Are you in the Modelling Club...?

As 2013 approaches – we will be thinking about what the year will look like, what will we achieve, who we will be with and how we can make things better…

Some of us will look to others for inspiration and guidance – seeking to “model” their behaviour, attitudes and skills such that our outcomes will be the same as theirs; the principle being that if we create the same causes, then the same effects are sure to be the result.

CAUSE = EFFECT

There are all types of Modelling Clubs out there that can be joined, from the motivational and inspirational through to the bizarre and unusual – from Tony Robbins to Harry Palmer if you like…

In fact if you are really into Modelling in a big way, you can even buy a Franchise – perhaps the single greatest tribute that can be laid at the altar of Modelling behaviour...

I remember being on a train returning from my one and only visit to a Three Day event in Docklands, London. Sat opposite to us was another couple wearing the same “access armbands” from the event – so a conversation looked inevitable…

We were asked if we enjoyed the event, what we had learned, and what we would do differently as a result – pretty deep for a chat on a train. These are the sort of questions that Modellers love asking, and we were downtown in Modelling central…

Turns out that this couple attend the same event every year, in fact they have travelled the world spending £000’s on events, CD’s books and memberships – they had spent their life and income learning how to Model the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of the super successful such that they would be super successful too..

And what did they do…?

He worked shifts in a car factory, and she worked at Tesco – they had done for some years, but they were convinced that next year would be the breakthrough year for them.

There is nothing wrong with factory or shop work – I have spent years doing both – but there is a something wrong with the formula for success if it doesn’t move people forwards...

So why do so many Modelling enthusiasts never actually achieve anything…?

Because there are a THREE missing parts to the equation that conveniently get overlooked – and their omission not only guarantees failure, but ensures dependency on the cult of “Modelling”  (there is no such thing as failure only feedback for example – so you obviously didn’t model well enough – time to buy another program and come back next year…)

FIRST – the Environment is different. If I was to do exactly what Richard Branson did and start out buy opening a Record Shop, I doubt that I would end up being a Billionaire, and the reason is that things have changed. 

SECOND – People are different. We have different strengths and weaknesses, we need to play to our strengths, not overcome the weaknesses. No amount of Modelling behaviour will compensate for these differences; it just produces a synthetic mask, which crumbles away as soon as any pressure is applied to it.

THIRD – the Start and End points are different. We all start from a different place and want to end up in a different place too – the problem (oops – can’t use the “p” word...) challenge is that we are encouraged to attain other people’s goals using other people’s techniques.

The same cause does not amount to the same effect, because of these variables – and the quicker the Modellers realise this then the better the results will be...

So, how do we achieve more if just copying doesn’t work…?

Simple, stop thinking about the magic formula that will fast track success – roll your sleeves up and go to work being prepared to spend a few years achieving your overnight success – and stop it with all the repeat seminars…

Have a happy and successful 2013... 

What if the Mayans were right...?

It is Tuesday the 18^th December 2012 – on Friday the 21^st December 2012, the Mayan Calendar predicts that the world will end…

Now, while I am 99.99% certain that the World will NOT end on Friday, the potential for cataclysmic disaster got me thinking...

What if, just for a few minutes, it was true – that as a planet and a species we only had three days left before we were wiped out..?

Would you be worried about the things that currently preoccupy you now, would you be concerned about your weight, your bank balance, your career or what car you drive..?

Would you care who wins the game show on TV or what shenanigans the latest celebrity is up to in Hollywood…?

Probably not – if you have three days left you would probably be thinking about whom you should spend the time with; and who you need to tell that you love more than life itself.

Would you make the ‘phone call to parents, children or forgotten friends to let them know that regardless of the future you love them, care about them and at some level simply want to be with them…?

What apology would you give to that person who you know deserves it, and that you have been avoiding for too long..?

Is there a God that you should reconnect and make peace with..?

The threat of impending disaster would change our focus and attention to those things in life that are truly important and relevant – the froth of consumerism and the thin veneer of material acquisition we choose to surround ourselves with soon seem irrelevant under these conditions…

Now – if the world was to end on Friday, what would you do today…?

Whatever you choose demonstrates what is really important to you and the question we need to ask ourselves is; why wait until the end of the world to do it – do it anyway…

Make the ‘phone call, tell your children you love them, call Mom and Dad and let them know too.

Stop worrying about the future, about money and cars, or what your success will look like next year – the best way to get the Universe to laugh at you is to share your Goals with it… 

It is never the things we can predict that affect us the most – it is always the unseen or unexpected, so relax and enjoy the ride...

The World will not end on Friday – but we all have the opportunity of making it a better place as a consequence of the threat that it might… 

Happy Christmas – see you in the New Year (hopefully...!)

String Theory

In parts of Asia where Elephants are used as beasts of burden, the trainers have developed a cunning plan that enables them to control the animals and keep them exactly where they want them.

It is so cunning in fact that it would be worthy of a Fox writing his final dissertation for his BSc in Cunningness at the University of Cunning – thanks Black Adder…

When Elephants are young and being trained, their keeper will tie one of their legs to a tree using thick rope. The Elephant objects and tries to pull away, but eventually learns that she cannot break the rope or pull the tree over.

Eventually, the Elephant gives in and becomes compliant – having learned that the tether she is restrained by cannot be broken. When she has learned this lesson, the keeper has the Elephant subdued and in one place by simply tying a piece of string to a sapling; whilst the Elephant has all the potential to snap the string or rip out the sapling by its roots, it doesn’t - not becasue she can't but because she has been given the belief that she can't...

The Elephant has been conditioned, regardless of her physical strength or ability, to remain tethered, under the control of others through the use of a simple piece of string. 

We know that she could easily break free, but she doesn’t believe that she can so, she remains captive – even though freedom is just one easy pull away.

The question is – what strings are limiting you, what beliefs, fears or learned behaviours are synthetically restricting your freedom to be happy, successful and fulfilled..?

As with the Elephants, we sometimes learn to be constrained, and allow ourselves to fall into a pattern of behaviour that we believe is teh only one available to us.

In reality of course, the strings that we allow to bind us are easily broken, it just requires us to make a simple decision, saying yes to an opportunity rather than “think about it...” choosing to move away from people and situations that don’t serve us; or deciding that we simply deserve better…

So as it comes to the end of the year – consider what strings you would like to break for 2013. What decisions will you make, and what action will you take - it is so much easier than you think...