Get Suck out of success – Use the viewfinder effect

By: Nate Lindquist, CEO of Innerspire

Making things succeed and go well doesn’t have to meet stress, anger, fear, overwork and frustration. Next time you’re driving to work, with your face in your Dunkin’ Donuts cup and a frustrated or ambivalent scowl on your face, just remember the consequences of a half-living half-energy existence!  The growth and success of your business and marketing hinges on whom you invite into the party – including you!  Breaking news! (and this includes you business owners, entrepreneurs and success stories out there)  Work and success doesn’t have to suck just because it’s a beautiful day and you’ve gotta go to work.   (hint: language change: I get to be creative and apply my gifts at work today!)

Take these 3 powerful steps that will change your point of view (and then let us know how it works so others who read this article will decide to try it out too)

1. Experience the power of focus and the viewfinder effect:  Did you ever go to a party with a friend – all psyched up to have a great time out and voila – it’s a bomb.  Then, on the ride home as your unloading on your friend (or mate) why you hated the party, they’re telling you about how much fun it was and how you both should get out more!   What happened was you were near an arguing couple or some annoyingly intense individuals who prodded you with what’s up and gossipy and annoyingly superficial BS.  On the other side of the room, your friend enjoyed some great apps, the band and made acquaintance with some folks who listen well and offered good humor to the conversation.  That’s the viewfinder effect. Same party – difference experience! All you need is a meeting or a phone call to do this first step now.  Get on your call, or walk into your meeting and notice where your focus is and also that of your compatriots.  Then, jot it down as you are talking or sharing.  How does the focus make you feel?  How can you steer the viewfinder to a more positive or progress generating outcome, rather than dwelling on the past, negative topics or other time-wasters?  Where your focus goes, your energy flows!  Change it and change everything.

2. Get fearless (and irritated):  Most people gauge their working and marketing success with a short list of doables that just don’t ever seem to get started or done.  Here’s what you do.  Write down the top 10 things you’re most frustrated about not getting done.  Then, choose the top 3 and schedule some action immediately toward accomplishing them.  When they are underway, repeat this process.  If you really are frustrated with patterns of procrastination or inefficiency, then you’ll find this process a huge relief.  Do it now!  Be proud of yourself and follow through.

3. The Reset technique:  Neuro-associative conditioning[i] teaches us that only 3 things control your mindset.  If you’re less than productive or feeling strong emotions that seem to be immobilizing you at any time, just shift 1 or all of the 3 using this technique.  Focus (see item 1 above), physiology (how you move!) or language, how you talk to others or yourself.  To change physiology, just put your focus on something positive, stand up, smile and if possible, do a few jumping jacks or a short jog around the building to get your blood pumping.  It’s impossible to stay down when you move in certain ways!  Even if you FAKE it, smiling is a practice that can literally shift your body to feel better, even if you don’t feel it at first.  Just try being depressed and smiling at the same time.  It can’t be done.  Language defines our reality.  Try this to change yours…  Next time someone says or does something that irritates you or more importantly YOU do when you are talking to yourself, change the words you use.  Instead of, “I just can’t do it! Or, I’m never on time!  Or, that just ruined my day!” soften the language and shift to a positive like, “I’ve got the tools to turn this into something great!” Or, “I’m going to put a few key changes in place so I can be on time more often.” Or, “That person’s move was inconvenient, but with a couple adjustments, we can get this plan on track right away!”

Just restart your mindset, but changing your focus, your movement and your language.  Play around with it and find out how truly useful a tool it is!  It’s been said that your energy flows where you focus goes!  So, choose your own flow and kick your business and marketing into overdrive!  Success doesn’t have to be a miserable, overworked and over-stressed journey.  You can decide what success is for you by changing your mindset along the way.