Focus On the Prize

People talk to me about making personal and professional changes in their life. I hear comments about how hard they think it will be, concerns about their ability to be successful, pressure on themselves to produce results, etc. The anticipation (what you imagine or assume will happen) of the experience can be daunting enough to deter a person from taking the first step! How often does the anticipation match the reality of what happens? If your thoughts and emotions are getting in the way of what you want, read on for 10 tips to get going and stay moving.

1. Describe (in detail) one change you want to make in your life. Consider the benefits to you, how your life will improve, who you will become, how other people and situations will benefit from your success?. Be specific.

2. Identify any concerns, challenges and fears associated with this goal. Create a realistic perspective by examining what you may be anticipating or assuming.

3. Focus on seeing yourself achieving that goal. Make the image vivid and detailed. See yourself already there and step into that picture in your mind. Standing in that space, notice your feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations as you observe yourself successfully attaining your goal.

From that future position, answer these questions:

¨ How has this change impacted your life? What's changed? Describe in detail.

¨ How are you feeling, thinking, being?

¨ What's the best part about being successful?

¨ What have you learned about yourself by achieving this goal?

¨ What else are you aware of? 4. Describe the picture you see on paper. Write in detail all that you see, think, and sense. If you feel creative, draw a picture or make a collage to bring greater depth to your vision.

5. Looking backward from this future point, begin to recognize the steps you took to arrive at success. From here you can begin to craft a flexible strategy that will lead you to the outcome you have already achieved.

6. Identify the first step and?take it! One step leads to the next.

7. Once a day (or more!), revisit the picture of success you created in steps 3 & 4. Putting your attention on the desired outcome reinforces your intention and recommits you to the goal. Reframe fearful thoughts with new internal messages to strengthen you and move you forward. Example: "I'm afraid to do XYZ for fear I might fail" to " I have the strength and support to move forward with confidence." You might add, " Each step I take is a success!" (see below)

8. Acknowledge your small steps as successes. A great way to remember all of your successes is to keep a journal to document your progress. Making a change involves a series of action steps that produce the end result. Baby steps lead to leaps and shifts and fuel motivation by inspiring confidence and action.

9. Invite people to cheer you on and support you. Experience the power of having a team behind you.

Celebrate along the way!!!!

Copyright 2004, Lorraine Cohen

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Lorraine Cohen of Powerfull Living (http://www.powerfull-living.biz) is a Business Coach and Life Strategist and Team Member of Solo-E (http://www.Solo-E.com). Lorraine Cohen is a Business Coach & Life Strategist who brings more than 25 years of experience in life coaching, counseling, and sales. She helps people through career change, life transitions, and the process of breaking through FEAR and removing barriers to success.
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