Rise above

Earlier this week I was driving on a windy single lane road when I found myself behind someone dressed like Lance Armstrong (well, maybe not). Of course he would not get far enough over for me to pass comfortably. So I waited for the oncoming cars to pass and then finally got around him. Apparently I did not get far enough over because he gave me some sign language to tell me he was angry with me for not sharing the road. For a split second I thought about slowing or stopping my car to confront him, but if I did that I would have allowed him to drag me into his world and I would have allowed him to control me. Not where I want to be. Zig Ziglar used to talk about how some people live in a cat kickin world and that somebody had been kicking their cat long before you got there. (Not literally kicking the cat)

Have you ever been to a restaurant and received poor service and it was like the waitress didn’t care about the service they rendered? Or they were rude to you? Not exactly customer oriented. My point in all of this is that many times it has nothing to do with you, it is all about them. The most precious real estate is the mass between your ears and only you can control that. And I for one, REFUSE to let anyone else determine how I feel or put me into a mood. That’s not to say that it never happens, but I will not remain in that state for very long.

The power of refocusing is a tremendous asset in the battle for the land between the ears. You and I are totally empowered to change the way we feel by changing the way we view each situation. It all has to do with the power of focus. This allows us to aim at something different than we are currently focusing on and achieve greater results but not allowing external forces to dominate our thinking. I could have allowed that guy on the bike in spandex to get me to feel certain emotions, but should I allow someone in tights in a silly helmet to drag me down. He will have a lot of reciprocating results if he stays in that state. Here are some ways to get back on track when we get off the ball.

• Get specific on what is wrong, or what is holding us back: This simply is the process of getting clear on what is disturbing us. What is bugging you and why?

• Change your focus: So many people keep replaying incidents and events in their mind and stay stuck in that negative mental state. You can absolutely change how you feel by changing the way you view it. For example, I can imagine that guy on the bike in pink spandex, gold teeth and a mullet. You can make things humorous, you can brighten, magnify by the way you play it back in your mind.

• Resolve it: Move on, stop thinking and dwelling on negative emotions. Follow through and change your thinking anytime you feel yourself slipping back into that old way of thinking.

I use this in business too. I picture a meeting going the way I planned and the customer benefitting from the solution I present them. Sometimes a client doesn’t choose what i reccommend and I don’t like it. Ok, so when I don’t get a deal, do I let it consume me? No, I learn from it, see areas where I could do better and resolve not to make the same mistake again. It’s all between the ears. Controlling your thinking allows you to rise above negative situations in life and will help you enjoy life a little fuller each day.

Ignite your Passion!