By guest writer Philip Humbert
March marked the end of the first Quarter of 2010. We are 25% of the way through the year and for many goals--from annual income and sales, to fitness and any other goal that has a linear progression--you should be 25% of the way there! So, how are you doing? Are you 25% of the way to your most important goals for the year? Have you lost weight or enjoyed time with the family like you promised? Have you earned the income, made the sales, read the books or attended the workshops you put on "the list" back in January? I hope so! My point is to encourage you to CELEBRATE, if you are on-track! Staying true to your plan and keeping your commitments in the dreary weeks of winter is not easy. If you are on-time and on-budget and on-course, you deserve a huge pat on the back! Here's to you! Unfortunately, most people are behind schedule, off-track and many have abandoned the goals they set in January. Time has passed. They've been busy. Stuff happens. We get interrupted, reality sets in and old patterns persist. Whatever the cause, our goals are not achieved and life does not change. I'm not trying to be pessimistic and I'm certainly not judging anyone! This is simply how life is much of the time. The key is to acknowledge it, look it in the face and do something about it. As a coach, part of my job is to observe WHAT happens, understand WHY it happens, and find SOLUTIONS so we can change our "usual" results and achieve something extraordinary. Here are a few of the themes I observe: 1. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting a different result." This old saying contains tremendous truth. Many people set goals but don't design and institute new patterns in order to get new results. They have goals--many are passionate about them--but they are unable or unwilling or have simply never considered changing their lifestyle, their schedule, or their environment to make new results possible. 2. Habits are powerful. The human brain loves patterns. We tend to live our lives in familiar ways. This is a good thing! It helps us make sense of a complex world! But, it also limits us. Until we change our thinking, our behavior and our relationships, the odds of achieving our goals are very slim. To achieve your goals, you must think differently! You must behave -- do things, use your time -- differently. Create and use powerful, positive new habits. 3. Human beings can do amazing things! Inside each of us is enormous untapped potential. Climbing mountains, building great enterprises, running for office or creating great art is not (primarily) the result of rare, unusual talent. More often, it is the result of a passionate commitment to achievement. If others have done it, so can you. 4. Get around and learn from winners. This is absolutely essential! We tend to live like our "reference population," our friends and co-workers. We do what they do. We spend our money, use our time, and solve our problems the way our friends do. This is "normal." The key is to CHANGE YOUR REFERENCE POPULATION! Get around and learn from people who don't live the way you currently do, but who, instead, live the way you desire to live. Trust me, it'll "rub off on you." Copyright (c) 2010, all rights reserved. U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1529-059X You may copy, forward or distribute TIP's if this copyright notice and full information for contacting Dr Philip E. Humbert are included. Contact him at: www.philiphumbert.com or email: Coach@philiphumbert.com
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