May 5, 2009

Answer That Telephone!   "Let's play a game for a moment.  Your telephone rings and the voice at the other end says, 'Friend, don't be disturbed.  I don't want to borrow any money and I have no favors to ask.  I just thought I would call and tell you that I think you're one of the nicest persons who ever drew a breath of air.  You are an asset to your profession and a credit to your community.  You're the kind of person I like to be with because every time I'm around you, I feel inspired and motivated to do a better job.  I wish I could see you every day because you motivate me to be my best self.  That's all I wanted to say, Friend.  Look forward to seeing you soon.'   Now, if a close friend called you and said those things to you, what kind of day would you have?"   Would you see yourself in a different light?  How would your attitude change?  How would your actions and performance change throughout the day?  Would you be a better dentist, nurse, secretary, salesperson, mother, father, or friend as you went about your day?   Sure, outwardly, you would still be the same person, yet your inside would change - for the better.   "Your self-image would change and at that instant an interesting thing happens.  Your confidence goes up and when your confidence goes up, your competence goes up at the same time.  Simply stated, it means that when your image improves, your performance improves."   In other words, when you see yourself as smart, capable, deserving of the best, you will "be, do, and have."  Because, ... "You cannot consistently perform in a manner that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself."   Who would you be, what would you do and what would you have if you answered that telephone?  Every day!    Don't let it ring and ring.  Answer it!  Listen to what you are being told.  Let it soak in.  Choose to believe the message.  And you will perform your way to the top!   (Quotes above excerpted from See You At The Top by Zig Ziglar.)    P.S.  By recognizing the power that telephone message has for you, think of the power it has for someone you call with the same message!  Pay it forward.     "An individual's self-concept is the core of his personality.  It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change, the choice of friends, mates, and careers.  It's no exaggeration to say that a strong positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life."             Dr. Joyce Brothers   "Our self-image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become."             Maxwell Maltz   "Your self image is your pattern.  Every thought has an activity visualized.  Every activity belongs to a pattern.  You identify with your pattern or thought.  Your patterns lead your life."             J.G. Gallimore   "Relentless, repetitive self talk is what changes our self-image."             Denis Waitley     What would happen if each one of my Balance Beam readers picked up their phone today and called one of their friends and relayed the above message?  Or if you played the message at a team meeting at work. Or, if you called one of your customers.  Granted you might have to fine-tune it a bit to fit the other person. That's OK. Go ahead, start with "Friend (Name), don't be disturbed."    What would happen?  You'd touch the hearts of everyone who received the message AND you would touch your own heart.  Priceless!   Have a fantastic week and answer that telephone.  Your friend is calling.   Stephanie             We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com