In honor of a new series on communication, I thought I would share a very important piece about communications.
In presenting your information you need to make sure your facts are straight and your information what you want to convey.
Here is an example of how NOT having everything in line can be less effective than you want and even humorous.
Be looking for the new series on communications.
And….thanx Tim for the GREAT example.
Rob.
Safety Glasses
Some barriers are used for protection. Safety glasses protect you from flying debris, whatever you are doing. They help keep a vital organ protected. They are a barrier. Removal of this barrier at an improper moment can mean the loss of sight. Proper vision in your life is just as important. However, there is a barrier you may want to remove from sight.
Many people write down goals. However their goals are too general to ever really reach. Here is an example:
I would like a nice home, in a nice neighborhood with nice friends etc.
These are NOT goals. They are nice thoughts and dreams. To properly set goals, you need significant definition. This is a fundamental barrier to success for some.
Let me give you a visual. Many people set physical goals. One of them it to get defined. Here are two examples of defined:
#1. This man (Good Definition) has definition….the right definition.
#2. This man (Bad Definition) has definition….the wrong definition, but definition nevertheless.
Defined Abs (Bad)
Defined Abs (Good)
They both are defined. They both have six-pack abs. However, their definition is completely different. You have to be specific!
Would you like your doctor working on a heart issue with crystal clear x-rays or fuzzy x-rays. You wouldn’t dream of letting them just wander around your body.
What would you prefer your wedding pictures to be, defined or fuzzy. It sounds silly to allow these things to happen. However, we have a tendency to do this with our life and our time. You shouldn’t allow a lack of definition in any of these areas. Neither should you allow yourself to wander around life with non-specific goals.
Your detail in your goal set will largely determine if you achieve your dreams. If they are just general items and not highly specific, you are really NOT interested in achieving them, they are just nice thoughts.
Many people have nice thoughts. But, they will never achieve anything. If you want to define your dreams, then they must have intracate details to them. If you want a nice home, what does that mean to you, exactly?
Does the home have an entryway? How many square feet? How many bedrooms? What is the cost of the home? Where is the home? Does the home have granite counters, stone counters or formica? Does each room have its own bathroom? How tall are the ceilings? Is it on the mountain or on the beach? Doea it have a sprinkler system? Is it on a golf course?
The point of this is intricate detail breeds thoughts in your mind that will help you accomplish your goals. That detail causes an effect on the human mind. It creates a need to achieve them. It enables the creativity to flow and motivate the mind to create the necessary actions.
Get specific. Drive your goals home in your mind first and the unique material you were born with will strive to reach those defined objective.
Rob Wheeler
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies.. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten.
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials..the most money…or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.
Do you find yourself agreeing with everything you hear or read or are you the kind that disagrees with everything initially until you’ve had time to think about it.
Each source you listen to has a profound affect on your subconscious mind. It is important to filter
Brain Cut Away
what you let into your head. We are taught from a young age to watch what leaves our mouths and who we hang around, but not the underlying reasons for those good lessons.
Your subconscious mind determines largely what your conscious mind lets in. Therefore, it is extremely important that you fill it with quality material.
Do you ever question your Pastor/Bishop/Spiritual Leader, or do you take what he or she says verbatim? I challenge you to do your own research and think for yourself.
I am not saying that there isn’t great information and wisdom out there. What I am saying is that there is enough BAD information to warrant corroboration and personal research on important items for yourselves.
So, how do you think for yourselves?
#1. Build a list of your values
#2. Refine that list
#3. Don’t let anyone tell you what you should believe, period.
These steps will allow you to begin to think for yourself. With a media group either focus left or right depending on where you acquire your news, it has never been more important than it is now to define yourself and think for yourself.
We are not little robots destined to repeat whatever is fed to us. We are individuals. With over 5,000 persuasive messages bombarding us each, our independence and critical need to think has never been higher.
Break out of the sad model of accepting as truth everything you here.
Rob Wheeler
What if there were a barrier you couldn’t see at all? Would that barrier scare you? Watch this short video:
A jet screams through the sound barrier. How do you even “REALLY” define barriers you cannot see? How can something you cannot see affect you?
The barriers we deal with on a daily basis can be daunting. Today we will talk about a barrier that is unseen. These unseen barriers carry the most sinister consequences if not navigated properly.
Many people only want to succeed in one area of their life. Others want to succeed in every area of their life. Still others define success monetarily, while even more define success in the materials (toys) they have gathered. Many women define success solely in their children and everything surrounding them and their success. While this is noble, they are not giving themselves credit for the many other things that they do and can do.
How you define success can be as different as the sands of the earth. How YOU define success makes all the difference in the world.
Do you define success in relationships and religion or do you define success in emotional stability and finances? You are going to define success according to you. No one else can do this drill for you. You must decide what your definition is and how to achieve it.
There are seven key areas to measure success:
Spiritual
Social
Mental
Emotional
Physical
Financial
Material
Jet crashes through the sound barrier
In each area you need to define what you consider “success”. Once you have defined that you can begin to align yourself with your values and goals so that they meet and makes sense. As you do this, remember the sound barrier and what you cannot see, CAN affect you in significant ways.
When you talk about spiritual many people believe that it is a religious definition. While that is true for many, it may not be true for you.
To properly define your success you must first have set your values. You can use the resource box below to find how to set your values. Once you have defined your values, now you can work on your personal definition of success.
These are NOT goals. They are definitions of success. Goals will be far beyond this category.
Take each of the categories above and write down what you believe is your definition of success is in each category.
Rob Wheeler
Iceburg
An iceberg is a devious barrier with the most damaging parts of it underneath the water sometimes impervious to sight.
The Titanic was suppose to be the “unsinkable” ship. An iceberg took it out easily and many people perished as a result of this unseen or unperceived barrier
There are some barriers in our lives that don’t seem to be that large when we first look at them. However, when you look underneath the barrier it is larger than you ever imagined. How you deal with these “unseen” barriers will determine largely how well you succeed in your business and personal life.
Today we will be addressing one of these unseen barriers. Personal motivation is an unseen barrier. It is internal, self determined and self handled.
I remember my dad coming into my room and saying, “Time for school!”
It was soooo hard to get up to go to school, and I liked school. My motivation level for school was just not at a level to ensure consistent participation. What gets you motivated? Have you found that special “thing” that motivates you?
Martin Luther King says:
“I say to you, this morning, that if you have never found something so dear and precious to you that you will die for it, then you aren’t fit to live.”
What are you willing to DIE for.
I have heard it said that if your why doesn’t make you cry, its not big enough.
There are many things that motivate us, but they are usually broken into two categories. Desperation and Inspiration. People that are motivated by desperation find that their motivation usually is a temporary motivation and will dissipate as soon as the situation that caused the desperation has been resolved or eliminated. Desperate people react to situations.
Inspiration on the other hand can have a significantly longer time span because it is rooted in the subconscious. It is built from a deep mission or longing. It will not dissipate with results. Rather with results, it will build excitement spurring additional results and desire. Inspired people are proactive.
It has been said that you can lead a horse to water, but you can NOT make him drink. While this is fundamentally true, if you feed a horse salt pellets along the way, the horse will drink the water without you having to ask.
There is a measure of of pure determination and disciple in any motivation. That is why it is important to find that which inspires you. Motivation starts with self. However, it should extend to others to ensure that your mission gets traction toward completion.
Matthew McConahey really caught the vision in the film We Are Marshall.
Will you “lay it on the line” today? Inspiration beats desperation every time.
Here are a few things you can do to help in the motivation process:
• Dream Big – Visualize what your successful day will look like.
• Speak it out loud
• Choose to have the right attitude
• Believe in yourself
• Give yourself the time to succeed
• Remove Negative/Abusive People from your circle of influence.
• Read positive/inspirational materials
• Determine in your mind that you will NEVER give up.
• Break tasks into smaller parts
• Seek inspiration from those who have traveled the same path and are successful
• Build a positive group of Key ResourcesTM
• Music is a master motivator. Use it to your advantage
• Living things motivate. Keep things that are alive around you.
• Become a life long student of your industry choice
• Reward yourself for reaching a goal
These things will ensure that you keep yourself motivated. Listen to motivating people and watch motivating material. Seek your true inspiration to ensure that you have the energy and drive to succeed.
Listen to Gene Hackman:
You don’t need a sports movie to create motivation. Notice that each coach here is programming the athletes mind in preparation for performing above the normal abilities. You can program you mind the exact same way.
Choose to be better.
Rob.
We hear the announcers voice each time a goal is scored in soccer. The excitement of scoring a goal is real, tangible and measurable.
We should have the same excitement as we “score” (reach) our goals in life. There are seven areas in which we can define and measure.
One thing that will help you to write goals that will spur you on to achievement is to write the goal in such a way as though you already have achieved the goal.
If your goal is to reach a certain sales level by December 31, 2008. An example would be:
I am depositing a $35,000 commission check for reaching 1.5 Million in sales this year Dec, 31, 2008
The model is: State goal as though you have achieved it. Write the date of proposed achievement.
Try it on the sheets below. The red links have PDF blank sheets attached to them.
The first area of concern is setting your spiritual goals. Notice, I did not not say religious. It doesn’t matter what religion you are or if you choose no religion at all. Each of us has a spiritual side to our lives. Break down that spirituality into defineable and measurable units
The second area to address is social goals. These are goals that you set to work on people skills in a social setting. This can be friendships, networking, non-profit work or any area where you create a scenario where there is strong social interaction.
The area is where you challenge your mind. Sudoku, crossword puzzles and word finds are some examples. Many families play games. Keeping your mind sharp ensures that you are ready to identify those opportunities that cross your plate that make sense.
Emotional goals are very important. Do you control your anger, jealousy? Do you have a hold on your anxiety? Can you accept someone else’s opinion as it is? This area helps you to create and define a plan to execute the steps necessary to grow in this area.
This is a sensitive area. So, I will just ask, where are your priorities as far as your health and wellness are concerned? Are you on a path to health or death? Are you proactively addressing future potential health issues with your diet, exercise? This area of your goals will challenge you to new heights of commitment.
Did you know money is the #1 cause of divorce? Whether you married or not, this area will help you define and do the things necessary to handle your finances as they exist now while planning for the future.
What are the items that you are going to acquire and how will the help you and your family? Are they toys or assets.
Setting your goals can be a most liberating experience as you formulate the plan to achieve YOUR dreams. It is ok to work for another while you are reaching for the stars. However, always ensure that you have your plan in mind and that you are not being driven by another’s dreams and aspirations.
An man took his new employee out to his farm because he liked the employee. He showed him all the land, beautiful houses and barns, swimming pool, pond and his many play toys. He said, “My boy, see this land? If you work hard for another 20 or 30 years, all of this will finally be mine!”
You see the man understood leverage. He understood that if you leverage someone else for long enough, that person will pay you many times what you pay them.
Step up to center field and start aiming for your goals.
For more complete information on goals, visit my GOAL PAGE.
Rob Wheeler
There is an old joke that as far as breakfast goes the pig is committed and the chicken is just involved.
Are you just involved in life or are you committed? During the Chinese crackdown on democracy at Tianemen Square there were many demonstrations about commitment. However, none seemed to capture the world so much as “Tank Man”.
Talk about commitment! He was willing to stand in front of oncoming ROLLING tanks. He realized that he was as committed as he could be to the ideals he stands for. John F. Kennedy has a favorite poem. It is Ulysses by Alfred Tennyson. You can read the whole poem at:
Ulysses - JFK's Favorite Poem
In the poem an old King looks back on younger days. However, in the last stanza he states:
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,–
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Not to yield? Never give up! Keep going! Keep striving to reach all those things that you have committed to. There are pledges and promises that you make constantly. You make these oaths to your friends, family, co-workers and to those who look up to you, whom you do not yet realize. They are your true audience. Challenge yourself to do the best you can at all things so that those who are watching, and oh so many are watching, can benefit from seeing true commitment. Edward Hale may have said it best:
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do
The something that I can do.
I don’t care if you are one and ONLY one. You can make a difference. You can change the world!
Princess Diana talked about doing what you really believe you should do. That will help you to ensure that there is a deep commitment to complete all the tasks because You want to. She said:
“Only do what your heart tells you to.”
She saved hundreds, if not thousands with her efforts to remove landmines. Look at the first word she chose. ONLY!!!! Only do what will ensure that you keep your promises. Then you don’t have to worry about motivation as much.
Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the Declaration of Independence included these words. What a commitment they were. Would you sacrifice as much if needed?:
“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.”
Would you give up your life, fortune and even your honor to keep those commitments that you promise to deliver on. The founding fathers did!
What are your willing to give up to achieve that which means so much to you? What can you leave behind, so that you can move ahead. Your reputation, your “status”. Who cares what other people think. If you knew how little they think about you, you would not worry so much about what they think.
Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez upon reaching the Mexican continent had his 11 ships burned. Whether his men were committed or not, Cortez was. He was going to conquer the new world at any cost up to and including his own very life. No retreat, conquer or be conquered.
David McNally said, “Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down.”
My father, Thomas L. Wheeler said once, “Rob its not how far you fall, but rather how high you bounce.”
We are going to get knocked down, bullied, told no, rejected, unrequited…etc. No matter how many times it hurts, we HAVE to get up. What number of times will it take you being knocked down to stay down. I say, I DON’T know yet and I ain’t gonna find out, ’cause I WILL get back up!
Vince Lombardi the great coach of the Green Bay Packers, talks about commitment from a team standpoint:
Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
So, the individual has to commit to the team, company, society, work, civilization as a whole or whatever he or she is involved in for the whole to work as a team. So, there is an “I” in TEAM. The “I” is “I commit to the team!!”
Even the english language places importance on it. According to the dictionary, commitment is a noun. A noun is a person, place or thing. They are all concrete, physical, defineable stuff.
Here are some solid steps to handling commitments:
#1. Define the commitments you have made. Write them down.
#2. Define who they were made to. Again, write them down.
#3. Determine those you can keep -vs- those you will not.
#4. Go talk to the people whom you made the commitments you are NOT going to keep and apologize.
#5. Redouble your efforts to keep those which you will keep.
#6. Carefully consider all future commitments and don’t commit to those you can’t keep.
These steps may seem simple. However, they take time, emotion and effort. One of the biggest problems many of us experience is over-commitment. Your time is your most valuable asset protect it for you, your family and career to ensure that you can keep your promises.
Like the pig, Tank Man and Cortez, if you are going to commit. Doit! Go the whole way! If you are not, then don’t.
Rob Wheeler.
Well, We are officially announcing the series “The Barriers to Success.”
The Key to Success
Over the coming months we will be going over those things that hold us back, keep us from breaking out and stop us from accomplishing great things.
There are many barriers in our life and we need to look inside ourselves as we approach any of them to ascertain how we will get around, go over, go under or blast through those barriers.
The key to success is navigating those barriers that we encounter.
With each post we will be highlighting a barrier you are familiar with that is physical in nature and then sharing the mental, social or philosophical barriers along with.
I know this is a short post. But, Monday starts a new dawn in learning The Barriers to Success.
Make sure you are ready and have a pencil and paper as you read the posts. There will be plenty O’ good stuff.
Rob Wheeler
Humans learn new things in a specific order. If you can understand that order and the ramifications of how that applies to learning, you can learn much quicker and in depth almost anything you are studying.
Marcy Driscoll in 2002 wrote about How People Learn. She broke the process down into four categories:
In W. C. Howell put them into quadrants:
Jeff Olson Author of The Slight Edge places them in this model:
However, the experts phrase what they are calling it, it appears that there are four fundamental steps.
Definitions:
#1. Initial Factual Knowledge – This is where the learner knows nothing and is being given or fed the initial facts and foundation to build the ensuing knowledge upon. At this point the learner doesn’t know what he or she doesn’t know.
#.2 Kinesthetic Knowledge – This is where the learner participates in the learning process. This involvement or inclusion allows the learner to visual, hear and do the activities that can be remembered by three of the five senses at least if not all of them.
#3. Reproduction Knowledge – Whether it is social or modeling in nature, we learn from our similar experience or by watching others succeed or fail.
#4. Philosophical Knowledge – This is where the learner becomes the teacher. In other words the values and education has been so ingrained in the learner that he or she can impart that information to a new generation of learners on their own.
Examples:
#1. A good example of initial Factual Knowledge is when the learner is involved in a classroom setting. Most of our education is lecture based and only involves step one of the learning process and is very limited in the other forms. Many times the learner sat through a class where information was delivered and the learner took notes hoping to retain the information.
#2. Kinesthetic Knowledge is where we become involved in the process. Think back to the first time you tried to ride a bike. Did you get on the bike and immediately get on and ride fifty miles. No! You got on, started to pedal, fell, got up again and got back on. We all did! You first had to fail. You had to learn that you did NOT know how to ride. You did NOT know how to balance. You did NOT know how to jump a curb.
#3. Much of our knowledge comes from watching other people achieve a desired result and then reproducing to the best of our ability the activities that created that desired result. Think back to the first time you watched someone go UP a curb on a bike. You watched them do that. Maybe you even asked them how they did that? They stated that you kind of pull up on the bike just before you get to the curb and the front tire goes on the top of the curb and the back tire just follows. When you tried it, maybe you made the first three before you missed one and learned that it was indeed important to lift hard on the front end.
#4. When you have to impart your knowledge and wisdom to another person, don’t you study harder than if you were just going to “learn” the information? Have you ever driven home, walked in the door and seen your spouse, girlfriend or parents and wondered….How the heck did I get here? I know I have. What happened was that you know the way home so well that you did not even have to think. The directions were ingrained in you. When the underlying philosophies and values are so ingrained in you that you can teach the subject matter without thinking you have reached Philosopical Knowledge.
The four types of learning have been called many things over the years and will continue to be categorized differently. However, these fundamental steps will always be the method for learning whatever they are called.
The trick is to understand the steps and when you are attempting to learn something different, make use of these four steps to speed the learning process up and you will become a MASTER LEARNER. Master the fundamentals of learning.
Rob Wheeler
