Is your Spirit breathing? Your Spirit – that part of you that knows your ultimate good – is relaying messages to you all the time. When you listen to your Spirit, you find that things seem to work out for the best.
Sometimes your Spirit speaks to you in a quiet morning meditation. Other times it comes to you through an intimate conversation with a friend. It could come to you through a thought-provoking book, an inspirational sermon, or a song that moves you.
And then there are those times your Spirit speaks in a loud voice – with a bracing shot of truth – that cannot be ignored. That is how it happened to me…
The National Speakers Association conference, held on the beautiful island of Bermuda, was coming to a close. Like most people at the conference, I had been inspired by all the great information and fired up about the possibilities I planned to act on in my business… or so I told myself.
A conversation I had with two colleagues, Linda Barrett and Randy Gage, brought me up short. We were relaxing in the hotel lobby, sharing ideas on how we could build our speaking businesses.
“You could speak to XYZ Company,” Randy suggested to me.
“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “I need to finish my doctorate degree before I market to that kind of company.”
“What about speaking before ABC Corporation,” he continued, still intent on brainstorming.
“I don’t think so. That’s a male market. I connect better with a female audience.”
“Okay,” he said slowly, clearly trying to be patient. “What about creating a keynote for the thingamabob industry?”
That sounded good at first. But then I thought to myself, “I have three children and a husband who isn’t too supportive of this career. What would happen if…”
The conversation went on like this, until Randy looked me straight in the eye and said, “Lisa, you are afraid of success!”
What would you say to your friend who just accused you of being afraid of success?
Imagine my indignation! “I am not!” I replied hotly. “What do you know anyway? You don’t have to contend with the demands of a family. You aren’t even married!”
Luckily, Randy is a wise and good friend, one who knows how to read between words and has the courage to say what he sees. Refusing to be insulted by my outburst, he repeated his accusation, “Think about it, Lisa. You’re afraid of really making it in this business.”
This time I simply kept my mouth shut and pondered that statement for a long time. Finally, when I honestly faced those hurtful words, I knew he was right. The truth broke through my defenses and rationalizations that day, and I began to say aloud (to my surprise) all the real reasons I was afraid of making it in my business:
Could I still be a good wife and mother with the demands of a successful career? I’d heard too many horror stories of families falling apart when the mom worked outside the home. And I felt that my husband was not 100 percent behind me.
Would I be good enough as a professional speaker? Ha! Who was I kidding? After all, I grew up in the era when good girls were seen and not heard. I probably had overestimated my skills.
Would I lose the support of my friends? I certainly wouldn’t have the same amount of time to maintain my relationships with them. What if they resented my new career? What if they resented my success?
Why rock the boat? I enjoyed my life as it was, with my husband, children, friends, and faith. Was my being a public speaker worth jeopardizing all of that?
That day in Bermuda I realized the real problem lay in not recognizing the true fears – and limiting beliefs – that were causing me to repel success. The first step I took to conquer those fears was to call my husband, Mark, who was back in Florida. I confessed that I was using his “lack of support” as my way of not having to really try my best. His response floored me. “Thank God you finally see it!” he said, as he began reminding of the times he really was supportive. (I guess I had conveniently forgotten those.) When I returned home, I stepped off the plane to Mark holding a bouquet of flowers and a card that read, “I love you. Now, let’s get to work!”
I did go to work, starting with examining my beliefs about wealth and success. I learned that negative beliefs are the mufflers that mute our Spirit’s voice and cause us to repel the very things we say we want. The other great thing I learned is that beliefs are like jackets. If one doesn’t fit you, you can take it off and put one on that does.
Self-limiting beliefs are learned behaviors, and anything that can be learned can also be unlearned. I changed my results when I changed the beliefs I held about what being a successful speaker meant. My procrastination, sabotage, worry, blame, and other bad habits began to disappear when I changed my beliefs about success.
Just nine months after my Bermuda Breakthrough, and working on my belief system, I attracted a six-figure speaking and consulting contract!
So, what about you?…
What are the beliefs you have attached to building your business, sponsoring more leaders, achieving Directorship, finding your soul mate, or being a millionaire?
Your entry into this life-changing journey begins with making a list of all the beliefs – the connotations – you have attached to success. Take out a blank sheet of paper and write your goal at the top of the page. Now, make a list of all the words or statements that come to your mind.
Ask yourself two questions:
“What are my beliefs causing me to repel?”
“What are my beliefs causing me to attract?”
I can promise you this: When you expose your limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering ones, you will free yourself from a self-imposed prison and begin to attract success.
Let this article be your loud voice, laced with a shot of truth! You really can change your life! It starts by changing your beliefs!
Lisa Jimenez M.Ed. has helped thousands of people eliminate their hidden fears and turn them into the driving force behind their success. Lisa's Quantum Leap Coaching (QLC) Program is an intense six-month accountability plan that will motivate and inspire you to create and live your dreams. You'll radically increase your business, improve yourself, and live a life you love! For more information on her programs and resources go to: www.RX-Success.com or call (954) 755-3670 or (800) 489-7391.
