Inside Out
Business Edition
"You can't change the direction of the wind. . .
but you can adjust your sails!"
--Jimmy Dean

Kim Olver, MS, NCC, LPC

www.Coachingforexcellence.biz
Kim@Coachingforexcellence.biz

To read our blog click here or go to www.coachingforexcellence.biz and click on "Blog" on the left hand navigation bar. Read some of Kim's musings and add some of your own!

A Message from Kim

This has been a very exciting week. It began with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. If you haven't yet heard one of our Alliance of Chicago Trainers, Marcus Gentry, deliver a captivating performance as Dr. King then click here. If you are interested in hiring him for one of your events, he can be reached at www.marcusgentry.com. Then two days ago, this country saw the swearing in of the first African-American president. What a day of history! It was a beautiful thing to see people of every color coming together to support this president in his message of a unified United States of America. This is a message I can get behind. CNN was saying that President Obama actually has an 80% approval rate among the American people. This is definitely sending a message that it is time to let go of racist, sexist, ageist and any other separatist ideas. The American people want to move forward together as one people, one race--the human race.

Since it is January, I am still focused on goal attainment. Mindset is the subject of this newsletter. I hope you have your 2009 goals down on paper. Once you know what you want to accomplish, make sure you write down the steps you need to take to make that happen and then schedule those steps into your weekly and daily planners. When you have your mindset lined up, these are the steps that will ensure your goals are realized.

I wish you all the best in 2009.

Make today the day you want it to be!
Unleash the power within you.

In This Issue

Feature Article
Mindset: The First Step in Goal Attainment
Kim Olver

Upcoming Events

Quote of the Month
"You are born to be a winner, but to be a winner ..."--Zig Ziglar

Book Review
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
by T. Harv Eker

Tip of the Month

Business Q&A

Products & Services

About Kim Olver

Mindset: The First Step in Goal Attainment
Kim Olver

Have you ever attempted to accomplish an important goal, begun to make progress, only to taper off to nothingness after a short while? This happens to many of us. Science is only beginning to understand the how of why this happens and consequently, we are only beginning to find ways to overcome this obstacle.

Most of us begin our year with plans of what we want to accomplish. We make goals in a variety of different areas. Some of them seem to come easier than others. Science is beginning to uncover some things about our subconscious mind that seriously affect the outcomes of our goal planning sessions. It’s time for you to take a close look at whatever forms of self-sabotage you engage in.

Prior to our brains getting to a certain at a certain level of processing at around age seven, we do not possess the ability to filter the truthfulness of incoming messages. There is no protection from the things we hear. We have no way to discard the information that doesn’t serve us. Everything comes in at equal value and becomes part of our conscious or subconscious mind. Scientists estimate that 10% of our brain’s functioning is conscious, leaving 90% of it operating subconsciously.

I have come to think of this as the marriage between myself and a computer. The conscious part of what happens is me, directing the computer to follow my commands. The subconscious part is the computer’s software, of which I have limited or zero knowledge. The computer needs my conscious input to be able to produce. However, if I direct it to do something against how it’s programmed, it simply won’t work. In addition, I probably won’t be able to understand why because I don’t have conscious knowledge of the software. (I realize this may not be the perfect metaphor but work with me a while here.)

If I set a weight loss goal for 2009, while I am consciously attending to it for about the first 30 days, I will exercise most days and be vigilant about what I eat. Now suppose, I have subconscious programming that tells me, “You are a fat pig. You are lazy. Exercising sucks. Who do you think you are? You aren’t 16 anymore. It’s really impossible for women over 40 to lose weight.” All of these tapes can be running in the background of my mind, interfering with my success with my goal.

Whenever I feel tired, stressed, anxious, angry, bored or depressed, I may stop exercising and start eating unhealthy foods. My behavior will begin to line up with the subconscious programming to prove it to be correct.

The first step to successful goal attainment is to get your subconscious programming in order. What you feed your mind will ultimately determine what you do. If you think negatively about yourself and your resolve, your potential, your skills or your intelligence, then your behaviors will line up to match your beliefs.

Instead, feed yourself only positive thoughts. Whenever you become aware of a negative thought, belief or attitude that doesn’t serve you, recognize it for what it is and negate it with the opposite positive thought. I’m not talking about becoming an optimistic Pollyanna. You must be at least optimistically realistic. If you tell yourself things that are too fantastical, then your mind will have trouble believing what you say.

Write positive affirmations, develop a vision video for your mind, create a vision board to look at, and regularly meditate to center yourself and get yourself in touch with your higher power or the best of you.

Once you have your mind right, don’t stop there. It is the first step but it isn’t the be all and end all. You must be willing to put in the required work to make your goals a reality. Wishful thinking won’t make things happen. You must get your mind right by sending it the messages that will serve you and your future and then you must take the requisite actions.

Copyright © January 2009 Kim Olver. All rights reserved.

Kim Olver, LPC is an executive coach, staff development specialist, public speaker and consultant. She has been a certified trainer for the William Glasser Institute since 1993 and has taught his ideas to thousands of people all over the world. She is the creator of the new, revolutionary process called, Inside Out Empowerment based on Glasser's ideas. She is also the author of, Leveraging Diversity at Work. She has worked with hundreds of people on Goal Attainment using her specially developed seven step goal attainment system. To learn more about her Goal Attainment System click on link.

NOTICE: This article is free and can be copied and reproduced
as long as the copyright and bio is included at the bottom of the article

*Click Here to read some of Kim's other articles*

Upcoming Events

Teleconferences
(Times in EST)

All teleconferences are free, one (1) hour in length and all you need is a telephone. When you register we will send you a phone number that you will call five minutes prior to the start of your teleconference. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, but if you prefer to just listen that’s all right too. You do not need a computer or Internet, only a telephone. Don’t delay. There are a limited number of slots available.

Inside Out Empowerment Mastermind Group
Second Tuesday of Every Month

The Inside Out Empowerment Mastermind Group is not a typical teleconference. This is an actual mastermind group. Members participate equally -- both giving to others and receiving suggestions for their own challenges and opportunities. Click on the link to learn more about IOE and how it can help you to open your heart, free your mind
and transform your life.

Workshops

Coaching: Bring Out the Best in Others

February 13 & 14, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 4: 30 p.m.
Chicago, IL-- Prairie State College—Matteson Center

Do you have a knack for helping others do their best? Coaching is an exciting performance improvement model that will help you in your work as a supervisor, manager, human resources professional, or counselor. Learn how to bring out the best in people through mentoring and guided goal setting. Learn a simple four-step model to get agreement, create solutions, achieve follow-through and recognition. Create rich workplace relationships as you facilitate the success of others, thereby creating your own. Note: Managers, supervisors, project/team leaders, human resource professionals, or counselors who want to enhance their coaching skills would benefit from this class.

Introduction to Choice Theory

April 6, 2009
Chicago, IL-- Prairie State College—Matteson Center
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
$69.00

Choice Theory® takes the mystery out of behavior—yours and theirs. It provides an explanation for why we do the things we do. Choice Theory ® explains how a person’s perceptions shape their reality and teaches the four components of behavior. Armed with this new knowledge, problem conceptualization becomes much easier and the path to taking effective action is clearer.  

One of the things I like best about Choice Theory® is its wide-spread application—you can use it in your personal, as well as your professional life. It provides transferable skills for everyday life. Choice Theory® helped me to become a better counselor, supervisor, educator, mother, life partner, friend and a better all around person. When you truly embrace its teachings, Choice Theory® becomes a way of life instead of a hypothetical theory of human behavior.

Goal Attainment

April 8, 2009
6:30 p.m. . - 9:30 p.m. CT
Chicago, IL-- Prairie State College—Matteson Center

Every year millions of people make their “New Year’s Resolutions” and every year many of those same people make the same resolution again. Are you one of those people? Do you know why you are not achieving your goals year after year? I know you start out the year strong and determined that this will be the year you will lose weight, go back to school, buy a home, look for a new job, complete that project etc… and you suddenly find another year has gone by and your list is not only the same, but it has gotten longer! You have new goals to achieve. That is why it is so important to work on your goals now!

You are constantly learning and growing and there will always be a new goal you want to achieve. You can attain your goals year after year with a effective, time-tested system—a plan with built in support and accountability. Attaining your goals requires hard work and determination. You need to plan and make time to work on your goals. They will not just happen. My Goal Attainment Workshop will give you the strategies you need to make a plan, manage your time while still maintaining a positive attitude and staying motivated until you complete your goals.

Quote of the Week

"You are born to be a winner, but to be a winner you must plan to win and prepare to win."

--Zig Ziglar

Zig Zigler really knows how to call it. We are all born to be winners. We all have a purpose for being here on this earth. We are all destined for greatness. . .unless we or someone we trust convinces us otherwise. Plan to win, definitely. Set your sights high! And then prepare yourself. First prepare your mind, then gather the necessary skills you will need and finally, do the work to set your plan into action.

Book Review

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
by T. Harv Eker

This book was written in 2005 and T. Harv Eker is still conducting his Millionaire Mind Intensive weekends all over the country. I found all the information in the book easily understandable and practical to implement. However, that is always the key to success--the implementation. You can read the book and even go to the seminar. If you don't put the ideas into action, then you will not have benefited yourself.

Mr. Eker knows about what he is writing. He found, himself, that he had inner messages about wealth, money and being rich that were sabotaging his best efforts to accumulate wealth. He believed that rich people were bad. That money is the root of all evil. He had the mental programming to make sure he would never be wealthy.

Then he figured it out! He found a way to counteract all the negative programming. He has mental gymnastics for your mind to get it into shape to be a millionaire, a multi-millionaire or a billionaire. You must do the work! You have to exercise the old programs from your mind and create a winning mental mindset.

To learn how, order his book today! I read the book. I'm following his protocols and I'm signed up for a Millionaire Mind Intensive weekend. Will I see you there?

Click here to purchase this book

Tip of the Month

If you are working on mindset, get some type of accountability partner. Accountability partners can be a friend or family member also working on mindset. You can join or create a mastermind group designed to support its members in reaching their goals and holding them accountable for doing so. You can get a mentor, either real or virtual. Sometimes mentors are people you actually know and can meet with who have already accomplished what you are trying to do. They can literally show you the way. Other times mentors are virtual in that you don't actually know them but you can certainly gain a lot of information from them just the same. Some virtual mentors have already died but you can ask yourself the question, "What would my mentor do in this situation?" prior to making important decisions. You can also have a mentor by studying them either on their websites, watching/listening to their shows or reading their books. And finally, you can hire a professional coach. A good coach is invaluable in helping you do what is necessary to adjust your mindset. Coaches are there to support your success and have no interest in your own sabotage. They will also hold you accountable for keeping your commitments.

Whatever road you choose, don't go it alone. Get help and access it regularly. Mindset is important and it helps to have someone impartial guiding you along.

Business Q&A

Question: We are working to convert our drug and alcohol treatment program to choice theory from a program that previously employed a lot of external control. One of the biggest problems I see is that we, as staff, are not all on the same page with this and I think it is confusing for clients. Do you have any advice how to get everyone on the same page?

Answer: The first bit of advice I have is to stop trying to get everyone on the same page. That, in itself, smacks of external control, the very thing you are trying to eliminate. Most people are afraid of change. It means they have to learn something new and do something different, likely out of their comfort zone. In the case of implementing choice theory, there is an additional component of admitting what has been done previously not only was ineffective but may have even created a lot of the problems and conflicts that staff then had to manage.

The best way to make the shift is to start with the people who are interested. Get them trained in doing things the new way. Then make sure they are supported in their efforts so the change can be sustained. Ask the trained people to simply implement choice theory the best way they can both at work and in their personal life. If they hear others bashing choice theory, tell them to simply share their experiences with them if they are interested in hearing.

As the resistant staff come to see the the choice theory staff are less stressed and have better relationships and consequently, better results with your clients, they may become interested in learning more. Allow your trained staff to share information and teach skills but only to others who are asking for it and are receptive.

As some of your resisters become curious, offer them the opportunity to learn more. Eventually, you will reach the "tipping point" as Malcolm Gladwell wrote about in his book of the same name. You will achieve critical mass where more of your staff are using choice theory than are not. When this occurs, it will no longer be popular to bad mouth it and your subversives will have to go underground.

Obviously, it would be most ideal if all your staff follow choice theory at work and in their home lives. It would be great if everyone believed in the concepts. But, in the end, all you really need is for your staff to behave in a choice theory way at work whether or not they agree with it. If they do that long enough, they may actually convince themselves that it is the best way to get their jobs done.

Keep me posted and let me know how things are going.

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