Hey There,
I’ve been “off” this last week as I haven’t been able to shake off the flu bug. Mind you I’ve enjoyed the time off pursuing my own private writing projects and holidaying with my family on weekends as it keeps me focused on the next phase of my life. One of my mentors told me that even if you don’t know what you are doing next, do something! In a week that I probably have no energy to write a CWC, I thought I would change the pace for this week only. Please let me know what you think. Next week’s issue will be back to normal as my health returns.
I still hope you enjoy it…
Let me give you some of my personal insights so far:
Currently I live in Ballina, just south of Byron Bay and an hour from the Gold Coast. It’s a place where I am happy to call “home” for the rest of my life. But it wasn’t always like that. I was born in Cambodia during the killing fields era and my parents were lucky refugees who were sponsored to relocate to Australia in 1980. I lived and grew up in Melbourne through school and university before I moved up here in late 2001.
When I reflect on my life, I realised there was one thing I always had to confront. It’s an issue that many have deep within but few make time to address it consciously. And that is the “fear of change”. The only thing constant in life is change. It brings more opportunities and uncertainties that will alter your current reality and allow you to upgrade your life. While I was critiquing one of my clients projects, she had a great framework around Fear and Guilt. When Gloria releases her course, I’ll make sure I get permission to share that module with you because I think it addresses the core issue and may help you get rid of the “stuckness” you may experience when you don’t confront your “fear of change.”
Listen, Conversations with Chen is not for everyone. I was inspired to write this because of Jim Rohn’s famous quote, “Don’t wish things were easier, wish you were better.” That ‘principle’ is engraved in my life and guides my life. If you are reading this, I imagine you are a lot like me….always wanting to get better. Wanting to get better has a price. Growth occurs with challenges but your core self remains the same. People come and go but real relationships last forever. I have personally found you learn most about life in contrast. That’s probably why the most significant memories we remember like first times, marriage, kids, death etc mean so much more because they not part of our daily routine. Recently I told my wife that I’m one constant contrast for her since she’s so perfect…needless to say, she is still learning…and so am I.
How To Shift Your Reality?
When I started to shift my reality:
* I decided I don’t have to work in a factory like my parents and made the pursuit to learn more about “making money” with your passion, purpose and leverage.
* I decided to immerse myself with learning and invested in opportunities and resources that added depth and dimension to myself and my clients
* I decided to mix with the best of the best…speakers, entrepreneurs, leaders, people who making impact and waves in the seminar industry and I was determined to work with them.
So as you can see, I was someone who started with no path but was always able to attract the “right” challenges and opportunities that came my way. I honestly believe the best way to attract “luck” is to constantly prepare. Preparation is the slight edge for the pros. The years of sweat equity bring about sweet rewards when you are passionately on purpose and stick with the task at hand. And your challenge to find your core congruency is a constant battle that every entrepreneur has to endure. I’ve met too many entrepreneurs that have achieved their goals or reached lofty peaks, only to find the valley of emptiness exposed in their soul. (Just check any newspaper or business magazine for real life case studies…)
Avoid the depths of despair and self sabotage. When you surrender to your higher purpose or your vision, you will find greater opportunities, resources and people that will cross your path. It’s easy to “lower” your goals when you don’t achieve them but I say it’s more “courageous” to expand them beyond your dreams. There’s a hidden “force” within you that knows your real reality and it’s from that space that you will truly understand whether you have “lived” your life or whether you “survived” life.
If you have time, I encourage you to gift some of your time to charity or mentor a young and up and coming talent. I’ve done this all my life. In fact, my previous PA said that my business was all about “investing in other peoples talent” because in nearly all cases, I basically believed in people more than they believed in themselves. Not only that, I was able to create an environment where they knew they couldn’t fail. All seeds grow when the soil and environment are healthy. What’s your environment like?
(The coolest environment for entrepreneurs will be released soon…watch this space)
Nothing is missing…no one owns you. Express yourself…
Until next time.
Simplify your Life,
CHEN
P.S So what do you think? Relevant or Irrelevant? Well, I’m getting better and have some other “core” issues I want to address with you over the next few weeks. You see, I bumped into someone in the seminar game and they have noticed the last six months have been really challenging…numbers way down and sales conversions are low. If you have attended events lately, please private message me your thoughts and comments and I may use them in the next few issues…(full confidentiality assured)
