Gail Blanke http://www.lifedesigns.com, a bestselling author, Real Simple magazine columnist, business owner, and advisor to CEOs worldwide, shared with us her thoughts about leaning into change and mastering the art of re-invention.
(Disclaimer: The notes from this talk are exactly that, notes. While I did my best to record each bit of information accurately, it is my interpretation of what was communicated and should not be construed as quoting the speaker.)
We are children of the universe and playing small doesn't serve the world.
We were meant to be bold, meant to reinvent.
It's not the weakest or the strongest, it's the species that adapts to change -they are the ones who survive.
People will not get "it" about you until you get "it" about yourself. Get "it" and use "it!"
Six Steps to Thriving on Change
1. Tap Into the Incredible Power of a Vision
- nothing bold, nothing beautiful happens without a vision
- motivation comes from having a vision
How good could you make it?
What would it look like?
2. Let Go
- let go of being right, of stereotypes, of regrets, of limitations, of resentments, of anger...of anything that is holding you back
- take a leap of faith and courage
- let go of the trapeze to catch the next one
- sometimes you don't ever see it, but something great is waiting for you
- never wait for the courage, courage isn't given, courage comes of action
- don't confuse falling with failing
3. Acknowledge Your Hardest Won Achievements
- follow the ground you've already covered. It isn't always necessary to re-invent. What have you done well in the past? What can you improve upon?
4. Dust Off the Entrepreneur Spirit
- re-kindle that spirit, that drive to create
- entrepreneur's thrive in chaos, never thing what they know is enough, never think that's the only way things can be done
- have new eyes, look at things in a fresh way
- you can't change if you hang onto the past
5. Know Who You Are and Who You Are Not
- create and develop your special brand
- you don't have to be everybody's everything.
- think about women who have branded themselves exceedingly well- Madonna, Rosie, Cher. When you know who you are you know how to act... and you will know what to write
- if enough people like it, it doesn't matter who doesn't
Answer this question:
I'm (insert your name) and I'm the one who _________________
6. Decide What is the Truth
- the power to distinguish between fact and interpretation is essential to dealing with life and change
Additional Notes:
Sometimes it takes a crises for us to know who we are. A defining moment is when you found something in yourself you didn't know you had.
When you said "yes I can!"
When you said "no, I don't"
When you drew a line
Can you recall your defining moments? Try writing about them.
Sometimes you have to have everything ripped away from you. Say, "I will build back." Don't confuse falling with failing.
Don't stereotype yourself... don't say "I'm not good enough" or "I'm not that type of person"
Dare to test your limits, to be the person you know yourself to be.
In a changing market (world, etc.,) don't be afraid of change!
.
