There are scary moments in the journey of business and life.
But there’s nothing quite as intense as the moment of clarity when you suddenly see what’s REALLY possible for you. You see how SMALL you’ve been thinking. You realize that you can play a wildly bigger game.
The question arises: Can I be this big? Can I let myself do this?
In other words…
I think I’m ready to release these old limitations. I think it’s time to quit worrying about the opinions of others. I really can stop hiding. Am I up for it?!
Many people ignore these questions and go back to their old comfort zone. Don’t be one of them!
As my students are still reveling in the inspiring energy from last week’s Uplevel LIVE! Retreat – I invite you to use our mojo to re-ignite, re-inspire, and re-invigorate your visions and dreams before the new year begins!
Here are five steps to help you stop playing small and start living BIG in 2012.
1 – Mind your Mind
Your thoughts are things. They can be powerful tools, or devastating weapons.
It’s not always quick to clean up years of negativity. AND the truth is you are the only one who can begin to do just that. If you constantly berate yourself, doubt yourself, or obsess about the opinions of others, set your intention to turn that around.
Listen to upbeat audiobooks in your car. Post affirmations in visible spots. Start a gratitude journal.
Remind yourself: “Energy flows where attention goes,” and place your attention on gratitude, love, and joy.
2 – Take Action
Back when I first got the idea to offer events and retreats, I kept waiting for self-esteem to appear before I would take the chance and just do it.
Guess what? That’s not how it works!
Instead, my coach and mastermind made me commit to a date on paper – and then offer my first event to the world. (I’ve since done this many times!)
What I discovered was this:
Self-esteem shows up BECAUSE you take action. Not before!
What one action-step can you take toward your dream today?
3 – Radiate Success
Do you complain to anyone who will listen? Do you tell your sad story to get people to feel sorry for you?
Living big means you radiate success.
Stop tweeting about how miserable you are. Don’t moan about your current challenges with your clients. Refrain from whining to your friends about how hard it is to run your own business! (Save that stuff for your coach if you need to get it out of your system.)
Remember this: Like attracts like. When you radiate success, then success is drawn to you.
4 – Exit your Comfort Zone
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got!”
This is one of my favorite expressions. Cuz it’s true!
I’ve worked with hundreds of people as a mentor, coach, and leader of retreats. The ones who create breakthroughs are always the ones who are willing to exit their comfort zones. They let themselves get scared. They say yes to new opportunities. They take time to ask themselves what they want next and how they can create it.
People who live big have one thing in common:
They learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable!
5 – Surround Yourself with Support
I hired my first coach ten years ago. I paid him more per month than my mortgage at the time! I’ve since been a part of many coaching groups and masterminds – continuing to invest in this model of support and training. I swear by it!
Many people don’t do this. Instead, they take a “duct tape” approach to their own support and training, hoping they can continue to get away with their same old fearful behavior, always promising themselves that “some day” they’ll get some real support.
It never works. They stay at the same level. (After all, that’s where it’s comfortable!)
Surround yourself with encouraging believers who are, like you, fully invested in their success, and who want you to succeed.
Many people live and socialize in toxic environments. If this is you, then step out of your comfort zone and actively seek out positive people who want to create and attract their dreams. Surround yourself with people who want to live big like you!
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE:
If you’re ready to CREATE the life and business you’ve always dreamed of, then NOW is the time to commit to that dream. (After all, aren’t you tired of waiting?) I designed the Uplevel Academy to provide massive support, structure, and training - as well as a safe space to transform your mindsets and your success. We’re now accepting applications for our 2012 programs. Please email info@christinekane.com to get more information!
If you've ever believed it was impossible to be totally authentic AND make lots of money in your business - then you're not alone. Purposeful entrepreneurs want it REAL - and I promise to deliver! Get my FREE DVD, and I will walk you step-by-step through my own Uplevel Fast Track Formula for making money... on your own terms and in your own way. Enter your email and let's get started!
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{14 comments ... read them below or add one}
{14 comments ... read them below or add one}
TAKE ACTION – how true those words have been for me this year – if I can take anything away from being in your 2011 Gold Mastermind, this would have to be right up there in the top five (and the list keeps on growing!!!). Thank you CK for modeling this very point in everything that you do. It was only by taking action with every single morsel you taught over this year to us GOLDIES that I was able to accomplish everything that I did. I cannot even fathom where I will be this time NEXT year. ::giggle:: THANK YOU
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Christine Kane Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Thank you Biz! Can’t wait to see you Uplevel even more!
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Hey Christine! I loved seeing this article. This lesson is one of my favorites that you teach and I actually have it printed out on and lying on my desk to remind me to play big. You’ll be happy to know I recently landed my first corporate client (a Fortune 100 company) that is putting my company on a much bigger playing field. Take care and xo; Laura
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I love the quote – “I kept waiting for self-esteem to appear before I would take the chance and just do it. Self-esteem shows up BECAUSE you take action. Not before!”
I’m launching a product this week, my third to date, and I still wait for the self-esteem to show up. Now after reading this post I know that’s not how life works. Thanks for the gems of wisdom Christine
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Christine Kane Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Go Alex! Good luck with your launch!
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This just hit me like a TON of bricks! A kick in the pants is exactly what I need right at this very moment.
Thank you
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Hi Christine! Great article and very affirming as well. Being at the ULY Retreat and hearing your words and being with so many like-minded women and men was just what I needed. I had so many take aways from the experience. Thanks!
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Christine Kane Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
You are most welcome Leslie! I’m excited to be continuing the momentum with so many of you!!!
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Thank you for this wonderful post Christine. I have a question about number 4 – Exit your Comfort Zone. How does one manage this? In other words, after being outside the comfort zone for some time, at some point it all becomes too much, and there’s a crash and an aching need to be fully INSIDE the comfort zone for some time – which may fully derail whatever was accomplished outside the comfort zone. (Much like being on a diet and then one day – wham! – you’ve just GOT to eat the whole box of cookies, bag of chips and polish off the pumpkin pie in the fridge all in one sitting). How does one manage one’s comfort zone needs so that you don’t go crashing back to hiding under that CZ blanket?
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Hi Lynn – Great question!
Okay – so here’s the thing.
You described that pattern of all-or-nothing eating, right? It’s where you’re holding back and holding back and all of the sudden – WHAM! you binge and are totally out of control.
So, if that has been a pattern for you – then I imagine that being out of your comfort zone is something that needs to be HONORED and CELEBRATED with support, rest, downtime and really acknowledging when you have accomplished something. Sorta like when you are eating right and exercising – you go slow and make lifestyle changes – not spend your days in a state of deprivation.
It appears to me (of course, I’m not sitting with you right now – so I can’t be sure of this!) that you might be depriving yourself of the nurturing, love, support and celebration that MUST accompany the regular exiting of one’s comfort zone.
So, that means it’s up to YOU to start a habit of acknowledging your accomplishments (I call it a “Ta-Dah!” list at the end of the day), to take regular downtime filled with activities that rejuvenate you (not planting your butt in front of the tv and mindlessly flipping through channels – as occasionally happens to us when we’re burnt out), to have a coach and a mastermind that become your board of directors and your cheering section…
There’s so MUCH important stuff you’re doing (it sounds like!) — that I really would coach you to make sure you create practices that honor that – rather than waiting until you just want to go fetal and run away from the world. THAT is a surefire symptom of “all-or-nothing” comfort zone exiting!
Keep me posted!
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Lynn Ruby Reply:
December 30th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Oh hey – thanks for the great reply! Didn’t see it until today!
Love your statement “you might be depriving yourself of the nurturing, love, support and celebration that MUST accompany the regular exiting of one’s comfort zone.” I think you’ve hit the nail on the head for me there. I can see that I HAVE been building a practice of celebrating my accomplishments (a daily practice in fact), and I can also see that the acknowledgment and celebration needs to be bigger. Not to mention the nurturing, love and support. The fact that you put the word MUST in ALL CAPS is what drove that point home!
… nurturing, love, support and celebration MUST accompany the regular exiting of one’s comfort zone.
… nurturing, love, support and celebration MUST accompany the regular exiting of one’s comfort zone.
This will become my new mantra!
Wow. Major AHA moment. I always considered it optional. Thank you and Happy New Year!
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Christine, you speak my language. I love that you paid more for your coaching than the mortgage payement. What committment. Thanks for reminding me that most of the time the biggest limitations I face are self-imposed. -Stefanie, BigBallroomGirl.blogspot.com
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In addition to the tips here, I am grateful for the year-end offer, excited to work through UYL, and ready to play big, take up all the space I’m meant to (no more shrinking!) and bloom (my word I’ve chosen for 2012)! I’ve been feeling a shift recently, and even that much more when I made the decision to jump on the UYL offer…the confirmation page said to take a second to smile, didn’t even need that reminder, I realized I was grinning already! Thank you, Christine!
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