Mindset: Life happens to us but we do have choices.
By Mandy Beverly
We choose how we respond, how we react, and how we create what we want.
You are not powerless despite the challenges that come your way. You are more powerful than you know. It’s necessary to have strategies to keep you in momentum and give you a different perspective when you hit life’s ‘speed bumps.’ If you’re fearful and trying to avoid negative feelings, you’re living life trying to be something you’re not – a one-sided human being. If you only see one thing in life, a positive without a negative or a negative without a positive, you are missing the gifts that are hiding in the ups and downs of life.
We ALL live in a universe occupied by a solar system with planets that revolve around a very bright star called the Sun. In this solar system, as with the rest of the universe, we are governed by laws. We know them as the Laws of the Universe. Gravity is one such law. Just like the laws that we live by in society have consequences if we break them, universal laws also can’t bend without consequences. The consequences in this instant will directly impact how we feel about ourselves in the areas of feelings, judgments, intuition, thoughts, beliefs, values, and purpose, mission, and vision.
You cannot have a positive without a negative happening at the same time. Both exist in every moment. In other words, everything is a game of opposites from the quantum and subatomic levels to the astronomical level. If you experience the positive with no negative downside or experience the negative without seeing the positive upside to someone or something, you will create emotions.
As much energy stores in our negative perspectives of fear and limitation as in our positive views. We’ll often focus on how something positive or negative makes us feel, instead of what we can do to open our minds to different possibilities. If you continuously experience challenges without seeing any support, you will experience burn out. If you’re only seeking and experiencing support without any challenges, you’ll stay stuck.
Feelings, unless synthesized, are incomplete. Incomplete feelings are emotions and only half of a full equation of energy. They keep us out of flow and momentum. This awareness enables you to look for the positive in any moment of challenge.
Everything about our existence is about growth. So, there will always be challenges and support in different areas of your life. You will frequently have your comfort zone stretched. Even if you’re not aware of this, you’ll attract experiences to ensure you have growth. Ever experienced challenges in business, relationships, or health?
So, how can you use that information in your business?
Each year we love to think about the year ahead. We also know challenges are inevitable. When faced with a challenge, aim to spend 10% on the problem and 90% on the solutions. It’s not always easy to remember in the moment, but it’s something to try. Forcing your mind to focus on potential solutions will give you strategies you may not have thought of yet. One approach could be to reach out quickly to a business coach or someone to make sure you’re not letting your problems take over. Make strategising potential solutions part of your planning process. Create stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks – the secret to creating momentum and professionalism.
In Seth Godin’s new book, The Practice, he gives an example of a business perspective, which I find helpful. “Doing what you love is for amateurs. Love what you do is the mantra for professionals.”
In other words, find meaning in what you do instead of shopping around or waiting, hoping you find something you can feel passionate about. Seth says that if you’re constantly trying to figure out if you feel like it, then you’re letting yourself off the hook.
It also takes the angst and indecision out of your day and stops the self-doubt. Immediately you’re focused on your work and less on how you feel about it. You’ll feel engaged. That’s when flow happens. We don’t get flow and then do the work, it’s the other way around.
Creativity is an action, not a feeling. Your work is too important to be left to how you feel today. – Seth Godin.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you implement what you just read:
- What challenges have created up-sides or opportunities in your business?
- What are 3 strategies that you will use to stay in momentum this year?
- What is one thing that you need to put on your action list and not your ‘do I feel like it’ list?
You can find out more about Mandy Beverly here: www.remarkablegroup.co.nz
