All Things Inspired

Are you listening to the voice inside telling you that you can be so much more?

Hopefully at this point, you hear and more importantly are listening to that tiny voice inside that is telling you that you can be so much more than average. Being average is feeling a sense of security in what you're doing, avoiding criticism from others and minimizing expectations. If you recall last week, we said these things all describe what it is like to be entrenched in a comfort zone.

It's not just about saying that you're not going to be average. It takes constant focus and commitment to stay on the course of exceeding being average. Last week we learned that complacency destroys, but through developing mental toughness you can overcome complacency. Now we're going to discuss how developing mental toughness prepares you to be committed to being "all-in" with your determination. And if you want to stop being average, it's time to do some soul searching, a gut check if you will, to prepare yourself to overcome the mental block of being average.

When I say the phrase being "all-in", you probably relate that to risking everything at a card table if Vegas. All-in is to be fully committed to a task or endeavor, giving, or being prepared to give all of one's energy or resources toward something.

In real life, most people won't consider going all-in out of fear of doing so. Typically, it's going to hurt a bit. As C.L. Shepherd said in the bonus video this week, you're going to get bruised up, but it will be worth it. This means when people come to grips with the cost of ultimate commitment, the rewards are worth the pain it took to get there.

What does it take to be "all-in"? As Shep outlined in the video, it's these three things...

Doing the dirty hard work in the dark - that means doing what needs to be done, even if you don't want to or nobody notices what you're doing.
Change the what-ifs to even-ifs - this represents the change in mindset needed to be all-in. Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning. Staying perseverant is key.
All-in is the head, mouth, heart and feet - Your head is having the right mindset to be all-in, committed to the process. Your mouth is being mindful of the words you choose to use, projecting positives over negatives. Your heart is having the passion to trust your commitment of being all-in. And your feet is acting, off your seat and on your feet. Get moving to drive the process of being all-in.

This all means you take the approach of no excuses. Nothing is someone else's fault; nothing is someone else's problem. You take the approach of full responsibility, full accountability, in every situation.

As it turns out, being "all-in" has a direct effect on your productivity, your efficiency, and your effectiveness. It will also reflect in your mood and outlook. Does it take more effort? Not more, but it takes a different effort. Does it have an impact on getting things done? Yes, absolutely. Learning to be "all-in" in any situation is an incredible skill that will serve you throughout your life.

We always talk about success and winning. Just remember though, success if not final. Also, failure is not fatal. But if you have the courage to continue, that is what ultimately counts. Being great is not about the finished product, it's about your developmental growth along the way.

So, at this point you must ask yourself these three simple questions:

Am I all-in (firmly and deeply committed) to realizing my potential?
Am I passionate about my pursuit of becoming someone who is awesome over average?
Do I have the mental fortitude to see my commitment through to success?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, then it's time for one final gut check! The definition of gut check is a test or assessment of your courage, your character and your determination. At this very moment, you must decide if you are going to reach your greatest potential in life or just fall into the mundane trap of being average. To stop being average you must take time for self-reflection every day. Analyze what is good and what needs improvement. Then challenge yourself to learn something new or a new technique every day to apply toward your path to success.

You can become more powerful and shed the label of being average by practicing some of these elements of becoming powerful...

Talk less, listen more.
Stay calm in all situations.
Observe what is happening around you before you react or speak.
Make eye contact - connect with the soul of others.
Think before you speak - pause for 10 seconds to collect your thoughts.
Value your time and learn to say no.
Always be respectful of others and yourself.

Part of your gut check is understanding reality. So, here are some points to ponder, or a reality check, if you will, that will help you continue your path to being awesome. Understanding these realities will strengthen your mental toughness and help you avoid backsliding into averageness.

Life is not fair. But life is also not out to get you!
The world does not revolve around you.
The world does not owe you anything. You must work to achieve your goals.
Bad behavior is not rewarded in this world.
Being told no is part of life that you must get over.
Respect is earned, never just given.
Shut your mouth and open your eyes and ears. You have two eyes, two ears and one mouth. Use them proportionately!

The effort to stop being average requires massive self-improvement. Self-improvement never stops, regardless of how much you might know. Just like the moment our human body dies, it starts to decompose; the minute you stop building through self-improvement, you begin to deteriorate in your path to transformational growth.

This could be a defining moment in your quest for transformational growth. The choice is yours. Are you ready to commit to being "all-in"? Do you have the intestinal fortitude to be awesome over average? Then it's time to look in the mirror and say, "Stop being average! I am capable of being so much more!" Stop being average, instead...

Be inspired! Inspire others!