Meeting of the Minds w/ Niels Johnson-Lameijer 08/26/2009 Summary
“Building Your Business and Your Life”
I. To Sum It Up…
How many of us can attest to the fact that after being pulled over by a policeman for a rolling stop (or whatever infraction we have committed), we notice more patrol cars as we continue on to our destinations? Our eyes are peeled, gleaning the road for black-and-white Ford Crown Victorias. Suddenly, it seems, they are everywhere! Not necessarily because there are actually more than before, but because we are conscious of them.
And so it goes in all areas of our lives, says life mastery and business coach Niels Johnson-Lameijer, “Your focus determines your reality.” We see what we look for. And in our previous situation, this awareness will most likely make us better drivers.
Whatever the desired end may be, whether having good driving records, becoming skilled musicians, or buying our own beach homes on the shores of paradise, “Making sure your focus is on your desired reality is key to achieving it,” says Lameijer. Yet, he continues, “90% of people in the US fail to set goals and act on them.” Why? Excuses. “I don’t have the time…money…ability….” “Fears [of failure] come up when we want to work on our dreams,” he says. And it is important that we identify these negative beliefs and ask ourselves where they are coming from. “Awareness is the first step,” he says. “Once we are aware, we can make a choice.” We can break negative belief patterns by refuting them with truths such as, “I am capable and empowered to _____(fill in the blank).”
While moving towards our desired destinies in life and business, says Lameijer, “setting small, achievable goals is key.” We cannot expect to write international hits the first time we pen songs, but we can practice piano and voice for an hour every day.
II. Connect the Dots
Steps to Success
1. Notice What You Think About: Your focus greatly affects your reality. The mind guides the eyes, and the eyes fuel the mind. Positive input, positive output.
2. Set Achievable Goals: Time specific (Tuesday at 9:30am I will…____), reasonable steps toward a desired end.
3. Utilize Your Passion: Write down your top five passions and rank them to see what excites you the most. Pursue your #1.
4. Know Where Your Time Goes: Make a time chart to track how you are spending each hour and find out if there are certain areas your time might be better spent.
Watch out for GAIL
Gremilns of self-doubt that whisper lies such as, “I’m not good enough.”
Assumptions like “I can’t…_____.”
Interpretations of situations and people that may not be founded on truth
Limiting beliefs about yourself and your interactions with others
III. Hitting It Home
Lameijer’s Quest(ions): 1) What fuels my engine (what am I passionate about)? 2) Where is my focus (what am I thinking about and looking for)? 3) What can I do today to realize/achieve my goals? 4) Why am I afraid of failing?
IV. Catalyst: Be the Change
Invest in yourself: Set passion-inspired goals that are achievable, share them with an accountability partner who will follow up with you, and GO FOR IT step by step. Train for the triathlon, participate (give it your best), cross the finish line, and learn from the experience. It may not be a piece of cake, but it will be rewarding.
Invest in Your community: Share your passions with those around you. If you love to bake, make a cake for the elderly couple down the street. If you love to read, volunteer with a local non-profit like Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and read to hospitalized children battling life-threatening illnesses. If you’re an athlete, cheer on your teammates and be an encourager. Reach out and serve others with your gifts and interests.
