As an NLP Practitioner (Study of Human Excellence), I am always seeking ways to help people “perform above their self imposed limitations.” Whether it is sports, business or personal, the key to success is learning how to perform above your self imposed limitations. We have all seen what happens when people continue their same old behavior patterns and expect different results. You get the same old results. Yet why do people in all areas of life still operate from this very old, outdated and ineffective model of performance?
The answer is simple: People perform within their comfort zone. The comfort zone is defined as the place in people’s mind where fear, resistance, and obstacles create a false sense of security. A place where people rely and wait on outside influences to impact their life vs relying on inner strengths, improved skill sets and higher level qualities to influence outside circumstance. It is a place where growth, transformation, and skill upgrades don’t exist. It is accepting that nothing can be done and one is the victim of their circumstances. And finally, it is a limited set of behaviors attempting to accomplish goals.
The solution: Fixed goals and variable means.
Explanation: Most people will do the opposite of the solution. They will set variable goals with fixed means rather than fixed goals with variable means. When you set variable goals with fixed means, you will either set goals at a low level or once the goals are set, lower your goals to match your internal and unconsious perception of yourself based on the following factors
1. Limited beliefs. (What you think you are capable of; What you think is possible in the world; What you believe you deserve;, etc.
2. State of mind. (Are you performing in a depressed, anxious, or frustrated state of mind or are you performing with passion, excitement and enthusiasm.)
3. Skill sets. (Are you attempting to accomplish your goals based on the same skill sets you learned years ago, or are you constantly and continuously seeking, learning and applying higher and higher level skill sets.
4. Identity: Do you think of yourself in only one way or do you have many ways to think of your role that can expand your performance. A simple example would be a restaurant server. If you thought of yourself as someone who just served a meal to the customers, then your behavior would reflect your identity. Mechanically, delivering the food, cleaning the table and asking for payment. However, if you expanded your identity to not just a server but also a person who wants to inspire, motivate and deliver happiness to all your customers, in other words a “STATE CHANGER”, then you might develop a whole new set of skills, behaviors and qualities that would create a much different experience for your customers.
5. Environment: Do you work in an environment that keeps you in your current level of thinking, performing and circumstances. Or do you seek new environments (new friends, groups, circumstances) that can assist you to new levels of awareness and performance?
Fixed goals with variable means concept is where you keep your goals and time frames fixed and rather than change your goals to match your perceived capabilities and / or resources, you change your behaviors, mindset and capabilites to meet your goals. You move “yourself” up to meet the higher level goals rather than moving your goals down to meet your current self.
Steps to fixed goals with variable means:
1. Realize you have set your goals within your comfort zone.
2. Revisit your goals by asking how your goals would change if you set them above your self imposed limitations. And then ask yourself: What is the first thing you would notice about your life that would change as a result of these new and revised goals?
3. Set new goals based on #2 and set these goals as fixed goals with fixed time frames.
4. Imagine performing above your self imposed limitations and ask yourself what beliefs, states of mind, skill sets, identity, and environment would be needed to support these higher level goals.
5. Create a self improvement program and create more variable means (i.e. changing mindset – see 1 through 5 above). (Variable means is another word for behavioral flexibility and behavioral flexibility is when one has many options through different behaviors, empowering mindsets and expanded awareness to accomplish one’s fixed goals.
Note: All great athletes have coaches. Individuals and businesses would be served well to have a coach to teach, monitor, evaluate and help adjust ones variable means as well as assisting in setting high level goals.
Dave Isaac is a Certified NLP master practitioner and helps individuals, businesses and athletes perform above their self imposed limitations and achieve peak performance. For more information on NLP, please visit www.acceleratedmastery.com
Dave’s emails is: [email protected]
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The NHL lockout is still on going, but with Tuesday afternoons meeting set to take place without commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, perhaps there is some optimism that traction can be made.
There will be six owners involved in the meeting representing the league. Those owners are Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins, Ronald Burkle of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mark Chipman of the Winnipeg Jets, Jeffery Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Murray Edwards of the Calgary Flames and Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While everyone wants a deal to happen, the two owners that I believe will be most active in the talks to get something done, will be Burkle and Chipman. Burkle has a history of getting tough deals done, including the Penguins arena deal as well other labor related issues not related to the NHL. Chipman just brought the NHL back to Winnipeg last season and he wants to keep the party going.
The players will have more representation in the room, then the owners. As of this writing there is no confirmation of who exactly will be representing the players in the meeting, although it is expected that Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks and Kevin Westgarth of the Los Angeles Kings will be among the players involved.
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IN today’s fast pace world, most people are racing towards their dreams and running from their nightmares at the same time. Sadly, if you are like most people, you are probably trying to outrace your nightmares to the finish line. For most people, the finish line is just out of reach and almost seems like one is moving backwards while trying to move forwards. For others, crossing the finish line wasn’t the “happily ever after” they thought it would be and for still others, the finish line is no more than a moment in time to measure your progress on your journey to reach your full potential. One of the first things to ask yourself is “Do you focus on the finish line or do you pay attention to how you run the race? How you run the race is everything. You run with passion or you run with desperation. You run with a purpose or you run aimlessly. You run without distractions or you run with baggage. You run with expectation of excellence or you run with frustration.
According to Mirriam Webster Dictionary frustration is defined as a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.
There are three steps to eliminating frustration while “running” your race in life, sports or business.
1. Where do you place your focus? Do you focus on what you can’t control or what you can control?
Step one: Change your focus on only the things you can control about the situation. For example: If you want to obtain more sales in your business, rather than focus just on more sales, focus on what are the steps, behaviors or actions that lead to obtaining more sales. Like, setting up appointments, meeting more people, making a set number of proposals each week to potential clients. These are the things that are under your direct control and these are some of the things when done well can lead to success.
In Sports, only focus on how you are playing. Focus on the things you can control. Are you executing the plays the way they are designed? Are you playing the game with passion, anticipation of greatness, and playing in a way consistent with the game plan. Once you allow frustration to come into your mindset, your focus becomes split between what you can’t control and what you can control. You can’t control the last play if you were out of position, dropped a pass, missed a shot, etc. You can control your reaction to those events and remain in control of your mindset. A clear mind (congruence in thoughts and alignment to the teams goals) is the starting point and foundation for the potential of success. A clear mind with passion, determination and drive to be your best and perform above your self imposed limitations is the flame that will ignite ones full potential. And in addition to the previous two, a clear mind with the discipline to refine & improve ones skills through continuous practicing and performing at a standard of excellence during game time is the formula for success. A clear mind will keep you in the game. Distractions such as frustration will be just enough to create mistakes, poor execution and or playing below your capabilities.
Step two: Change your focus from the larger overwhelmed thoughts to the smallest component of your thoughts. For example, if you are thinking about wanting to contact 20 people in a sales context, just think of the first person you need to contact and only focus on that person. If you have a a big project to complete, focus on only one aspect of that project and complete each step one aspect at a time. If you want to clean the kitchen, then focus on cleaning only one dish at at time. This is called chunking down in NLP. You can chunk down tasks into smaller components, time into more manageable time units and space into smaller areas.
In Sports, you can chunk down any particular play to its smallest component in terms of a part of the play, time, and space. You can practice one element of the play. You can chunk down time into segments of each quarter, period, inning, etc. Chunking down is a great tool that can lead to a clearer mind if one is getting confused by focusing on the bigger picture and thus not executing the smaller parts. Remember, the smaller parts lead to the whole.
Step three: It is OK to know what you want (i.e. having goals) however these goals are not under your control directly and thus can lead to frustration or even worse lowering your goals to match your current skills, beliefs and values. Thus, the order of setting goals would be to start with “State of being” goals so that you bring in the types of States that ignite your passion and energy as you bring these states into the “doing” goals. Behaviors, actions and tasks without having a supportive state of mind is just a robotic type of motion without emotion or even worse, not doing anything and becoming immobilized. Thus, start with “State of being” goals, then list doing goals (behaviors, actions and tasks) that support your “having” goals. And remember, to enjoy the journey!
This aspect of goal setting is so important, it deserves more emphasis. Examine the type of goals you are setting. Do you just set “having goals” (HG) such as “I want more money”, I want to win the championship this year” or I want a loving, kind and deep relationship with someone”? Do you set doing goals (DG) that reflect the types of behaviors, actions and tasks that are necessary to lead to accomplishing your goals? And perhaps most importantly, do you set “States of Being” goals (SG) such as being in a state of passion, enthusiasm, excitement, focus, calmness, etc.
Most people want something and thus set having goals. Having goals are not in your complete control. When people do not get what they want, they step up their doing goals. Thus the formula for most people is: HG + DG = SG (Happiness, passion, excitement, etc.) This formula does not work because it is out of order. The sequence is contrary to the concept of control. The most effective formula is: SG + DG= HG. The only thing you can control is your state of mind despite the external circumstances. Thus going into a sporting event, a business meeting or life in general, the starting point is your state of mind. (Passion, excitement, enthusiasm, etc.) Once your bring you state of mind to whatever you are doing, the next thing is DG which gives you a much better chance to your HG.
Dave Isaac is a Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming NLP). NLP is the study of human excellence. See www.acceleratedmastery.com for more information.
Books, publications, and seminars on positive thinking have bombarded the general public, businesses and sports teams for years. Yet, why are people still inconsistent in their success and even worse, why does success seem to elude the great majority of people, businesses and sports teams. The answer is simple. Positive thoughts alone are not enough.
As an NLP practitioner, (see http://www.acceleratedmastery.com/nlp.php), the key to “peak” performance is not just positive thoughts. One of the keys to “peak” performance is identifying why you need the positive thought in the first place. It is now time to look deeper. If one was totally congruent in their thinking, behaviours and execution and completely in alignment with the goal, game plan, intention, etc. then positive thoughts would not be needed in which to attempt to mitigate or eliminate the reason why you would need a positive thought. Positive thoughts would be one’s natural state. Instead, because of life’s uncertainties, fears, resistance to success, disempowering beliefs and incongruent identities & roles, one’s natural state is influenced by the curve balls thrown by life (fears, doubts, etc. as described above). It is like trying to fix a problem by treating the symptom rather than the cause. It would be like continually filling a flat tire with air and driving 10 miles until the air leaks out again, instead of patching the tire or getting a new tire. The first mile, the team may perform well however each mile thereafter, the air slowly leaks out and the symptoms reappear. The solution is easy: FIX THE CAUSE and avoid the leaks. People are certainly a creature of their old and ineffective habits.
Causes and internal processes generate behaviors which then create results or symptoms.
The key is to look at the underlying issue of why a positive thought is needed. What are you trying to fix? What is the underlying cause? The symptom is what shows up in your behaviours. The cause is what drives your decisions and behaviours and thus your results.
Many coaches, managers, athletes, etc. look at the “results” and try to use positive and not so positive thoughts to correct performance. This is their attempt to change behaviour. If they don’t like the results, they will try to change the results using old, outdated and ineffective ways they have always used to change the unwanted results. Yet, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
Some will look at the symptom which is the actual behaviour (i.e. errors, turnovers, specific behavioural performance, etc.) and focus on changing specific behaviours by practicing certain skill sets or repetition of certain behaviours that produce better results. Although this has some merit up to a certain level, it still does not get to the root cause that controls the level of skill, thinking processes, states of mind and how one represents their task and goals at the unconscious level. The more sophisticated coaches, managers, etc. will trace the results to the specific behaviours and then to the actual cause. By addressing the actual cause for poor or inconsistent behavioural performance, behaviours will have a more profound shift towards execution of the strategies, actions, roles and tasks that are in complete alignment with the goal at hand.
| Sub-Par Performance |
|
| Low Motivation: | A sense that you have no control.A sense of helplessness / hopelessness,Low or no perceived value to the outcome |
| Inconsistent performance: | Internal Conflict: Two or more parts in conflict. (Fear of failure vs. wanting to succeed)Two high values in conflict (i.e. Flexibility vs. Security,)Inconsistent success criteria.How you represent success internally? (Internal representation using visual, auditory, kinesthetic) |
Sports performance
Over the years, I have seen many mixed messages from coaches, athletes and top management. Many times during the course of a game, you can often see players and coach’s thoughts switch from “playing to win” to “playing not to lose”. Although these two messages appear on the surface to mean the same, they are entirely different messages which greatly impact one’s performance. From an NLP perspective, “playing to win” is similar to the green light and “playing not to lose” is similar to the red light. Remember, the brain takes things literally. If I said don’t think of a blue elephant, what will you be thinking of? If I told you to think of “not losing”, what will you be thinking of?
Saturday Night Live
In 1991, Saturday Night Live debuted a skit with Al Franken playing Stuart Smalley who in essence tried to use positive thoughts as a way to improve self-esteem (Cause). (Symptom was poor relationships) Stuart Smalley’s favourite phase was I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! As we all know putting a “band aid’ over a wound that needs medical attention or putting tape over a broken bone will not change the situation however it will disguise the situation. One would continue to go through life attracting the same results because the underlying issue hasn’t changed. Pretending you are succeeding, winning or performing at your best is not the same as actually performing at your best.
The concepts in this article may require further study. Practicing performance on the field, ice, floor, etc. goes a long way at the skill level. Repetition is an anchor that can develop positive behavioural outcomes in the context in which they were designed. Improving behavioural flexibility however is at the cause level thus the level of skill sets and actual game performance are highly influenced by the internal processes that generate these behaviours. Items such as the quality of your thoughts, internal representation, states of mind, beliefs, values and your identity all have major influences on performance.
Dave Isaac is a Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and helps individuals, athletes, and businesses achieve peak performance. Visit: www.acceleratedmastery.com
Surround yourself with the Right People in order to improve your life to help you to Break Murphy’s Law before it breaks you.
The point of our show “Breaking Murphy’s Law” is to help you to minimize the impact of Murphy’s Law in your Lives and Businesses. We want to defeat Murphy’s Law. We want to overcome Murphy’s Law. We want to give people advice, inspiration and tools that will help them in life and business. Really, we want to help you and give you ideas that will help you to achieve your own personal potential in order to help you break Murphy’s Law, before Murphy’s Law breaks you.
In any endeavor there are fundamental success factors. In the area of Personal Physical Fitness, these may include cardio training, strength training and nutrition. In the area of Business Success, these may be marketing to get exposure of your services, providing quality services, having an effective billing system and having great control of expenses.
Additionally, in both Life and Business Success, one must have control of their Mind using techniques like goal setting, visualization, positive self-image, etc. You can and should study the teachings of people like Steven Covey, Anthony Robbins, Jim Rohn and Napoleon Hill, then apply these principles.
Well, “You have to do it by yourself, but you can’t do it alone.” What a paradox.
In the words of Jim Rohn, Success Philosopher and mentor of Tony Robbins, “don’t join an easy crowd, join a successful crowd where the expectations are high and the payoff is great”.
Therefore it is important to have, in addition to having your own internal discipline, to have Externally-imposed discipline, say in the form of a Personal trainer, a training partner, a drill sergeant of some type (if you will), or a business coach/consultant. This leads to…
YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVITY
Just as associating with negative people and places can be a direct cause of failure, Associating with positive people and places can be a direct cause of success. Emotions and attitudes are contagious! Enthusiasm is contagious! Success is contagious! Unfortunately, so is negativity and failure! Your ENVIRONMENT – Your Physical and Social environment is a critical success factor, so surround yourself with people who are charged with positive energy.
Arnold Schwarzenegger said. “I have nothing to do with negative relationships. I stay away from negative influences. I have no time for negative thinkers and pessimists. Such people will suck you dry until you have become just as pessimistic as they are. Then you’ll have not just one, but two losers.”
According to Napoleon Hill, “People take on the nature and the habits and the power of thought of those with who they associate with in a spirit of sympathy and harmony.”
Perhaps you are aware of the idea of a MasterMind Group presented in Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich.”
Join a Social Support Group – a Master mind group of peers that will provide you with:
Get into a Social Support Circle including Peers and Expert Mentors. Do this through personal relationships and meeting face to face or perhaps through online social support groups. A Social Community allows you to do two things, both to SUCCEED with the help of others, and then to become a source of hope for others by sharing your success and even become a coach, mentor, or teacher yourself. This creates a social circle of support.
Often we hear it said that in business, people are our greatest asset. Well that is not exactly true. A better way to say to say it is, THE RIGHT PEOPLE are our greatest asset, whether it is in business, sports, or life.
So again, let’s come back to the quote by Jim Rohn, “Don’t join an easy crowd, join a successful crowd where the expectations are high and the payoff is great.”
Joseph J. Airdo is a producer of and film commentator for Breakthrough Entertainment, a talk radio show airing 9 a.m.-Noon Saturdays on KPHX 1480 AM that shines a spotlight on the practical perspectives of the topics and themes explored in movies. His outlets also include The Entertainer in print and Examiner.com on the web. E-mail him at [email protected].
This past summer, one of the most sought after free agents on the market was a 21-year-old (now 22)youngster, that had never even played an NHL game. This young defenseman of course is Justin Schultz.
Schultz signed a two-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1st, with the Oilers expecting the former Anaheim Ducks prospect to be a mainstay on the NHL roster immediately.
With the lockout still ongoing, Schultz’s much anticipated debut is obviously still on hold.
That being said, Schultz is showing the hockey world why there was so much interest in him on the free agent market. As of this writing, Schultz leads the entire AHL in points with 28, through 18 games. Now while stats aren’t usually the most important indicator for young players that are not playing in the NHL, this is a bit different. With the on-going lockout, many young NHL players including Schultz’s teammates Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkinsand Taylor Hall are playing in the AHL, as they are eligible without having to clear waivers. So the Oklahoma City Barons, (the Oilers farm team) is absolutely stacked. The rest of the league is also looking fairly competitive with more young talent across the board.
For a young player, especially defenseman, to score at a clip the way Schultz is scoring, is rather impressive. This just shows a nice glimpse into the very exciting future for Oiler fans. While Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins and Hall are already NHL stars, Schultz will be joining them when the lockout is over and he will continue to rack up the points at the NHL level playing with such talented young players. While the Oilers might not be a playoff team yet, as their outstandings corps of young forwards continue to improve and the clubs much improved pipeline of defensemen develops and joins the NHL squad, this club is well on its way to becoming a force in the Western Conference within the next few years.
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Host – Dave Isaac
Co/ Host – Greg Isaac
Co/ Host – Joseph Airdo
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Host – Dave Isaac
Co/ Host – Greg Isaac
Co/ Host – Joseph Airdo
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Host – Dave Isaac
Co/Host – Greg Isaac
Co/Host – Joseph Airdo
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We all have secrets. There are things we know that we won’t tell virtually anyone that we are familiar with. You wouldn’t share your intimate life with your children, but you might with your parents. You shouldn’t share your party life with your boss, but you certainly would with your close friends.
The old saying goes “You are only as sick as the secrets you keep.” It would be so nice if we never had any secrets, but we all know that’s just not going to happen in this society. Never having to curb your tongue because someone shouldn’t know about something or having to tell a small fib to save you from further problems would be nice, but life just isn’t geared that way.
Secrets can be a delicious poison because it sometimes gives you a satisfying sense of power to know something that no one else knows. And along with that sense of power comes a burden. It’s like walking around with something of great value that you are always protecting, guarding, and always conscious that if it gets out, you could be in trouble. Your body responds to this “fight or flight” response by producing adrenaline and cortisol, which is great when you are being chased by a tiger, but not good as a steady diet. Is it any wonder that our presidents go into office looking young and come out looking twenty years older?
All that being said, there is one place where secrets should not be kept… specifically, secrets you keep from that person that you have some commitment to. I’m talking about those people that you love and care for…your husband, wife or significant other (S.O). Ideally, you should be able to “bare your soul” to them without fear, recrimination or judgment. It’s that one place in your life where you can let down your guard and just be yourself without the mental walls that we surround ourselves with in public. Instead of the adrenaline and cortisol, you produce oxytocin and serotonin which not only make you happy and content, but can actually make you live longer.
Ok, so now you know why it’s good for you; how do you put it into practice?
Break down the walls.
If you have been keeping secrets from your S.O., start small. Tell them something that they probably ought to know about you anyway but you were always afraid to mention, maybe something like “You really look good in that little black dress” or “You look sharp in that blue suit.” You can almost always get a positive response with a comment like that. I know that sounds trivial, but by doing so you start to open the door to real intimacy, trust and communication.
Yeah, I can hear it now, “What do I do if it doesn’t work out the way I want it to?” Congratulations! The door is now open to real communication. What you need to remember is that what comes out of his (or her) mouth has very little to do with you, it’s all about his or her reaction to what you’ve said.
If I told my S.O. that I love to eat raw live octopus, I know what kind of reaction I’d get. Her reaction is what I would need to talk about. Many people (really! I hope not!) eat raw live octopus. So you talk and come to some understanding. Maybe you go out and eat octopus with some of your college buddies.
The point here is that you open up real lines of communication about how you really feel, without the drama, without the fear, and with love and understanding. There lies the solution to a long, happy, satisfying relationship.
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