Millennium Magazine

Years ago, I interviewed a young man for a position within my organization. I asked him what kind of income he expected to earn in his first year or two. He said, “$100,000 my first year, and at least a 50% increase in my second year.”

I countered by asking what the highest income he ever earned in a single year was. His reply: “$20,000.” I then asked him if he thought he was worth $100,000 a year. He hesitantly responded, “I don’t know, I think so.”

My last question, and the most important one was, “What do you plan to change about yourself to go from $20,000 a year, to $100,000 a year?”

His answer, “I don’t know.”

what are you worth?

You see, if a person considers himself a $20,000 a year person, he will never be worth $100,000 a year unless he makes some sort of change. There is always something that we can change. Any change we make will produce a different outcome in our lives.

Our income will rarely exceed our own personal beliefs or personal development. If it does, on some rare occasion, it will quickly return to where it was in a short period of time, that is, if we don’t make a change.

That’s why it is critical to have a plan for your own development, otherwise you’ll continue to produce the same results.

what’s so different?

In order to get something different in our lives, we must do something different. In order to do something different we must know what to do. And in order to know something different, we must at least suspect that our current methods need improvement, and we must be open to finding a better way.

We always do the best we can with what we know. On the other hand, some of us continue with our old ways knowing that there is a better way. Why? Because we’re comfortable with our old ways. After all, it’s what we know best. Changing would mean having to take a risk, to break out of our comfort zone.

The risk of breaking out of our comfort zone brings about our deepest fears. What if it doesn’t work? What if the opportunity I’m becoming involved in isn’t real? What if I can’t do it? What will others think of me being in this type of business?

It brings up the fear of failure. I’ve failed before, what if I do it again? It can even bring up the fear of success! If I’m successful, I may have to leave some of my friends behind.

where do you want to be?

In order to become and remain a success in any endeavor, there are two things that are required. First is knowing what’s got you “turned on” and second, is knowing what gets you “turned off.”

I refer to it as “vision” and “reality.” Knowing where you want to go and why is known as “vision,” and knowing what’s holding you back and why is “reality.” Your vision may be that you want to earn a million dollars, but the reality is that you don’t believe you can.

Having complete clarity is the place to start. Clarity is knowing where you’re going and being on target. The speed at which you accomplish your objective will always be based upon your own degree of clarity.

are we clear?

If you just can’t seem to get going, that means that you aren’t clear — something is holding you back. Your fear blocks your clarity, therefore, slowing you down, or in many cases, even immobilizing you.

Without being clear about what you want, it becomes impossible to take full advantage of any opportunity. The slightest element of doubt creates uncertainty, and uncertainty always creates lack of clarity. Lack of clarity produces tension, tension produces fear, and fear immobilizes.

Think of a time when you felt unclear, or when doubt was creeping in on you. Think of a time when you felt non-productive or stuck. That’s called being non-resourceful. Now think of a time when you really felt clear, when nothing could stop you. Everything seemed to work with ease; every answer was right there when you needed it. That’s being resourceful.

find the answers

The question should always remain, “Is what I’m thinking, feeling, or the action I’m taking moving me closer to, or further away from what I want in my life? Is it supportive or non-supportive? Is it resourceful or non-resourceful?” Every thought or feeling you have and every action you take either attracts the elements you need, or pushes them away.

It’s always a question of “honor.” Which do you “honor” the most; your vision of what you want to accomplish, or the “stuff” you find yourself wrapped up in? If you choose not to make the call because you are afraid of being rejected or afraid of what someone might think of you, it simply means you have chosen to “honor” your fear instead of your vision. Read more »