Are you a Believer...?

I think therefore I am - Rene Descartes

Humans have both the ability and need to believe in the abstract, invisible and intangible. It helps us make sense of the world around us; where there is no answer to a question we have, we create an answer and form belief patterns around what we create..

Once a belief is developed, our behaviour and attitude become consistent with that belief such that if nothing else the structure of the belief system becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Not only do we behave in a way that is consistent with our beliefs, but we will seek out evidence that supports and reinforces the belief in such a way that we begin to rationally justify our abstract answers. In other words, we select the evidence we choose to support the belief we want to uphold.

If I believe that drivers of BMW X5's are arrogant and dangerous - then guess what I will start to see...

If I believe that drivers of BMW X5's are courteous and polite - then guess what I will start to see...

Either is true, simply because I select evidence to make it true - it becomes true for me...

When it comes to beliefs around achievement, leadership and success - the same applies. If I have a belief that either empowers me or limits me, then my behaviour will be consistent with that belief and the evidence to justify it will be forthcoming...

In mild forms it affects us when it comes to Selling, Presenting or taking on a new Project. In extreme forms beliefs underpin radicalism, racism and sexism...

Beliefs are based around the questions we ask and the evidence we choose to see - in order to have a positive belief you will need to ask positive questions and choose evidence that supports the belief that will empower you not hold you back..

Choose your Gods with care...

I once did a presentation at a Networking Event...

Before the event I asked people for their permission to do a Psychic Cold Reading for them using Tarot Cards - those that volunteered, had a detailed prediction made for them about the year ahead and their challenges and opportunities...

Of the people having the reports - around 90% said that the contents were either accurate or very accurate...

Now - Tarot Cards do not predict the future any more than throwing chicken bones in to the air on Halloween - unless you BELIEVE they do...

The Readings were accurate for everyone because they wanted them to be, they volunteered and therefore had a pre disposition to belief in the Tarot - whatever they said would be true for them...

If you'd like a FREE copy of the Psychic Tarot Reading - to see if it makes sense to you as well - just drop me a note and I will send it over - be interesting to see how accurate it is for you too...

Email - davidholland@resultsrulesok.com

Do Dreams come True...?

Your Subconscious can Predict the Future...

On June 25th 1947, Sugar Ray Robinson climbed in to the boxing ring with a 22 year old Jimmy Doyle...
 
In the 8th Round, Robinson shook Doyle with a devastating left hook that put him on the canvas and out for the count - the bell ringing at the count of 9 so Robinson won a TKO or "technical knock out"...

Unfortunately, Doyle he never recovered from his injuries and and died of a cerebral hemorrhage just 17 hours after the fight...

Tragic as this story is, there is a further twist that shows us the power of the subconscious.

Before the fight Sugar Ray Robinson had a dream that he killed Jimmy Doyle in the fight; in fact he woke up in a cold sweat and initially attempted to have the fight cancelled.

The Promoters, who stood to lose lots of money should the event be cancelled, even got a Priest to come along and reassure Sugar Ray that he should fight, he reluctantly agreed and stepped into the ring that warm Summer evening...

The dream tragically came true and Jimmy Doyle died exactly as Sugar Ray had seen in his dream - the premonition had become reality...

I turns out that Jimmy Doyle had an existing head injury from a previous fight and should not have been in the ring in the first place. Sugary Ray Robinson set up a Trust Fund for Jimmy's family that equated to $6000 - around $70,000 in today's money...

So what can we take from this...?

First, the bad news; my belief is that we do not have the ability to see into, and predict the Future. Otherwise the Lottery would be a foregone conclusion...

What the subconscious can do is simply take information that is the most important and affect our behaviour in a way that is consistent with it - it also has the ability to ignore or delete other "non essential" information...

It could have been for example that Sugar Ray had heard (but forgotten...) that Jimmy Doyle had an existing injury - it was the subconscious that joined the dots for him and predicted the future in his dream..

The beauty of the subconscious is that it can be "programmed" - it is choosing and deleting information all the time without you realising it - but we have the ability to choose what the focus becomes.

There is a part of the Brain called the Reticular Activating System RAS - that we can set or target on specific outcomes. It is effectively a filter for our brains that enables us to focus on what it believes is important, and also direct our conscious thoughts and actions accordingly...

Remember, it is being set anyway, but by random adverts, comments and thoughts; the opportunity we have is that we can tell it what we want to focus and it will direct us accordingly...

Example #1

When Lynn was pregnant - the world seemed to be full of Pregnant women, they were everywhere...

At the Supermarket, on the High St and on TV.

I was "attuned" to Pregnant women therefore I saw more of what I was subconsciously looking for - there were no more around than there ever had been, but I simply began to notice them more...

Example #2

I have a clear "image" of what an ideal client looks like. I know their age range, personality type, industry sector and business and personal experience...

So when I do my Marketing - guess what shows up..?

Because what I choose to focus on will become manifest to me, and it will for you too...

Setting your RAS...

When we set our RAS towards something it gives us the ability to behave in a way that is consistent with our chosen future goal or objective, delete the non relevant information and miraculously "attract" to ourselves what we put out there as Goals or Objectives..

Whatever we tell our subconscious it takes as being true; it doesn't care whether we tell it good or bad, truth or lies, positive or negative. It will however, always have the ability to affect our behaviour in support of it...

So be careful with your RAS - set clear positive goals, reinforced with positive thinking, knowledge and inspiration. Your behaviours will follow suit...

Oh yes - and only hang round with people who support you...

So Do Dreams Come True...?

Yes, just make sure you choose which ones...

Come along to one of our Events and clearly set your RAS for 2014 being an amazing year for you, your family and your business..
 

Birmingham 24th January 2014 - LINK 

Luxembourg 17th January 2014 - LINK

Come along, meet the team and have an Inspiring Day with other like minded Professionals - we look forward to seeing you there...

"David is a fantastic business coach. He is very popular among the Roadio community of business owners for his illuminating insights on how to tackle day-to-day matters as well as more strategic questions. One of David's great gifts is being able to break complex business issues down into practical, actionable solutions delivered with clarity (and good humour!). He is both an excellent writer and presenter too. I recommend David highly..."  
M Ladzepko

"Dave has given our management team fabulous support over the last 18 months or so as we’ve worked together to successfully transition The Audio Suite from a large, commercial work-for-hire facility, to a bespoke Sound Design Practice. Dave’s ability to create focus and understanding, allied to his huge commercial experience and knowledge, makes him our ‘secret weapon’ as we go in to battle to win the hearts and minds of both our existing and prospective clients..!"
N Hillman

The Malvina Reynolds effect......

You're born in the West - not Cornwall; THE West...

Millions of people are fortunate to have been born into Western Civilisation. We live in Europe, the USA or Canada for example. I even include Australia - even though it is simply like the UK was in the 1950's, and New Zealand which is like Australia actually was in the 1950's...

Our lifestyles are embarrassingly ridiculous...

In the last 100 years the Human population has grown by around 5.5 Billion, we have destroyed oceans, fish stocks, forests and complete species of animals have been wiped out.

Our seas and skies are polluted and our landfills are full - a large Nuclear Power Station is required simply to recharge our mobile phones each day...

We have more food, energy, cars, gadgets and safe space than we know what to do with; we have more information knowledge and potential than anyone in the history of the world and yet... 

Of the current 7 Billion people on the planet - approximately 6 Billion pray each night to their chosen God for the opportunity and lifetsyles that are only afforded to the other 1 Billion...

And it is this is how that 1 Billion people can be categorised...

1. Under Class of Low Achievers - 5% of the Population

These people fall outside of the predicted norms of society. They don't fit with the expectations of the Middle Class, they are likely to breed more, earn less and do more crime. They appear on the Jeremy Kyle show and have C4 documentaries made about them that show how their lifestyles should enrage the rest of society.

Their main role in life is to be the subject of derision, comment and gossip over dinner parties by the Middle Classes. They give them something to moan about while they sit on their Swedish Self Build Furniture, drinking cheap French Chardonnay whilst eating their Indian Take Away food delivered by a Polish immigrant driving a Japanese car...

They are both irritating and useful at the same time; on the one hand they justify the whinging of the Middle Classes and whilst on the other they provide a distraction from the REAL issues in society that actually need attention;

Namely;

Wealth Distribution
Corporate Greed
Saving the Planet
Starvation & Poverty

You would think that these stereotypical underachievers are the scourge of the planet and should be dispatched immediately - but I beg to differ..

The most dangerous species on the Planet are the...

2. Middle Class Whingers - 85% of the Population

These are the ones who actually cause all the problems - they won't admit it of course but the evidence is compelling...

First they whinge about the Economy, Weather, Immigration, Taxation and of course the Under Class who are to blame for everything in the first place.

These are the people who drive German Cars to American Supermarkets on the Sabbath to spend money they don't have on things they don't need.  They watch Reality TV on (about the Under Class..) on their 50 inch Japanese flat screen TV powered by French Nuclear Electricity - and then wonder why some people choose not to play along with them..
They have been anaesthetised by the media into a becoming nothing more than useless passive carbon based blobs infused with protein and carbohydrate derived fat, investing more into entertainment and self gratification than they do into self development, growth and awareness...

Second, they hang out together in mutual appreciation societies that fuel and support their lifestyles and attitudes - check out Golf Clubs, Fitness Centres, Political Parties and Facebook Groups.

In the vain hope that their desperate lifestyle it is actually sustainable; they support the Banks, Corporates and Institutions that feed their greed for personal possession and property ownership that actually fuels the cyclical economy of boom and bust that they are so addicted to...


This group devour everything in their path; their inactivity towards the important issues in the world is effectively criminal, and yet because they pay taxes to the regime that supports their ideology and reassuringly keeps importing cheap Wine and IPads, they believe themselves to be justified in continuing to impose their rhetoric on the rest of the 6 Billion who mistakenly admire them...

...And they all live in little Boxes and they all look just the same...

Malvina Reynolds 1961 - LINK

3. Upper Class - 10% of the Population

These are the outsiders, the activists and thinkers who don't accept that eveything is perfect; they are the people like you who read Blogs and comment, whether you agree or not you appreciate that someone actually makes a stand.. 

They know that Building 7 was demolished on purpose and that HSBC got away with it in the US Courts for laundering drug money; they don't trust the establishment and have a passion for equality and reason that surpasses the need for Gucci, Apple and Rolex...

You know that Snowden is a hero, that Assange is being hunted and that the CIA, NSA and MI6 are herding the thoughtful into crowded courtrooms on the basis of "natiional security" and watching over us with CCTV in our high streets.

You are the Upper Class - the fact you are reading this and have not asked to be unsubscribed means you already qualify..

So stay special and keep thinking differently - the world and the other 6 Billion people living on it need you now more than ever...

Cheers - Dave...

Judged by 12 or Carried by 6...

A Model to Evaluate the Risk in Decisions...

The phrase "I'd rather be Judged by 12 people rather than carried by 6..." refers to the choice that, for example, people are faced with when being attacked - when the preference is to either kill or maim the attacker and go in front of a Jury of 12 people; rather than get killed and be carried in a coffin by 6 people...

Some say that this phrase has entered "common speak" for Police in the USA too...

When you look at your business or you career, there are always choices that you have to make and risks that have to be taken in order to get ahead, achieve growth and become successful - the challenge is, are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions...


At some point you will have to make choices that will define your future; and you and your organisation will have to live with the consequences...

There are FOUR scenarios to consider when taking a decision;

The consequence of;

• Doing Nothing - Stability Value; the benefit of not changing...

• Doing Nothing - Opportunity Cost; the cost of missing an opportunity...

• Taking the risk and achieving a Positive Outcome... 

• Taking the risk and achieving a Negative Outcome... 

Most people think in terms of just the last two, whereas in reality, it is the first and second ones associated with "DOING NOTHING..." - which paradoxically may involve the highest levels of actual Risk...

The attraction of "DOING NOTHING..." is simple - it is sometimes the easy option because it doesn't involve changing anything and, in the short term at least, it represents the path of easiest flow...

Risk averse people will tend to "Do Nothing" in the misguided belief that this is the best choice whereas in reality, Doing Nothing is probably the highest Risk Strategy there is..

For example - look at the decision regarding working with a Business Coach, but the same applies to Web Design, Accountants, Banking and just about any professional service...

Deciding NOT to work with a Coach is EASY - there is no perceived RISK, in fact the lure and value of Stability may appear to outweigh any potential Opportunity for gain or benefit; the OPPORTUNITY COST should be weighed up as well as the STABILITY VALUE

When a Coach is hired - the first question is..

"When do I get a return on my investment...?"

There is the potential of a POSITIVE OUTCOME as opposed to a NEGATIVE OUTCOME - this gap is the RISK factor; if you are 100% Risk Averse though you will never work with a Coach...

However...

No one achieved anything of significance by simply "DOING NOTHING..." - and if you are an ambitious Entrepreneur or Executive, whilst doing nothing sometimes can be the best tactical solution; strategically, we have to take a Risk in order to move forwards...

Sometimes we have to disturb the flow in order to achieve - we have to be prepared to decide to take the risk...

How do we decide...?

Some use "instinct" or take advice from others, some use experience and knowledge - but for all of us we have some point of certainty that is enough for us to take the leap and make up the gap with hard work and pure determination...

For me - once I have weighed up the Four Scenarios, I check my levels of certainty - what does my instinct / knowledge / guidance / experience tell me; if I get to around 80% certainty with a project or a venture - I will go for it and make it happen. If I get less than 80% I will either back off completely, or at least seek further information and guidance.. 

80% is my "Walk Away Point..." a fundamental of negotiation, gambling and decision making - once you have dropped below your WAP - make sure you comply...

What if we could have a decision making "method" that would help us check the levels of risk and certainty associated with any opportunity - would that be helpful...?

Thought so...

I have put together a "Decision Matrix..." and you can have a FREE COPY to play with providing you let me have your feedback - it is only in prototype phase at the moment, and based on what you say - will be modified and made into a useful tool...

Drop me an Email asking for the "Decision Matrix..." and I will send a copy over to you immediately...

My Email is - davidholland@resultsrulesok.com 

I look forward to hearing from you - and thanks is advance for your ideas and thoughts...

Remember that Doing Nothing may result in you being carried by the 6, whereas taking the Risk may simply mean that you will be Judged by 12 of your peers..

Best Regards

Dave

And a RISK FREE Offer for you from Results Rules OK...

Come along to one of our January EVENTS - and if by Lunchtime you have not got great Value, we will give you your Money Back for the Whole Day...

Birmingham 24th January 2014 - LINK 

Luxembourg 17th January 2014 - LINK

Come along, meet the team and have an Inspiring Day with other like minded Professionals - we look forward to seeing you there...

"David is a fantastic business coach. He is very popular among the Roadio community of business owners for his illuminating insights on how to tackle day-to-day matters as well as more strategic questions. One of David's great gifts is being able to break complex business issues down into practical, actionable solutions delivered with clarity (and good humour!). He is both an excellent writer and presenter too. I recommend David highly..."  
M Ladzepko

"Dave has given our management team fabulous support over the last 18 months or so as we’ve worked together to successfully transition The Audio Suite from a large, commercial work-for-hire facility, to a bespoke Sound Design Practice. Dave’s ability to create focus and understanding, allied to his huge commercial experience and knowledge, makes him our ‘secret weapon’ as we go in to battle to win the hearts and minds of both our existing and prospective clients..!"
N Hillman

A Parable for 2014 - The Silence of the Pigs...

Once Upon a Time...

...in Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany there lived a farmer and his family. With his wife they had a son and a daughter and lived on the edge of the Black Forest growing vegetables and fruit for sale at the local market...

The Farmer was called Fear, his wife was Denial the Son was called Excuse and the Daughter was Doubt...

Life was tough, there was not much money left for luxuries, and each New Year they would sit and discuss how next year would be better than the last, and what they would do if only they had a little more money...

The farmers wife had an idea; in addition to the crops that they grew, they could get a Pig and fatten it up for sale at the Market the following Christmas. Meat fetched a much better price than vegetables and they could feed the Pig on leftovers and scraps.

So one January morning the family went off to market and chose a baby Pig. It was small and cute with a curly tail and would grow into a big fat Porker by the following Christmas and could be sold as chops and steaks for a handsome profit...

When the Pig arrived at the Farm, the children immediately gave it a name - they called him Unsitte and placed him in his pen with plenty of food and fresh water.

Unsitte became part of the family, he would be taken for walks and became well known in the local villages. He had the best food and would be brought in to the house to sit by the fire when the weather was cold or wet.

Over the following months, Unsitte grew big and fat - he became so big that he couldn't fit through the door of the farmhouse anymore; he would fetch a fine price at the market and would enable the family to have the best Christmas ever...

As Christmas approached, the family began to plan what gifts they wanted, and how they would spend the money that would result when Unsitte was butchered and sold. Clothes, tools, fine foods and even books and a new pair of boots were put onto the list; this was indeed going to be a Christmas to remember... 

Grand plans were made and the list was even pinned to the wall in the Kitchen for everyone to see - the family started to visualise their new belongings, and even told their friends and family about what they would be getting for Christmas...



And so December arrived in Baden-Wurttemburg...

Someone had to kill Unsitte; someone had to put a gun to his head and pull the trigger and then cut him up into pieces so he could be sold at the Market the following week.

Fear approached Unsitte but couldn't bring himself to pull the trigger - being scared of the outcome was too much to bear, and he decided that doing nothing was an easier option.

Denial looked at Unsitte in his pen - and decided that they would make do with what they had and that life was not so bad anyway and money and success wasn't for the likes of them anyway.

Excuse looked at the Unsitte and decided that the time wasn't right and they should wait until Easter when he would be even bigger and fetch more money...

Doubt decided that Unsitte was really a nice creature and had become part of the family so should not be killed at all - she was unsure of how much money would be made anyway and decided that the risk was to great so decided to keep him...

The problem was that no one would kill Unsitte the Pig - the simple solution to the family's financial woes was avoided because Fear, Denial, Excuse and Doubt had built up such a strong relationship with Unsitte that they couldn't be without him. 

Unsitte stayed with the family for many years. He got bigger, uglier and stronger while the family stayed poor and continued to struggle. Each year the family had the same dreams and each year they avoided taking the simple steps that would ensure their success. 

They could hear Unsitte Oinking and Snorting in his pen through the night as he conspired to keep them awake as a constant reminder of what could have been if only they had the courage to do what they all knew needed to be done...

So the Moral to this tale...

...is that in 2014, setting a Goal and taking Action is not enough to enusre Success - you will need to overcome Fear, Denial, Excuse and Doubt too...

In Business and in Life we all have our own Ugly Pigs called Unsitte that we know we really need to kill off, the challenge is never that we don't know what the Pig looks like or where it is to be found ; it's always that we choose avoid doing it because it is simply too tough or our relationship with our chosen Pig is so strong that it defines us as individuals...

...so this year - don't just set a Goal; commit to the Actions you need to take to ensure your Success...

In 2014 - It's time for the silence of your Pigs... 

Happy New Year from the Team at Results Rules OK...

Have a fabulous 2014 and join us at our events to get your year off to a flying start...

Birmingham 24th January 2014 - LINK 

Luxembourg 17th January 2014 - LINK

Come along, meet the team and have an Inspiring Day with other like minded Professionals - we look forward to seeing you there...

"David is a fantastic business coach. He is very popular among the Roadio community of business owners for his illuminating insights on how to tackle day-to-day matters as well as more strategic questions. One of David's great gifts is being able to break complex business issues down into practical, actionable solutions delivered with clarity (and good humour!). He is both an excellent writer and presenter too. I recommend David highly..."  
M Ladzepko

"Dave has given our management team fabulous support over the last 18 months or so as we’ve worked together to successfully transition The Audio Suite from a large, commercial work-for-hire facility, to a bespoke Sound Design Practice. Dave’s ability to create focus and understanding, allied to his huge commercial experience and knowledge, makes him our ‘secret weapon’ as we go in to battle to win the hearts and minds of both our existing and prospective clients..!"
N Hillman