My wife and I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with Lisa Haneberg immediately following her inspiring talk about her book 2 Weeks to a Breakthrough. We enjoyed a nice dinner, some custard from Kopps, and some very lively conversation.
Before I share what we talked about, let me give you a little back story on me. I've long dreamed of making a BIG splash into things, and some something amazingly great with my life. I've thought about getting from righthere to all the way to over T-H-E-R-E, in one big leap. Many have the books I've read have talked about the importance of "crossing the chasm" or making a leap, or something like that that requires you to jump beyond tomorrow and nearly into next week.
Enter my conversation with Lisa and my wife. We talked about little things. Small steps. Baby steps. To get closer towards the goal. 2 Weeks to a Breakthrough talks about the daily practice, the need to do something EVERY DAY that moves you closer to your goal. For me, many days that is this blog, and the comments I leave on others' blogs. I am working to get closer to my BHAG: I will be a full-time speaker and writer. My blog is my way of continuing the conversation with you, by learning from you, with you, and seeing what writing you enjoy, and which ones you ignore.
My biggest takeaway from my talk with Lisa was this "Small actions can move mountains and shift realities."
This week my challenge for myself, and for you, is this (and you should insert your goal where I've inserted mine):
Phil, Rick Barnes (rickbarnescoaching.com) taught me something last week on this point.
You ARE a full time speaker and writer, you're just disguised as someone who is a part time speaker and writer.
Your potential is unlimited. I'm excited to see what you accomplish in the next 20 years
Posted by: Benjamin Bach | June 18, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Hey Phil, Great job. Your statement of "What am I doing today that will get me just a little bit closer to my goal of being a full-time speaker and writer?" really hit home for me. Before I started my site (ok, only a month ago or so) I was thinking about my goals. One of my goals was to become like my mentors, Jim Rohn, Jerry Clark, and other speakers. That's when I decided to make my site. Now when I look at it, I realize something amazing, I am already becoming that person! That one realization was so powerful for me. Now the question I always ask myself, similar to yours, is this: "What am I NOT doing that the future Rohit Rohila, motivational speaker, WOULD be doing" Thanks for the great article! Look forward to more and seeing you become the person that you want to be!
Posted by: Rohit Rohila | June 18, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Benjamin is right. You are a speaker and writer! And everything you do is about that. I hear it in your writing voice. :)
Posted by: Liz Strauss | June 18, 2007 at 09:41 PM
Aw shucks! Thank you Benjamin, Ro, and Liz. You all are so nice, and inspiring, you help me make it great! Thanks!
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | June 19, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Phil, you are an inspiration. I need to think like this, make some goals, and work towards them every day! Thanks for sharing your insight!
Posted by: Angela Quigley | June 19, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Phil,
It is truly amazing how the little things can add up to really, really big ones. Equally if not more impressive is how the act of doing the little things, exposes you to people, ideas, insights, and possibilities that you may never have imagined - accelerating the move to greatness.
Posted by: Nick McCormick | June 19, 2007 at 11:14 PM
It is the combined effect of those small steps that add up. In a year, you will be 365 steps closer.
Live Large!
Posted by: Greg Balanko-Dickson | June 19, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Phil – My own strategy is 'believe you are what you want to be and you will become that.'
I remember listening to Tom Peters at least 15 years ago talking about a conversation with his writing partner Bob Waterman. Tom was relating the story about when both he and Bob Waterman were working as consultants for McKinsey.
The conversation went like this:
Tom: Bob, how do I become a partner in McKinsey?
Bob: You start acting like a partner Tom and they will make you one.
Tom says he started acting like a partner and Mckinsey made him a partner.
As you would expect from me my friend – the best advice is rooted in simplicity :-)
Posted by: Trevor Gay | June 20, 2007 at 05:07 PM
Angela - Thanks for stopping by. Let me know how I can help you.
Nick - It amazes me too friend. Every day, the little flaps carry us onward and upward. VERY amazing and very great!
Greg - 365 steps is a good distance from where I am now. I'll keep walking!
Trevor - Thank you. Simple is great! Excellent advice as usual!
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | June 21, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Thanks for the book info. I will definately buy it today. Recently found your blog through http://buzzoodle.com
I bought Ron McDaniel's book and it was a big help.
After emailing him about his book,
he wrote an article about me in May 2007.
check it out. "16 year old Entrepreneur"
I am trying to do a little each day. Need a book to encourage my baby steps.
Elizabeth G.
http://BookTestOnline.com
or
http://BookTestOnlinecom.blogspot.com
Posted by: BookTestOnline | June 21, 2007 at 07:33 AM
Elizabeth - Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Ron is a great guy!
And I know you will love Lisa's book. Be sure to check out her blogs too!
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | June 21, 2007 at 06:41 PM