Tell me how to picture you

[I]The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion![/I]

Today’s column offers a bit of inspiration and a little tool you can use to build winning teams for business or personal goals.

Tell me how to picture you
Make it clear to me
What image best defines success
in visions that you see?

Tell me are you traveling
to lands great, far and wide?
Or, do you sit at home at peace
with time to look inside?

Tell me are you free now
from constraints that make you seethe?
No deadlines! No commitments!!
Time to…aahhhhh…relax and breathe

Tell me what’s that thing you’ll do
the passion that you love
the thing that fits you perfectly
as hand will fit to glove?

Speak it into realness, yes
and dream the dream aloud
You’ll lift the veil of doubt
and pull away the mental shroud

This snapshot of success for you
developed in my mind
Gives both of us more options
to create results in kind

So tell me what to picture
For it’s vital that you do
Your dreams develop faster
with more minds focused on you!

As students of metaphysics, philosophy and theology know, great power is activated and harnessed “when two or more are gathered” in the name of a particular purpose or goal. The resulting irresistible force of the collective intention, energy, thoughts, words and actions of many individuals focused toward a single outcome is what all great social movements, corporations, sports teams and marriages is all about.

As I forge new alliances with individuals and groups here in the CNMI, I have the now frequent opportunity to meet, network and form alliances with various companies and individuals. When forging a direct relationship with someone who’s being considered for my “Passion Prophet Dream Team,” one of the things I insist upon is that he or she tell me (and/or the team) what his or her goals, aspirations and personal vision of future success looks like. My belief is that if all of us, for example, know that “Wendy’s” dream is to own her own organic farm, then she’s got a roomful of supporters, well-wishers, visionaries and “can do” people who will encourage her, send her any information they happen to come across, and, most importantly help her dream come true by “picturing” her already there. It’s what I call the “How Should I Picture You?” Exercise.

Before we start the meeting, we take turns answering the question: “Tell us, Wendy, how should [I] we picture you?” What does your personal success look like? What’s the one image we should all hold in our minds that epitomizes your success, and the creation of the lifestyle and feelings toward which you strive? Are you on a beach? Are you skiing in Aspen? Are you a millionaire now doing good by serving food in a soup kitchen for the homeless? Are you simply grinning from ear to ear knowing that you have enough money so that you don’t have to worry about money? This exercise provides a safe haven for our team members to express their “radical” images of success, and gives us, as well as them, a powerful mental tool with which to achieve it.

I often tell participants in my workshops that one of the “little great pleasures” of the life that I’ve created for myself is having the freedom to “go see movies in the middle of the day.” My personal picture of freedom ALSO includes being out in some ecologically pristine, wide open, natural setting (the mountains, a desert, an ocean) with my Internet-equipped laptop and a cellphone handy, food for the journey, and simply being able to wonder and wander through the experience, soaking in the sunshine, all the while knowing that my company is running smoothly without me being physically present. As I gaze up at the beauty around me, I’m buoyed by the peace of mind that comes from knowing that operations are streamlined, that things are being “taken care of” to my satisfaction, and that my books, tapes and videos are providing guidance to others so that they can create the same outcome! That, my dear family and friends, is how you should picture ME! But enough about me, tell me how to picture YOU?

In my next column I’ll share a vision of success and the reality that’s being changed here on Saipan by a few individuals who have the courage to picture the CNMI as something more than it currently is. Stay tuned. You will be inspired!

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Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!

[I](Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home here in Saipan. To learn more about the Saipanpreneur Project and Walt’s philosophy and formula visit www.saipanpreneur.com and www.passionprofit.com. Send article suggestions, entrepreneur nominations and feedback about this article to walt@passionprofit.com.)[/I]