Change your Mindset, change your outcome

Author:

Carol Andrews, Speaker, Author, Executive Coach

​It’s both funny and a little sad how disciplined we can be with other people’s time. But when it comes to doing things for ourselves the discipline seems to take a back seat to our obligations to others.
2018 is a year of discipline for me that began long before the clock struck midnight on January 1st.  Why, because discipline takes preparation.  So I am breaking my year of discipline into 3 components, to begin when you are ready.
·         Mindset
·         Preparation
·         Practiced Change
Let’s start with mindset.  Specifically, I had to move from the “Oh well, life happens and just always seems to get in the way” mindset to the mindset that affirms that “I am primed and ready for growth both personally and professionally.”
To make it work, I have to declare everyone else’s independence.  I put the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign up and even though initially those you love will test you, as I get better at saying “Not now,” they get better at finding their own solutions.
Another trick that works really well: when they come in, give them a job and watch them get as far away from you as quickly as possible.  Okay, that didn’t work with my son, but he has turned into one awesome intern.  So, I still win.
All joking aside, changing my mindset took and continues to take preparation. I can neither over nor under book myself.
Anticipation is key.  If I anticipate needed interruptions I can either prepare to work them into my schedule or delegate the task to get it off of my plate. (We’ll talk about developing a team later.) When the unexpected happens, and it will, I have developed strategies to keep that one thing from throwing my entire schedule off.  What I don’t do is walk away from my business for reasons that I wouldn’t have taken time off from my job.
No one should have to tell me to prioritize for success and there is nothing selfish about building a better world for you and your family.  However, if this is out of your norm, you will have to practice not putting everything and everyone else before yourself and your work.  If I didn’t I’d never have published books or have a thriving client base.
Three things to remember:
·         Develop the mindset of Success: I Can, I Will, I Must!
·         Prepare and develop strategies for the interruptions that are sure to come
·         Practice putting value on you and the work you are destined to accomplish.
Happy Mindset Shift, y’all!

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