E + R = O

You may be thinking E + R = O looks like some kind of algebra problem or something and may even be bringing you some nasty math class flash backs, but not to worry...  ;)

E + R = O is ‘formula.'

...A formula to create whatever kind of outcome or result you want from your life.  BUT, only useful if you're ready to accept responsibility for every outcome in your life up until this point, both personal and professional.

...Meaning, you're willing to give up all blaming, complaining, justifying and finger pointing. You'll need to surrender now to the "If only __________ , I would be better off" type of talk otherwise you'll keep getting the same outcome over and over and over again and again and again.

Want a different outcome? Feeling stuck in certain areas?

If so, then let's take a trip down the hallways of E + R = O, shall we?

I learned about this formula from Jack Canfield, author of the world famous, best seller: "Chicken Soup For The Soul." It goes like this...

Event + Response = Outcome

You ‘respond' to a particular ‘event' in your life, which then creates your ‘outcome.' The event itself does not cause the outcome; YOUR response to the event causes the outcome. Events are emotionless. They are not people. They are not controlled by anyone, they just happen, and they will continue to "just happen" to you, me, all of us...

Here's an example:

Let's say I give you $1,000, and you ‘respond' by spending it all shopping. Let's say I give that same $1,000 to someone else and they ‘respond' by investing the money for a year. A year later the $1,000 is now worth $1,200, meaning they earned 20% on the money...

The first person ‘responded' by spending the money, the second ‘responded' by investing the money. Same $1000, two different outcomes, right?

Here's a better demonstration of E + R = O that I did in a live seminar I hosted recently here in South Florida...

As a demonstration ONLY, I role-played with a young woman in the audience by saying to her: "What if I told you that you may be one of the stupidest people I've ever met." I asked the audience to raise their hands if they felt this would lift the young woman's self-esteem. No hands went up. I then asked if they felt it would lower her self-esteem. Almost every hand went up...

...which meant they missed the message. They missed E + R + O.

In the demonstration, when I said "You may be one of the stupidest people I've ever met," the young woman could have ‘responded' in two ways:

She may have been thinking: "Oh my goodness, Andrew's only known me a few minutes, how does he know?" That would no doubt lower her self-esteem.

Or...

She may have been thinking: "How could Andrew possibly think I'm stupid? He doesn't even know me. I am well educated, have a successful career, good relationships. I am confident in myself, have a strong self-image, I'm happy, plus, I'm one of the more attractive women in the room, he probably can't keep his eyes off me anyways." That wouldn't damage her self-esteem a bit, now would it?

You see, it's not what Andrew said to the young woman, it's what the young woman said to the young woman after Andrew was done talking that will ultimately create HER outcome...

Same ‘event,' different ‘response' = YOUR desired ‘outcome'

Don't take this formula lightly. It works every time without fail. So if you want a different ‘outcome,' create a different ‘response.' Easier said than done, I know, but try it on and watch what happens. You may surprised by the ‘outcome'...

Sure beats algebra, huh?

Take action. 

Eileen Burns

USA Maverick Entrepreneur