I love how things work. When everything is in place, things flow with ease. When all the components are operating in your TV, you get a clear image. When you put all the pieces into a puzzle, you get a complete picture. When your car is serviced regularly and all parts are where they should be, it runs smoothly. When things are not running as you would like, in any area of life, no need to panic. It simply means there is a missing link, and for most of us that missing link is the most obvious thing.
We live in a world where people are looking for answers and ways to live a better life and become the best version of themselves. I applaud every single person who makes personal development a regular daily choice. I have worked on myself for many years, and it has transformed my life. I will continue to make personal development an essential part of my life. There is no shortage of ways to develop personally. There are millions of podcasts, blogs, books, audios, seminars, webinars, workshops, and retreats. So, really, anyone who wants to change their life has immediate and ongoing ways to learn how to do just that.
That being the case, why do so many people participate in personal development of some kind, yet so few move very far beyond the circumstances they are trying to change? It’s the missing link. I know for me, in the early days of my personal development journey, I was the same. I read, I listened, I attended, I learned, I knew all the stuff, and I even tried some things, yet I was still stuck in the life I wanted to change? Why? Again, the missing link. Do you relate? Are you wondering, even though you read my blogs, listen to podcasts, and attend seminars, why nothing is really changing for you? Then get ready, because I am going to share with you the missing link.
Over the weekend just gone, I ran a webinar for aspiring authors called The Submission Process. During that session, we discussed everything required to do to get a book published. Over the last 20 years I have spoken to, presented to, written to, and delivered programs to thousands and thousands of people about how to get a book written, published, and out into the world. Why is it that so many people have the information, yet so few get their books written, published, and out into the world? It’s the missing link. You know what it is, don’t you?
If you think it’s action, you are partly right. Many people act and still don’t get the results they want. The missing link is; continuing to do what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is gone. In other words, it is doing the stuff, even when you don’t want to, don’t feel like it, or don’t think it’s working. Getting published very rarely comes about from a submission to one publisher. It comes after many submissions, many non-responses, many rejections, and many times overcoming the feeling of giving up. Creating a healthy body doesn’t happen getting up once when you feel motivated to go for a run. It happens every morning, even when you would rather hit the snooze button. Building your business, making sales, getting clients, and getting speaking gigs will not occur just on the day you feel inspired. It comes about after persisting through the times when nothing seems to be working and getting knock back after knock back is a common occurrence.
Magic is happening through continuing to do what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is gone. When nothing seems to be happening, trust me, it really is. You are getting stronger and more resilient. Someone is reading your submission or proposal. Someone is being inspired by what you are doing. Your body is actually getting healthier with every step you take. Your action will always lead you somewhere abundant and amazing, with one simple condition; you keep going when you most feel like giving up. There is an awesome book called; The Magic is in the Extra Mile. Not a truer word has been spoken.
Don’t believe me? Then listen to my two podcasts this week to get some other incredible perspectives on this message. I spoke with Robert Foster in a podcast called Shut up and grind. I spoke with Bobbi Barrington in a podcast called The sculpture within. Both will reinforce the message I have shared in this blog.
I know you want a better life, or to change something, otherwise you would not be reading this blog. Reading this is just the first step, but all the reading, all the listening, and all the attending in the world will not create change. The only thing that will create the change you want is, continuing to do what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is gone. This, my friend, is for most people, except you, the missing link.