Ice Chip #36

“Why not?”
 
Hmmmm…. sounds like a bit of cerebral confusion in the making to me.

During a recent conversation with a good friend of mine here in Anchorage, we reached a point in the conversation where I asked him a question?  “So, Todd, do you think you will take a look at the new item when it comes in?”
 
His reply was, “Sure, why not?”
 
At that moment, I said, “Todd, thank you for giving me the concept for next week’s Ice Chip.”
 
He asked, “How so?”
 
From a “Remember the Ice” perspective, when you see or hear a “not”, remove it and what is left?
 
In the instance above, Todd’s reply was, “Sure.  Why?”  There was a quizzical look on his face when he said it; and when I explained my point, his reaction demonstrated a bit of frustration and confusion in what he meant, and meant to say.
 
He really meant to say, “Well, sure.  I am interested.”  (Or something close to that.) 

Think about what you want to attract, or have happen.  That is a key to articulating your message in a clear, concise, empowering way.
 
This is one of my favorite exercises to work with.  It is a simple one, yet has significant implications when focused on in a conversation.
 
So, remember to eradicate your “nots”.  Your life is so much simpler.
 
Eliminate that cerebral confusion.  Use empowering words in your messages.
 
As always:  There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation.

Empowering regards,  

Bob

October 27, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #35

Alive.  Next.

While listening to a recent Jim Rome Sports Radio Talk Show; I was very interested in his comments about the powerful message of:  Not Dead, Can’t Quit: No Limit Thinking with Navy SEAL Vet Richard Machowicz.  Jim had heard it several times and was discussing the recent performance – or lack thereof – of a few NFL teams, wondering if some of them had already quit on the season.

I was really tuned in to both Jim’s comments and Rick’s story. 

I decided to research Rick on the web and found a great video of him addressing the 2008 Oakland Raiders Football Team at a casual function.  Here are some comments from that talk.  His focus is on never quitting.

 “It’s the consistent progress or moving toward the thing they want to do, regardless of whatever ‘thing’ comes up — and I call that thing “quitting.” That quitting conversation will show up a hundred different ways.”

“A man can only be beaten in two ways:  if he gives up or he dies.”   

Rick decided if he was in a situation with extreme stress or pressure, that statement was too long; so he wanted to shorten the sentence.   He shortened it to:  “Not Dead, Can’t Quit.  As long as I had a thought, I was still in the game.”

“Quitting is a subtle conversation.”  It is an insidious conversation.  It will appear when you are pressed to the limit.

“Literally, it’s a very simple process of getting on target and moving forward vs. the conversation that leads to quitting. And those conversations show up every day for people. And really, that’s the battle. That’s the war. If there’s a war going on, really the war is within yourself and one you have to confront day after day

“You’ve got to be able to generate within yourself the mind frame that you must always be going forward.”

On first blush, or first glance; Rick’s thoughts are quite powerful and inspirational.  I commend him on his 10 years of extraordinary service as a Navy SEAL, and his intense committment to follow through to achieving his goal. 

From a Remember the Ice perspective, I wanted to offer an empowering alternative to his concept.

Alive.  Next.

His comment:  “You’ve got to be able to generate within yourself the mind frame that you must always be going forward;” truly embodies the above two words.

This is the time to draw upon your newly minted empowering word choice.  From a Remember the Ice perspective, his concept suggests:  Dead.  Can Quit.  There is no way he could possibly think that way with the successes he has experienced and the circumstances he has overcome.

I believe his message is more powerful by focusing on being Alive and on the Next right thing to do.

One day I hope to have the honor of meeting this decorated soldier.  He has a powerful message to share.

We all have powerful messages that can be enhanced by focusing on our choice of words used to convey them.  Keep your focus keen and sharp.

Alive.  Next.

Empowering regards,

Bob


P.S.  Our “(k)notty word” poll is up to 468.  Would love to get to 500…. Make your selections. 

October 19, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | 2 Comments 

Ice Chip #34

Thank you to Allen N. from Phoenix for this week’s Ice Chip inspiration.  He accessed Wikipedia while looking for a definition of:  Paradigm; and found this:

Paradigm Paralysis

Perhaps the greatest barrier to a paradigm shift, in some cases, is the reality of paradigm paralysis: the inability or refusal to see beyond the current models of thinking. This is similar to what Psychologists term Confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias (or myside bias) is an irrational tendency to search for, interpret or remember information in a way that confirms preconceptions or working hypotheses. It is a type of cognitive bias and a systematic error of inductive reasoning. These biases in information processing are distinguished from the behavioral confirmation effect (also called self-fulfilling prophecy), in which people’s expectations influence their own behavior.

When we are wrapped up in knots, our ability to see the empowering alternatives is hampered by the tightness of the “knot”.  As we begin to unravel them and see how we can articulate with more clarity, the outcomes align with our desired outcomes.

Embracing the concept that there is power in the clarity of your articulation helps you to attract more of what you want.  Be willing to use empowering alternatives to the “(k)notty words”.

Keep your focus on your goals.  That’s where the action is.

Enjoy your week,

Best regards,

Bob

October 14, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #33

“I had to start from scratch…..”

Since May 2008 I have been growing my network on Ecademy.com and recently I received a message from a fellow member describing how she was disappointed about have to start from scratch because of a career change. 

I thought about this, and smiled.  

“Scratch” is the best place to start in any endeavor.  It is where the most possibilities are.  You can begin to create your own dreams in an unencumbered place.  The good news is there will be mentors along the way who have been there as well.  They have developed insightful and meaningful steps that can lead you from “scratch” to your desired goal.  “Scratch” is just the beginning of a successful journey. 

Learning how to reframe your word choice is similar to starting from scratch.  Think of the myriad of possibilities for new articulation.  Your reframed messages will empower you to attract more of what you want.

Embrace starting from scratch and go through the rest of the day eliminating at least one of the “(k)notty words”.  I know we have focused on this before…… remember, repetition is the mother of skill. 

———————————————————-

Special Announcement! 

Mark your calendars for Wednesday October 28th, from 4:00 to 8:00PM. 

To celebrate the first anniversary of the release of:  Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts, RTI Community Member, Carter Financial Group is graciously hosting an event at the Petroleum Club in Anchorage, located at 3301 C St, #120.  

Come by for some hors d’oeuvres and a no host cash bar, and enjoy this celebratory book signing.  Meet Bob and network with other supporters of Remember the Ice. 

Have a phenomenal week and make plans to come by on the 28th. 

Best regards, 

Bob

October 6, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

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