We write down our goals and of course we ALWAYS achieve them… Don’t We?
Well you may achieve ALL your goals…. but I’ve got lots of ‘goals’ that I’ve started working towards but never quite achieved.
I get so far and then it’s like I’ve got a giant elastic band tied to my waist, which when it gets stretched tight suddenly pings me right back to my starting point! Sometimes it’s like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back….
Why is it that we are able to move forward, pushing our boundaries … to a point and then suddenly we find ourselves scurrying back to our ‘comfort zone’… even if it’s not feeling very comfortable? It’s what we know… what we’ve got used to. I wrote about this in a previous post: Are ‘BELIEFS’ Holding You Back?
Last weekend, I attended Andy Harrington’s free Power To Achieve 3 day event at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London and Wow… Barriers were broken. I broke down some of the walls which I’ve been bashing into for a good few years…
I’m sure you may recognise some of those ‘walls’ – they’re the ones that give you a bloody nose when you come up against them – and where is the place you return to with a ‘bloody nose’.. yes – back ‘home’!
I’ve got to say that Andy Harrington worked his socks off over the 3 days. We registered on the first morning at 07:30 a.m., the event opened at 09:00 a.m. and our first break was 4:00 p.m. – yep 7 hours without a coffee or lunch break… and yes, I was cross legged too! However, the amount of information that Andy was giving made it worth ‘squeezing in’ for a bit longer… if you get my flow! After a 1 hour tea break, the sessions continued and ran until 10:00 p.m.
Tip: If you ever go on one of Andy’s events, take some snacks in with you… and a commode!
It’s true though.. very few things are ‘absolutely free’.. they usually have a few strings attached and although the event was free to attend, Andy was honest from the start – he explained that there would be some ‘commercials’ running over the 3 days.
He bought on some inspiring speakers and some ‘not so’ inspiring speakers and sometimes the ‘commercial break’ felt as though it went on for too long and at times felt a bit ‘uncomfortable’…. But, if you put these to one side, overall the event was packed with lots of powerful strategies and ideas and certainly opened my eyes up, to clearly see the possibilities that can be achieved if you truly set your mind to it!
Andy led us on a 3 day journey, with lots of NLP theory bought to life. He demonstrated how our ‘state of mind’ and our ‘belief system’ can drive us to success or keep us shackled in a fixed position….. “Look At The State Of You”
Our introduction to Charlie the monkey, certainly provided a great deal of hilarity, whilst very clearly highlighting some of the limiting strategies we often use without being aware of them, throughout our lives and which cause us to sometimes miss the most simple and obvious solutions that are right under our noses…
At the end of our first day, we were challenged to break through blocks of wood with our bare hands, as a physical demonstration of what we can achieve when we push through those barriers.
At the end of the second day, our challenge was to bend an iron rod between two people, using just our necks … that soft part of our throat (don’t try this at home!).
At the end of the final day, we broke some old patterns of behaviour and established some new and better patterns, with some guided transformational meditations and exercises…. It was powerful stuff!
We experienced how having a ‘can do’ mindset, makes the difference between success and failure. As we felt the bar start to bend, our natural instinct was to pull back rather than push forward and yet with encouragement and belief that it’s possible, the bar bends in two… and we lived to tell the tale – not even a scratch!
Do you recognise that ‘pulling back’ instinct when you’ve pushed so far toward your goals?
Well next time, at the point that you feel the urge to pull back and give up… just keep pushing… and put in some ‘extra effort’.
So often we stop when we are within touching distance of the finish line, we fail to take the ‘leap of faith’ and instead run backwards, when with just a bit more of a push, we could be living our dreams….
5 Ways To Start Taking The Front Seat!
Within each of us is the Power To Achieve whatever we set our minds to, if we just press forward, one step at a time, with absolute focus and determination…
As my dad regularly told us when we were growing up…..
“What one man can do, I can do also”…
That’s one of my childhood beliefs I’m going to keep!
I so enjoyed reading this post. I wondered how it would be. I don’t think I could have managed without a break. I thought I was seeing double in your video. You look so very like each other. I look forward to hearing your next bit of news.😊
Aww – thanks Brigid – it was a fabulous weekend and lovely to spend quality time with my sister too.. Those ‘family’ traits come through don’t they.. although we don’t think we look at all like each other but others say we do! xx
You could even be twins! 😉
Well- great for my sister who’s 61 in April…. but not good for me- where’s that wrinkle cream??? haha x
I am planning a post on a before and after make up lesson next Wednesday. You can comment on my wrinkles. 😉xx
Haha – fab – I’ll be watching out for that Brigid! We could set up a group … ‘The Wrinklys’ ….. If I ever get my house back in any sort of order, I’m hoping to do some more makeup vlogs too – one of my blogging goals for 2017.. before the wrinkles really take a hold.. hehe! x
Here’s to our wrinkles Wendy. I kind of got out of the habit of wearing makeup these past few years. My makeup bag was in a sorry state. The Woman’s Shed that I go to on a Monday has had 2 makeup lessons and 2 nail sessions so I am having a one to one next… I bought a set of new warpaint last week. 😍 My podcast goes out on Friday so you can see me before the transformation. 😉Look forward to more vlogs and pictures of your new kitchen.xx
Oh wow – how FANTASTIC!!! It sound’s like you’ve been inspired. I’m always impressed also by women who have the confidence not to wear makeup.. for me I just don’t feel myself without it.. which isn’t necessarily good. I can’t wait to see the podcast! I’ll definitely post some ‘finished’ pictures of the kitchen.. fingers xx that it looks ok and that all the disruption is worth it! Good luck with the 121! x
Looking forward to it Wendy.x
Great read. 🙂
Thank you – I’m delighted you enjoyed it! x
Wow Wendy! I just love hearing about how the study of NLP techniques have blossomed. It has always seemed to me that both the UK and Australia really {openly} take this wonderful science to heart, without attempting to disguise it as something more palatable. There’s nothing super natural or manipulative about NLP unless used by charletons.
I am a Licensed Master NLP Coach Practitioner. I practice on myself everyday, and also use the sensory-focused aspects of NLP when working with my dementia clients and groups. NLP does work if applied; although even the best practitioners still need to eat and go potty once in a while.
Super Fantastic that you enjoyed your experience, attended with your sister, and are now freely giving away some of your awesome take-away to your readers. One November I hope to be able to attend the NLP Conference also held in London. What a blast that is going to be!!!
Oh how fantastic Jen. I trained to licenced practitioner with Dr Richard Bandler in London which was an amazing experience.. I could listen to him talk all day.. he’s quite a character! I’m also a hypnotherapist and qualified way back in 2000. The power of the mind is a subject very close to my heart and I just love those moments of ‘illumination’ for myself and my clients (I don’t practice full time but do take specialist referrals for phobias/anxiety and panic attacks). You need to put that London conference on your vision board and let me know – I may just meet you there! xx
Interestingly enough Wendy, as soon as I wrote it, I thought how wonderful 2017 will be for the trip. Gathering the US funds to match the UK pound is the challenge. After August, I envision this as a real possibility. Would love to meet you there or jet to Manchester for a day or two. Very exciting!!!
Fantastic – you’ll have to keep me updated and we’ll definitely meet up if you make it over! Wonderful… xx
Oops! Just saw end of April at Park Inn, London. My notices always pointed to November. So, are there two, or is my mind wanting it farther out this year? Will keep you posted though! 🙂
Great post Wendy!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You’re very welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed it! Much appreciated xx
You’re very welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed it.. sorry if this is a repeat reply.. computer went a bit ‘strange’… x
What an inspirational post Wendy!! Thanks for this share. Those long hours with no break really worth. Will try to follow him in social media. You are truly inspirational so great to find you here in Manchester.😍😍
And again – vice versa Sumith… 2 inspirational Mancunians.. it must be something in the water! x
Mancunians rocks!!😍😍
Yee Haa!! x
😊-:)
Great Wendy now I am feeling jealous of you. Just joking but a beautiful and inspiring post and you have had a lovely time. So informative post, will definitely look up this person on YouTube and follow him.
Haha… how funny.. I’m so glad you found some inspiration in there and yep – he’s definitely worth a follow for a bit of added inspiration! x
Yes absolutely true Wendy.
I always have that thing holding me back, but I always try to be courageous and not listen to that inner voice saying I can’t do it. It can be very hard, but being persistent and working hard on your goals despite that bad feeling in your guts is always rewarding – sometimes not in the way you thought it would !
Absolutely Emma… perseverance is key and sod the damned ‘negative committee’ in our heads… Well done to you for keeping going and breaking through some of your barriers! Amazing xxx
I’m glad that the event (mostly) lived up to your expectations and that you have come through equipped to bust your personal barriers. ON a side note – it’s fortunate I wasn’t there because there is no way on earth I could hold and squeeze for that long … seriously – this is an excellent piece chock full of fantastic nuggets which I am certain I will need to read several times to get full value from 💪🏻👏🏻
Haha Osyth… Yep – I think the ‘pelvic floor’ exercises were completed for the rest of the year.. It’s a good job we didn’t have to jump up and down until after the break! I’m delighted that you’ve found some nuggets in there too Osyth.. Onward and Upward! x
Wow so much learning and experiences. 7 hours no lunch , coffee or comfort break. Eeeek… i will have to read this again so much in this for me to make notes from
Yes Bella.. it’s a good job the ‘jumping up and down’ came after the break! I’m so glad you found something in there worth going back for a second look – that’s brilliant! Thank you… xx
Oh yes, I know all about being held back and being afraid or unable to move out of our comfort zones. But, as you know, I’m working on this, it’s all about taking those small steps forward. And not giving up. This is a great post Wendy. Loved the little video of you at the end too. 😊 Fantastic! Big hugs xo
We’re on it Miriam! … that Power To Achieve is definitely growing stronger… Aww – it was lovely doing that ‘rod’ with my sister and seeing her break through some barriers too.. I’m off to my inbox! x
You both look like you were having so much fun. How wonderful that she was also able to join you on the weekend. x
It was a strange thing Miriam.. it was actually one of her blocks… she prevaricated on it until the very last minute – the actual day I was leaving she had a change of heart and booked her train and I managed to get her booked on… It was ‘fear’ holding her back… fear of making the changes she knew deep down she has to work on. I was SO pleased she did come and it did her so much good too! xx
That’s fantastic. Good on her, and you, for making it all happen. xo
I know – I was proud of her! x
Absolutely!
(Just read your emailWendy and there’s so much I want to say, and will, when my head feels clearer. I’ll be in touch.) x
Fabulous – Hope I’ve not ‘fuddled’ your head too much! xx
Good on you – this or something greater for the greatest good <3 Lots of loving, Wendy — Debbie
Like you Debbie – I’m on my self development journey and loving it! Much love returned to you too xxx