In the concluding session of a series of training workshops on Business-Building Basics, we zoomed in on a key factor that I believe accounts for a lack of results from some people despite their showing up regularly for training. The Heart!
We started the session by inviting all present to come up with one advice each, that they know of, or grew up with, or have been told of in recent memory, that involves the word, "heart". Surprisingly, many had difficulty coming up with something. Hmm.... people have not been thinking about the heart?
In the end, after some difficulty, we did come up with a number of hearty advice e.g. In all that you do, do it with all your heart. Have a heart for others .... And here's a cute one: When the husband forgets the wife's birthday, or fails to bring home her favorite food despite repeated hints, she'd simply say, "No Heart!" ;)
I recalled learning from the most successful of Unicity's Thai leaders, Khun Chavich Kim a.k.a. Joe, a phrase I initially thought sounded odd but later decided makes a lot of sense. "Full Heart." The context? "No time? Never mind. I don't need you to do the business full-time. I just need you to do it full heart."
Against these illustrations, I suggested that people who do not have much results to show despite showing up for training for month after month, even year after year, may need to search their hearts.
Is the lack of results because they did not take to heart whatever they learn? Or could it be that they didn't go all out, whole-heartedly, to do whatever it takes to produce the results they think they want? Or is it that they simply do not know what they really want with all their heart?
As the discussion progressed, we figured out that we need to be not just whole-hearted but also strong-hearted. Sometimes, people do not do what they ought to because they are afraid of the rejections, the naysayers, dream-stealers and other types of negative people.
Post-session, I continued to engage my partners and associates on the heart theme. We discovered an important third component - Big Heart! We need a Big Heart so that there'd be ample space in our hearts for the interests and concerns of others. The small-hearted people has only just enough space for themselves and their feelings. We need a Big Heart so that we can be quick to forgive those whom we feel have wronged us, and slow to judge or to condemn. That way, we get to stay in control of our emotions and be well placed to win the "inner game" of life and business.
So, there you are: FULL HEART, STRONG HEART, BIG HEART - all that we need to do well in whatever we choose to do.
I sieved through my archive of quotable quotes, "Insights Of The Day" from self-improvement guru Bob Proctor, and picked out a selection to help me illustrate this, what we might call, hearty formula for success :)
About a FULL HEART
"If you make the unconditional commitment to reach your most important goals, if the strength of your decision is sufficient, you will find the way and the power to achieve your goals." - Robert Conklin, Teacher, Author and Speaker
"The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it." - Debbi Fields, Founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies
"Bigness comes from doing many small things well. Individually, they are not very dramatic transactions. Together though, they add up." - Edward S. Finkelstein, Author
"Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more." - A. Lou Vickery, Writer
About a STRONG HEART
"My father used to say to me, 'Whenever you get into a jam, whenever you get into a crisis or an emergency...become the calmest person in the room and you'll be able to figure your way out of it.’ - Rudolph Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City
"There is absolutely nothing that separates the elite from the paupers except their expectations. If you wish to rise above the masses, then let the fire burn fiercely within you. Do this, and it shall be done!." - J. Arthur Holcombe, Author of The Path of Truth and Courage
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough." – Og Mandino, 1923-1996, Author and Speaker
"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most people succeed because they are determined to." - George E. Allen, 1832-1907, Publisher and Author
About a BIG HEART
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!" - Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887, Author
"Select a few people to be particularly kind to today - those you were a little harsh with yesterday." – Normal Vincent Peale, 1898-1993, Author and Speaker
