That feeling in your gut can be terrifying. You know, the one that comes at a moment when you need to choose. “Do I want to stay where I am in life, or do I want to move on to something else?” Myself, I wanted to dance. I didn’t know how to, but I wanted to be were people were having fun. So how did I make that happen? What keeps some people from taking that kind of a leap?
As I look back, I realize something. When I was young it was easier to make changes or do something new. Why? I was growing, learning, and finding out about life.
As I’ve gotten older, those choices and the decisions I’ve made, have formed into my paradigm. In our youth we are still very engaged in the process. Then, we settle over time.
I’ve often struggled with trying to understand what that word, paradigm, really means. How does it impact my life? I like how Bob Proctor simplified the definition of paradigm.
A paradigm is a multitude of habits that are fixed in your subjective mind that are controlling your behavior.
Back to my story. When I was a teen, I wanted to dance. Not for the sake of dancing, but because I wanted to be where the girls and the popular guys were. I wanted to have the fun I saw them having. I wanted to be with people.
My paradigm was, “I am not a dancer.” I didn’t know how to and I couldn’t learn. This was keeping me outside of a world I wanted to be a part of.
One evening, at a party with friends I watched as a guy, a couple of years younger than me, cut the rug with a group of girls. I noticed something odd. He didn’t know how to dance either. He simply didn’t let that stop him from being where he wanted to be. He had fun and so did everyone he was with.
Instead of listening to my fears and thoughts and remaining bound to my paradigm I decided to start changing the habits that kept me there. As I look back now, there are some helpful insights I can draw on today. I find these helpful as I move my life in the direction of my dreams and goals.
- I was clear about what I wanted. I began to visualize myself being there, dancing with that crowd.
- I began at once to rewrite my script. I stopped apologizing for being a terrible dancer. I stopped telling the girls I couldn’t dance. This is the secret of using affirmations.
- I simply started dancing. As Tony Robbins puts it there is noting more powerful than taking immediate massive action.
- Oh, I was afraid. At times I almost chickened out, but a strong desire and clear mental image of where I wanted to be pushed me past that terror barrier. I began going in a new direction, but I had to persist.
Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.
What is something you’ve been wanting to do? Do you want to start a new project? Do you want to spend more time with your family? Do you want to get physically fit? Do you want to make more money? Do you want to be more successful in your work? Do you want to be happier? Do you want to take a trip? Do you want to meet someone special?
As you consider doing something you want to do or being something else, I want you to remember, you can change your life and be or do just about anything you want, otherwise you would not be able to conceive of it in you mind.The change starts in your mind.
Here’s what I suggest:
- Your paradigm may have kept you were you are, but you have the power to change that.
- It may be scary. You may be able to find reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t do something, but that is only your paradigm speaking. That’s okay, recognize and accept the fear, then keep going anyway. Press beyond that terror barrier.
- You don’t have to change your entire paradigm. Simply start by changing one or two small things. These will then move you in the direction of your dream or goal. Create new empowering habits.
- Rewrite your story, by changing the way you talk about your life or your goals. Using affirmations can be an incredible key to making this happen.
Technically I’m not a dancer, but my paradigm says I am. So, if I’m at a party you’ll know where to find me.
