Welcome to the August 2005 edition of the free Tony Gibbs Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) newsletter. In this newsletter you’ll find
1. Choices
2. A question of motivation
3. News for charity managers
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1. ChoicesPicture the scene – at the supermarket checkout idly browsing the cd rack when there it is,
‘The Essential Tracy Chapman’! And so you do the obvious thing, and pull your trolley out of the queue to study the track listing. But before I got as far as the tracks, a sticker on the front of the cd caught my eye, ‘Chosen by Tracy herself’ and this really got me thinking...
Were the tracks on this compilation really Tracy’s ‘essential’ choices? Had Tracy got fed up with her manager, record company, agent, hairdresser, fitness trainer or whomever, telling her what she should and shouldn’t include on her cd’s? ‘Don’t push me around anymore – it’s my album and I’ll put what tracks I like on it.'
Maybe it was meant to be a sign of Tracy’s artistic integrity, you know along the lines of ‘Let me guide you through the essential tracks of my career so that you can feel the angst as well as experience the creative process just as I did when writing and recording these songs in the first place.’ Whatever the reason, it stood out as something quite different and got me thinking about the importance of making choices.
First of all, how many of us are never able to make choices at all? You must do this, or you must do that, doesn’t really feel like much of a choice does it? Yet for many of us, that’s what life is like – a life without choices. In many respects, having choices, is the ultimate freedom.
So, if you have the opportunity to make a choice then that really is something quite special isn’t it? Yet why do so many of us beat ourselves up if we make a choice that seems like the wrong one?
If we have a choice to make, we all tend to go through a process to make a decision – it could be that the process is based on having had similar choices in the past (so we use our experience of how it turned out before) or alternatively, we gather as much information as we can to then make a decision (an informed choice).
Sometimes, even with all the facts before us, as well as the experience of making a similar decision in the past, it might be tough making the right choice, but in my experience, if you have the luxury of a choice at all, then that in itself is something to be grateful for – whichever choice you end up with may or may not result in the outcome you envisaged, but above all else, try reminding yourself that at least you were in the fortunate position of having a choice to make – and if the outcome is not as you expected, don’t dwell on it – move on and look forward to the next set of choices you’ll have.
It’s also something to bear in mind when you’re negotiating with someone – it can be really important, or something quite insignificant, but if you give someone a choice, they’re much more likely to respond positively to you than if you ask them to make a decision, yes or no, on one thing only. Try it out and you’ll see what I mean – alternatively, don’t: after all, it’s your choice…
In the meantime, did I buy ‘The Essential Tracy Chapman’? Of course not, as I already have all the tracks on other cd’s she’s recorded (where she may or may not have chosen all the tracks herself!) but one thought I would leave you with is this – if you have a choice to make between ‘The Essential Tracy Chapman’ or another cd, going for Ms C will mean that you’ve chosen a singer songwriter who knows how to make choices herself.
2. A question of motivationAsk the right question and you'll have no problem getting what you want.
If you think about it, questions are pretty amazing things. Just speak the words and immediately your mind starts to look for answers; it's how we're built.
The only problem is, many people don't know the 'right' questions to ask.
In this newsletter I'm going to share a question with you that, when you ask it, will give you what you need to do whatever it is you want to do with your life.
When I first asked myself the question, I was so surprised at how fast it worked. The author whose idea it was said it would work every time, but I had my doubts. I was wrong. It worked for me, and I know it will work for you as well.
I first learned of this idea while reading an investment book several months ago. I entered the bookshop with the idea that I'd only browse, but I should have known better, as I cannot resist buying books. I soon left with a handful of books, one of which posed an insightful question about reaching a financial goal.
It seemed like a simple enough idea at first, but then I thought about it from the perspective of reaching one of my personal goals.
It was really amazing. Asking myself the question posed in the book changed the picture of my goal completely.
But I'm making an assumption I can't afford to make. The question asked in that book meant a great deal to me because I had a clear objective in mind. I knew exactly what I wanted.
However, if you don't know what you want, which is actually very common, all the tips in the world to achieve your goal will do little good for you.
Now for the question that will help you tap into the answers you're looking for.
The Question
Once I realised how simple and effective this method was in helping me with my own goals, I had to share it with others. And each time I found the same sequence of events.
When I asked each person about how they'd achieve their goal, they gave me the same basic response.
'I know what I want, but I'm not really sure how to get it. I wouldn't know where to begin.'This was the general feel I got from each person I worked with. They were missing the details of their plan and the intensity for their goal.
Then I asked them a question, just one question, and that changed everything.
Before I ask you this same question, I have to warn you, don't make the mistake of letting its simplicity fool you; it takes a sharp mind to recognise the power of a simple truth.
After asking the initial questions about their goals and listening to their response, I followed with this scenario:
'What would you do if you had only 90 days to achieve your goal or you would forever lose what you cared about most?'This one question put quite a twist on things. Lose the most important thing in your life forever? With this ultimatum presented I got a very different response.
As soon as the question sank in the answers started flying. What was a foggy idea only minutes before became a clear and focused objective with amazing intensity behind it.
Every single person I asked had a list of things they would do to reach their goal, and the drive in their eyes made it clear that they meant it.
What You'll Experience When You Ask the Question
I was in the same boat with a few of my goals only months before. I told myself that I wasn't sure how to go about reaching them, that I didn't know exactly where to begin.
After asking myself that same question I looked at my goals from a totally different viewpoint. I didn't have time to question or doubt - I had to get moving.
The answers I couldn't seem to find started popping into my head as fast as I could create them. What I had here was an excellent method for tapping into the power within myself.
And now you have it too!
When you use this method with your own goals you will have a solid reason to believe that you possess the qualities of success within you. The answers are there, and this question will help you to uncover them.
So ask yourself, what would you do if you only have 90 days to achieve your goal or you would lose what you cared about most in your life. Ask it and then keep that thought in your mind as you make things happen.
It's possible. When you know the true meaning and method of motivation, nothing can stop you. Motivation is the most powerful and most important skill in life. You learn how to control this force and the world is in your hands.
3. News for charity managers and trusteesI’m delighted to say that after working on a brand new management qualification for almost a year, I’m involved in the launch of a new BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management that you can now take with effect from September on a distant learning basis. This is a recognised qualification that you can study in your own time over a year, or on a more traditional basis by attending monthly workshops in various parts of the country.
This qualification is certificated by Edexcel and is available exclusively through charitytraining.com.
To find out more, just go to
http://www.blogger.com/www.charitytraining.com or join The Skills Network for free at
http://www.blogger.com/www.theskillsnetwork.com where there is a section devoted to the new BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management.
That’s all for this month!
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All material contained in this newsletter © 2005 Tony Gibbs. Web site:
http://www.blogger.com/www.tonygibbs.net or call 01778 341586 or 07957 188004 (UK). You can write to me at 24 Park Road, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8ND.
Thanks and acknowledgements to Michael Beale, Peter Freeth and Jason M. Gracia