Most folks have heard the definition of insanity . . .
"Doing the same things and expecting different results."
Doing the same thing is COMFORTABLE. This is our personal way. We've worked a LOOONG time creating ourselves, and our make-up is a compilation of our Adaptation of our changing environment from the day we were born. We are each intelligent, witty, good looking, personable, detail oriented (or not), talented . . . We each have individual GIFTS that make us unique from each other. We are all different.
As I was leading our first 36:12:3 session of 2008, I looked into the class of 16 people sitting before me and marveled at the diversity of people. There is SO much raw talent in that room - and how this 36:12:3 curriculum honors this diversity. I took a moment to acknowledge this fleeting thought to the class and to assure them that we were not all there to be "homogenized" . . . That, done right, they could each emerge from the class 6 weeks from now with a "New and improved business self" . . . That is, a recreation of their self . . . A "Self-based - Lead Generation Ritual Enhanced - Home Selling Dynamo."
As I always do, I began the class with introductions. Each person identifies self, briefly sketches his/her past, and states his/her goal associated with their commitment to this class. These introductions do 2 things. First at the end, I can look them in the eyes and say: "OK! Now that we all know each other, we'll all be more comfortable holding each other accountable to the work that we each need to do in this class." AND the introductions highlight the diversity of people in the room.
I heard 2 common themes yesterday. Fundamentally, the reason for being there for most of these folks was that they had each come to the reality that they were insane - Doing the same things and were trying to follow the model of AIMING HIGH as they set their goals for 2008 . . . but were facing the fear that they would slip back into their "comfortable way" and find themselves at the end of the year with the "same results." These folks were looking a push to CHANGE or re-create their way.
The 2nd theme was the reality that a large number of them admitted (during the introductions) to an "A-D-D way of doing business" - Attention Deficit Disorder CAN be channeled through the realization that you are operating more entreprenuerially and less purposefully . . . So it was clear to me that this first 36:12:3 session "THE POWER OF ONE" would ring significant.
I re-create myself every few years . . . I don't know why . . . I guess I see it as a way of continuing to move forward with my life purpose. I know that my time here on earth is limited - 80 years if I'm lucky - and I'd like to squeeze every last drop of juice from this grapefruit, so I keep it interesting with change. When do I know it's time for a change?
Ever find yourself frustrated with your "station in life?" The first step towards establishing forward momentum is acknowledgement of your NEED to change/re-create . . . and for me . . . realizing and identifying when I've entered a "rut" that I don't enjoy and that I cannot see taking me to greater purpose . . . and TAKING ACTION FOR CHANGE when this reality sets in . . . rather than succumbing to the FEAR of change and leaving things as they are . . . and resisting the tempters - other people who feel compelled to coerce me to "stay with what's working"
Colin Powell's book is a masterful display of this thread of thought.
I'll never forget hearing something that was said about me a few years back. I had decided to leave the small, "Traditional, Family run real estate firm" and move to another firm with a National affiliation. I was not unhappy at the first firm . . . Just ready for a change, and I thought that new environment would be a catalyst for that change (It WAS). The owner of the Traditional firm said in his sales meeting (People VERY seldom left this firm): "Barry Owen left us this week - Seems he just needs to change real estate firms every few years."
I feelgood about Keller Williams and see changing firms again any time soon. Why? Because in my 6 years with Keller Williams Realty, I've never felt bored or stagnant. KW International has done a masterful job creating change consistently with new traininig curricula and new computer capabilities and new this and new that. Change is the rule - not the exception . . . and this tempo seems to be right in synch with the ever-changing business environment we are all in. A critical component of KW's ability to keep my attention is Gary Keller's VISIONARY WAY. This is a man who is always looking to the future and certainly has NO FEAR when it comes to CHANGE.
Best.
b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com
Simply Living the FourFold way in Open Space!
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