To Succeed Do This — Not That!

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are.  I don’t believe in circumstances.  The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.”

George Bernard Shaw, Mrs. Warren’s Profession

Many of you have seen this quote before.  At first glance, it doesn’t seem that tax-credits_changing-circumstances-175097remarkable does it?  However, with some further examination, you might find, as I have, it is a pointer to how to live your life, and how to create what you want in your life.

I think it’s one of the things that we sometimes remember.  And then we forget it.  It is as if we are cast out into the raging ocean in a shaky rowboat without any oars.  We then become a victim of our circumstances instead of the creator of them.  When we become the victim, all sorts of events thwart our intentions.  Everything we try seems to go wrong.  Everything appears to be against us.  We think we are doomed.  Our view of the future becomes dark and gloomy with thunder and lightening.  We then become right about how hard it is and that nothing is going to work out—and nothing does work out, which makes us even more right.  This is a vicious cycle.   AND, we can, if not prevent it, at least reverse it.

This is where George Bernard Shaw enters the picture with his wonderful quote.

We can make our own circumstances.  When we begin to act on our own behalf, all sorts of openings begin to occur.

I have seen this reversal happen with many of my coaching clients.  Sometimes, it takes them, first of all, making a commitment to be coached.  Often, setting the first appointment begins the shift of circumstances.  Why?  Because they are then committed to shifting their circumstances rather than being victim of them. The next big shift happens when they begin to talk to their coach about their lost dreams and they are listened to seriously and respectfully.  With a coach, someone who is committed to the idea that something can work, the client can succeed.  The client experiences being whole and complete and not their rotten circumstances.  They begin the process of being the success they know themselves to be.  I have seen this happen many times with my clients.

And how about you?  Have you triumphed over a set of rotten circumstances?  What happened?  I would love to hear your comments about this topic.

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    2 thoughts on “To Succeed Do This — Not That!

    1. Kimberly Altman

      Susan, I loved your message! It is so easy to get into a mode of looking for excuses for why our circumstances are not better than what they sometimes are. It takes real courage to look at ourselves in the mirror and to take responsibility for what we see. Your blog is a great reminder that it’s better to be accountable for what shows up in our lives instead of investing so much of ourselves into being right about what’s not working!

      Reply

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