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Psst… I’m gonna let you in on a secret.  I’ve failed as often as I’ve won.  And I’ve had a lot of wins in life … if you get my drift.  I take some comfort in knowing I’m not alone – but failing is a miserable feeling.  It’s also completely necessary.

The problem is never in the failing.  The problem is when failing – or under performing – becomes a habit.  It’s the perpetual cycle of same old thinking, same old results.

It’s something I know a little bit about.

I have had the privilege of coaching hundreds of people in my career.  I’ve seen people at their best and at their worst, through their challenges and successes. And from this position of trust here’s one thing I’ve learned:

Mindset Always Precedes Performance.  Always.

It doesn’t matter what the nature of the performance is – from day to day job responsibilities, to high stake sales performances, front stage or back stage, top rung or bottom rung – everything we create, every result we produce (or don’t produce), can be traced back to our mental framework.  Good performance, bad performance – mindset precedes it all.

Predictably, if people continue to think the way they do today, they will continue to perform as they do today.

That’s good news for winners.  But what about the rest of us?

If you want to boost your performance, then you’ll need to shift your mindset – from blame and complain – or fear and doubt – to a disciplined mindset of personal power and accountability. Only then will you have a chance to win.

7 Mindset Shifts to Shine in 2012:

1. Take responsibility for your results. Every result.  Make your life a NO BLAME zone.  That means, if you’re in MLM, no blaming your upline.  That means, if you’re an employee, no blaming your boss.  That means, if you’re in a partnership, no blaming your partner.  Or your  spouse, your kids, the government, your co-worker, your bank account or the weather.  Scapegoats and excuses do not serve you. They do not get you what you want.  They do not pay the bills. And they do not make you sleep any easier.  Get it?

Make yourself 100% accountable for your results.  This is a BIG POWERFUL shift.  And when you embrace it, your life changes.  If you are successful, own it!  If you fail, own it!  Grow from it. Whatever result shows up for you, know that you’re the reason for it.  Celebrate in knowing how powerful you are.

2. STOP trying to please everyone. That path leads you nowhere.  And while you’re at it, stop worrying about what everyone else thinks.  This is a biggie, I know.  And I’m not suggesting you become an aggressive bulldog who insensitively tramples over others to get what you want.  I’m suggesting, that you are too sensitive about other people’s opinions of you … and it’s holding you back – in business and in life.

It stops you from saying “yes” to opportunities. It stops you from opening doors, and closing others. It stops you from doing what you know you need to do.

Do yourself a favor…. and just trust yourself.  Listen to the wisdom of your own voice.  Follow your heart.  You’ll never go wrong.

3. Look at your yourself and your offering as a gift to others. You are.. and it is.  Your shyness, embarrassment and insecurity when you approach others with your idea, opportunity, product or service affects your posture and gives off a bad vibe. I’m talking about your mental, emotional posture. If you’re not confident in what you have, then you’ll never be able to inspire confidence in others.  The only thing you’ll inspire is pity.  Shudder.

Approach people from the sincere belief that what you are offering is a gift to them.  Sincerity should be the only place you ever operate from by the way. Let your natural enthusiasm shine.  Be real.  Be you. You don’t need to be polished.. in fact it’s better if you’re not.

4. Become the Decision-Maker in your own life!  Decisiveness boosts productivity.  Decisions are catalysts.  Everything gets set in motion when you make a decision. Or put another way, nothing changes until you make a decision.  In fact, indecision is avoidance behavior.  When you put off decisions it is because you are avoiding one of two things:

• (a) disrupting your current level of comfort
• (b) an anticipated bad result that you do not want to face (fear)

That’s never gonna work.  You are the decision-maker for your life.  Start with small decisions, and build to the big ones.  It will create momentum for you.

5. Get rid of this “Lil’ Ol’ Me Syndrome” you’ve got going on. It’s not working for you.  Humility is admirable, hiding is not. This notion that you are small, insignificant and inadequate is an insult to your creator.  He does not make people who are “not good enough”… he makes miracles, and you’re one of them!  In fact, there is no one in this world of 7 billion people with your unique combination of talent, insight, passion and personality.  That means… NO ONE OFFERS WHAT YOU OFFER…no one.

Your job is to take the magnificent raw talent that you’ve been given and develop it.  Because this much I know for sure… the world needs what you have to offer.  And not developing your talents and ideas is a not only a loss for the world – it’s a loss for your nation – it’s a loss for your community. That‘s how important you are. Got it?

6. Adopt a “No Matter What” level of perseverance. Do you know what achievers do that the rest do not?  They persevere.  Even (especially) when they don’t feel like it.  It’s easy to set a goal… when you’re motivated.  It’s easy to be excited … in the beginning of the race.  It’s easy to put one foot in front of the other …. when you’re feeling good, and when times are good.  Wouldn’t it be nice if life worked that way.

If you really really want what you say you really really want … then post these three words in a prominent spot:  NO MATTER WHAT.  It’s the understanding that no matter what happens, you will NOT quit.  You will be tested on this by the way.  Life has a way of throwing everything at you the moment you take a stand for what you want.

Take comfort in this … every, and I mean every winner feels like quitting.  And so will you.  Don’t!

7. Be Willing to Pay the Price for What You Want. Got big dreams? You gotta pay for them first.  What are you willing to sacrifice?  What are you willing to let go of, so that you can get what you want?  Dreams are not manifested from wishing and hoping… they are manifested from unbridled passion, disciplined focus and the willingness to get uncomfortable.  Really uncomfortable.

If your dream does not make you uncomfortable, it’s not worthy of you.

If you want it … give up American Idol for it.  If you want it … give up your play time.  If you want it … give up your time with toxic friends… and partners.  If you want it … do everything you must do (within ethical, moral and honorable boundaries) to get it.  Nothing comes for free.

There you have it, 7  POWERFUL shifts that will TRANSFORM your life.  Simple… but not easy.  And so very worth it.  Take it from someone who’s lived them.

To your success!