I recently read a book by Jack Canfield whom you might know from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. In his book "The Success Principles." "How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be" he tells a story about a gentleman by the name of Stephen J. Cannell.

Jack relays the story that as a young man Stephen failed his first, fourth and tenth grades.

Yikes!

He continues by telling us how Stephen would study for as much as 5 hours for an exam, and even with the help of his mother, ended up failing that exam too!

In comparison, when he asked his friend who got an A how long he had studied, the friend replied, "I didn't." The conclusion that Stephen came to was that he just wasn't intelligent. It was at this time that he chose to put this kind of thinking out of his mind.

Stephen consciously chose not to spend his time or energy worrying about what he wasn't good at but instead decided to focus his efforts on what he was good at, his bright spots.

By the way you have this option as well, do you take it?

Stephen's bright spot was football. He got his self-esteem from playing sports and by focusing on his strengths something began to change. He learnt that by applying himself he could achieve excellence and did so by winning interscholastic honours as a running back.

As I read this story my mind jumped ahead and I "assumed" (and you know what happens when we do that) I knew what would come next. I expected to hear that he had a great college career and went on to the professional ranks receiving some level of fame and notoriety. The moral to the story would go something along the lines of; identify your strengths, work with your strengths, and ultimately you'll succeed. Maybe we're not all cut out to be astronauts but hey, we can all live a good life if we just deal from our strengths.

But here is where it gets interesting.

That isn't how the story went at all. Stephen had Built the Belief that he could be successful in one area and began to apply this belief to other areas of his life. After football he transitioned into a career as a writer and wrote many scripts for television including The A-Team, The Rockford Files, Baretta, 21 Jump Street, The Commish, Renegade, and Silk Stalkings.  To make this story even more incredible "His" company employed over 2000 people at its height and when he sold it he then went on to write 11 best-selling novels.

What?

How did this happen? How was it possible that Stephen J. Cannell could have built a life where he was a television script writer, a successful business man, and a best-selling author and he couldn't even get out of grade 1?!!

Belief

Stephen framed his mind. He used the most powerful computer on the planet, his mind, to believe that he could succeed, and when he did, his mind did what lawyers would call setting precedent. He built a case, and a strong one, for success and his mind now began to believe that it was possible to reproduce this success again and again.

 Research now reports that with enough positive self-talk and positive visualization combined with proper training, coaching, and practice, anyone can learn to do almost anything. What so fascinated me about this story is that I've always believed this to be true! Now research is validating this and coaching is empowering it!  We are the ones that put the limitations on ourselves and we are the ones who can change that. You are in control of your design, and how you think plays a key role in bringing it to fruiton. 

Stephen did not allow himself to be defined by failing 3 grades. He chose to believe that he could be more and he told himself so. The brilliance is that the mind then took over and began to create achievement in areas that initially he wasn't successful in.  

Your brain is a computer and the most powerful one on the planet. What you put into it is what you get out. It's just that simple. Read what one client wrote about how coaching changed her input/output.  

 "I am on my journey to fulfilling my dreams and Mark has been a fantastic life coach to help me realize that I am capable. I have often felt guilty for not being able to do the things I "should" or "had to", but just as the "one size fits all" does not fit all sizes, neither does one technique or method help us reach our goals. Mark has helped me figure out MY way of getting things done and how to break past the barriers that have held me back. He has helped me let go of the stranglehold of "should" and allowed me to figure out what it is I desire and want out of life by giving me the space to discover it for myself. As a creative person, this has been the best possible technique for me to discover what my strengths are and how to meet my goals my way. As a kind-hearted, passionate, and dedicated coach, Mark is always in your corner, and I highly recommend his services." ~ J.D. emerging filmmaker   

Listen to the words as they describe forward movement, discovering of strengths and the realization of capabilities. The mind is paying attention to this talk and is moved into action focusing on giving this client more of what she is asking for!    

I now ask you, how do you talk to yourself, and more importantly, how would you like to talk to yourself? Coaching, allows your voice to decide what best way will work for you. Coaching is truly solution focused and  client centered where we orient on the present and move into the future as you develop the inner knowledge that aligns your thinking with your outcomes. You're not trapped but in fact on the precipice of exploding. Why, because if your reading this your mind is listening and is already going to work on how to release more of your greatness. Start with this, say something positive about yourself, to yourself, every day without fail for 21 days and watch what happens. Want to try something really fun, do it while you're looking in the mirror. Look yourself right in the eye when you do and see what happens. Next, call Dynamite Coaching today at 780-469-4800 to help you with the process of creating a clearer picture of what you want and a sharper awareness of how to get it.

Be the change that makes the difference.