Potential and Possibilities
We’ve all had breakthrough moments in our lives. Moments when a switch flicked, a light went on and a door to a new world of potential and possibilities opened up for us. For most of us, the door was always there to be opened but, for a range of reasons, we never turned the handle. Until that day.
Ignoring Reality
Invariably, the switch-flicking and door-opening (the internal shift) was the result of a situation, experience or circumstance that we found ourselves in. And it was usually an unpleasant one. My first big breakthrough moment came after many smaller and less embarrassing, but similar, moments. It’s fair to say I was (am) a slow learner. The lessons, the signs and the indicators (to change, to listen, to pay attention) were all there for me, but for the longest time I did my best to ignore them. I never allowed reality to get in the way of the stories I told myself.
And what stories I told.
One of my favourites was the “it doesn’t matter that you weigh more than your teachers and you’re only fourteen” fairytale. I fooled not only my friends but also myself.
Or so I thought.
The Beginning of the End
For me, the beginning of the end (of my fat, unhappy self) came at a school swimming carnival when I found myself standing on a starting block at the end of a pool next to seven other kids who weighed as much as my breakfast. It was the painful reality check I needed but clearly, didn’t want. It’s hard to hide 90kgs (200lbs) of teenage lard when you’re semi-naked and perched on a block of concrete with hundreds of people staring at you. Humiliation would have been a pleasant improvement on what I felt in that moment.
Transformational Pain
Although that experience was a painful one for me, it was also something that led me to make decisions and embrace behaviours which transformed my life (on many levels), and I believe, changed the course of my destiny. If I hadn’t experienced that feeling, I don’t think I would be the person I am today. I am grateful for that experience because it forced me to step into reality, to acknowledge who and what I was, and to take charge of my mind, my body and my life. And yes, it happened in that order (mind, body, life).
Even though I had that revelation at a relatively young age (fourteen), I often look back and realise that I always had the potential to create incredible and lasting change. Over the last thirty (or so) years I have consciously and diligently worked to make the decisions, changes and adjustments before I found myself standing on that starting block again.
So to speak.
The fit, lean, stronger, happier, more productive and creative (version of) me was always in there; I just needed to let him out.
I don’t know (most of) you, but if you’re like the majority then I know that you have more ability, potential and possibilities than you have ever imagined. If amazing (and lasting) results are what you’re after then my advice to you is:
Don’t wait for a breakthrough moment: create one!
So, why don’t you choose to make a breakthough this week? Just because you can.
Tell us about your breakthrough moments (in the past or present) or just say hi and share your thoughts on this post. And yes, that means you Lurkers (non-commentors) too.
This is exactly what I need to do, make a breakthrough. I’ve recently graduated and still don’t have a job, much like many other college grads I assume. But the lack of structure makes it hard to get motivated.
I’d love to hear ideas on how to stay motivated throughout my job search.
For me, breakthrough moments happen when I remember that “we create reality based on our thoughts.”
Although this has be interpreted in many ways, I believe that I create based on the feelings that my thinking creates in the moment. This gives me the motivation to create my thoughts more consciously, and allows me to tap into those “aha” breakthrough moments more often.
To take this idea to the next level, I look for my triggers. Triggers are weaknesses; areas that stand in the way of us achieving our dreams/goals. They catch us off guard and we react automatically – for better or worse. Everyone has triggers that have limited their success in the past, but like Craig said, everyone has the ability to overcome these, with the right perspectives.
One way to identify a trigger is to pay attention to how your body feels during a stressful situation. Focus your mind inside your body, and away from thoughts of blame, guilt etc. Unconscious thoughts are automatic – and they will trigger automatic feeling reflexes. We must not give away our creative power by blaming someone or feeling guilty for having these thoughts and feelings. We must work with ourselves, be gentle, and know that there are many other possibilities we could be experiencing – if we can be open to them.
When I notice that am feeling anxiety or stress etc, I seek new knowledge on the subject to ease my mind. Sometimes I just pick a good feeling quote or word and repeat it 50 times in my head. If I notice I am putting myself down, I ask myself if this is the person I WANT to create, and if not, I replace the thought consciously, let go and hold on.
This was a great article to start the day with. Thanks!
Nice post Craig. It’s funny, but my first guest post that I’ve written and was published (something that I feared doing for a while) was on breaking through. I think there comes a time when your so fed up with everything, that you just take action without thinking. Of course, we don’t need always get to that level of emotion in order to create a breakthrough moment and I’m glad you have reminded us that we can begin creating this this type of moment at any time that we wish to do so.
@TonyB Instead of focusing on getting a job (or not having one), check out your local Chamber of Commerce’s or Economic Development Assn.’s (or college’s or favorite museum’s) schedule of free events. They often host free receptions and networking events where you can meet new people and potentially find your future employer (or partner). Collect business cards from people you like who work at companies you might like to work at (or contract with). Next pull out your resume and post it online (Monster, LinkedIn, or a free blog or website). Then send a quick email to your new-found friends saying how nice it was to meet them and to let you know of any opportunities for which you be a good fit — include a link to your nifty online resume. Who knows? You might find your dream job…or at least, a job…or not, but at least you’ll be doing something productive. I guarantee it’ll make you feel better, boost your confidence — and you might just meet some really nice people to boot. Good luck!
One way to identify a trigger is to pay attention to how your body feels during a stressful situation. Focus your mind inside your body, and away from thoughts of blame, guilt etc.
I have breakthrough moments everyday! From all the little things I see, hear, read. I think there are breakthrough moments for everyone everyday!
My breakthrough moment was a career change. I had been working in a job that was originally a perfect fit and enjoyed very much but over the years it became very stifling. It might have been easy to make a career change but the challenge was that I was a partial owner of a family owned business. I continued to stick it out convincing myself that it was my duty not to shake up the company and also (as I realized later) because I was scared to change. I knew that I had potential but didn’t think anyone else would see it.
After fighting mild depression for a few years it started to get worse. What used to be mild was now regularly keeping me awake at night. I began to have anxiety attacks and would sometimes break down emotionally when I was alone. Only my wife knew what was going on. I continued to put up with it for almost another year. One morning after I dropped the kids off at school I clearly remember thinking to myself that this cannot continue any longer. When I arrived at work I created an account at an online job search site and by the next day had put together a resume.
The hard part was not applying for another job but telling my family and business partners that I was leaving. I very clearly remember the look on my father’s face when I told him that I was going to apply for a job somewhere else. He looked like I had punched him. Honestly I felt terrible but I KNEW that I was making the right decision.
Within a couple months I had started a new job and was enjoying it very much. My wife said that I was happier than I’d been in years. Even my father realized that it was good for me and for the family business. By leaving the company several things were shaken up which allowed some changes to happen that were long overdue.
In the end it all worked out well for everyone, but hindsight is easy. At the time of my breakthrough I had no knowledge of how things would turn out. All I knew was that things couldn’t continue as they were.
For me a great break through would be getting more involved in the community, and building communities as a hobby so people can get to know each other and collaborate. I also have a clothing line in the works and with he so many ideas we have I am already collaborating with my friends/colleagues! Great blog.
Excellent post, Craig, thank you.
I think it’s not so easy and natural for us to create a breakthrough moment just like that. It is perhaps because of our lizard brain stopping us from going out of our comfort zone. We need some strong wake up call, some sense of urgency to “reinvent” ourselves: for you it was humilitation, for “Lurker Lays it Out” two comments above it was almost clinical state of depression. But I think there is a way of supressing the lizard brain. It’s our imagination. Couple of years ago I had a well paid job, a company car and other benefits, yet I started to feel slightly anxious about the future. Then I tried to imagine myself in 5 years if I continued without major changes: what I do, where I live, how I feel etc. I tried to make it look as real as possible. And it looked so miserable! Couple of weeks later I quit. And I think it has been the best career decision I ever made, even though some people thought what I did was insane.
Have had many breakthroughs but the most powerful ones were after attending some transformational courses and learning that “Life is empty and meaningless (except for the meaning we give it)” and “You are empty and meaningless (no matter what your stories or limiting beliefs, you can start with a clean board – you have infinite potential)”
Great Post. Breakthroughs do happen but mostly we miss them as we are afraid of change. Our internal fears stop us from embracing the new changes. But there are few who welcome the change and only those succeed in the end.
Good advice – but creating breakthroughs requires the right mindset. Most people work a 9 to 5 job and such breakthroughs are rarely found in that situation. It usually takes someone who is disturbed enough with their situation to break free and create a breakthrough.
Your title promises to tell us how to CREATE our OWN breakthroughs whenever we need one. But all it does is tell us how one happened to you. How about rewriting the article or at least the title?
I had my breakthrough when I decided to give up TV about 3 weeks ago – I’ve not looked back!
great post i believe we are equal in the opportunity but we are not equal in our decision to choose what life we want to live and based on the decision we made we take action to make it happen i believe in the moment of decision your destiny is shaped (tony robbins)
http://mastery-journey.com/site/how-motivated-are-you
For some reason I am thinking – “Thinking,Thinking without thinking”.7 out of 10 things suggested are either wrong,a load of rubbish,or have key elements deliberately taken out of them, so you can’t ever know the FULL secret,and truly succeed.And it’s a great way to leach more money out of people.
I am thinking…What gets ME out of bed in the morning? Some mornings I leap up full of adrenaline,and wild ideas,motivated to do things! I do them and feel great because I have actually done all I set myself to do! But other mornings I have no zest,no spring and just want to roll over and go back to sleep!
I put my lack of-
A) zing down to staying up too late the night before wasting time watching Sky TV
B) Laziness
c) Eating too much “dead” foods, fried,heavily saturated,fatty or fast foods
D) Fear of trying,fear of failing,
E) not truly having the natural talent skills to actually do the things I want to do, not being in the right place at the right time,having no luck, being a loser at all I try etc.
That’s why I’ve come to believe of late that you’ve either got it or you haven’t. Those who haven’t need to realize reality,forfeit the fantasies,and come back down to earth.
I wrote here before:”For some reason I am thinking – “Thinking,Thinking without thinking”.7 out of 10 things suggested are either wrong,a load of rubbish,or have key elements deliberately taken out of them, so you can’t ever know the FULL secret,and truly succeed.And it’s a great way to leach more money out of people.” Now I add further to this comment. I then started reading 2 books that almost “divinely” gave me success in my online IM business. In a week tops:
I changed AND stuck to a new diet, not so much a diet but a food eating change.
I began exercising again!
After 1 year as a newbie in an online IM business, I made my FIRST sale!
I set myself goals and are NOW sticking with them
See I was the laziest,most unmotivated procrastinator on this planet, and would try all sorts of systems just to get successful online! Well go here to read more!
Read how I found success in a week after struggling for 5 years, here:
http://therealmonty.blogspot.com/2011/01/recommends.html
Grab what made me successful here: http://alturl.com/cvsu4
Pak job Ads and advertisements for Karachi,Lahore,Quetta,Peshawar,Multan,Hyderabad,Rawalpindi,Islamabad and http://allpkjobz.blogspot.comall cities of Pakistan