Ice Chip #7

Let me say I apologize for the lateness of this week’s Ice Chip.  I had a cardiac incident on Saturday afternoon, and now have a stent in one of my arteries.

Yes, around 2PM on 3-28, I had a wake-up call.  A blessing in the form of an opportunity to shift some paradigms for my life.

I am very grateful for this opportunity.

While in the hospital, I was away from my computer and away from emails.  When I returned home on Tuesday, I found the following Quote Action in my inbox dated Sunday 03-29-09:

Here’s your “QuoteAction” of the day:

“The art of living is always to make a good thing out of a bad thing.”
Economist, E.F. Schumaker

Your action for today is to take a bad thing that has happened
to you recently and see if you can make a good thing out of it.

Enjoy an extraordinary day!

What an incredible coincidence!!

I am so blessed by the love and care of my wonderful wife, partner and best friend:  Nancy.  The care I received from the medical team…my friends…the calls…and emails…and well wishes…and flowers and cards; went way beyond anything I could have imagined.   THANK YOU ALL FOR THESE PRECIOUS GIFTS!!

So here is an Ice Chip that will forever change my point of view:

“I embrace any circumstances that come my way, because I have been blessed with an opportunity to shine in excellence.”  ~~Bob Nicoll

Remember to acknowledge your areas of growth and change, as well as your greatness.

You are a remarkable miracle, and it is my honor to continue to share this journey with you.

Until next week….

Best regards, and love and respect,

Bob

March 31, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #6

In the spirit of moving forward and attracting more of what we want, here are a couple of follow up thoughts on the last “Ice Chip”.  Articulating what you would like to have happen in your business or in your relationships is an exercise in clarity.

By focusing on the most empowering word choice you can use to get your message across, you can create an opportunity for a new perspective. 

For example:  You start with, “My business is really down, our revenue is low, and basically—I’m broke.” 

There will be a focus on “business is down, revenue is low, and I’m broke.”

How can I get excited about moving forward, when I am down, low and broke?

From a different point of view, what if we focused on the following alternatives?

There are opportunities for excellence in a number of areas.  We can focus on Providing Exceptional Care for Our Valued Clients.  We can choose a strategy for enhancing our productivity, and make sure our team focus is about creating abundance.”

Look at where the focus is now:

Opportunities, excellence, Exceptional Care, Valued Clients, enhancing productivity, creating abundance.

Each of these phrases keeps the reader focused on a desired outcome.

Keep your eye on your desired outcome.  Enjoy the process.

Next week we will be outlining our process of education.

Until then, Best regards,

Bob

March 23, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #5

The process of spotting “(k)notty words” can be broken down to a lowest common denominator that is actually question:

Are your words drawing you closer to your goal, or pushing you away from your goal?  In my coaching, I teach my clients to think about the words they use and imagine themselves either moving forward or taking a step backward.

Here is an example:  I refuse to participate in a recession.  Initially, this seems like a fairly positive statement; one that shares a positive attitude.

Upon closer scrutiny, let’s take a look at the word choice.  If you were to stand and think about the words refuse; participate and recession.  Refuse suggests moving away from your goal.  (So, take a full step backward.)  Participate suggests moving toward your goal.  (So take that step forward.)  Recession suggests moving away from your goal as well. (So take a step backward once again.)

Wait, you are further away from your goal than where you started! 

What if your rephrase that original statement to:  I choose to be successful in my business now. If you were to stand and think about the words choose; successful and now. Choose suggests moving toward your goal.  (So take a full step forward.)  And successful also suggests moving toward your goal.  (So take another full step forward.)  And now suggests moving forward as well.

Now you are three steps closer to your goal!!

Okay, I know it seems like a “persnickety” example.  However—it helps you visualize the importance of your word choice.

Hmmm…… Don’t forget the ice……Remember the Ice…..  Your choice….

Until next week….

Best regards,

Bob

March 16, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #4

This week’s tip continues the focus of spotting the “(k)notty” words.  Several of you have sent pictures of signs containing (k)notty words, and I am very appreciative.

I am including a short YouTube video about this project and invite you to watch it at your convenience. This has become a fun project as you are becoming more and more engaged in identifying these examples of disempowering word choice.

Remember, take a picture and email it to:  bob.nicoll@remembertheice.com  

Consider identifying one of the “(k)notty” words to refrain from using for the week. Let’s say you decide to refrain from using “can’t”.  Focus on when you are thinking about saying it, then decide on what you would like to attract; or would like to have happen instead; or focus on seeing yourself accomplishing the task. Find an empowering alternative for that (k)notty word.  (HINT:  Sometimes it is as simple as just removing the “(k)not” and shifting a word or two.)

Example:  “I can’t see myself doing that presentation in front of everyone.”

Remove the “(k)not” and shift the “everyone”; and realize that you are actually saying:

I can see myself doing that presentation in front of my fellow team members. 

By removing the (k)not and the absolute, you have found an opportunity to express yourself and contribute to the success of your team/organization. 

Enjoy the shifts you are making to attract the life you want through empowering word choice.

Until next week….
 
Best regards,
Bob

March 10, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #3

This week’s tip focuses on spotting the “(k)notty” words.

Last weeks Ice Chip reminded us of the story behind Remember the Ice.  When I saw the disempowering sign Rick had about the ice, I focused on rephrasing it, and offered him a more empowering alternative.

This week is the start of what I hope will become a focus for each of you.

Looking for pictures of signs with “(k)notty words” in them.

“Not, Don’t, Can’t, Won’t, Wouldn’t, Couldn’t, Shouldn’t” are examples of what I call the “(k)notty words”.  I am in search of the most widely abused “(k)notty word phrases” in print. 

Can you, and Will you help me?

Just take a picture of a sign with the “(k)notty words” in them, tell me where you found it; and include a picture of yourself if you like, and email them to me at bob.nicoll@remembertheice.com 

Most importantly, think about how you would rephrase the statement from an empowered point of view.

These will become part of a book I am creating.

Thank you so much for your help, and please feel free to pass this on to your friends around the world.  (At the moment, I am seeking signs in English only)

Again, thank you, and I hope to hear from you.

Until next week….

Best regards,

Bob

March 3, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

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