Chicken Soup is Delicious

I begin first with an admission: I have never read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I love a great inspirational story but here's the deal. When I get those kinds of stories in an email, I tend to dismiss them as made up drivel and find myself saying "Seriously?" or "Give me a break". So, when someone recommended the book "The Success Principles" by co-creator of the the Chicken Soup book series Jack Canfield I thought "Um, pass...." But the glowing review that my acquaintance gave the book challenged me to check it out despite my crankiness toward the whole Chicken Soup series idea.

And yes, as you probably expected--I was wrong to be so stubborn and mean spirited about Mr. Canfield's books. If they are as good as The Success Principles then count me in. (Mental note: Pick up Chicken Soup for the Soul next time I am out and about)

The Success Principles are the nice kick in the butt I needed to finish out the final months of 2009 and stay inspired to continue to deliver quality training and development programs to our current clients, and find new clients who have a need for the services we deliver. I have marked up a lot of the book but the section that really zapped me was his discussion of F E A R. I doubt there is anyone who is not held back in some part of their life because of this little four letter word. In fact, in our public speaking workshops and presentation coaching it is F E A R that limits so many of our participants.

Canfield cleverly refers to fear as FANTASIZED EXPERIENCES APPEARING REAL. And it is our fear that keeps us from truly being successful. So--what is your fear? Mine is rejection. I hate feeling rejected and that keeps me from going out into the world and asking for new business. But I am learning to do it. I love what I do and the only way I can continue is by growing what I've got. And that means asking. And that means getting over my fear.

If your fear is public speaking, confrontation, dealing with your boss, going back to school to pursue your REAL dream, asking that special someone out, telling your kids NO!, finally having that sit down with a distant parent use this short and simple exercise from Canfield's book

I want to ____________, and I scare myself by imagining ______________.

By completing the sentence you are taking away some of the power of your fears. You are taking control for your own destiny by acknowleding that your fear is imagined. Let's say for a moment that your fear is real. Yes--I am going to get rejected by some of the people I ask for their business. But if I re-write my interpretation of these seeming rejections as getting me closer to a YES! then my fear is rendered meaningless.

What is your fear keeping you from?

In Canfield's book he peppers each chapter with some great quotes. My favorite is a fitting close:

"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first" Frederick Wilcox