“Anyone who’s ever done something great with their life had to transform themselves from who they were to who they became.” 

-Dr. Benjamin Hardy, PhD

I just re-read this line from the book, Personality Isn’t Permanent, because I have been STRUGGLING a bit lately with major self-esteem and productivity issues.  And I keep asking myself, WHY? 

For the last two weeks, I feel like I’ve been paralyzed.  From a work execution standpoint, that is.

Ok, I am a bit hard on myself, but what can I say?  I happen to be a perfectionist, and I feel like my work productivity has gone to crap.

What happened, you might ask?

Allow me to first set the scene with a little known fact:

Let’s say someone wrote a book, and that someone is getting ready for its big launch day. Well, in order to get publicity around one’s upcoming book launch, one needs to write a press release.  Or several press releases.  Catered to one’s intended audience. 

You may ask, doesn’t the press write the press release?  To which I’ll proceed to shock you…No!  Said person, who needs the press release, must write the press release!

Mind boggling!

Then, the press skims through massive pools of poorly attempted press releases to search for the news-worthiest of them all, and may, or may not, decide to pick up and publish one’s press release.

Encouraging, right?

So I have a book that is due to come out in a month, and I NEED to write a newsworthy press release.  And let me tell you that in my opinion, writing copy, or writing for the press, is SO much harder than writing an actual book.  In fact, it took me LONGER to write the book description that goes on Amazon than it did to write the first part of my actual book. 

So needless to say, I’ve been frustrated.  I’ve been irritated, doubtful, driving myself insane on whether I think my press release angles are catchy enough…You name it, I’ve felt it.

…sigh…

(and apologies, by the way, for my less than stellar attitude about this)

BUT, let’s rewind a few months back to June, where I was…wait for it…unstoppable!  I felt like I could do anything! 

In fact, I already saw myself as an epic, published writer who was knocking down what once were barriers and taking names while I was at it. 

I was like a Dachshund taking on a Doberman.  Questionably fearless. 

But what I realize now is, that attitude is how I was actually getting things done! 

The vision was there.  In MY head, I was already there.  And because of that, I was confident.  I was executing flawlessly!  Whatever goals I wrote out the night before in my planner, I got them done the next day.  Without fail.

So, theoretically, Dr. Benjamin Hardy was right.  His philosophy stated above just proved to be true in my case (and I’m sure in many cases, he’s a pretty smart guy).

Literally the ONLY difference between me being able to get things done swiftly back in June and me not being able to get things done now, is that in June, my actions and behaviors were those of the FUTURE me, not the less experienced past or present me.

Gnarly, right?

Perhaps this also resonates with you?

Well I have good news.  Dr. Hardy lays the steps out in his book quite simply.  And for everyone’s sanity here, well mostly mine, let’s take a walk through those steps:

Dr. Hardy says that basically anyone who has ever transformed into doing something great with their life, had to go through this process:

1.       They had to see something new in their mind.

2.       Then convince themselves it’s possible.

3.       Then act courageously beyond their current personality and circumstances

4.       To eventually do and become what they became.

So what does that mean for you if you are at Point A in the process?

1.       You must have a new goal.

2.       You must call it a purpose worth pursuing.

3.       To which you’re then pretty much forced to develop new attributes and skills. (ahem, like writing press releases)

4.       And then you have curated transformational experiences! (like what happened to me yesterday, I’ll fill you in soon!)

So if you find yourself in somewhat of a similar rut as me, take some time out this evening to just think through all of that. 

It really is a simple, yet profound equation.  I can see where it’s worked in my life versus the times I hit a stalling point.  I’m happy to say I’m back on track now, full confidence steam ahead!

And as always, comment anytime to let me know how things are going for you!

Have a great week,

Kristin