Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Lisa DeMayo on how to get what you really want by changing your worldview.
Lisa is the author of the book, The Art of Getting What You Want: How to Cultivate the Happiness, Health, and Wealth You Desire.
Lisa is also a self-made multi-millionaire, and a certified leadership coach with more than twenty years of coaching experience helping people get what they really want out of life.
About Lisa and the book, Jack Canfield had this to say, “I have been a long-time fan of Lisa DeMayo. And I’m so thrilled she’s finally put it all down on paper for us. In these pages, she sets down in words not just a few good ideas, but genuine road maps to getting what you’ve always desired out of life.”
Without further ado, here’s Lisa on how to expand your worldview to get what you really want …
“Deep within man dwell those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize his life if aroused and put into action.” —Orison Swett Marden
Let’s start with today. Just today. From the moment you wake up, there are many possible roads you can travel until you crawl back into bed at night. It is the decisions you make—even in the small things— that crucially determine the course of your life. You can go through the day typically. You can nod your head, you can shuffle your feet along, you can grumble and complain about the little things. But isn’t there a better way?
After all, the history of our world is composed of big decisions made in seemingly small, average moments. There is no place too small to do a big thing. You never know in life when the average can become exceptional. It’s high time you expand your worldview.
1. Change Your Interpretation.
Most of potential is seized when people begin to realize the power of interpretation. The same event can happen and, depending on how you interpret it, you will be led down different roads.
One road may lead to sadness, boredom, or a lack of fulfillment. The other may lead to success, health, and happiness.
The good news is what road you travel is up to you.
When I think about the power of interpretation, I’m always reminded of Robinson Lynn. I’ve known Robinson since he was just a young boy, though he’s now twenty-eight. His mom, Robin, was my mentor and dear, dear friend for many years. She founded the organization Momentum Education and spent her life investing in people and loving others. She was a powerhouse and my angel.
When Robin’s son, Robinson, was twenty-two years old, in October of 2009, Robin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Tragically, she passed away 3 short-months later.
“The first reaction I had to my mother’s death,” Robinson told me, “was pain. I couldn’t stop thinking about how terrible it was. How unfair it seemed. But then I pulled myself back and realized there could be another interpretation. This second reaction I chose was gratitude. I had three months to say everything I wanted to say to my mother. I had three months to take care of her, nurture her, and say goodbye. And now I have this incredible opportunity to continue the amazing work she started. Not everyone has that. Even in the hardest situations, you can always choose a new interpretation. It’s up to you to choose one that makes life better.”
2. Be Resourceful.
Chances are if you ask someone why they didn’t achieve something, they’ll give you a laundry list of excuses. They’ll say they didn’t have the time, didn’t have the money, didn’t have the connections.
Sound familiar?
And while that’s all well and good, and likely even true, the central element that determines your success is not the tools found in your arsenal, but rather the resourcefulness found in your mind and heart.
Consider Robinson. When he took over his mom’s business, he was only twenty-two. He was overwhelmed with the sudden terminal illness of a parent, had never had any business experience, and was thrown into a situation where he had to lead immediately. He didn’t necessarily have the tools to succeed, but he had the guts to go for it. His wherewithal and resourcefulness, not his “experience,” were what made all the difference.
If you want to have a full life, you must dig deep and look always at what the alternatives are in any given situation. How many men quit just before they succeeded because they dared not look around the bend? Do not stop short because you’re too small-minded about your capacity.
Give it all you’ve got. You’ll find you’ve got far more than you ever expected.
3. Open Your Mind.
People are conditioned to believe that lives are supposed to be led a certain way. That society is the way that it is and there’s little flexibility when it comes to changing the mold.
But when you buy into this, you’re being guided more by your situation than your own personal doctrines. You’re falling into the trap of believing that you are your past. But what’s come before does not have to come after. You don’t have to allow your past—or society’s story—to become your story.
I’ve worked with tens of thousands of individuals over twenty years, and I’ve realized through every interaction that people can change their life instantaneously. Practically everything about who you are can be remodeled. But in order to change your life, you first and foremost must raise the stakes. As Henry David Thoreau wrote, “I know of no more encouraging factor than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.”
If your “story” and your “situation” work for you, then keep doing what you’re doing. But if even the slightest change will benefit you in some capacity, choose to create the change. The difference between those who do and those who don’t is choice. Once you make the choice to have different results, you then can change your actions and your destiny.
You have the power.
To pre-order her book, The Art of Getting What You Want, or to learn more about Lisa’s workshops, seminars and speaking engagements, visit her website: The Art of Getting What You Want.com.
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