Get Out of Your Comfort Zone How was your weekend? Did you experience something new or did you stay in the comfort zone of life? This week, I was reminded of the story of the elephant and the rope, which is a great lesson for life. As a young man was passing the elephants at the zoo, he suddenly stopped. He noticed that those huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” The young man was amazed. These animals could, at any time, break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they stayed stuck right where they were. Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief which is holding us in one place, simply because we failed at it once before? It’s a great time of year to identify what’s holding you back, and what ideas or beliefs you’ve tied yourself to that could be keeping you from the success you desire! Something to Think About I often meet people who tell me why they can’t do something. More often than not, there is something in their internal belief system that is holding them back. I love the quote from Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right!” The next time you think you can’t do something, stop and ask yourself why you have that belief. Then trade that old idea in for a new, abundant mindset that will help propel you towards your goals this year. Weekly Activity Challenge one of your beliefs this week. Take something that you don’t think you can do, but would like to do, and see if you can find a way to make it happen! Words of Wisdom Change your thoughts and you change your world. Norman Vincent Peale To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. Winston Churchill Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies. Robert Kennedy You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space. Johnny Cash In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. Robert Frost
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