Toward the end of yesterday’s post, I mentioned how any insights we might have in relation to our lives need action. If there is no action, the insight is little better than a passing thought. Eventually it drifts away into the ether of our lives. Nothing changes.
American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker, Tim Ferriss is known for his 2007 book, The 4-Hour Workweek and, this great quote,
“A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have”.
Starting With You
- Your willingness to ask and answer the questions no one else is willing to engage in.
- Say the things that no one else is willing to say.
- Go to places where you might be scared to go.
- Be willing to say and do the things that raise a lot of energy in your body.
I’m Not Talking About Beating Yourself Up!
It’s painful yet easy to say, I can’t do this, I can’t do that, I’m not good enough. What’s happening here is that our loving ego steps once more into the limelight seeking to protect us from often ill-perceived harm or repeat of a challenging experience. “You were hurt last time, let’s not repeat that experience”. Relying on the ego separates us from possibility and particularly from the prospect of new insights that might drive us forward to our success.
Of course, there are times when the ego may have a point. “That was a scam, you were sucked in and you lost a lot of money”. Unless questioned, that point will drive us away from insights and there will be no possibility.
Some People Fail, Some Don’t
The why of this leads back to the “Starting With You” questions. High achievers are willing to ask and answer those questions honestly. Some may be able to ask themselves while others may need a coach to enable them to tease out the answers. Let’s presume that the resources to pay a coach aren’t available. How then, can we help ourselves?
According to research, 92 percent of people who set New Year’s goals never actually achieve them and research by smallbiztrends.com shows that only 18 percent of first-time entrepreneurs have a realistic chance of success.
Only 8 or 18% !
Are you or, will you be one of those 8 or 18% who are successful? Don’t answer, yes, no, would like to be. Drill down into the depths of your mind; answer fully and honestly. Write down the points that are coming up, leave nothing out. Say what nobody else is willing to say through fear of hurting your feelings. If it helps, imagine that you have created a clone of you and your goal is to educate and equip it before sending it out into the world. If necessary, fool the ego, tell it not to worry, this is just a learning exercise.
Highlight the insights you find in your answers before asking yourself what action you can take to bring them into your clones being. This will raise a lot of energy if you commit and act.
Successful People Question
They don’t try to second guess. They ask questions of themselves, answer honestly, collect the insights and act. The process I have outlined here is a starting point and it needs constant and persistent practice. That’s why I urge you to write down your responses to the questions and highlight the insights – They will be there but, don’t over-analyze because with that there is a danger of procrastination.
Asking and answering difficult or challenging questions is one of the seeds that grows success in life or business. They need fertile ground. Success is all about you, how you answer the questions and the action you take.
Tools That Help
Relating to these there are plenty of other tools that can help with your Personal Growth and Development. If you would like a free 20-minute coaching session on some of these, please leave your contact details in the comments and you will receive a prompt response.
Toolbox
There are many ways to effectively explore and advance your Personal Development in any area of life that matters to you. A box of tools to challenge the boundaries and move forward toward realizing success is extremely beneficial.
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Comments and Questions
Leave yours below. Your thoughts or questions may well ignite a positive spark in other readers thinking. You will always receive a prompt response to your questions and there is no such thing as a bad question; only the one that was never asked.
Namasté
I bow to the place in you that is love, light, and joy
Peace & Light
Steve Costello is a British Community & Youth Studies and Psychology honors graduate with over 30-years theoretical and practical experience in the Personal Development public and private sectors. He founded ExGro in 2018 with business partner, friend and clinical psychologist, Leo Faerberg.