Do You Have A Creative Imagination?

"Many a false step is made while standing still." - Chinese Proverb

Here's a quick refresher on the importance of shaping it in your mind to find it in your life.

Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton described how she rehearsed her routines in her mind visualizing every step, every leap every placement before putting her body to the actual performance.

Bodybuilding champion and film star turned Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, said that lifting weights is only a physical follow-through to visualization, as long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something.

He said, "I visualize myself being there already having already achieved the goal."

Concert pianists often practice in their head when readying a piece for performance. Once they've memorized it they can play it in their mind without the piano. They visualize the keyboard, then they can practice in an airport or on the kitchen table.

Of course none of the successful people achieve their goals through imagination alone; picturing an end result only broadens and deepens the range of targets that your automatic success mechanism can shoot for.

It's still up to you to do the work.

Release the power of your imagination, visualizing positive results can point your subconscious mind toward these results.

But the opposite is true as well.

Remember, your subconscious mind can't take a joke. To your subconscious mind a destructive image can be as equally valid as a creative one.

"Creative imagination is not something reserved for the poets, the philosophers and the inventors. Imagination sets the goal and the picture which our automatic success mechanism works on. We act or fail to act, not because of will, as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination." - Dr. Maxwell Maltz.

Use your imagination, be creative. The rest will work itself out.

Until next time, put everything you have into everything you do.

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

Contract to Expand

"Attachment to certain beliefs can create a false illusion of what we're truly capable of. Detachment from these same beliefs will free you to explore your true capacity." - David Martin

Over the years there have been a number of things that I picked up a long the way that provide excellent examples. One such lesson is that of flexibility, although it may not be what you're thinking.

In my early days as an athlete at the US Olympic Training Center I was introduced to a technique to increase my flexibility called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) or Isometric Stretching.

The technique allowed me to achieve major increases in my flexibility and also to assist in recovery from injuries as needed. The basic idea is that by contracting your muscles, you can expand their flexibility.

How it works (make sure to consult with your health professional before attempting any exercise. The following is only to illustrate a concept and is not to be construed as advice):

Example: Sitting in a hurdler's stretch (one leg pulled back), you would lean forward trying to touch your head to your knee. After you reach your maximum stretch, back off a bit, then contract your hamstring, almost as if you're pulling it into the ground. Maintain the contraction for 15 - 30 seconds, then relax the muscle.

Now stretch your head toward your knee again. You'll find that you can go much further this time, possibly all the way, depending on what level of flexibility you had already attained.

And, how can it assist you to move toward your goals?

Simple; contract your mind to expand your possibilities.

Get rid of the JUNK!

Too much going on, too many goals, too much "stuff" to focus on, can divert your energies and actually hinder your progress.

One of the concepts I recommend to my members & students is this. After you clearly define your goals, then select THREE to concentrate your energies on for the remainder of the year.

That's it...three.

By doing this, you'll make faster progress on toward your goals AND you'll invoke the principle of Collateral Success. That means you'll still achieve other goals due to the effort you're making to the main goals.

So, "Contract To Expand". You'll find results pour in faster than you can imagine.

Until next time, put everything you have into everything you do.

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

The No Complaining Rule.....Really!

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." - Vince Lombardi

I came across this in an old journal that I have. Unsure as to its origin. Its good stuff and in light of recent experiences on the airlines, I felt it was a proper addition.

Short, sweet and to the point.

Like it or not, it's your choice to improve the situation.

When you complain about something whether silently or out loud, you're attaching yourself to it more firmly. Complaining directs your energy toward perpetuating the very things about which you're complaining.

There is a far more effective approach, and that is to propose a positive alternative. A complaint merely reinforces what is wrong, while a positive alternative sets about to actually change the situation for the better.

Complaints, because of their negative nature, are usually met with some degree of defensiveness. Positive alternatives, on the other hand, tend to more naturally be met with cooperation and appreciation.

As a rule most complaints stem from a genuine desire to improve the situation, but usually the complaint itself is not enough to do that. So go beyond the complaint and use that energy to truly make a positive difference.

The next time you have the urge to complain, stop and ask yourself what it is you really want. Do you simply want to complain or do you want to do something that's going to improve the situation?

Rather than aggravating a bad situation with your complaints, transform it with your positive thoughts, ideas and actions.

Well stated.

Until next time, Show Up, Suit Up & Step Up!

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

Looking On The Inside

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

So over the past few weeks it seems I've been on a plane quite a bit. And as you know I am a people watcher. It provides me with quite a bit of content for the newsletter.

Yesterday on the flight into Dallas from Albuquerque there were several delays, all due to weather in Dallas. Thunderstorms actually, which caused my flight to wait on the tarmac in Albuquerque for about an hour.

Delay #1.

Once we arrived to DFW airport, due to all of the other flights being delayed we had to wait for 35 other planes to push away form the gates before we could taxi to our gate and deplane.

Another hour - Delay #2.

Whilst on the tarmac in Dallas we were receiving updates fromthe captain as to our status in line. One gentleman was apparently not listening and when he requested his personal update he did so in a manner that defies explanation.

The stewardess, flight attendant, or whatever term is being used today, was polite and courteous. She addressed the man's question, asked if there was anything else and walked away.

Without a hint or a warning of any kind he flew into a tirade against the woman claiming that she was ignoring him and how could he be treated in such a manner.

She returned and apologized for any misunderstanding then asked if he would repeat his question. He would not.

He simply continued to barrage her with insults and negativity that was in my not so humble opinion, totally uncalled for.

One of the saddest aspects of this story was that his son was watching this entire drama play out. THEN he told his son, "If you want to get people to answer treat you right, THAT is how you do it!"

Wow, needless to say I was astounded.

In actuality, nothing had changed. She answered the same question he asked the first time without all the chaos. Yet somehow this guy felt disrespected. Humph.

My quick take on the situation is this; the guy does this all the time.

Why?

Because he doesn't respect himself, that's why.

His self-concept is so poor, so low that he projects it out to the world. Even when people are courteous and professional (in the case of the stewardess) he can't see it or feel it.

Not because he's not capable, but because he won't allow himself to have that experience. If he wants a better experience, he's got to raise his self-concept.

"Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying." - unknown

Remember those words. It's important to create the changes you want internally, before you realize them externally.

Until next time, Show Up, Suit Up & Step Up!

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

Bumps In The Road

"He who knows no hardships will know no hardihood. He who faces no calamity will need no courage. Mysterious though it is, the characteristics in human nature which we love best grow in a soil with a strong mixture of troubles." - Harry Emerson Fosdick

Whenever I'm Mexico City. I feel like I am right at home. High altitude, lots of sunshine, hot weather and a lot of people speaking spanish. (yes Virginia even in New Mexico people speak spanish)

From time to time in pursuit of excellence, you will come across the proverbial 'bump in the road." If you're going to be successful in life, you'd better get used to it.

Many people believe that if they were more successful, they'd be better able to handle their problems. My suggestion is that if they handled their problems better, they'd be more successful.

Ain't that a kick in the head?

You should welcome the problems and challenges as opportunities to grow.

In physical culture and athletic training muscles must be pushed to the point of breakdown in order to repair themselves and become stronger. The more you push yourself the stronger you get, the more endurance you build etc.

Life provides the same benefit. It will push you to the point of breakdown. It will cause you to re-evaluate your path. At times it will bring you to your knees.

Your muscles don't have the same option that you do in these situations. Muscles don't have the option of CHOICE.

They, your muscles, must repair themselves. It's what they do.

You, however, have the unique and awesome power to either make yourself better from your challenges OR do nothing and slide into the abyss of the non-producer, the excuse maker and the blame-it-on-everyone-else crowd.

Somehow if you're reading this newsletter, I don't believe you're in that camp. I believe that you step up to challenge. You head into the battles of life looking forward, not over your shoulder.

Of course there will be times when you don't want to do what you know you should do. It's easy to be overwhelmed; it's easy to be taken over in the moment by seemingly impossible odds.

But that's only in the moment. Stick to your plan. Take hold of your vision. Don't get knocked off course by the miniscule thoughts that will lead you astray.

Maintain your focus on the outcome you desire, not to fear that is trying to capture your attention. You're in control.

So as you continue moving through 2006 toward your goals, make quick work of the obstacles, step over the challenges and breakthrough the barriers. They'll only make you stronger and better than you were before you encountered them.

Until next time, remember the following words.....

If You Shape It in Your Mind, You Will Find It In Your Life!

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

Guiding The Images of Your Mind

"The very greatest things - great thoughts, discoveries, inventions - have usually been nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow, and at length established with difficulty." - Samuel Smiles

Guided imagery is a way of using the imagination in a focused, directed way to help mind and body heal, stay strong, and perform as needed. It's focused attention on a mental picture or belief. It's a skill that can get better with practice, and it tends to work best in a relaxed atmosphere.

People have been known to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, depression and physical pain, reduce or eliminate habits and even speed up recovery from cuts, burns, fractures and surgery. It also improves performance in sports and business.

You don't have to believe in mental imagery for it to work. Just be willing to give it a try.

Imagery works because images are events to the body. To the body, images created in the mind can be as real as actual events. In fact, the mind responds to imagery as if it were something "real" happening, especially if the images are strong enough to activate the recall of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feel.

So, for instance, recalling the smell and feel of the air at the start of the first winter snowfall is an image. Remembering the sound and timbre of your Dad's voice, saying he's proud of you, is an image. And recalling the bristle of energy in your body when you realize you are about to triumph at something you've been striving for - that it's going to happen, is also an image.

These sensory images are an actual language of the body, the only language it understands immediately. To the body, these images can be almost as real as actual events. Our bodies don't distinguish between images in the mind and what we call reality.

This kind of mental imagery is usually most effective in a relaxed condition. This is a state of relaxed focus - a kind of calm but energized alertness. Attention is concentrated on one thing, or on a very narrow band of things. As this happens, there is a heightened sensitivity to what is focused on, and a decreased awareness of what is happening in the physical environment.

A powerful principle behind guided imagery's effectiveness is that it gives a sense of control and mastery over what is happening in your life, and it instills a feeling of being able to deal with challenges and feel expectant about the future.

It's YOUR mind. Use it well.

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
www.empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

PS - July will see the formal beginning of the class for the Personal Mastery program. For a personalized preview of what's in store, send an email to info@empowermax.com to schedule 30 minute exploration into Personal Mastery.

Learning from Squirrels

"Few things are necessary to make the wise man happy while no amount of material wealth would satisfy a fool." - Og Mandino

I will say that there is a genius inside every man and woman, waiting to be brought forth. It is a simple thought which will allow him or her access to this power.

It's the ability to think that separates us from animals.

Squirrels don't go to squirrel school to learn how to gather nuts for the winter. They don't have squirrel unions or squirrel quotas. They can't decide to take a break from nut gathering. It just won't happen!

Squirrels born in spring are already out gathering nuts to store for the winter. No other options are available. It's instinct, its natural process; it's in their squirrel genes.

You and I, as humans, have the distinct privilege and power of choice. We can choose to be all or be part of what life has to offer.

As you use this tool via your thought (and I do not mean ANALYZE), it's what you think about that will drive you toward or away from your goals. You must think forward, in the direction of your goals.

If you think about what you don't want, then that's exactly what you will attract to your life. You can't drive forward looking in the rear view mirror.

Be clear on what you want, the focus your energies throughout each day in that direction. Write it down in your journal, on 3 x 5 cards, use pictures, anything you can to keep your thoughts flowing in the direction of what you want.

This ability to direct our thoughts places us in the position of creatingthe results we desire. What you do with this power, is completely up to you.

Make a habit of putting everything you have into everything you do. The choice is uniquely yours.

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
www.empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

The State of 'No Mind'

"Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immovable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation." - Loa-Tzu

Previously in the Performance Zone newsletter I have presented a topic about a concept I call, "Too Many Mind."

Today, it's the concept of "No Mind."

I've had the experience as an athlete and coach, in my sales career and even as a speaker.

Reaction time in Olympic style Taekwondo must be lightning-quick. When your opponent attacks, there is not time to think. Thinking takes far too long. You must be able to react as your opponent makes his move.

Likewise, when I am addressing a live audience and something goes awry, as it does from time to time. The ability to be in the moment is paramount.

At times I don't even use a power-point presentation during the 90 minutes I have to address the crowd. I simply allow myself to flow.

There are many ways to describe it. Often you hear people talk about being in the flow or maybe they use the term being on autopilot. Athletes know it as being "in the zone."

I first learned about this mental state of "no mind" in my martial arts training. The Japanese refer to this as 'mushin', which literally translated means 'no mind'.

This state of mind can be described as when you feel separate from the actual act. No thoughts interfere with the action because it's unconscious and therefore uninhibited.

When you reach this state, your mind can move from one activity to another like a flowing stream of water.

Understanding this state is simple, however you must practice to achieve the ability to something without conscious effort, to have your reactions become automatic.

There will be more in coming emails on moving toward the state of 'no mind.'

Until then, let go of your perfection and allow yourself to live in excellence.

Best of Success,

David Martin
EmpowerMax PCS, Inc.
info@empowermax.com
www.empowermax.com
The Performance Zone

PS - If you're seeking to be the best at what you do, isn't it time you associate with the best? Send an email with your phone number to info@empowermax.com for a consultation in Personal Mastery.