Every now and again, time stands still for a brief moment, as if in complete acknowledgment of something profound. The inexplicable beauty of the moment lends itself to emotion. Alright, you got me, that sounds a hell of a lot better than “In December 2006 we went to Disney World”. I mean way to foul up the opening paragraph of my blog!
Any who, our journey began out of optimism, the sort of stuff that half full glasses are made of! I remember having this giant pretzel container from Price Club and starting our Disney fund. At first I dropped in my pocket change, then a few dollars here and there. In retrospect, the fund never had a chance because it was right around that time that our business failed leaving us $60,000 in debt.
As I watched my kids get older by the second, I grew rather depressed and thought my dream would never happen. Worse yet, I began to convince myself that I wasn’t worthy and deserving. Been there?
It was right about that time that I happened across a quote from Tony Robbins “If you have a strong enough ‘Why’, you’ll find the ‘How’” So I began to imagine my family having this awesome time at Disney. I could see the smiles, smell the popcorn, hear my kids laughing. I can’t tell you how many mental trips I made through those gates, but if Disney is ever allowed to charge me for them . . . I’m screwed!
I clipped a picture of the Magic Kingdom and kept it on my desk. It was the first thing I looked at when I woke up each day. Whenever I’d hit a speed bump, I’d look at that picture. When I cold called and was rejected, I looked at the picture. Whenever I’d score a win, I’d look at that picture. Somehow, having purpose (“Why”) my progress began to fast forward. I actually began to believe that I was worthy of such a goal and harnessed my inner whupass!
11 years later, the Castain family went through the gates in real time, stayed 10 days, took the Disney cruise and paid cash.
It was right about that time that I made a modification to my sales training methodology and that was the inclusion of what some call “Why Factors”
“Why Factors” are things that you want in your life as a result of your hard work in your career. It can be that dream vacation, paying off debt, a house. It can also be things like date nights with your spouse, money to give away to your favorite charity etc.
The Key is that you create some sort of collage of the things that are most important to you. Have that bad boy front, center, and in your face 24/7! Consider adding your number one “Why Factor” as a screen saver. Let your “Why’s” be the first thing you see in the morning. Mentally put yourself in the picture. Use all of your senses and sprinkle some belief in while you’re at it. Oh, and when it looks like the world is extending a hardy middle finger in your direction, look at your “Why’s” and try this cool new mental outfit on for size. It’s called “There is a way, I just haven’t found it yet” and perhaps I could interest you in trying this one on too “God’s delays, aren’t God’s denials”
Or, for the Rocky fans . . . “Get up you son of a bitch!”
Make sure you diversify your dreams! You need some inexpensive items, some middle of the road and some that are just freakin HUGE! I believe it was the great Denis Waitley who once said “We need to have a goal that’s just out of reach, but not out of sight!”
That’s how we grow and how we find the “How”! That’s how we find ourselves in the process.
And when you acquire your “Why’s” (and you will) you must pause at some point to pat yourself on the back, acknowledge the win and savor the moment!
By the way . . .
I still keep pictures of the things from my “Why” list that have been accomplished. I do that for two reasons:
- John C. Maxwell once said “To make a memory and visit it often” I won’t lie to you folks. I never busted my rear end to bring my family there once. We’ve had many a “do you remember” conversation on that subject (complete with smiles, laughs and some pride from yours truly)
- It’s an insurance policy for me for when that bum called “doubt” invites himself over.
Today’s message is simple . . . create your “Why’s”, get them front and center and just for the heck of it . . . know that you weren’t put on this earth for mediocrity!
