I’m newly returned from vacation. I have to admit I’d rather still be on vacation! Although I wonder how much longer that would last. Too much free time gets boring after awhile. Still it might be nice to test, and see how long that would take!

On the other hand, it’s a privilege and a joy to contact with you again through this column. I would truly miss this experience, if vacationing meant not writing and publishing “Quoth the Raven...”. It’s my way of sharing, and I’m always pleased to hear when I’ve been able to touch someone through this exchange. Truthfully, I’m always amazed that I’m able to do that. Basically, all I do is bare my soul (and sometimes my fangs - excuse me, but when I’m passionate about something I can get a tad bossy!) However, if you feel threatened by words on a piece of paper, then it’s not me that’s the problem. If my message gets you’re attention, so you finally take the action that’s in your favour, then I’m overjoyed to be the bitch that delivered it!

Road Trip
I think the thing I'm really avoiding since my return home is housework! You know, it never ceases to amaze me how something as apparently simple as keeping one’s space clean and tidy can be so difficult for some of us. Oh, I definitely get it when there’s children involved, but that’s not my case, and for some reason I’m finding it harder than ever. Just no interest at all.

So, why does something have to be interesting in order for me to do it without a struggle? Why do I put so much energy into resisting, when it would be easier to just do it? What is that all about? You see, I do believe struggle is an option. It’s something I’d like to learn to resist, and just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, I feel myself sliding back into old patterns. Am I the one who’s got the monopoly on this activity, or can anyone else identify with it?

First Gear
I believe this is part of what they mean when they say life is a journey. It’s constantly about learning and changing, and continuing to learn so one can continue to change. I remember Bob Proctor saying that once you’ve experienced a paradigm change in your life, you can never go back to the old way. This is so true. But what I’ve discovered is that occasionally there’s a tendency to revert - conditioning is very powerful - however, the mind now can’t accept the reversion as being supportive. My personal experience sometimes finds me pushing and pushing to go back to my comfort zone, while my mindset won’t allow it. This can end up being very painful, if I don’t take steps to back away from the battle. There are even times when it looks like it will turn into an inner crime scene!

Second Gear
In her book “The Secret”, Rhonda Byrne suggests shifters to get one back on track to accepting a new, more supportive way of doing or being. She advises finding a few things which can be used to defuse the struggle within. These are very personal tactics, and everyone needs to determine what will work for them. It just needs to be something that will change the subject in your mind. If you need to step outside for a moment or jump up and down a few times, go for it.

One type of a shifter is an anchor. This is body language that is established when one first accepts a new idea or experience. It can be something as simple as tugging on one’s ear, making a sign with one’s fingers, or snapping them. (All good shifters.) Maybe reciting a mantra will work for you. Remember the story about the little engine that pulled the big train up the hill, while repeating “I think I can”? Then every time you have a similar experience, and you experience uncertainty due to it, you can use this anchor to hold back the fear, and remind yourself that you can handle it. It’s very simple and very effective. You might find yourself snapping your fingers a lot, but what better way to get yourself into the success rhythm!

Third Gear
Aside from the quick shifters, other regular practices that work for me are meditation (this is huge!), exercise, dance, music, motivational and inspirational Cd’s and books, personal development seminars, and belonging to a network of people, who have a similar attitude. These people have become my closest friends, and when I’m finding things challenging they are there to offer encouragement.

It can be difficult to disassociate yourself from friends who might drag you back to a non-supportive way of being, but I’m going to emphasize the importance of this. If you’ve decided to embrace a new paradigm, and are working on improving yourself, you’ll want to surround yourself with people who are supportive of this. For those who are not willing to join you in this quest and are determined to drag you backward, it’s best to set them free. This is not cruel, it can be done with compassion, but it’s a necessity if you intend to grow. It’s your responsibility to take care of yourself, and it’s not your duty to interfere in someone else’s destiny. If they don’t want to come along for the ride, simply let them go, with love. Eventually it’s likely to happen naturally anyway.

Over Drive
Speaking of changes, if you’re interested in getting your business out of the struggling mode, Blair has a new book he’d like to recommend. If you’d like to “raise the value of your average sale”, “boost your margins”, or “turn your business into a money machine”, then “Instant Cashflow” by Bradley J. Sugars is the book for you.

At SignEquip we can help you out with all of these things, too. We have the products and services to help you increase your business cashflow. Some of these are even free, like the articles we publish in our newsletters and on our website. I urge you to take advantage of these important services.

If you like free things, I highly recommend you attend the Imagemakers 2007 show in Toronto, Sept. 27th - 29th. Stop by our booth for lots of free demos and suggestions to help you grow your business, and to meet the Summa and MR Clipart reps.

Our heart is with your business,

Team SignEquip
 

 

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