There is a lot of hype in the self help genre about meditation and visualization. There is also a lot of skepticism by business professionals. That is because the case for meditation and visualization, often associated with the law of attraction, has been grossly overstated. Yes, visualization works. You can bring about amazing things through meditation and visualization. But it isn’t magic.
Let me state now, it isn’t dangerous. You didn’t attract the car accident by having negative thoughts. You may have attracted it by being tired or distracted, but not by having bad self talk or a bad visualization model. I grew up in the East Texas Bible belt where there was always someone telling me if I had the right kind of faith, good things would happen to me. If bad things happened, I just didn’t have enough faith. That is a bunch of baloney. A lot of what I hear about self talk, meditation, visualization and the law of attraction is the same snake oil with a new label.
I have also heard the law of attraction touted as the key to success in business. If you want to succeed in business, you need a good business plan, dynamite marketing, great customer service and a lot of hard work. Meditation and visualization have their place; one could even argue they are essential. But they are no substitute.
Now that I have begun this chapter with an overdone caveat, let’s talk about what is real and practical about mediation and visualization.
The DC Experiment
John Hagelin hypothesized that if enough people meditated in a city, they could measurably reduce the crime rate. In 1993, an experiment was conducted in the nation’s capital. About 500 people gathered in Washington DC and began meditating toward the specific purpose of reducing the crime rate in the city. At the end of 4 weeks, the crime rate had dropped about 2%. Then there was a marked increase in the number of individuals meditating. By the end of the eighth week, there were almost 4,000 people gathering and mediating. By the end of the 2 month experiment, the crime rate had dropped 23 %.
Clinical Trials
There have been a few clinical trials on the effects of intercessory prayer (a form of meditation) in the treatment of disease. In 1988 the Southern Medical Journal reported a significant better recovery of heart patients that received intercessory prayer as part of their therapy. A similar study with rheumatoid arthritis patients was published in 2000 in the same journal. Again, patients who received in person intercessory prayer had significantly improved recoveries.
To some, measurable results from prayer, meditation and visualization seems spooky and mysterious. There is really nothing mysterious about it. Mind, body and spirit are interconnected. We have all experienced how strengthening the body gives strength to the mind and spirit. Illness that affects the body, can also affect the mind and spirit. Why must we start with the body? Doesn’t it stand to reason that if we strengthen the spirit, the body and mind will follow?
The Chardinian Noosphere and Chicken Salad
We operate a small coffee and sandwich shop. We offer nine different kinds of sandwiches, all of which are roughly equally popular. The other day my daughter reported to me that is seemed everyone who came in ordered a chicken salad sandwich. Why did on this one day chicken salad more than double in popularity? The common vernacular answer is “There is something in the air.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Jesuit priest and philosopher, might say, “Yes, there is something in the air, and it is the collective consciousness.” His theory was that there is a collective consciousness emanating from the interaction of human minds. This collective consciousness, he called the noosphere (from the Greek word for mind, nous). The noosphere is evolving and integrating with conscious human though until it reaches total integration which he called the Omega point.
This may seem like pretty far out stuff, but why is it that sometimes everyone seems to get the same idea? Is the collective consciousness whispering in people’s ears, “Eat chicken salad today.”?
Attitude is Contagious
Have you ever been in a room with friends, having a pleasant discussion, when in walks a newcomer? Sometimes the newcomer is ridiculously happy and excited. Perhaps everyone laughs at first, but as the newcomer shares his excitement, soon the spirits of everyone in the room are lifted. At other times the newcomer may be despondent and depressed. Soon people begin to leave because of the uneasiness everyone is feeling. There is a collective consciousness of everyone in the room. The introduction of a newcomer can affect that consciousness either positively or negatively. Either way, soon everyone is feeling it.
Collective Consciousness on a National Scale
The history of America is the history of dissenters. From the Federalist Papers to Henry David Thoreau to John Reed, America has prided herself in her dissenters. These dissenters usually develop a following, but are generally forgotten except in the halls of academia. But in 1968 America was reshaped by the voice of dissention.
The early 60’s were as American as apple pie. Popular music was dominated by folk songs sung by clean cut young men like the Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four. But in 1968 everything changed. Why did previous dissenters have to settle for a small following, while in 1968 there were so many dissenting voices that it became a chorus of dissent that changed the direction of the country forever. It was something in the air.
Prayer, meditation and visualization are ways of putting something into the air. It joins the noosphere of collective consciousness and rejoins the world of tangible reality, sometimes in very dramatic ways.
The 1980 Soviet Olympic Team
In 1980, the Soviets conducted a visualization experiment. They divided the athletes into four groups. The first group practiced as usual. The second group devoted 25% of their practice time to visualization. The third group devoted 50% of their practice time to visualization. The fourth group devoted 75% of their practice time to visualization. At the 1980 Olympics, the group that spent 75% of their time practicing physically and devoted 25% of their practice time to visualization won the most medals.
John Asaraf’s House
John Asaraf tells the story in his book, The Answer, of how, when he was a young realtor in Indiana, he had a vision board of things he wanted to achieve. Among other things, he cut a picture of a house out of a magazine and glued it to his vision board. It was a big beautiful house, and he considered this his dream home. Five years later, he decided to move to California. When unpacking, he found his old dream boards. Looking over them he realized that without conscious awareness, he had purchased the exact house he had glued to his vision board five years earlier.
WFA Franchise Consultants
Friday, January 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Compelling Vision
A compelling vision will attract people and resources to help you get there. The more vivid and compelling the vision, the more people and resources will line up to propel you to your goal.
Mother Theresa had a vision to help the poorest of the poor. She took a vow of poverty and lived among the poor of Calcutta, India. She gave herself to the sick, the penniless and the dying. Her vision was so compelling that thousands lined up to help her fulfill her vision. At the time of her death, over sisters of charity were devoted to fulfilling her vision, and her order controlled over $40,000,000, mostly in real estate, for the purpose of caring for the poorest of the poor. Not bad for someone who personally never owned more than 2 saris and a bucket to wash them in. Her mustard seed was her compelling vision.
What makes a vision compelling to others?
First, for your vision to compel others to join your cause, it must be clearly stated. People will not follow a vague proposition. They need to understand where your vision is leading and how it will benefit them.
Second, for your vision to compel others it must be identifiable. People need to identify with your vision. They will follow a vision that they feel is theirs as well as yours.
Third, your vision must offer hope. Your greatest gift to those who would follow you is hope. Stir hope in the hearts of those who would follow your vision. You will not lack for support in fulfilling your goals.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Mother Theresa had a vision to help the poorest of the poor. She took a vow of poverty and lived among the poor of Calcutta, India. She gave herself to the sick, the penniless and the dying. Her vision was so compelling that thousands lined up to help her fulfill her vision. At the time of her death, over sisters of charity were devoted to fulfilling her vision, and her order controlled over $40,000,000, mostly in real estate, for the purpose of caring for the poorest of the poor. Not bad for someone who personally never owned more than 2 saris and a bucket to wash them in. Her mustard seed was her compelling vision.
What makes a vision compelling to others?
First, for your vision to compel others to join your cause, it must be clearly stated. People will not follow a vague proposition. They need to understand where your vision is leading and how it will benefit them.
Second, for your vision to compel others it must be identifiable. People need to identify with your vision. They will follow a vision that they feel is theirs as well as yours.
Third, your vision must offer hope. Your greatest gift to those who would follow you is hope. Stir hope in the hearts of those who would follow your vision. You will not lack for support in fulfilling your goals.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Friday, December 11, 2009
You Were Created To Create
Each of us was created in the image of the creator. Creating is what comes most naturally to us.
Normally when we think of creating, we think of artistic endeavors - prose, poetry, music, art. Those are high forms of creating, but even in the day to day, we can’t help but create.
We look at someone across the room and we create interest. We deal with a daily problem and create a solution. We fall asleep and create vivid dreams arising from our imagination.
What if we could create our future? You not only can, you will.
If you choose to let it happen on its own, you have created a future that is very much like today. But if you choose to consciously employ vision, goal setting, affirmations and careful planning to create your future, then you can create the future of your dreams.
An organization that is committed to creative collaboration will ride the wave of the future. They will go beyond the realm of assumptive thinking and welcome the dawn of innovation...because there is nothing more empowering than an idea whose time has come.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Normally when we think of creating, we think of artistic endeavors - prose, poetry, music, art. Those are high forms of creating, but even in the day to day, we can’t help but create.
We look at someone across the room and we create interest. We deal with a daily problem and create a solution. We fall asleep and create vivid dreams arising from our imagination.
What if we could create our future? You not only can, you will.
If you choose to let it happen on its own, you have created a future that is very much like today. But if you choose to consciously employ vision, goal setting, affirmations and careful planning to create your future, then you can create the future of your dreams.
An organization that is committed to creative collaboration will ride the wave of the future. They will go beyond the realm of assumptive thinking and welcome the dawn of innovation...because there is nothing more empowering than an idea whose time has come.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Monday, November 30, 2009
You Were Created To Succeed
You Were Created To Succeed
A Guided Mediation
First, let's start with relaxation. Sit in a comfortable position where you are fully supported.
Take a deep breath inhaling through your nose and exhaling out through your mouth. Focus on your breath. Shut out all other thoughts and feel your breath pass in through your nose and out through your mouth.
With each breath imagine, you are breathing in peace. As you exhale through your mouth imagine you are exhaling tension , anxiety and worry. Say to yourself:
"Breath in peace. Breath our tension"
"Breath in peace. Breath out fear."
"Breath in peace. Breath out worry."
Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth in the beginning will help you focus on your breath, but it is not necessary to continue to breath that way throughout the meditation.
Focus on your head. Notice any tension, and tell yourself to relax. Relax your scalp. Relax your face. Relax your jaw..Your jaw may drop slightly. Your mouth may open that is okay but not necessary.
Focus on your neck and shoulders. Tell your neck and shoulders to relax. feel the tension peel away from your neck and shoulders. Continue to breathe deeply and naturally.
Now focus on your chest and diaphragm. Relax your chest and diaphragm. Relax your stomach and mid section. As you relax, you should feel your stomach move in and out with each breath. That is because you are breathing deeply and naturally. Each breath continues to inhale peace and exhale tension, anxiety and worry.
Now focus on your hips and thighs. Completely relax your hips and thighs. Don't worry, you will not fall over because you are perfectly centered and balanced.
Focus on your calves and feet. Completely relax your calves and feet. Feel all tension drain out of your feet. You are now completely relaxed.
In your mind's eye, picture yourself walking down a forest trail. All around you is green. The earth is soft beneath your feet. The overhead canopy casts a greenish glow all around you.
You walk out of the trail onto a beach. There is warm sand beneath your feet. Before you is a large body of water. But it is unlike any other lake or river or ocean you have ever seen . It is so big and vast that you cannot see the other side. but the water is crystal clear like a spring fed pool. You see no rocks, only white sand leading gently down into the water. You hear the gentle lapping of barely perceptible waves. You hear a bird chirping. There is cleanness to the air. You expect to smell salt, as if you were at the ocean, but instead all you smell is a fresh cleanness, as if this water were cleansing all it touched, even the air that passed above it.
You are now engulfed in bright sunlight. You feel the warmth of the sun on your face. You are all alone so you strip off your clothing until you are naked, feeling the sun warm your skin.
You slowly begin to walk into the water. You find the water refreshingly cool. You feel the sand and water surround your feet and notice even more tension drain away from you. You slowly walk into the water feeling its refreshing coolness engulf your ankles and calves. The water is refreshing and renewing as it continues to surround your thighs and hips. You continue to walk into the water. You have a sensation of being cleansed as it continues to rise to your stomach and chest. As the water reaches your shoulders, you lean back and begin to float effortlessly.
You relax and breath easily, deeply and naturally. With your ears beneath the surface of the water you are engulfed in silence. There is no sound. And in that complete silence you hear a gentle voice speaking to you softly as if in a whisper. You recognize it as the voice of God. You recognize it because you knew that voice as a young child, before worries and fears and the noise of other's expectations drowned it out. The voice of God speaks three things to you.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
As you float effortlessly in this cleansing pool, you meditate on what those three words mean in your relationship with your family and friends.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
As you relax in complete peace, you reflect on what those three words mean in your vocation, job or business.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
As all pain and disappointment of your past are washed away by the purity of this pond, you visualize what those three words mean for your future.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
It is time to leave the water. You stand up and feel the soft sand beneath your feet. As you walk back towards the beach, you feel the water drain away from your body. Beginning with your head and shoulders, then draining from your chest, stomach, hips, legs and feet. As the water drains from your body, you feel renewed as if all fear and self-doubt are being removed from you, washed away by the pure spring.
You stand again on the beach, warmed by the sun. You feel new. You are empowered with a new life and a new vision. You are filled with a new strength. You are ready to step back into the activities of your daily life, but with a new hope and a new joy.
To your success,
Ed Wills
Inter-Networking.net
WFAFranchiseConsultants.com
A Guided Mediation
First, let's start with relaxation. Sit in a comfortable position where you are fully supported.
Take a deep breath inhaling through your nose and exhaling out through your mouth. Focus on your breath. Shut out all other thoughts and feel your breath pass in through your nose and out through your mouth.
With each breath imagine, you are breathing in peace. As you exhale through your mouth imagine you are exhaling tension , anxiety and worry. Say to yourself:
"Breath in peace. Breath our tension"
"Breath in peace. Breath out fear."
"Breath in peace. Breath out worry."
Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth in the beginning will help you focus on your breath, but it is not necessary to continue to breath that way throughout the meditation.
Focus on your head. Notice any tension, and tell yourself to relax. Relax your scalp. Relax your face. Relax your jaw..Your jaw may drop slightly. Your mouth may open that is okay but not necessary.
Focus on your neck and shoulders. Tell your neck and shoulders to relax. feel the tension peel away from your neck and shoulders. Continue to breathe deeply and naturally.
Now focus on your chest and diaphragm. Relax your chest and diaphragm. Relax your stomach and mid section. As you relax, you should feel your stomach move in and out with each breath. That is because you are breathing deeply and naturally. Each breath continues to inhale peace and exhale tension, anxiety and worry.
Now focus on your hips and thighs. Completely relax your hips and thighs. Don't worry, you will not fall over because you are perfectly centered and balanced.
Focus on your calves and feet. Completely relax your calves and feet. Feel all tension drain out of your feet. You are now completely relaxed.
In your mind's eye, picture yourself walking down a forest trail. All around you is green. The earth is soft beneath your feet. The overhead canopy casts a greenish glow all around you.
You walk out of the trail onto a beach. There is warm sand beneath your feet. Before you is a large body of water. But it is unlike any other lake or river or ocean you have ever seen . It is so big and vast that you cannot see the other side. but the water is crystal clear like a spring fed pool. You see no rocks, only white sand leading gently down into the water. You hear the gentle lapping of barely perceptible waves. You hear a bird chirping. There is cleanness to the air. You expect to smell salt, as if you were at the ocean, but instead all you smell is a fresh cleanness, as if this water were cleansing all it touched, even the air that passed above it.
You are now engulfed in bright sunlight. You feel the warmth of the sun on your face. You are all alone so you strip off your clothing until you are naked, feeling the sun warm your skin.
You slowly begin to walk into the water. You find the water refreshingly cool. You feel the sand and water surround your feet and notice even more tension drain away from you. You slowly walk into the water feeling its refreshing coolness engulf your ankles and calves. The water is refreshing and renewing as it continues to surround your thighs and hips. You continue to walk into the water. You have a sensation of being cleansed as it continues to rise to your stomach and chest. As the water reaches your shoulders, you lean back and begin to float effortlessly.
You relax and breath easily, deeply and naturally. With your ears beneath the surface of the water you are engulfed in silence. There is no sound. And in that complete silence you hear a gentle voice speaking to you softly as if in a whisper. You recognize it as the voice of God. You recognize it because you knew that voice as a young child, before worries and fears and the noise of other's expectations drowned it out. The voice of God speaks three things to you.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
As you float effortlessly in this cleansing pool, you meditate on what those three words mean in your relationship with your family and friends.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
As you relax in complete peace, you reflect on what those three words mean in your vocation, job or business.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
As all pain and disappointment of your past are washed away by the purity of this pond, you visualize what those three words mean for your future.
"I created your to prosper."
"I created you to succeed."
"I created you to enjoy my goodness."
It is time to leave the water. You stand up and feel the soft sand beneath your feet. As you walk back towards the beach, you feel the water drain away from your body. Beginning with your head and shoulders, then draining from your chest, stomach, hips, legs and feet. As the water drains from your body, you feel renewed as if all fear and self-doubt are being removed from you, washed away by the pure spring.
You stand again on the beach, warmed by the sun. You feel new. You are empowered with a new life and a new vision. You are filled with a new strength. You are ready to step back into the activities of your daily life, but with a new hope and a new joy.
To your success,
Ed Wills
Inter-Networking.net
WFAFranchiseConsultants.com
Monday, November 9, 2009
Adventure
What is the adventure of your dreams? Sailing in Naranghanset Bay? Mountain climbing in the Rockies? Hiking the Appalachian Trail?
Your adventure can fuel your drive.
Prepare for your future. Plan it as if you were certain it would be accomplished.
Imagine the elation of realizing your ideal adventure. Think about it every day.
You can become your ideal self. You can live the adventure of your dreams.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Your adventure can fuel your drive.
Prepare for your future. Plan it as if you were certain it would be accomplished.
Imagine the elation of realizing your ideal adventure. Think about it every day.
You can become your ideal self. You can live the adventure of your dreams.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Immediate vs. Important.
Many people live in (and many companies operate in) "crisis mode". That is because we become so distracted by the tyranny of the immediate, that we completely loose sight of the important. Do that long enough and soon our days are dictated by the urgent. In other words, we are in "crisis mode".
Let's look at health as an example.
When Hippocrates was defining the medical profession in the fifth century BC, he insisted that maintaining health was more important than repairing injury or disease. Ask most people what doctors are for and they will tell you they are to fix you when sick. Few think of their physician as health guide, but their sick fixer. In other words we ignore what is important until it becomes an immediate crisis.
Some issues are both immediate and important, such as a serious illness. These tend to get the most attention. Others are immediate but not so important, such as, "I'm hungry now." Still others are important, but not immediate, "I want to eat healthy meals and exercise daily."
Most people tend to prioritize their life and their time like this.
Immediate and Important
"I think I'm having a heart attack"
Immediate but not Important
"It's lunchtime. I'm hungry. I'll just go buy get some fast food."
Important
"I should get up earlier so I can exercise and fix a healthy meal to take with me for lunch."
The point is that while those issues that are immediate and important must be taken care of first, placing more emphasis on those issues that are important but not yet immediate will help prevent us from being driven by crisis.
How does this look in business?
- If an account executive doesn't take the time to do the proper follow up with a client, he will soon be in "crisis mode" trying to save the account or replace a lost account with a new one.
- If a manager doesn't take to time to notice and reward good performance, he will soon be in "crisis mode" having to hire and train new employees.
- If a technician doesn't take the time to study and stay current with the newest technologies, he will soon be in "crisis mode" having to find a new job.
Don't just be efficient with your time; be effective with your time.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Many people live in (and many companies operate in) "crisis mode". That is because we become so distracted by the tyranny of the immediate, that we completely loose sight of the important. Do that long enough and soon our days are dictated by the urgent. In other words, we are in "crisis mode".
Let's look at health as an example.
When Hippocrates was defining the medical profession in the fifth century BC, he insisted that maintaining health was more important than repairing injury or disease. Ask most people what doctors are for and they will tell you they are to fix you when sick. Few think of their physician as health guide, but their sick fixer. In other words we ignore what is important until it becomes an immediate crisis.
Some issues are both immediate and important, such as a serious illness. These tend to get the most attention. Others are immediate but not so important, such as, "I'm hungry now." Still others are important, but not immediate, "I want to eat healthy meals and exercise daily."
Most people tend to prioritize their life and their time like this.
Immediate and Important
"I think I'm having a heart attack"
Immediate but not Important
"It's lunchtime. I'm hungry. I'll just go buy get some fast food."
Important
"I should get up earlier so I can exercise and fix a healthy meal to take with me for lunch."
The point is that while those issues that are immediate and important must be taken care of first, placing more emphasis on those issues that are important but not yet immediate will help prevent us from being driven by crisis.
How does this look in business?
- If an account executive doesn't take the time to do the proper follow up with a client, he will soon be in "crisis mode" trying to save the account or replace a lost account with a new one.
- If a manager doesn't take to time to notice and reward good performance, he will soon be in "crisis mode" having to hire and train new employees.
- If a technician doesn't take the time to study and stay current with the newest technologies, he will soon be in "crisis mode" having to find a new job.
Don't just be efficient with your time; be effective with your time.
Ed Wills
WFA Franchise Consultants
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Step by Step
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, “The longest journey begins with one step.” That’s not entirely true. A successful journey begins with some planning and a map that tells you how to reach your destination. But all the planning and preparation won’t get you to your destination unless you start walking.
Don’t be overwhelmed focusing on long range goals that seem too giant to achieve. Use long range goals as a vision to inspire you to keep moving, but you don’t need to focus any farther than the next step.
Have you laid out your plan to success? What are you milestones? What is the next step on your plan of action?
Follow your blueprint. Take the next step.
Ed Wills
Inter-Networking.Net
Don’t be overwhelmed focusing on long range goals that seem too giant to achieve. Use long range goals as a vision to inspire you to keep moving, but you don’t need to focus any farther than the next step.
Have you laid out your plan to success? What are you milestones? What is the next step on your plan of action?
Follow your blueprint. Take the next step.
Ed Wills
Inter-Networking.Net
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