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My Facebook newsfeed is loaded with adorable pictures of little ones heading off to school, teens hitting the high school circuit and parents dropping their “babies” on college campuses. I remember every phase of my kids’ schooling, from new tennies in kindergarten to setting up their dorm rooms. My memories of those times are filled with excitement and a sense that everything is possible.<\/p>\n
School is a place to learn, grow and experiment. It\u2019s also where success is spelled out. Good grades, compliant behavior and positive attitude earned rewards from our mom and dad. Kids who did well were celebrated and kids who didn\u2019t were disciplined. School systematically helped us discover what we are best at in a safe and structured environment.<\/p>\n
Once our school days came to a close we entered the ambiguous arena of work, where WE defined success whether it involved climbing the corporate ladder or living off the grid while trying to make it as an artist. Most of us exist somewhere in the middle.<\/p>\n
At some point, we look at where we are and ask, “Am I successful?” or “What’s next?” or “Am I doing anything close to what I set out to do?” \u00a0What if our “dreams” look more like a glorified checklist…<\/p>\n
Get the kids through college.<\/p>\n
Pay off the house.<\/p>\n
Win the promotion.<\/p>\n
Build the deck.<\/p>\n
Think about the last time you made a major pivot in your life. What was the impetus? A bad diagnosis? A job loss? A failed business? A broken relationship? Or was it a vision? An idea? A burning desire?<\/p>\n
People change for two primary reasons: PAIN or VISION.<\/strong><\/p>\n PAIN is the #1 reason people change. It can be self-imposed (my body is breaking down because I eat like a pig and need to cut it out) or from external pressure (my boss is demanding I step up my game and I need more training).<\/p>\n Tony Robbins, says it this way:<\/p>\n Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As kids, we had to finish one level before moving to the next. Growth was mandatory. As adults, we can secretly coast through life without anyone knowing. That’s not what I want and I don’t think it’s what you want either.<\/p>\n VISION is also a strong catalyst for change. While it\u2019s much less stressful than waiting until you are backed in a corner, it also requires more initial effort. It\u2019s the proactive counterpart to pain (which is reactive). Vision involves getting ahead of the curve before you are forced to. Vision leads to actions that lead to greater purpose and impact.<\/p>\n However, vision requires imagination and opening your mind to what could be before it exists. It\u2019s not a one-step process; it\u2019s a lifestyle. There are thousands of books on the subject (some nearly 100 years old). There are more TED Talks, mental exercises, workshops and new research on how the brain works out there than I can keep up with.<\/p>\n When it comes to creating <\/em>vision, the first and most important step is to BELIEVE.<\/p>\n When it comes to moving toward<\/em> your vision, the most important step is to DO SOMETHING!<\/p>\n I am a proficient dreamer. Been doing it a long time. It\u2019s is great until you look back and realize you\u2019ve been stuck in La La Land. It can be heartbreaking. What does it take to go from dreamer to do-er? Occasionally, when I get stuck, this short motivational speech helps me get moving:\u00a0Come on Dover!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n We all have some level of pain and an idea of what we want. If that’s the case, why are we not doing something about it?<\/p>\n Why? Because it\u2019s not easy, that\u2019s why.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery search begins with\u00a0beginner’s luck. \u00a0And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Paul Coelho, The Alchemist<\/p>\n Creating a successful business is a hard road. Trying for a new job can result in disappointment. Forgiving those who have hurt us feels vulnerable. Stepping into a leadership role is risky and may illuminate our weaknesses. It\u2019s not safe when we mess up as adults. There is no grade, and looking foolish is much worse than getting a bad grade.<\/p>\n Also, life happens. Things can derail us. A health crisis, the death of a loved-one, loss of a job \u2013 I can think of 100 things that might possibly stop us. Yet, those things pass and when it\u2019s time to get back to it, we\u2019ve lost the nerve.<\/p>\n What is it going to take to rise up and start your thing? Pain or Vision?<\/p>\n This may help loosen the gears and get you going.<\/p>\n STEP 1:<\/strong> \u00a0Think about a PAIN point in your life or a DREAM you’ve been putting off. Write that down. What would it look like if you were living your best life or in a new and better way? What would it feel like? Write in present tense \u2013 make it colorful and real.<\/p>\n Example:\u00a0I wake up each morning full of energy for the day. I am mentally rested and ready to take on challenges. I get dressed and don\u2019t have to squeeze into my clothes. I look and feel great. I no longer need 6 cups of coffee to get through the morning. I am off to work with a bounce in my step. People notice the difference \u2013 my energy is back. <\/em><\/p>\n STEP 2:<\/strong> Now write 3 things you commit to in the next two weeks:<\/p>\n STEP 3:<\/strong> Think of any obstacles that my hinder you:<\/p>\n STEP 4:<\/strong> What can you do to combat those obstacles? Who can you enlist to help?<\/p>\n The above process should take 30 minutes to write out \u2013 you don\u2019t have to write a specific goal. Just define how you want to feel and what it\u2019s going to take to start.<\/p>\n STEP 5:<\/strong> Now, Start!<\/p>\n STEP 6:<\/strong> In two weeks, review the above and repeat or adjust \/ add more. In two more weeks, review, add, adjust and Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.<\/p>\n Mel Robbins (no relation to Tony), a motivational speaker and can-do kind of gal, has a 5 second rule. She says, any idea you have must be activated in 5 seconds or you lose the moment. Write it down, make the call, record a message to yourself – whatever will help you go to the next level. She\u2019s been practicing this for years. It\u2019s what moved her from unemployment, a failing marriage and overwhelming anxiety to a successful motivational speaker and broadcaster. \u00a0Mel Robbins 5 Second Rule<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>She says:<\/p>\n It\u2019s a losing bet to wait until you feel ready. You will never fully feel ready for change.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Momentum creates energy and energy generates momentum. It\u2019s a law of nature.<\/p>\n So, let\u2019s take a cue from those eager boys and girls boarding school buses heading off into the great unknown. Don’t let them have all the fun, we can too.<\/p>\n Onward!<\/p>\n Alexia<\/p>\n Need a boost to help you with changes in your business, home or community? Let’s talk. I work with people in all facets of their life encouraging them to grow up, not give up.<\/p>\n Pic: My determined little girl marching off to Pre-K. Aidan Elaine, August 1996 <Repost from 8\/2018) My Facebook newsfeed is loaded with adorable pictures of little ones heading off to school, teens hitting the high school circuit and parents dropping their “babies” on college campuses. I remember every phase of my kids’ schooling, from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,156,24,23,32,1,33],"tags":[157,166,97,133,40,138,67,158,164,161,162,165,163,90,160,159,66],"yoast_head":"\n
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\nLeading leaders to the greater good.<\/h4>\n
Contact me at\u00a0alexia@alexiazigoris.com<\/a>\u00a0or visit\u00a0AlexiaZigoris.com<\/a>\u00a0for more.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"