"If you don't control your mind, someone else will." ---
John Allston
It's simple. The secret to success balances between two
circles. Filled with unseen power, these circles wield their
might as sure as the universal law of gravity or the cycles
of nature. Each circle functions independently, and each
circle creates its own outcome. Nature decrees that you
can't occupy both circles simultaneously, but you must be in
one at all times. I call these circles BYC and IYC.
The BYC circle holds everything that is Beyond Your Control.
The IYC circle contains the things In Your Control. Neither
circle discriminates against anyone, but the variables
inside can either create or destroy a championship mindset.
Understanding BYC
Inside the circle of things BYC, there are thousands of
things: weather, taxes, factory programs, interest rates,
co-workers, hotheaded customers, governmental policies; you
name it.
There is nothing championship about standing in the circle
of things Beyond Your Control. Why? By its very nature, the
circle of things Beyond Your Control blocks creativity and
diverts success by wasting focused energy. In addition to
gossiping, griping and complaining, people operating in this
circle worry about things over which they have no power.
Worry splits teams, breaks relationships, clouds your
decision making, gives you irritable bowel syndrome, and
makes you eat Rolaids. Before you realize it, systems break
down, short cuts abound, and mediocrity establishes itself
as a lifestyle.
It is impossible to grow or succeed when you operate in the
circle of things Beyond Your Control. Unfortunately, this is
where most people spend the bulk of their time. BYC is less
demanding. It allows us to "try" to get things done without
actually producing results. Here, we can safely wish that
things would change, and that outcomes were better.
Champions know it. Wishing is easier than working.
Understanding IYC
The Championship Mentality lies solely in the circle of
things In Your Control. While BYC holds thousands of things,
IYC consists of only three things. Just three:
The way you think. The way you talk. The way you act.
The secret to this circle is its simplicity. Frank Outlaw
demonstrated his understanding of IYC's power when he said,
"Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your
words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they
become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your
character. Watch your character for it will become your
destiny." Focusing on the way you think, talk, and act means
goal completion and successful results!
Cultivating IYC
Step One: READ with Intent Readers are leaders. Reading
stimulates thought, and thought dictates action. If you want
to improve your leadership skills, read how great leaders
improved theirs. If fear has you paralyzed, read a book on
how to overcome it. Perhaps the skillful use of body
language will let you to put your clients at ease. Find out
how to do it in a book. Reading plants the knowledge of the
ages in your head. Champions make time to study their craft.
Reading is preferable; however, if time is short, grab a
motivational CD or a book on tape, and listen to it during
drive time. How you do it doesn't matter, what does matter
is that you do it.
Step Two: TALK with Determination Talk follows thought, and
determines action. The way we talk determines our level of
success. When we say, "I'll try to study more," or "I'll try
to work on my technique," or "I'll try to sell one today,"
chances are we will fail. Why? The word "try" is an open
door that always offers the user an out. For example, if a
client says, "I'll try to come back Thursday," we know from
experience it is not going to happen. True Champions don't
"try" to study; they study. Winners don't "try" to work on
their technique; they work on it. Power's mantle rests on
the shoulders of those who replace "I'll try" with "I will."
Say it like you mean it. Be determined to achieve your
goals.
Step Three: ACT with Purpose Actions speak louder than
words. Execute a hand-written, activity-based action plan at
the start of each day. Include professional objectives, as
well as personal goals. Be specific. If your goal is to
improve customer delight, be careful of vague hand-written
goals like, "I will send out some thank you notes this
week." Let your actions speak! Hand-write a list of specific
things you will do and make that goal a reality. "Today I
will write 10 thank you notes to customers I talked to, but
did not sell." Writing out your goals does take time, but
the process of writing them creates momentum. Donald Trump
says, "Written goals increase your chances of success by
99%." Like a welder's torch cutting metal, the simple act of
writing down your goals in specific language focuses your
energy into purpose-filled activity.
It's your choice: BYC or IYC. You can allow people and
events Beyond Your Control to dictate a life of inaction,
frustration and regret, or you can command your own destiny
in the circle In Your Control. Harness your thoughts, and
keep them moving in the right direction. Feed your mind the
highest quality information you can find. Fill your speech
with words reflecting your level of determination, and act
out your plan. Think like a Champion. It's just that simple.
Chris Alford is a father, a North Carolina native and
founder and president of Motivate America, Inc. and Chris
Alford Concepts, two leadership training companies
specializing in dynamic educational programs. http://www.ChrisAlfordConcepts.com
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