, because they don’t have a willingness to get uncomfortable enough for long enough. They lack an attitude of total commitment to the change process. Or so it seems. Warm and Fuzzy Contrary to what some of the warm, fuzzy, hold-your-hand, self-help types might suggest, the transformation journey is invariably painful and unpleasant (physically, emotionally, mentally, sociologically, financially) – for a while at least. And for many people, this is their stumbling block. Which is why years down the track so many people are still inhabiting the same reality – despite a long-term desire for change. Yes, even people who read this blog. Shocking, I know. Still having the same conversations about the same issues. Still waiting for the magical, mythical right time. Still lying to themselves. Still making excuses and laying blame. Still not facing fears. Still not exploring potential. And still getting grumpy at people like me who tell them what they don’t want to hear. How Much We Want It It’s been my experience and observation that, more often than not, success or failure comes down to one key issue: how much an individual wants something. Of course, there are many other ingredients and variables but, for the most part, they are all irrelevant and inconsequential if the individual lacks the necessary level of desire, commitment and application. The more desperate (motivated, committed, focused) an individual is to having, creating, achieving or doing a particular thing; the more likely he or she is to find a way to get the job done. To get uncomfortable enough. And to keep getting uncomfortable. The more likely they are to do what’s required – despite their fears. To pay the necessary price. To persevere. To do what the majority won’t. Want to be exceptional? Then ‘do’ exceptional. Words Ain’t Actions Of course, many people will say they’re totally committed to change but, more often than not, their actions tell a different story. Words are cheap and require very little effort. If you really want to know how committed somebody is to changing their reality, ignore their words (the theory) and observe their actions (the practical reality) over an extended period of time. As I’ve said many times on this site already, transformation doesn’t live in the knowing (thinking, planning, talking), it lives in the doing. It’s important that we don’t confuse acquired knowledge (which most of us have more than enough of) with intelligent and courageous behaviour. For that matter, it’s also important that we don’t confuse education with intelligence. In terms of you creating your best life (yes, you the person reading this post right now), I’m not interested in what you know, I’m interested in what you do with what you know. And so should you be. Take a look around (or maybe within?) and you’ll discover that many people have been talking, planning, intending and goal-setting their way to nowhere-in-particular for years. I call them the personal-growth theorists. Yes, they love the ‘idea’ of transformation and, yes, they have more than enough intelligence and understanding to transform their situation, however, for a range of reasons, they are simply not prepared to do what success demands. Sadly, some people will spend much of their lives wasting their time, talent and opportunities while simultaneously looking for the shortcut, the quick-fix, the miracle cure; anything that will allow them to stay comfortable. Today, I have three questions for you: 1. What do you want?rn2. What’s the cost?rn3. Are you willing to pay the price? Answer those honestly and courageously and then do what’s required. Or, come up with another excuse.