Taking the First Step

When I coach, I often find many people have difficulty not necessarily in accomplishing a goal – but rather in just starting it.  They have all these ideas in their head, they write things down, they make long to-do or wish list that carry over from days to weeks to even months – but that is the extent of their action. 

A little secret that may people don’t know is that what generally happens once a person takes action on a goal – just the first step, no matter how teeny tiny of a step it may seem to be - things begin to magically fall into place.  Once the ball gets rolling and catches momentum - people, things, situations just seem to come to their aid to support their goal and before they know it – they’ve accomplished what they thought they couldn’t even start.  So it’s not necessarily the difficulty in starting – but rather it’s the ‘not starting’ that makes it so difficult.  Get it?

The next time you have an issue/challenge/task that may appear daunting or overwhelming – just take the first step and everything else will follow.  Try it...it works all the time – but you’ve got to just take the first step.  Get Ready, Get Inspired! -GD

Dealing with Negativity & Hostility

With the many groups I coach, a common question that comes up is “How do I deal with other people’s negativity and hostility, especially in this environment where most people are willing to put others down to make themselves look good?”    My answer simply is: You just worry about making yourself the best example of a human being you can possibly be.  Being human, you will make mistakes – it won’t be your first, it won’t be your last.  Some people will make bigger mistakes than you, some people will make smaller mistakes than you – it does not mean they are any worst or better than you.  Strive to learn and grow.  Don’t waste your time and energies trying to figure other people out, spend this time and energy understanding yourself first.  Many times people have their own issues that have nothing to do with you directly.  Some people will take their baggage, strap it to your back and ask you to carry it barefoot across the country for them…but only if you let them. The other half the time they are not even fully aware of how abrasive they may come off.  However, I want to make very clear if it is a form of harassment: verbal abuse, sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or stalking – these are not to be tolerated and should be immediately reported accordingly to the proper supervisors and authorities as required.  Thankfully, most of the cases I’ve heard of are people being either just unaware, unprofessional and the very few - hurtful.  In all three of those cases – use them as shining examples of what NOT to be; resonate from a higher source.  Remember, there’s always a learning experience in everything we come across, so focus on spending the time and energy in growing yourself.  G.R.G.I!  - GD

Moving Away from Negative Influences

Having coached hundreds of folks – a common roadblock I see are people that unknowingly surround themselves with negative influence.  Negative influence can mean many things.  The negative influences I’m referring to are basically the people who have decided who you are and what you’re capable of doing based on what they perceive of you.  They are the judges who contribute in no other way but give their point of view which is generally discouraging.  When you have a dream in your heart – be very aware of who you choose to surround yourself with.  Who are the people in your life right now that have already pre-judged you and will continue to judge you?  They may be colleagues, friends and even family members.  Unless they have a stake in your dream, ie: they are helping you with start up capital or they are a partner in your business - the brutal truth is you need to limit your exposure to their negativity.  Negativity attracts negativity and that is why so many new entrepreneurs cannot get past their own mindset.  Now, I’m not saying go out there and cut off those people in your life – absolutely not.  Just have a heightened awareness of how much time you may be spending with negative influencers and recognize the source of where their judgments come from.  No one can tell you what you are capable of achieving.  Only you can decide that.  Stay true to your dreams and resonate with those people who support you mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Get Ready, Get Inspired! - GD