Have you ever had someone come up from behind and knock you off balance? One of the reasons that can happen so easily is because we are not centered – and not prepared – both in life and in business.

I was watching Oprah’s Next Chapter last night which featured her attendance at a Tony Robbins event. Being off balance was just one of the many success tips Tony referenced, and demonstrated. It was powerful to see. Bottom line is that when we are prepared and centered and focused, no one can throw us off balance.

Tony Robbins covered many more topics that I wanted to share because they not only related to real life, but to how we run our business. Here are the ones that really caught my attention.

  1. Your biography is not your destiny – your decisions are! Tony spoke here about a woman who was asked ‘what’s your story?” and she went into a long description of all of her ‘wounds’ – all that which had gone wrong in her life. We are defined by the stories we tell ourselves: “I can’t afford that. No one will pay me that. I feel like a fraud. It has to be perfect.” What is the story you tell yourself when you didn’t get that new client, when you stayed glued behind your computer all week – rather than get out networking, when your bank account doesn’t match your revenue goals, when you make excuses for lack of results?” The key to success is to get past the story and move on. Get out of your own way. (Remember: “The way you do anything is the way you do everything!” – take inventory!)
  2. Winter does not last forever- everything is a season and will eventually pass. Same holds true in relationships and I wanted to share this favorite poem to help give some perspective:

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.< br /> The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

  1. Focus on Post-Traumatic Growth!! I really enjoyed this point – it’s a beautiful segue from the first point – and that means take your story and focus on the PTG (rather than PTS) – post-traumatic growth. There are so many resources available to us these days that there really is no excuse for anyone to stay stuck in the muck. Focus on your growth – learn the lesson – and move on to become the best you that you can become. As my coach says: “Make your mess your message.” – Someone will truly benefit.
  2. Success without meaning makes people miserable. Many people do not move on because of fear – and when it comes to business, one of the most common fears, in my experience as a coach, is that of success. Success comes easy to many people – but so can misery, especially when you have not identified the ‘why’ for your life and for your business. What is your BIG ‘Why”? (Mine is to eliminate the ‘bag lady’ concept for women who are starting up and/or starting over in life/business – and I am committed to teaching them the marketing, mindset and money concepts to achieve financial freedom.)
  3. Reading, Journaling and Giving will take you out of your personal hell. Both Tony Robbins and Oprah expanded on this in their 1-1 interview following the show. For me, these are essential values in living my life. Journalling (writing things down) has been a saving grace for me – from life experiences and lessons through to writing down my business and revenue goals. I support Kiva.org – which is not only in alignment with the mission of my business but also keeps me grounded – the more I succeed, the more I give.

As a woman in business, who needs to learn more about getting new clients, making more money and wanting financial freedom – start with the story you are telling yourself.

Where are you holding yourself back?

What story ARE you telling yourself?

Where are you laying the blame? Is it always outside of you?

Where are you getting in your own way?

What action have you taken, each and every day, to achieve your goals?

Have I struck a nerve? Tell me about it……

Please share your thoughts!