What's Stopping You? Getting Rid of the Barriers

Often people tell me of unfulfilled dreams that they wish could have been realized. My first response is that it is never too late to chase a goal. My second response is to try to find out what has been and continues to stop them!

What would you tell me about you? Are you:
1. Insecure - People who are afraid rarely start anything because they figure that they will fail. In fact, they are defeated before they even get to the starting blocks. Old messages from childhood can interfere with their confidence and immobilize their actions. If you are feeling insecure, find a mentor who has found success in the field where you wish to achieve. Take time to gain knowledge. Soon you will be ready to take a step forward.

2. Overwhelmed - Sometimes life seems too difficult and instead of taking action, people freeze. A project can seem to be so big that there is no end in sight. Start by breaking the task down into small, manageable pieces. Do you want to downsize? Try removing one item from the house every day. In thirty days you have removed thirty items. After a year there will be three hundred and sixty-five less things in your surroundings.

3. Lazy - Those who focus on luxuriating, live with negative consequences in the long-run. When you neglect your career, family, friends and home, you will lose your support and security over time. Begin by making a list of all the things that you value and beside each write at least one thing that you need to do this week to protect them.

4. Hurting - Every person on earth has had at least one deep hurt in life. Some people give up and become victims who are not willing to do anything positive to heal to move forward. Others use their pain to help other people. I have heard some people say that time heals. I really don't believe that. Some people hold onto their trauma for decades and never let go! Get professional help when you are stuck!

5. Procrastinating - Do you have great ideas that you never germinate? Are you the person who has advise for other people that you never follow yourself? You likely know the answers to the situation that you are facing but tend to put off enacting them. No one will do the work for you, so it is time to get started. All talk and no action mean you are dead in the water when it comes to progress.

6. Committed - Do you have a goal and a plan to help you achieve it? Are you willing to try even if you don't succeed at first? Would you be willing to study in order to learn strategies that will bring good results? Who do you know who would be willing to encourage and teach you?

Here's the good news. No matter where you fall on the list, you can change and soon you will be able to replace your regret with success!

Source

Vision -- What Are You Doing Today Towards Achieving Your Vision?

Every man who accomplishes things sees first in his mind what he wishes to do. He puts away all doubt. It makes no difference how small or how large the thing you want to do may be; if you have an unlimited confidence in your ability to do it, you will do it. - Charles Fillmore.

By definition, vision is a future orientation, a broad stroke picture that serves as the basis for making decisions or taking actions towards achieving the vision. In order for a vision to become a reality, there are certain elements that must be present.

Most importantly, the vision must be anchored in truth. If there is no or little truth, the vision will not be obtainable. For example: If a client says that she wants to be an opera singer despite the fact that she truly can't sing--can't carry a tune, has no pitch, etc. it's not impossible for her to achieve some level of singing ability with singing lessons. However, the struggle and the reality is so far fetched, that it really doesn't make sense to have this as an aspiration.

Accordingly, it would be important to find out just what she would hope to gain or could expect her life to be like as an opera singer. Upon investigation and exploration, it would be discovered that she loves to be on stage, get attention, and perform in some way. Those qualities can be used in many ways besides being an opera singer - and surely would be anchored more in truth.

It is also important that the vision is aligned with your purpose in life. If she wants to make this world a better place by sharing her talents and gifts, then singing would probably not be a wise choice. On the other hand, if she chooses some form of teaching and reaching many people so that she is sharing her ideas and wisdom, she's probably aligned with her purpose. Perhaps some form of public speaking might be more appropriate.

A vision must be exciting and compelling. If not, there is no incentive to take steps towards making it happen. If she chose to have a vision of becoming a nurse and caring for sick people when in fact, she doesn't particularly enjoy being around sick people, it's not going to pull her forward to wanting it to become a reality. In fact, there will most likely be lots of struggle and sabotaging along the way. Could it be a possible vision with truth? "Yes, but..." She could learn nursing and she could care for sick people, and it does align with her vision of sharing talents and gifts, BUT for her, it's not exciting or compelling. Therefore, the chances of her finishing the necessary course work aren't great and even if she did, it would feel more like drudgery.

So in creating a vision, it's important to think about what experience you would like to have. It would be helpful to notice and check if it's anchored in truth - for you. Does it align with your purpose? Is it compelling and exciting to you? Could it pull you forward and be an incentive and is it motivating you to wanting to take steps towards it?

Invitation to Experiment:

Create a vision for your life. Include the type of experiences you want to have - include ALL of the elements possible: such as where you will be living, how you will be living, with whom, what type of work you'll be doing, etc. Don't leave anything out from your dream. Once it's crafted, look at the truth in it. Does it align with your truth? Look at your purpose for being on the planet. Does it align with your purpose? And lastly, is it exciting and compelling? Could it motivate and inspire you to take steps to move towards it? If so, take your first step, and then the next. It may at first seem like a pipe dream, but if it's aligned and compelling enough, it can become reality. You may modify your vision along the way, but all the while, you are moving towards a life that truly fits who you are and what you want.

Source

How can I create a compelling future?

How can I create a compelling future?

If you’re having trouble achieving with your goal setting, it’s tempting to just stop trying to make any changes. People say things like “Maybe this is just it,” or “I should settle for what I have instead.” But frequently what’s getting in the way of achievement is the actual goal. If your goal is “lose weight,” well, when do you know you’re done? When you’ve lost 1 pound? 5? 40? Without a clear target, it’s difficult to know when you’ve hit it.

Here we’ll cover how to run your own goal-setting workshop. You’ll learn what makes for compelling goals as well as the steps you need to take to see them through.

Why have goals anyway?

Having goals is the fundamental key to success. Goals let us create our future in advance of it actually happening. Setting goals help us grow and expand, pushing ourselves to transform in ways that, just maybe, we never imagined. We’re willing to bet if you’re reading this page you’ve set a goal or two in your life — but are you goal setting effectively? Will your goals transform your life in the ways you want?

Many times people set goals but never quite achieve them. One common reason is that their goals aren’t compelling or inspiring. You’re much more likely to put time and energy into something that excites you. We’re talking makes you leap out of bed in the morning ready to go. Think of a goal as a dream with a deadline. So how do you create a compelling goal?

The two key questions for compelling goal setting

1. Identify your goals: What do you want? Something almost magical happens when you take generalized desires and start defining them more precisely through goal setting.
2. Identify your purpose: Why do you want it? What will it bring you? If you know what you’re moving towards, you’ll find ways to make it happen. Remember: reasons come first, then the answers.

Oh, and if this all sounds familiar to you, great! Repetition is the mother of all skills, so you’re on your way to becoming master of your goals, and, thus, your future.

Create and maintain momentum with S.M.A.R.T. goals

When setting goals, make sure they follow these principles. A goal should be:

• Specific: The more detailed you can be, the better. “I want to lose 20 pounds” is a good start, but “I want to lose 20 pounds so that I can wear my favorite clothes again this June,” makes it easier to visualize and achieve what you want.
• Measurable: Here precision is your friend. When you can measure, you’ll actually see your progress and know when you achieve it. Concrete criteria helps everyone stay on track. For example, “get better at money” is not measurable; it’s unclear what “better” means here. But have the goal to understand your current spending patterns, pay off your credit cards, and start saving 25% of your income per month by the end of the year — now you have benchmarks that you can achieve and recalibrate if necessary.
• Achievable: If you can’t actually attain your goal it will only serve to frustrate and dishearten you. You’re not going to create a billion-dollar business or become a world-class concert pianist overnight. Many times when we’re creating big goals we get too lofty, making them seem impossible. This leads us to the next element…
• Realistic: Perhaps in an ideal world you’d have six hours a day to work on your golf swing or tennis game. You live in the real world, not an ideal one, so make sure you’re setting goals that match up with reality.
• (in a) Time Frame: Having a clear idea of your timeline creates a sense of urgency. You’ll be working towards what you want more quickly.

Having this level of clarity puts power behind your goals and ensures you can measure your progress more often and take new actions. Ready to try making some goals of your own? Click below to start your very own goals workshop, Tony-style. You’ll need some paper and a pen or pencil, so grab those before you click.

Goal Setting Step 1: Take 6 minutes and brainstorm a list of anything you’d like to achieve, create, do, have, give, and/or experience in the next 20 years. Write as many things down as fast as you can in this time.

Goal Setting Step 2: Now go back through your list and write 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20 years next to each goal to indicate how long it will take to achieve them. You have a minute and a half to get this done, so be quick and go with your gut.

Goal Setting Step 3: Review your list. Choose your top four 1-year goals. These are goals that make you really excited. Write a paragraph for each goal explaining why you will absolutely achieve this goal within the next 12 months. This should take you about 15-20 minutes total.

Now, if you have the chance to share what you’ve written down with a friend, family member or other person you trust, do so. If not, just say them out loud to yourself.

Final concept? There are 3 steps in Personal Power — put your goals where you’ll see them daily, write down and take at least one action towards achieving your goals, and the rocking chair test: visualize yourself older and looking back. What’s the pain from not achieving, and what is the pleasure from having achieved your goals?.

Source

Are You Interested or Committed? The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

There is a defining moment many people experience at some point in their lives — a moment where they are faced with a simple but uncomfortable truth:

Are you interested in achieving your goals…
or are you truly committed to them?

At first glance, the difference may seem small. In reality, it changes everything.

---

The Question That Changes Your Direction

This concept was powerfully illustrated in a story shared by John Assaraf.

At 19 years old, he met a highly successful mentor who asked him a single question:

“Are you interested in achieving your goals, or are you committed?”

He went on to explain:

• If you’re interested, you’ll do what’s convenient
• If you’re committed, you’ll do whatever it takes

That distinction became a turning point — not just in his life, but in how many people now understand success.

---

Interest vs Commitment: The Real Difference

Most people believe they are committed.

But when you look closer, what they actually have is interest.

Being Interested Looks Like:

• Taking action when it feels easy
• Stopping when things become uncomfortable
• Making excuses when progress slows
• Letting circumstances dictate your effort

Being Committed Looks Like:

• Taking action consistently — even when it’s difficult
• Letting go of excuses and old stories
• Adapting when things don’t go to plan
• Continuing regardless of how you feel

Commitment is not about motivation.
It’s about decision and follow-through.

---

Why Most People Stay Stuck

Remaining “interested” is comfortable.

It allows you to:

• Keep your current identity
• Avoid risk
• Protect yourself from failure

But it also keeps you:

• Repeating the same patterns
• Living within the same limitations
• Delaying the results you say you want

The truth is — staying interested often means staying where you are.

---

What Happens When You Decide to Commit

Making a real commitment requires something deeper:

👉 Letting go of the reasons why you can’t
👉 Taking responsibility for your current results
👉 Choosing to act regardless of fear or uncertainty

This is where the shift happens.

Because once you are committed:

• You stop negotiating with yourself
• You stop waiting for the “right time”
• You start focusing on solutions instead of obstacles

---

Commitment Requires Change

One of the most overlooked parts of commitment is this:

👉 You cannot create new results with the same thinking and habits

To move forward, you must upgrade:

• Your knowledge
• Your skills
• Your standards

This is where real growth begins.

---

How to Move From Interest to Commitment (Practical Steps)

If you’re ready to take this seriously, here’s how to apply it.

---

1. Define Your Goals Clearly

Take a sheet of paper and write down one goal for each area of your life:

• Health
• Relationships
• Career / business
• Financial
• Personal growth

Be specific.

👉 What do you want?
👉 When do you want to achieve it?

---

2. Identify Three Actions Per Goal

For each goal, write down three actions:

• What do you need to learn?
• What do you need to believe?
• What do you need to do?

This turns your goal into something practical.

---

3. Schedule It (This Is Where Most People Fail)

A goal without action is just intention.

Take your action steps and:
👉 Put them into your calendar
👉 Assign a specific time

This is where commitment becomes real.

---

4. Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection

You don’t need perfect execution.

You need:

• Daily action
• Weekly progress
• Long-term consistency

This is what separates those who achieve their goals from those who don’t.

---

The Mindset That Drives Results

People who achieve their goals don’t rely on:

• Motivation
• Mood
• External validation

They rely on:
👉 Discipline
👉 Responsibility
👉 Consistent action

They understand that:

• Obstacles will happen
• Progress will not always be linear

But they continue anyway.

---

The Truth About “Whatever It Takes”

Commitment does not mean ignoring reality or burning out.

It means:

• Staying focused on your outcome
• Adjusting your approach when needed
• Continuing to move forward

It is a long-term decision — not a short-term burst of effort.

---

Final Question

So now the question becomes:

👉 Are you interested…
or are you committed?

Because your answer will determine:

• Your actions
• Your consistency
• Your results

---

Your Next Step

If you are ready to move beyond interest and start building real momentum:

👉 Start Your Mindset Reset