FIND SUCCESS WITHIN YOURSELF BY BEING YOURSELF

How might the world be different if transparency truly replaced the guarded face we typically present when interacting with others?  If we were to transform the tolerance we often painfully exhibit when others are “not like us” into unconditional acceptance, would the world become a better place?  If we could be more comfortable with who we are – readily exhibiting our strengths, acknowledging our shortcomings and intentionally acting to bring about positive change in ourselves and others – might we more readily accept differences, embrace the similarities and leverage the full potential of those around us? During a time of heightened awareness of equity perhaps we should reflect upon who we are, what we believe in or value and how we might be able to best make a difference by simply being ourselves.

Accepting “who we are” does not imply that change in the way we think, how we act and what we are able to accomplish is unnecessary.  An individual is not a static point within a sedentary world.  Life “happens” and we must anticipate, react and respond to the challenges it presents.  Being “who you are” today does not mean you should be the same tomorrow – nor does it assume you are the same today as you were yesterday.  We must accept our skills, abilities, values, ethics, standards and persona as they are today so we can build upon them as we move towards the future – using the present as a springboard to that which is to come rather than as a destination or culmination of all that has passed. 

While we may seek to be like those we view as being successful, we should never reject who we are by attempting to become someone we are not.  Trying to transform ourselves into someone else or into a persona that exists solely within our own imagination can become a frustrating investment and a waste of time that provides diminishing returns.  While we should express happiness for another’s accomplishments, we should not seek to establish our own sense of worth based upon or through their personal success.  We all learn from watching others but gain nothing by claiming their successes as our own or seeking to avoid all personal failure by allowing them to struggle.  Much growth can come from overcoming a personal defeat or shortcoming and learning from failure can become transformational.  Our worth should never be measured by how often we fall but rather by how successful we are at getting up, learning from our “lesson” and moving forward. 

In order to become all that we can be we must first identify and accept all that we are so we can move beyond the boundaries created by our present reality into the unlimited realm of future possibility.  We cannot fulfill our potential when we are so busy immersing ourselves in our past accomplishments or the achievements of others that we have no time to enjoy (or even see) our own successes.  If we wish to shed the cloak of mediocrity in our quest for excellence we should celebrate the progress we have made with the gifts we have been given rather than dwelling upon the things we do not have or have yet to accomplish.  Rather than worrying about the things we cannot yet do or the ideas we have yet to express, embrace the things we have accomplished and the value of the thoughts we routinely bring to fruition.  To make a difference in our own lives (AND in the lives of those around us) we must recognize “what is” while moving towards “what could be” AFTER considering “what has been” and examining  what has worked (and what has failed) in the past.  We must force ourselves to take two steps forward for every one we slip back – knowing it is not what we have nor what we have done that makes a difference, but rather what we have yet to do and have not yet accomplished.  Very little in life is impossible...impractical or fiscally irresponsible, perhaps, but not impossible...yet unless we accept that some things take a bit longer to accomplish than others we will become frustrated and give up before we are ready to move on. 

Successful individuals tend to achieve great things with and through others – gaining satisfaction from watching the accomplishments of others rather than seeking only the personal recognition and acknowledgement that their own thoughts or actions might generate.  Few respected individuals make decisions based solely upon what is best for themselves or their own future.  When we spend too much time tracking who is doing what to assign proper credit for everything that is done we end up taking more time orchestrating results than initiating or performing actions necessary to make things happen in a manner that benefits the whole.  It has been said that one must measure what has been to determine what could be yet it is also possible to identify and focus on past obstacles without seeing a solution beyond the history.

What you do is a greater indicator of who you are than anything you may be able to express in words.  If you do not “do what you say and say what you do,” you will probably never completely fulfill your potential.  If you try to live within the image of another or hide within their shadows, a misspoken word or unintended action will eventually reveal your true self as being different from what you project yourself to be.  It is best to be yourself in all you say and do because until (and unless) we allow others to view us as we are – to see the value we bring (and even the “baggage” we might carry) instead of allowing our contributions to be limited by what we feel they might expect – we will only be allowed to contribute what others think might be done rather than realizing what might truly be possible. 

As we seek and find success we should accept that while all things are possible some may not yet feasible as we refuse to be content with our position in life, continuously seeking those things not yet realized while moving forward along new avenues not yet explored.  When we begin to identify and fulfill our own potential we find that “being ourselves” is not such a bad thing – which is probably good because anyone else we might wish to become has already been taken. 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH ALL YOU SAY AND DO

Everyone should “make a difference” in life – but what “making a difference” means is not the same to everyone. Some would think that making a difference means to change the world while others might think getting through the day by helping to provide the needs those depending upon them might have is the greatest difference they might make. Some might think they can make a difference by fulfilling their dreams – by bringing to fruition their boldest imaginings – while others might wish only to dream without being awakened by the nightmare of things outside their control. Some might wish for fame, fortune or other recognition – to be “that person” the world places upon the pedestal of success. Others might hope to survive the darkness that shrouds their day – hoping only that their tomorrow will be brighter than their today.

 

Making a difference is the foundation upon which we build self-confidence and values – the base from which we establish who we are and what we wish to become. Building upon a firm and solid foundation can help us make a lasting difference – allow us to carry a heavy load without losing stability...allow us to go confidently (even if not always directly) from where we are to where we wish to be without drifting aimlessly having no hope or purpose. Far too many people, however, prefer to build upon shifting sands set upon the vast horizon of an ocean unable to be tamed and untested principles that entice them to act without thinking as they seek monumental results from their minimal (and often misguided) efforts. 

Some people dream of success – of being something or somewhere else – preferring to remain in the comfort of their slumber without investing the emotional capital needed to transform their good intentions to reality. Others wake from their dreams and begin working to bring them to fruition – to put into action the thoughts that came to them through the mists of the night by taking intentional action to move them forward. We can lead, follow or get out of the way in life – but standing (without moving) often results in our being run down by seemingly undeterred forces then abandoned alongside the road, left in the wake of those truly making a difference as they move forward to achieve their goals. Taking action – ANY action – provides us the opportunity to make a difference as the only “wrong” decision in life is one not made (which includes intentionally OR unintentionally deciding) – the only “inadequate” action is one not taken (whether by design or default).

We can all make a difference in life – but not all of us will make the same difference. Some are working on becoming all they might become – having very little energy (or inclination) to make a difference in the life of another. They take one day at a time – living a life that seemingly offers more redundancy than reward, more sense of survival than source of stimulation. The survivors in life often get by but rarely get ahead unless (and until) they consciously decide to make a difference in themselves so that they can impact others for “doing what I say, not what I do” is an impossible life to maintain.  Others seem always to give back far more than they could ever hope or dream to receive in return – finding more joy in the journey than delight in the destination.  They often seek to help others – to give to or care for them – even more than they care about themselves. 

When we help others to grow we make ourselves stronger and more confident along the way.  Making a difference starts with making the changes in yourself so that you are mentally, physically and emotionally ready to make a difference in the lives of others. It is pulling others up with you rather than crawling over their backs as you reach for the top.  It is adding value to their lives of others and finding that such contributions return far more to yourself than the personal time and effort invested.  We all make a difference in life – be it our own or be it someone else’s – whenever we consciously (by commission) OR unconsciously (by omission) refuse to accept “what is” as all that might ever be.  Make a difference in YOUR life and you will be able to make a difference in the lives of those near you for only by BEING different will you ever be able to MAKE A DIFFERENCE...all else is but insanity. 

LIVING LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

As summer returns – hopefully a more active and fulfilling summer than we were able to enjoy last year – we are filled with the hopes of warm (but not too hot) days, peaceful nights lit by the flickering of fireflies, the sounds of laughter upon our plentiful Michigan beaches and a bit more free time to enjoy the environment in which we live.  If only life could remain as simple as our seemingly endless time away from school portrayed it to be when we were young.  Perhaps we make life more difficult than it needs to be because we have abandoned some of the lessons we learned while running carelessly along a sandy shoreline – that if we were to look at life through our “inner child’s eyes” we might be able to accept things as they are while seeking what they could be rather than dwelling upon what went wrong or why something might never be accomplished...if we could transform our thinking to the simplicity of “why not?” rather than the definitiveness of  “that just cannot be done.”

 As a child, dreams are built with and upon shifting sands.  Children spend hours building intricate castles upon the shore or villages having artificial landscaping and “paved” roads winding through the molded forms of houses scattered about a sand-community – only to have them swept away in an instant by the tide – or plowed over during an impromptu game of football on the beach.  Though the fruits of their labor are washed out to sea or destroyed by an uncontrolled act, children tend to pick up the pieces quickly and rebuild their dreams as if they had never been taken from them.  Why is it that as we become older (and more experienced) we worry so much about WHY our efforts failed and what we might have been able to accomplish IF ONLY our dreams had not been squashed rather than moving on like a child to recapture the magic and make our efforts even more productive?  Much could be learned from rebounding like a child – from drawing a line in the sand as we move forward rather than trying to build boundaries to keep others away from the joy our creations bring in an attempt to “keep things as they are” rather than looking to see what they could become.

“A line in the sand” can mean many things to different people depending upon one’s perspective.  Asking someone to step over a line in the sand can be either an act of acceptance or an invitation to aggression.  It can be either a new beginning or the beginning of an end.  Drawing a line in the sand often implies that things are about to begin fresh with no holding on to unpleasant memories UNLESS we use it to isolate our belongings or represent a wall around us within a milling sea of humanity.  The pure innocence of acceptance is often lost as we age.  Adults often talk about drawing a line in the sand but rarely empty the memories and concerns that weigh them down like a millstone around their necks.  If our actions could return to those of a child – accepting another for what he or she is (rather than for what we remember, want or wish them to be)...for how they act (rather than how we assume they will act based on their past performances)...for what they seek to become as they cross the line (rather than what they may have been before it was drawn)...perhaps then we could truly “draw our lines in the sand” and move forward, seeking things yet to come rather than continually falling back or holding on to things long past.

While walking along the shore a child will find many lost and forgotten objects floating upon the waters – learning at a young age that one person’s waste can become the basis for another’s wonderment – that something considered to be trash by one can, with a little imagination, be another’s treasure.  The clutter left upon the shore at the end of the day tends to be gathered up by swarms of gulls during the evening, swept away by the pounding surf at night, then scavenged by early-rising treasure seekers in the early morning.  By the time afternoon comes, even the most cluttered beach has returned to its pristine splendor.  We need to recognize that even the biggest mess we can make in life will be swept clean over time – and that good will usually emerge from our failures UNLESS we dwell upon the loss rather than seeking the potential gains.  Children can make use of a discarded bucket in many ways...of a slightly used Frisbee...of a bobber with a hook and line still attached.  As we grow older and wiser it seems that such a treasure becomes worthless litter upon the crowded sands of time and we worry more about who could have left the mess than we do about what could be done with the treasures we find.

Children dream of what they want to become “when they grow up” then engage in play that (they believe) will bring their dreams to life.  They do not typically grasp on to one destination nor career, however, moving from doctor to policeman to nurse to teacher, all the while seeking to expand their horizons by stimulating their minds.  As adults, far too many wish to ESCAPE what they have and who they are during vacation rather than attempting to ENHANCE their careers (lives or accomplishments) or “recharging their batteries” so that they can return to their chosen occupation refreshed and ready to thrive.  As you seek to accomplish your dreams during the coming year, recognize that forces outside of your control may take them from you before they are fulfilled.  Remember, however, that as with a child’s castle which was swept prematurely out to sea allowing for the rebuilding of something better than before, the same forces that could be seen as destroying your dreams might be working to provide a pristine surface upon which you can begin your travels anew.  Rather than dwelling upon the hardships of life we might do better to embrace the opportunities we have been given...to open a new door each time one closes...to chart a fresh path upon life’s shifting sands when what we built was torn down unexpectedly...and seeing what peace and joy we might find within each new beginning. 

As you look forward to summer this year – to enjoying time with family and friends while drawing your line firmly upon life’s shifting sands, remember that such an act can represent two perspectives.  You can reflect upon and accept what has been done and who you have become as a final and definitive “end” OR you can relentlessly rebuild what was accomplished before being washed out to sea – seeking what has yet to materialize rather than focusing upon what has passed.  Children often refuse to accept defeat when their castles are swept away – they rebuild them.  Adults, on the other hand, all too often label what may be found upon the deserted morning beach as trash to dispose of rather than treasures to discover while seeking refuge within seemingly safe shelters built upon continuously shifting sands – never seeing the destruction of dreams built upon weak foundations as a new beginning to celebrate change rather than a definitive end that will close doors that will never be reopened.

A child learns quickly that those who linger too long on the beach without moving tend to get burned (a lesson many adults forget).  A child gives meaning to life by seeking to fulfill their dreams (rather than blindly running from their reality).  Live your life through the eyes of a child this summer – seeking the pleasure (rather than the pain) and the possible (instead of accepting that which has already been proven real) in whatever you say or do.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT OFTEN COMES AFTER THE “BUT…”

Have you ever thought about how much you say in just a couple of words AFTER you agree, compliment or encourage a person when you clarify the comment with the small yet mighty three letter word “but?”  Great idea BUT have you considered…?  Good job BUT if you had done it this way think of how much more you could have accomplished.  SOMETIMES it might be better to simply say that something was not done as you anticipated or even to just forget any kind of half-hearted compliment than it is to give shallow and meaningless praise that is qualified by your own opinion or experience.  When a person comes to you with a suggestion or solution to an issue, do you stop yourself at, “Great work…let me know how it works!” or do you clarify by saying, “Great idea…BUT what about…?”  

Far too often we assume an idea is implemented once it is stated and gravitate to the “what is the next step” phase rather than providing praise and validation for the idea or concept that was developed (and, more importantly, to the person who developed it).  We move to “what is next” without considering that the person initiating the solution has not yet put it into practice so our “it was stated so it must already be done” thinking may be a discouragement.  What we meant as encouragement is often heard as condescension – minimizing the value of their solution by building a tower upon their foundation without acknowledging the work and effort that went into the initial phases of construction.  Recognizing the reality of this flaw does not eliminate it from happening but consciously and intentionally thinking about it can help to slow down our initial responses and truly seek value in the contributions that others can make.

Relationships can suffer unless we be careful about what is said after the “but.”  “That dress looks great on you BUT you should try something in blue.”  What do you think is focused upon – that the dress looks good or that the color is wrong?  “The lawn looks nice BUT what can we do about the weeds?”  Was your work appreciated or did you NOT do something that was perceived to be more critical than what you DID?  Other examples in our “home life” might include: 

“Thanks for helping out with the cleaning BUT you missed a spot.”

“I am really sorry BUT you never listen to me anyway.”

“It has been a great vacation but maybe we can plan for more down time next year.”

“You really did a great job of planning but why did we have to go during my busy time at work?”

Think about what comes AFTER the BUT in these statements...THAT is what people around you hear.  Would you like to build a relationship with someone that focuses on what you did NOT do rather than what you DID?  With someone who deflects responsibility by shifting blame?  With someone that likes to be with you BUT withheld any discussion or comments until the time to share has passed?  What is said after a clarifying extension can be disruptive in a work relationship BUT it can destroy a personal one.

How many times have you complimented an employee, a friend or a family member only to be disappointed they did not seem to pay any attention to the praise you gave them?  What is wrong with them that they do not accept the intent of your words rather than hearing the reservations behind them?  Might you have minimized your compliment with an ill-placed “but?”  Have you been guilty of telling a child, “I am happy you got an 89% on that test BUT you are smarter than that...I know you could have done better had you studied a little more.”  What do you think they heard – that you are happy for what they did OR disappointed that they could have, in your opinion, done better?  That you accept them as they are or that you know they can be smarter “if only” they had done something differently?  If you tell an employee, “Great work today – tomorrow we will do even more!”  What do they REALLY hear – that you thought they did well OR that they should have done better?  What if you tell someone you care about that you appreciate what they are trying to do but that they do not understand so they should not try to get involved?  Saying things without thinking after a “but” can be destructive to one’s authority, respect AND relationships – no “if’s, and’s or but’s about it.”

Acknowledging our tendencies to minimize the efforts of others is a great first step – accepting that those seemingly motivational tendencies could result in more damage to others than they do good and committing to change the way you show acceptance and accept input from others is more important.  As you communicate with others, think about what HAS happened rather than focusing so much on what COULD have happened (or on what has yet to be accomplished).  Give credit and praise rather than extending your comments or compliments with “BUT…,” “WHAT IF…,” or “HAVE YOU CONSIDERED?”  If extensions are needed, address them within a separate conversation RATHER THAN putting them behind a “but…”  Make sure that what is important is heard rather than being lost as insignificant noise – whether at work or in your personal life – as you focus on what really matters to others as well as yourself.

BECOMING WHAT WE WERE MEANT TO BE…

Far too many people try to act like who (or what) they wish they were rather than who they really are...seeking to be something or someone that others might “like better” or who might be more impactful without investing the “sweat equity” required to initiate change and produce transformation.  In order to modify our core beliefs, personality characteristics and learned abilities so that we become who we hope to be, we must see more gain from the change than we feel pain from NOT changing.  People change very little once they have established their basic values, patterns and thought processes.  It is often easier (and more effective) to leverage an individual’s strengths than it is to try to build up their shortcomings.  As Dr. Seuss so aptly proclaimed, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."  We are who we become because of the choices we make and the roads that we take.  Whether those choices are intentional or we simply accept what others expect us to be and do, our actions shape and mold us into what we become.  Should we wish or hope to be anything different we must consciously decide to move from where we are to where we wish to be as we strive to satisfy and fulfill our own destiny RATHER THAN trying to please another or try to be all that another would have us be (for them rather than for ourselves).  When we seek to realize our full potential to become “all that we can be,” what others think or feel really does not matter for their expectations will change like the wind and only that which is real and anchored within ourselves will survive the storms of life.

Before we can achieve we must identify what needs to be accomplished and visualize the steps we should take to begin our journey – recognizing that the trail we choose may lead us through many detours and dead ends – forcing us to start and stop many times along the way – but will deter us only if we allow ourselves to be distracted by what might seem like the easy way out.  It may be that those who do most, dream most (Stephen Leacock).  We should dream about what we wish to have or accomplish, who we are or might wish to be, and how we expect to make a difference in the lives of others – recognizing how each might differ from our current circumstance.  One must first imagine something as being POSSIBLE before it can become PROBABLE – yet "Dreams take time, patience, sustained effort, and a willingness to fail if they are ever to be anything more than dreams." (Bryan Linkoski).  Dreams can become the destination to which life leads us as long as we give ourselves permission to follow them – to put our own wishes and desires on an equal plain with the expectations that others place upon us.  Those without dreams – without hopes of accomplishing more than they have or having more than they have been given – may live comfortably (and possibly find happiness within the walls that security might provide) but will never achieve greatly and rarely find true joy in life.

While “failure” is not necessarily a desired outcome of change, it is not often fatal.  We must realize that success rarely occurs without failure and that gain does not stand alone without loss.  Robert F. Kennedy said, "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."   Individuals who have truly made a difference in this world understand that failure is not the worst thing in they will ever face (and conquer).  Rather, the worst thing is to have failed to try – to not “get up” after being knocked down by life – refusing to push forward through trials for fear of what might be lost rather than looking forward to what might be gained.  Much intentional thought and deliberate action is required to succeed – failure becomes but the path of least persistence should we choose to avoid the pain that so often proceeds gain.  If we are to transform thoughts to reality, the word “impossible” must not be a part of our vocabulary.  While facts, information and well-considered alternatives are frequently the building blocks of change, perhaps Dexter Yeger appropriately described its essence saying, "If the dream is big enough, the facts don't count.”

Life is a series of chapters coming to an end as pages are turned to reveal new beginnings.  Knowing the facts and understanding how to make change happen does not ensure transformation in and of itself, however.  Will Rogers stated, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."  As we seek change in our lives, actions and attitudes we should always consider that we are here to add what we can to life, not to get from it what might be offered.  We cannot hope to be any different unless (and until) we consciously leave what we have or where we are by consciously reaching for what we might want or how we would prefer to live.  Comfort (the coming to terms with who we are and what we can or cannot do) discourages change.  If life were meant to be stagnant we would not have been provided with a mind, a spirit and a free will to exercise the talents and abilities we each possess.  We would have been rooted in place rather than being allowed to wander – finding satisfaction with things as they have always been rather than seeking those possibilities that have not yet materialized.  We would be comfortable and content within “the box” that we accept as our limitation rather than choosing to stand upon it to search for new opportunities, seeking what “could be” rather than accepting “what is.”  Life is limited not by what the world tells us is impossible but rather by what we allow ourselves to believe is possible.

Mark Twain once said "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."  We are not “owed” success – we must identify what it means, seek it without limitation then INTENTIONALLY ACT to make it become reality within our lives.  Think big, act audaciously (without fear of failure) and keep your eyes focused on the prize (even if you begin to slide backwards along the way) as you transform failure’s lessons into success.  While being what another might wish you to be or acting as he or she might want you to act could provide a life of comfort and security – of avoiding conflict and minimizing risk, being true to yourself – seeking to become the most that you can be and settling for nothing less than the happiness you deserve – will ultimately provide joy in your journey and the fulfillment of your true potential.

LIVING BEYOND THE NUMBERS...

While we are not all given the same number of days, we ARE all provided the same number of hours each day.  Some seem to find limitless ways to spend their hours while others invest their limited hours in ways they can spend up to but never beyond their limits.  We are not promised or guaranteed any changes in life other than change itself – nor are we promised any level of greatness, success, achievement, accomplishment (emotional satisfaction, personal gratification...or whatever you choose to seek within this unpredictable world) other than the level we establish USING the talents and gifts we have been provided.

This past year has been one of darkness – one in which far too many individuals have been plucked from this earthly journey to begin the next far sooner than we might have wished or anticipated – often without finishing all they had started (or even before they could start all they had hoped to accomplish).  While we prefer the light of day, it is often the threat (or realization) of darkness that awakens us to the reality of our fragile existence – that makes us recognize our days may be numbered.  Such an unavoidable limitation, however, should not mean that our accomplishments must be diminished, our contributions to life reduced, our personal joy buried or the difference we make in the lives of others put on the shelf for fear of it interrupting our personal “master plan.”  Rather we should work hard to identify our gifts, talents and abilities so that we might be able to fully leverage them as we live the life we want rather than accepting what others might want us to be, how they want us to act and how we might be expected to serve their needs when and how they might dictate.  While life may not be too short to accomplish what we truly plan to do and invest ourselves in accomplishing, it is too short to live our lives as others might expect and demand if such actions negatively impact our ability to be fulfilled within the life we have been given.

How do you use YOUR gift of time?  Are you a productive and contributing part of life’s solutions or a disruptive part of its problems?  Are you a dreamer seeking new roads that have yet to be traveled or one content to rest on the laurels of past success and accomplishment – stifling all desire to identify new horizons?  Are you a seeker of opportunity or an opportunist awaiting the next windfall?  Are you one who seeks pleasure and joy in life or one from whom life seems to suck all pleasure and joy that might come your way?  Do you find yourself constantly doing what you may not want to do in order to avoid conflict or confrontation or are you able to remain true to yourself while you help and assist others?  Our perspective on life will color our reality, establishing the backdrop for all that we are and hope to become.  It will serve as a launch pad from which those we influence are able to move forward.  The longer we live we find that the “falling” in life is not the most significant obstacle we face – rather it is the choice we make of either “getting up” and the “moving on” (or the staying down and awaiting attention) that makes us who we are. 

We tend to fulfill our potential – to establish and maintain control over where we are and what we do – when we intentionally act upon our thoughts or ideas.  We allow ourselves to be controlled by another’s thoughts, ideas, individual desires or unexpected circumstances when we choose NOT to act (either intentionally or inadvertently) to new opportunities or challenges.  Our days ARE numbered – as this past year’s pandemic has clearly and directly pointed out to each of us.  Do not let the way that those days are lived – or the joy you are able to receive from living them to their fullest – be diminished by allowing your life to be lived solely for someone else – for their pleasure and benefit – or you will no longer be able to make the difference (nor experience the joy) that living life to the limits of the days we are given provides.

THE ALPHA PROTOCOL

 

Far too many people think that starting over means going back to the beginning and repeating everything they originally did while expecting different results than those that initiated the “re-do.”  While reviewing the actions or decisions that did not produce anticipated results is an admirable component of any “recovery” effort, perhaps more could be gained by focusing on was NOT ATTEMPTED OR CONSIDERED...what might have been LEFT OUT or OMITTED...then initiating different approaches starting from a new and fresh perspective to achieve improved results.  This method of continuous improvement in life – of establishing ongoing new beginnings to accomplish unexplainable results – can be defined as leveraging the “Alpha Protocol.”

 Alpha represents the beginning...the start...where we must launch our journey before we can hope or expect to reach an end – which would be called the Omega.  Before we can “undo” what has been “done” we must identify what (specifically) did we not like about the direction our journey was going.  Before we can start over, we must identify WHY we do not like where we are (even if we have not yet figured out what we must do differently to alter the direction of our travels) and WHAT we are willing to do to alter the course of our journey.  Did you begin your journey at the request of another – moving in the direction you were pointed using the tools, concepts and pre-conceived beliefs someone else provided – or did you consider where YOU wanted to go before walking down a path upon which (perhaps) nobody had ever wandered?  Did you begin your travels from a clearly defined Alpha then monitor progress towards an Omega OR did you do what felt good at the time and hoped to build upon that foundation to discover greatness?  While one can always improve and grow, if one is relatively comfortable with the “omega” they have landed upon there is no amount of discussion, collusion or convincing that will force the investment of energy needed to create a new “alpha.”

In order for your efforts to culminate in a logical conclusion – an answer in which you can believe and feel comfortable – you must consider where you wish to go, how you hope to get there and what you are willing to invest as you define what you are moving from and why you wish to leave it.  Full implementation of the Alpha Protocol requires that each identified new opportunity...every new path upon which we may travel...begins at a place from which we must move to accomplish anything.  We cannot seek safety or comfort “where we are” if we want to accomplish or enjoy those things that have not yet been achieved.  We must realize (and internalize) there are many paths leading from a starting point to a different destination – and that each stopping point is truly just a place to collect and gather strength prior to seeking the next opportunity not yet revealed.  Each fresh start becomes another new “alpha” from which the next steps originate rather than an “omega” that will stand as complete against the test of time.  If one is comfortable enough to endure the irritations within what they have or more comfortable living in the pain of lost opportunity than they might be in experiencing the potential suffering to which untested beginnings leading to not yet discovered destinations would expose them, then he or she should settle for the satisfaction that might be found in what is rather than living for what could be.  Alpha moments come and go in life – greatness enters the lives of those willing to let go of their bad omegas as they seek new opportunities.  Dissatisfaction, despondency and depression often descend upon those unable or unwilling to identify the need to move on...accepting the miserable life they might have rather than reaching out for something different – accepting all the blame for the way things are rather than opening their eyes (and hearts) to what might be.

When choosing to act by intentionally selecting a course of action after much study, review and discussion, allow your journey to reach a conclusion (even if the “end” is but a rest stop on the road to a final destination) before changing direction prior to allowing your decision to reach a logical conclusion.  There may be many “alpha moments” during the accomplishment of each objective – new beginnings from which opportunity blossoms.  There are truly few “omega moments” in our daily lives as each “end” is but a new beginning on the way to another temporary end (there are very few “finalities” in life – death and taxes being two – while each day dawns with a new beginning before concluding with a resting point allowing us to prepare for another fresh start).  Unless we choose to live our lives as they have always been - expecting (and being satisfied) to receive that which has always been provided - everything we do begins at a place which must necessarily be left behind if we hope to move forward in life. 

Those who accomplish much in life tend to live within their Alpha more frequently than they succumb to their Omega moments.  They see life as a series of new beginnings rather than ends – of fresh starts rather than conclusions.  While accomplishing much, they feel much has yet to be accomplished.  They find peace in the discovery of new moments in which they can live, breathe and grow rather than from resting upon the discoveries they may have made and finding satisfaction within the comfort that accomplishment can falsely provide.  Our omega moments often serve as resting points from which we can recharge, refocus and redirect our efforts before seeking another destination...recognizing them as new alphas from which different experiences blossom rather than as ends that might bring a new beginning to a halt...launching us to move courageously forward rather than being left behind in the safety of our unwanted realities.