“Why are you trying so hard to fit in, when you were born to stand out?”
I heard this quote while watching “What a Girl Wants” the other day, and it got me thinking…

I am the first to plead guilty to trying to “MacGyver” my feelings, emotions and thoughts to make some situations work. There is a certain comfort in knowing the outcome, despite the suckiness.  Change, even when it involves getting out of bad circumstances, can be an invisible juggernaut.

change
Verb: Make or become different.

As oddly cozy that staying stuck can actually be, when it feels like the only option, it’s really important to realize that it IS just an option. The resistance to try something different often drains us of energy, far less equal to what would be required to take the action.

“In a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.”
-Warren Buffett

My experience has been that “leaks” come out sideways affecting health, personal and professional relationships.  The great news is that feeling stuck or uncomfortable in a situation has a solution.

The first step is to recognize that you are in a rut or feeling stuck.

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.”
-Wayne Gretzky

Here are some of the things I do when I need to take a look at a situation. *DISCLAIMER* I am not a therapist and these are only a reflection of my own personal journey. There are circumstances that may require professional help.

PULLING WEEDS

Any plant that grows where you don’t want it, can be considered a weed. Besides taking up valuable space in your garden, weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, water and light. It is the same for “mental weeds”. Talk to another person you can trust or just start by getting it out of your head, and on paper (I still journal with paper and pen, but you can make a document on computer.) I call this ‘weeding the thought garden’. Sometimes you need to uproot a weed to get rid it and when you say something out loud to another person it helps take the power out of it, so you can see things clearly.


DO A BENJAMIN

Benjamin Franklin once described his well-known decision-making process in a letter to Joseph Priestley who had asked Franklin’s advice about a vexing decision. Basically the process involves making a list of ‘Pros and Cons’, reflecting on them, and then making a decision. Never rush this step, some lists have taken me weeks to really get to the truth in my heart.

THE BLAME GAME

Take responsibility and quit pointing fingers at others because there are always three pointing back at you. Remember this is about you finding relief on your way to change, not changing others. Blaming is a way of holding on to anger or fear. While being a serial victim might make you feel superior, this process is ALL ABOUT YOU making a change for the better! Let go, so YOU can move on.

PLAN THE PLAN

Sometimes transition is easier when you prepare for it. Just like having a business or marketing plan, creating a personal plan can help on when it’s GO TIME. Maybe just a vision of possibilities or list of things you want for yourself or your business.  I try to make lists of what I need to do to get the next point. I also feel a sense of accomplishment when I cross the things off that seemed like a such a big deal. I actually crossed about 5 things off my list this week and I am making room for some big wonderful coming into my life. Not bragging just showing that this process works.

FAILURE IS NOT FATAL

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
-Winston Churchill

I try to imagine what is the worst thing that could happen, and then compare it to what is already going on. After taking inventory, failing is usually way less scary than knowing the outcome of the current situation.


Be Yourself Everyone Else is Taken!  Have heard multiple accounts as to who actually coined this saying, but it is dead on because making changes is really an inside job. Change:  is ALL about you and your perception.

This subject might seem unrelated to Social Media, but the ability to be transparent, let others get to know you, is a key ingredient for connecting. This blog is about my journey, both business and personal. It would be easy for me to say that my life is nothing but good times, straight roads and great fun, but I would be lying, I am human and struggle from time to time. To me, Social Media, Social Networking are about being yourself and letting others know that I am real person with real emotions behind my Avatar. I am sure there are many professionals in the Music, Broadcasting and Multi-media industry that are struggling with the thought of having to make a change, or even being forced into change.  To you, I say you are NOT alone. Stay positive, stay calm and remember that you have the choice over what you let into your life, your stream, your mind. Chose wisely!

These days when people tell me how to fit it in, I assume they think I mind standing out.


FINAL INSPIRATION:

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
–A.A. Milne

What do you think and what’s going on with you? Been awhile since I blogged. Would love to know how you all are!!

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