The Six Words that Set Me up for Success

As many of you know by now, I am a strong believer in the power of words.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” – Frank Outlaw

This past year has been an incredible journey for me, both professionally and personally. Working with a powerful and successful business coach is essential when you are serious about growing your business. I’ve heard so many entrepreneurs saying: “I don’t have the time. I don’t have the money. I’ll wait until…….” and many more reasons as to ‘why not’. My take on this: The future is promised to no one!

What if you changed your thinking and took a ‘no excuses approach’ to growing your business – and changing your life? It all starts with the way you think and the words you use. Here are the words that supported my success this past year:

BELIEF

“To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” – Anatole France, 1844-1924

I am on an aggressive 5-year plan with my business. As I mentioned at the MMBW workshop, I have started my life over and I am no spring chicken right now. Time is of the essence for me. Once I did the research and identified Fabienne as THE business coach for me, I put together a plan – and held firmly to the belief of what was possible.

DECISION

“There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.” – William James

Last year, at the MMBW, Fabienne presented the information about her master mind groups and distributed applications for membership. I had already made the decision, before even landing in L.A. last year, that I was going to get into her master mind group. If you haven’t read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – then get it and read it. It is essential for anyone in business. The power of the master mind has been known for generations – but, it is important that you get into the RIGHT master mind group for you. When I saw the price tag for the master mind membership, it would have been very easy for me to start with all the excuses – all the reasons why I couldn’t, or shouldn’t, participate right now. I chose to take a no-excuses approach! I’m in! The results speak for themselves!

FOCUS

“I never could have done without the habit of punctuality, order and diligence………The determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time.” – Charles Dickens

I learned very quickly that, to achieve the results that I wanted, I must focus on my talents – my unique abilities. One of the first steps I took was to create a team around me – yes, I know what you’re thinking – “I’m barely making any money so how in the world can I afford to hire a team?” For me, I couldn’t afford NOT to hire a team. It was essential for me to focus on doing my talent and make the money I knew that I could make – and have a team working with me where each person is also focused on their talent. I needed that support in order to succeed. I know have a team of virtual assistants, a book-keeper, an accountant, a travel agent, a house-keeper, etc. etc. etc.

I focus. My time and energy is extremely focused; as a result, I’ve had a phenomenal year! Another book I highly recommend is “The Power of Focus” by Jack Canfield.

ACTION

“Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there……and light the bloody thing yourself.” – Sara Henderson, b. 1936

I am big on action! While I have studied with some of the best of the best over these past 20+ years, it really comes down to taking action. As Fabienne said at our workshop, ‘he who implements fastest – wins.” And what I continually tell my own clients is that ‘it is not a matter of intellectually knowing – it’s a matter of personally applying the information that you have learned’.

I believe there is a great little book out called “Eat the Big Frog First.” – I love that title. The moral of the story is to look at all of the outstanding items you have on your To Do list, choose the Big Frog (the one that scares you the most, or overwhelms or intimidates you), and get to it. Get ‘er done! Then, the rest is easy-peasy. Try it and you’ll see! (and let me know how this works for you…..ok?)

COMMITMENT

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” – Anon.

I could write a whole book on this one word alone. When I started my journey last year with this particular business coach and my master mind group, I made a commitment – not only to them, which is important – but to me, which is even MORE important! One of my coaching tips is to ‘keep the power of your word’. It’s bad enough when you don’t keep your word to someone else but what does that do for your own integrity. When I commit – I commit. Has it always been easy? NO! Has it been worth it? YES! The beauty of the whole process is that, with a master mind group, I had the full support of many amazing, intelligent, high-achieving women who were there for me, no matter what, no matter when. I had their word. We were all committed to our success plans. What about you? Do you give up when the going gets tough? What causes you to back up and continue to play small? If you’re in business for yourself, are you involved in a master mind group? No one can do it alone – and, why would you want to?

It’s all about the power of your word.

PERSISTENCE

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

I absolutely love this quote and keep it close to my computer. As human beings, we have a habit of ‘comparing the inside of us to the outside of everyone else”. Stop and think about that for a minute. A few months ago, I wrote about the fact that each and every one of us goes out into the public wearing our masks – whichever mask is appropriate for the day and for the situation. We are so busy comparing ourselves to others that we lose sight of our own goals and objectives. I had a long conversation with one of my mentors a few years ago. I was commenting about how ‘lucky’ he was to have everything go his way, thus leading to massive success. He taught me a valuable lesson and it is reflected in the Confucius quote. He told me that it has nothing to do with luck but, rather, the fact that he just tries more things – some were a success – some failed. He doesn’t dwell on the failures. He celebrates, and builds on, the successes. That is what I do now.

There have been many times, over the past few years, when I have felt like giving up. My self-talk would be ‘it’s too hard – I can’t do this – I’m too old – it’s not fair, etc.” I have trained my mind, however, to shift my self-talk to be positive, uplifting and forward thinking. That is essential in order to persist and to reach our goals. Don’t give up – ever! I take it one day at a time.

CONCLUSION

As I reflect on the 6 words that set me up for success, there is one thing that comes to mind. It’s my tag line: “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Yes, I have some incredible business coaches and a supportive master mind group. But the bottom line is that I am responsible for my success and I am responsible for my happiness – for my life.

Author's Bio

Pat Mussieux has a message of hope and success. For more than 20 years, Pat has studied the internal driving forces that create happiness and success at all levels. She knows what drives women, what inspires them and what it really takes to transform them from the inside out. As a coach, international speaker, author and radio host, she teaches women mindset and marketing techniques to help them figure out what they want to be when they grow up, how to get out of their own way, how to attract more clients, make more money and have more freedom – so they can develop the confidence and courage to live their best life – at any age! Pat is the author of the “Building Confidence and Courage Home Study System” and the book: “Who Am I Now? Simple Steps to Inventing Your Future – After Divorce, Retirement, Death of a Spouse, Empty Nest, etc.”

P.S. Visit my website www.confidenceandcourage.com to get your free CD: “Finding the Confidence and Courage to Live Your Best Life – At Any Age!” and my F.R.E.E. weekly ezine.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/the-six-words-that-set-me-up-for-success