Hey Everyone!

So last week we were talking about the conditioning process that we’ve all gone through in our lives. These are the agreements we've made as a result of being around people who had significant impacts on our fragile minds.

The "Lifework” assignment last week asked you to list out all of the negative comments you remember growing up. Let me just say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to those who reached out to let me know this is exactly what you needed right now.

Because I believe we’re all in this together, I will share with you some of the statements I remember growing up:

         "Would you just shut up?"
         "I really wish you weren't so stupid!"
         "Can't you get anything right???"
         "Just do what I tell you!"

So what masterminds have contributed to the negative crap we’ve been toting around?

• Family (just because they’re there and they can)
• Teachers (report cards, feedback on assignments, favoritism)
• Friends (peer pressure, misery loves company, to feel superior)
• Society (magazines, news, commercials, “experts”)

So why in the hell do we let the conditioning effect us? Simply put, we crave acceptance and positive recognition by all of the above people. Seriously, this is a main reason why gangs are so popular with kids. You see, the acceptance they don't get from their family they DO get from being a part of a gang. Sad isn’t it?

In any situation, we have the choice to either accept the situation for what it is or decide to change it. If you do neither, then you only have yourself to blame for your crappy situation. So, I ask you, are you ready to change the conditioning that is preventing you from achieving your dreams?

Disclaimer: changing life-long beliefs will not be easy nor will it happen overnight. It takes courage, commitment, consistency, and patience. However, if you are truly sick and tired of living your life based on what other people said what you were capable of doing, then, this will truly be the beginning of your new life. Welcome!

For me, I decided I wasn't willing to let ANYONE tell ME how I was going to turn out! I made the decision to do WHATEVER it took to make my life what I wanted it to be. I used to say “success is the best revenge!”, but as I've become more mature, I don't really like the word "revenge" as much as I used to. I just believe we deserve to be successful and happy and what better way to do it than to show those who programmed us that it can be done “Neener…neener…neeeeenerrrr!!!”

• Here are just some of the actions I took:
  Read as much information on changing attitudes, outstanding relationships, goal achievement, organizational and time management skills.
• Researched the successful people who I respected and admired and found out what were the keys to their success and began to model that behavior
• Surrounded myself with as much motivational information I could stand (books, tapes, videos, inspirational quotes)
• Surrounded myself with positive & successful people – we’re like the five people were around most!
• Wrote down my vision for success and looked at it several times a day
• Wrote down goals I wanted to accomplish everyday and started doing them
• Asked for help
• Wrote A LOT in my journal to express my hurt, anger, and frustrations buried deep inside of me
• Learned about the power of visualization! It taught me that by seeing what I wanted to be so vividly in my mind it could reprogram my subconscious to achieve that vision

Here’s what you can start doing right now:
1) Create a mission statement describing your new attitude and philosophy about life
     a) Read it out loud when you wake up and before you go to sleep every night
     b) Share it with those around you know will support and believe in you

2) Read autobiographies of successful people whom you admire

3) Get and read these books SEVERAL times:

         “How To Win Friends And Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
         “The Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz
         "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom
         “Awaken The Giant Within" by Tony Robbins
         "Think And Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill "
         "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch
         “Man’s Search For Meaning” Viktor Frankyl

To build on this discussion of changing our conditioning, next week we'll talk about the words we use which definitely shapes our beliefs, attitudes, and outcomes.

Always remember: life is a journey, not a destination! Love like you've never been hurt, laugh like there's no tomorrow, and dance like no one is watching!

All my best for your happiness and success,

Christopher

PS: If you are super serious, I’m taking on just a few more coaching clients and guarantee we can change your conditioning together!