Posts Tagged ‘mediocrity’

I’m Morpheus and I’m looking for The One

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

When the movie The Matrix came out in 1999 everyone was talking about how this was the best sci-fi movie ever made. Trust me I know, I was one of them. The special effects, the actors, the suspense, the action, the twists and turns all made this an outstanding movie that has been the benchmark to beat ever since it hit the big screen.

What is truly amazing is that everyone was so caught up in the action and special effects that they didn’t even notice that they were actually watching the best self-improvement movie ever made.

That’s right.

I’m going to boldly claim that The Matrix was and still is the best self-improvement movie ever made. Much more powerful and eye opening then the popular movies released specifically for the self-help market, The Secret and What The Bleep.

The reason that The Matrix was so brilliant is the majority of people watching it didn’t even realize that they were watching a self-improvement movie. The story was so well written, so compelling, that we thought we were just watching an action packed sci-fi.

I would like to make a disclaimer as this point. The Matrix is an action movie and does contain scenes of violence, because of this the movie may not appeal to everyone. Watching the movie is not a requirement to understanding the material here. I will explain everything you need to know.

When you look past the action scenes you can see how brilliantly the directors gave us an insight as to how our mind really works. For our purpose here I want to focus on two key insights:

One … it showed us that our reality is defined by our perception.

Two … to change this perception (thus our reality) we just need to choose.

Let me explain …

When the hero, Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) wakes up for the first time outside the matrix he see the world for as it truly is. At this moment he realizes that the world around him was just a façade. That it was his old beliefs that were keeping him stuck.

It was these beliefs that defined the image of who he was. His old beliefs enforced a limiting self-image that kept him stuck in mediocrity. As the story progresses, Neo begins to create a new self-image. He discovers his true potential and uncovers his rapid success self. He creates a vision of a new self-image referred to as The One. His true power emerges as he begins to believe in this new self-image.

The choice happens a few times throughout the movie.

The first choice is, the red pill or blue pill. Morpheus (played by Laurence Fishburne) explains that the blue pill will do nothing, that Neo will go back to his old life of mediocrity, believing whatever he want to believe (what I call The Rut). He also explains that the red pill will show Neo what the Matrix really is (what I call The Path).

The second choice is when Neo begins to believe that he actually is The One. Morpheus helps Neo create a vision of his rapid success self, being The One. He takes small actions as first. However, as he makes minor changes, he gains momentum until finally he is able to succeed. In the end there is no question that Neo believes he is The One.

As a coach and your guide, it’s my goal to play the role of Morpheus. I truly believe that you are The One, destined to fulfill your unlimited potential. I want to help you unleash that potential. I want to help you see the world as it truly is. I want to help you wake up from your current reality and discover your current self. I want to show you the REAL world so you can break free from the mediocrity. I want to help you create a vision for your rapid success self so that you can become The One.

I’m Morpheus. Are you The One?

Are You Sheepwalking?

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Today I was listening to the audio book Tribes by Seth Godin and he mentioned the term sheepwalking.

I liked this term so much that I felt compelled to share it with you.

To summarize in my own words, sheepwalking is the result of the conditioning that we experience that keeps us stuck in mediocrity.

We have been trained to be sheep since birth.

Our parents scold us when we speak out or talk back.

Our teachers penalize us when we colour outside the lines.

Our government wants us to get a job and pay taxes.

Our bosses want us to follow the rules and get the job done.

Because of this social conditioning we:

  • have lost our ability to be curious
  • are afraid of what other might think of us if we make a mistake
  • have lost our voice
  • strive to avoid change
  • are disconnected from our true selves
  • think small and avoid risks
  • have become stuck in the rut of mediocrity
  • do everything we can to keep things the same
  • are not reaching our true potential
  • have given up responsibility for our lives

We have become sheep.

When I notice that I’m stuck in the rut and sheepwalking I know that it’s time to:

  • wake-up and begin walking the path
  • step up and begin living my life based on my mission
  • lead my life toward my vision
  • banish mediocrity from my life
  • challenge the status quo
  • stand out from the crowd and shout … I’m not going to take it anymore!
  • take a risk and step out of my comfort zone
  • be an agent of change
  • live the rapid success manifesto

So ask yourself …

In my career … how am I sheepwalking?

In my business … how am I sheepwalking?

In my life … how am I sheepwalking?

When you notice that you are sheepwalking that next big question is …

What are ewe going to do about it?

:)

Are you smart?

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

I’m excited to announce the new slogan for Rapid Success Coaching Inc.

It is … helping smart people achieve a six-figure income doing what they love.

And yes, smart actually stands for something. It’s based on the exceptional qualities of the top 5% leaders, managers, career professionals, service providers and entrepreneurs. Are you ready to begin earning six-figures doing what you love? Let’s find out if you’re smart …

S stands for Status-quo

Smart people are feed up with the status-quo. They have an innate desire to move beyond mediocre and to be successful. They are ready to step out of the rut and move toward what they want.

M stands for Mastery

Smart people dedicate themselves to personal mastery. They continue to grow and learn at every opportunity and graciously take feedback from others. They work on releasing the limiting beliefs that are holding them back and replacing them with more empowering ones.

A stands for Attitude

Smart people have a positive attitude. They focus their thoughts on the positive and let go of the negative. They have learned to leverage the law of attraction. They know that their thoughts direct their behavior and that their behavior directs their actions and their actions determine their results. Smart people know that if you want to change your results, start with your thoughts!

R stands for Responsibility

Smart people take responsibility for their lives. They have removed blame and have banished the entitlement attitude out from their very being. They take responsibility for the achievement of there goals by taking decisive action.

T stands for Thinking Big

Smart people think big. They raise the bar by setting stretch goals for themselves and others. They are determined to put themselves and their teams in the Top 5% of their industry. They are ready to make a difference in the world and to be the best that they can be.

Wow … what a great list.

Are you smart? Are you ready to begin earning six-figures doing what you love? Let a Rapid Success Coach show you how.

Not sure if you’re smart and your still reading this? Then there’s hope.

I would suggest putting a personal development plan in place for each of these areas. Start reading (watch for our recommended reading list), attend workshops and seminars (check-out our upcoming events) and take action to improve yourself in each of the 5 areas.

Only by improving yourself in these 5 areas will you be able to start on the path to earning six-figures doing what you love.

Mediocrity Sucks!

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Early on in my career I found that I was always driven by a single factor.

This single factor was and still is “Mediocrity Sucks!”

There’s something about that phrase that touches at the core of who I am.

Mediocrity is the silent killer of dreams and aspirations.

It’s what keeps us comfortably stuck in the rut.

It’s what keeps us from challenging the status quo.

It’s what keeps us putting off our most important goals.

When I use the phrase “Mediocrity Sucks!” it’s as if I am connecting directly to the passion that lives within.

To me, “Mediocrity Sucks!” is at the core of what being an agent of change is all about.

It’s about noticing the rut that exists within our lives.

It’s about getting pissed off with the status quo.

It’s about understanding what is holding us back.

More importantly it’s about connecting with and unleashing our passion so that we can take action and make an impact on the world.

So we can step out of our rut.

So we can change the status quo.

So we can achieve our goals.

This leads us to the third entry of the Rapid Success Manifesto.

3) I am taking action to banish mediocrity from my life and the world.

I now issue a challenge to you.

If you are truly committed to embracing the Rapid Success Manifesto as your own you need to start taking action.

What are you going to do today that will free you from the shackles of mediocrity?

I look forward to hearing your story.

Absolute Personal Responsibility

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Let me share with you a little known secret.

You are where you are today based on the choices that you have made.

That’s right … everything from the relationships that you are in to the amount of money that you are making.

You might be saying … “Ron, I had no choice! I was born into my situation! What happened to me was beyond my control!”

Whatever your excuse is … it is still an excuse.

You might not have wished a particular event to happen to you (and I don’t wish negative stuff on anyone).

What you did have control over was your response.

Stephen Covey discusses this in his book “7 Habit of Highly Effective People”.

In it he states … between stimulus and response there is a gap … and in the gap lies our ability to choose.

You might not want a particular event (stimulus) to happen to you … however you do have control over what you do (response).

When you first start exercising your ability to choose it will seem like the gap between stimulus and response is non-existent.

These are those unconscious programs that automatically kick in and dictate our behavior.

Over time as you continue to exercise your ability to choose … this gap will grow wider and wider.

So if you find yourself blaming others or that entitlement mentality kicks in remember the second entry in the Rapid Success Manifesto.

2) I am taking absolute personal responsibility for my life!

I use the word “absolute” to be very clear … there are no exceptions!

The good thing about this is that getting you beyond your current situation is within your control.

So get off your butt and begin to take absolute personal responsibility for where you are today and commit to do the actions to get you to where you want to go.

P.S.

Remember that deciding not to choose is still a choice!

So if you decide to ignore this … you have chosen to stay stuck in mediocrity.

And that is not a choice I can live with!

Agent of Change

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Here is the first entry to the Rapid Success Manifesto.

1) I am an agent of change.

This is a simple statement outlining how I want to be in the world.

Notice the use of “I” … claiming ownership of what / how I want to be.

“agent of change” embodies everything that I believe in.

It rings true to the passion that is within.

Other options for agent could be catalyst, master, manager or leader.

Change is what we are about.

If we are not changing … we remain stuck in the depths of mediocrity.

Not a happy place.

Other options for change?

There are none.

The Rabbit Hole

Friday, September 12th, 2008

Do any of these statements connect with you?

  • Mediocrity Sucks!
  • Achieve Your Dreams
  • Personal Mastery
  • Leadership From Within
  • Live Your Passion
  • Agent of Change
  • The Next Level
  • Unplug From The Matrix
  • Discover Your Purpose
  • World Domination
  • Constant and Never-ending Improvement
  • Free Your Mind
  • Personal Growth
  • Raise The Bar
  • In The Zone
  • High Achiever
  • The Red Pill
  • Elite Performer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Personal Branding
  • Leverage Your Strengths

No?

Then I suggest that you move on.

The information that is contained in this blog is not for you.

Please continue on with your ordinary existence.

Yes?

Then strap yourself in!

You are about to go on a ride exploring the depths of personal mastery, the edges of self-management and the extremes of leadership.

Let’s just see how deep the rabbit hole goes …