Have you ever attended a conference, heard some brilliant statements and neglected to write them down – let alone actually GET the lesson? I see that happen all the time to many entrepreneurs. It all comes down to goals, intentions and habits. My specialty!

When I attended Suzanne’s 6th annual ‘Be the Change’ event in Orlando last week, I made note of many of her one line statements that are not only inspirational but can easily be turned into action steps.  Time is precious. I value it. I value wisdom, too.

The intention with this article is to share some of the great one-liners and give my take on them when it comes to growing your business, growing YOU and creating your best life.  I like to keep things simple so that’s exactly what you can expect.

Rather than getting your pen and notebook out, just print off this article and keep it handy. You can create your own goals and move them right on into your calendar – and then let me know how you are doing and what support I can offer you.

 #1 – “NO ONE STANDS AT AN EMPTY FOUNTAIN AND THROWS IN COINS”.

People often ask why I attend these types of conferences and events. The answer is simple – it is to fill ME up! Many of YOU are running on empty. As a business coach and speaker, I am always giving, giving, and giving some more. My fountain needs to be filled up too – it makes me a better business person and a stronger individual. I know that one of the major excuses that I hear is ‘I can’t afford it’ – well, quite honestly, you can’t afford NOT to be attending events like this.

Action Step: start your own search for events that you should be attending for personal and professional development. Get registered and mark them on your calendar. I attend 3 Christian-based conferences a year (Leadercast, the Global Leadership Summit, and Women of Faith) – and 3 professional conferences (Be the Change, Wealth Makers Toronto…..of course! …..and research a new one each year).

#2 –”DO NOT CONFUSE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR POTENTIAL”.

Love this one! Again, it goes back to your self-talk, your beliefs about what is possible for you and for your business and your habits – and I find that excuses are simply a bad habit (and one that many of you have mastered!). There is so much information available these days that it is impossible, really, to stay stuck in your circumstances. That’s a decision you are making. Get unstuck. Make a decision to live your best day – leading to living your best life. Your circumstances can be changed and often it just takes one first step – ASK for help.

Action Step: Take a look at your current circumstances and make a list of what’s holding you back from reaching your goals, your dreams. What items on that list are within your control and which ones are not. Work with the list that you control and, where necessary, ask for help to make some changes. Get out of your own way.

#3 –”IT’S NOT A DECISION UNTIL YOU TAKE ACTION. INDECISION IS A FORM OF SELF-ABUSE”.

AfricaOh, ouch! How is this one hitting you? Many entrepreneurs spend their time wishing and hoping that things will change. Nothing changes until you make a decision – and then, again, nothing changes until you take action on that decision. (That’s why I am adding ACTION STEPS in here, LOL!) Indecision IS a form of self-abuse. We have all the opportunities in the world available to us. At Suzanne’s event last week, Sindi travelled over 8,800 miles to come from Zimbabwe. It was his first time on an airplane! Can you imagine? It was his first time at such an event. I met him on my 2 trips to Africa where we mentor the women entrepreneurs from the market and teach them marketing and sales skills. Suzanne hosted a fund-raising walk/run for these women and $60,000 was generated – WOW. (Actually, it was $30,000 and Suzanne generously matched the donation.) But that’s only part of the story.

Sindi was sitting in every sessions at this event – taking notes like crazy. When Suzanne presented the opportunity for members in the audience to join her coaching program, Sindi was up at the microphone in a flash. He couldn’t hold back. Coming from South Africa and living a very meagre life, he KNEW an opportunity when he heard one. He joined the coaching program! He has NO idea how he will make this happen – but he recognized that it all begins with a decision – and then action. He practically ran to the microphone with his questions – and then his decision.

say YesInspiring?! Holy cow – you have NO idea!

Action Step: Get serious about your business and life goals. What DO you want to have happen? This is not a dress rehearsal. Where are you letting excuses get in your way? Commit to one thing you can do TODAY to move forward and create the business and the life that you really want to live? (print Sindi’s photo and keep it in front of your face for when you are feeling fear or weakness)

#4 –”NO ONE EVER GETS EXHAUSTED FROM WORKING HARD – THEY GET EXHAUSTED FROM WORKING HARD WITH NO RESULTS!”

That’s food for thought, isn’t it? This one really caught my attention. It really had me thinking. Where can I improve on some of the goals I have and the results I am creating. We all want results. They don’t happen overnight but they certainly can happen strategically – with great results. That’s one of the reasons I have 2 coaches – one for my business and one for my professional speaking. Where are you working hard? In isolation? Feeling frustrated with where you’re at?

Action Step: GET.A.COACH! No one can do this alone. No one. Contact me today and let’s discuss how I can support you – or refer you. If you are exhausted from working hard with no results, then something must change – you must make a decision and take different action.

There is NO magic in any of these statements. NONE! The magic is in YOU.

What one-liner really resonated with you?

Please share your thoughts!

2 Comments

  1. Hi Pat, great insights. Thank you for sharing. All 4 points are so powerful. All of them have moved me- but your example of Sindi made me cry because I identify with him alot. And his story is giving me the inspiration to take huge risk, but I will do everything in my control to do what I need to do so I can get where I want to get. The universe also has been sending me messages, “no guts, no glory”.

    Cheers 🙂

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