You know how sometimes it can be a little challenging just getting out of bed on a Monday? And how you get a little discouraged and frustrated on occasion because you′re not where you want to be yet and sometimes it feels like you never will? You′re not alone.  We all experience those same feelings now and then. 

The question is how do handle it when those feeling want to shut you down. Having the courage to push, pull, and climb your way up to where you need to be in order to see where your going is as easy as1, 2, 3 when you stop making it about “ME” (you that is) and start to understand that for you to be great you must help others be greatbut to help others be great you have to make it about them. One of the fasted ways to build massive confidence is to stop worrying about how you will look or be perceived or that you′re too young, too old, too inexperienced, not gifted, or even physically challenged, or that maybe you′ll fail, or succeed and start making it about doing WIT (whatever it takes) to lift the people around you to the level of their potential. 

Sometimes we can do that by simply showing them what is possible. Abe Lincoln once said, “The best way to help the poor is by not being one.”  

But what is possible for you? What are you capable of? What I have learned along the way is that I am capable of a great deal more than I even thought possible when I make it about someone or something else.  When I first started presenting and teaching from the stage for example it was about me not looking foolish, or making a mistake, or making sure I got the data right.  That self focused energy caused me to tighten and contract.  To fully expand it had to be about the participants and not meit had to be about their experience not mine. When you make your goals and aspirations pertinent to the success of others or about your ability to affect others you find an inner strength and purpose that cannot be found otherwise.

A profound example of “purpose beyond self” is the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt.  When Rick Hoyt was born in 1962 the doctors told his parents that he would be nothing more than a vegetable and would be better off in an institution for the rest of his life.  His dad disagreed and made a decision on the spot that his son would have a shot at life. That decision not only changed his son′s life but his life as well and in a way that he never expected.

Some twenty years later Dick and Rick Hoyt have become one of the most inspirational father and son teams in the history of athletics having competed together in several marathons, triathlons, and Ironman competitions. Dick, who is 65, has pushed, pulled, and carried his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines.  Rick is confined to a wheelchair while at home but when competing that same chair moves like the wind under the horse power of his dad′s motivated legs and lungs.  When Dick cycles Rick rides on the seat in front of him leading the way.  When Dick swims Rick floats along in the wake on a small stable raft pulled by his dad.  Could or would Dick Hoyt have ever dreamed of or have been capable of performing such super human tasks without his desire for his sons to live life to the fullest and experience the joy of competing? Well we humans are capable of some amazing things when we are pushed, pulled, and carried and even greater things when we push, pull, and carry.

Check out this amazing video of Dick and Rick Hoyt

It happens to some of the best athletes, CEOs, actors, and public speakers in the world the loss of words, the inability to take action or even move, and the proverbial dropping of the ball.  For some, choking under pressure comes at the 9th inning when the game is tied, bases are loaded, there are two outs and the best hitter in the league has just stepped up to the plate.  For others it comes with the mere thought of playing the game.

An athlete, CEO, actor, or speaker can have all the outer game tools in his or her toolbox but if she doesn’t have the inner game needed to put those tools to work she will find herself frustrated, falling short of her full potential, and choking under pressure.

Imagine your inner game like the software in a computer. You can have the greatest (more…)