The Lifeline Secret

Deadlines.

The very word sound ominous. Something your boss gives you. The day your report or project is due. The reason you'll be working late all weekend. Certainly not a good word. Makes you wonder who dubbed it...and the hidden message embedded:

Miss this timing, and maybe YOU will be dead!

But, deadlines in reality are wonderful. Deadlines make life fun. Deadlines are instant feedback on your progress. A measure of your success in the game.

Have you established goals towards your legacy? Do you have some planned themes to engage with your grandchildren this year?

If you answered YES, spectacular! Please let us know how you're doing.

If you answered NO...ask yourself...how will you know if you've made any progress?

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where -" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. "- so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

Feel like Alice?

I often do, and in reality, we all likely do at many moments in our lives. There can be countless reasons why we fail to establish goals. A few of the most common include:

Time...just haven't gotten around to it yet
Focus...not sure which strengths make you special
Discipline...haven't really committed to something great
Fear...the #1 reason why the potentially great never get there

Me? I admit that I'll often throw out the time excuse. But really, that's a sub-category of discipline. In an honest self-appraisal, "lack of time" is a convenient and common excuse to divulge ourselves of responsibility.

Can't own the results, no sir...I've got no time.

Doesn't that slip off the tongue oh so easily!?!

Make the commitment to something great, and I promise the time will magically arrive.

Or, you may really want to create your legacy and bond with your grandchildren, but have no idea where to begin!

Alice likely suffers from lack of focus. She is drifting through life, unfocused on, or possibly afraid to choose a destination.

You might not be aware or appreciate what really makes you special. And, without this self-awareness, focus is nearly impossible!

The great news is that there are discovery tools you can use uncover your uniqueness. If focus is your issue, I recommend you pick up StrengthFinder 2.0 to start your own self-discovery process. Also, learn your Meyers-Briggs factors. And pick up some other great tips on the Know Yourself page...legacy step #3.

The secret to your legacy and any of your great successes in life will come from the DNA of your unique strengths.

Fear is the most devastating reason for lack of goals. And, it is fear above anything else that prevents us from reaching for our dreams. You may already be committed to a legacy. You may already know your strengths. But, fear can paralyze you. Rob you of your very purpose. Keep your light shrouded in darkness.

Want the secret to conquer fear?

Fear is internal, and a symptom of your brain holding you back. It's the result of thousands of unconscious choices your brain is making for you. However, the secret is that you can regain control of those thoughts. For about $30...there's a powerful product to put your brain to work for you. Explore the Think Right Now site, and pick up the CD Releasing Fear of Failure.

Turn deadlines into Lifelines. Face the most common legacy killers head on. Commit. Make the time. Search your soul for your strengths, your uniqueness. Use them. And, eradicate fear from holding you back.

Do all these things and quickly you'll realize that Deadlines have disappeared. Lifelines have emerged. Suddenly, having ambitious projects with timelines is energizing.

And when that occurs - - it all becomes, well...fun!

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After Thoughts

With each new year, many of us establish new goals.

Hopefully you're moving forward with your legacy plan, project goals, dreams and wishes.

You are, right!?

Certainly, you've made progress? This is YOUR year, after all. Isn't that what your inner voice whispered in late December with the smell of eggnog still in the air?

If you are, congratulations on charging out of the starting gates.

Unfortunately, people don't talk about goals very much. Most of the office chatter I hear in the early days of the New Year are about resolutions.

What BAD behavior are you going to try to discontinue?

Sounds like a fairly low bar to jump over, doesn't it?

I won't eat so many cookies? I'll try to exercise more?

Both great ideas. Goals to aspire to?

Not just yet.

Resolutions are fine and good, but I'd rather not focus on (barely) avoiding self-destruction.

Agreed?

Let's all kick it up a notch and take our team to the superbowl of life success.

And speaking of the superbowl, do you see how deadlines (I mean lifelines!) are what make sports enjoyable?

Imagine if everyone made it into the playoffs.

Imagine if they didn't keep score in the Superbowl.

Imagine if there were no game clock.

Would it be one tenth as entertaining? Of course not!

Want a lesson in the strategic power of timelines?

Put yourself in the coach's shoes. You have 30 seconds on the clock. 40 yards to go. Down by 5.

Tick tock.

Think fast...what play to call? Time is running out. Tick tock...Tick tock...

Do you think the coach knows his teams' strengths? You better believe he does if he aims to win, and he's using those strengths right NOW!

Life is much less fun without the challenge of beating the clock.

Know your strengths.

Give yourself time commitments.

Then call your best plays with your grandkids. And head for the endzone!

The Lifeline Secret