The Missing Piece

Author's Note:

1. The Book Kettle-Dreams is an anthology of students studying Think and Grow Rich with me, offering what they 'thought' the Big Deal was about this book. Each person shared their biggest takeaway in a story.
2. The idea is that you the reader get a flavor of what might be in store for you when studying this fine work.
3. This story is by Diana M. Needham who studied with me for five years, setting and achieving some twenty goals based consistently on my hybrid learning system, learned the self publishing business at my side, and has gone on to successfully help dozens of authors reach best seller status. 

THE MISSING PIECE by Diana M. Needham

As we began the summer 2012 Mastermind session, we all set our intentions for what we wanted to get out of the 8 weeks together. For me, the first intention was to figure out the “missing piece” from all my learning about success.

You see I had read Think and Grow Rich at least 3 times in the past. For nearly 10 years, I have read and studied many personal development books and programs. I have attended retreats and participated in many experiential activities to reinforce this learning.

Yet something still eluded me. Something was still missing. While I understood many success principles from a “book learning” perspective, the puzzle pieces just didn’t fit together so I could apply the learning and gain benefit from it.

So I set the figuring out the missing piece as my number 1 intention and also set business goals that were very important to me. I began to study this book, not just read it. I studied the chapters assigned each week, reading slowly to understand more fully. I made notes on note cards of key insights I wanted to review and remember. I purchased the audio book and played it in my car. Each week I felt my understanding getting stronger.

I understood that my limiting beliefs come from things heard and experienced before the age of 6. I understood some of t hose messages and I had dealt with some of them in the past. But they were still there. I came to understand that those limiting belief voices do not disappear; they just get quieter as I strengthened my faith and beliefs that my life could be different.

 My breakthrough for this came on the 3rd week of the mastermind. I attended Leslie Flowers’ presentation at the Southern Women’s Show called Believe-2-Succeed. She used an illustration of a husband, wife, and baby in a bassinette and how the baby picks up not only the words but the emotions behind the words from her parents and carries those forward in her life. 

I started to think about the messages I heard and felt a child and pondered just what were those hidden subconscious beliefs that were holding me back from being as successful as I wanted to be? Suddenly it all became so clear! I grew up in a very poor family where alcohol abuse had caused much damage. Because there never seemed to be enough, that sense of lack was always in our household. It pervaded the very air we breathed, even when it was not being vocalized. So inside I developed as sense of not being worthy enough, good enough, and deserving enough to have what I truly want.

That had manifested itself in many ways, one of which was my constant giving away of valuable time, energy, and insights to many for free (rather than charging for my value and worth). I was still trying to fill that void from childhood and striving for others to confirm my value. Human nature being what it is, we do not value that which is given to us for free, hence those who received my advice and help did not take it seriously. I certainly was not helping them, since they did not truly value the advice, and the income from my business was sorely lacking. 

I then made a decision to create a document that outlined the packages of services I offer so I had concrete information to share with prospects. I set up meetings with those I was helping (for free) to open the dialogue about whether they wanted my services and the pricing. I asked for a decision, so we were both clear whether they wanted to proceed with a formal agreement and payment terms. This was very liberating for me, as my first step forward in claiming my value to those around me.

I also decided to fire the board of directors of my life (those voices telling me I am not worthy, good enough, deserving) and took over the role of CEO of my life. Did you realize that you are the CEO of your own life? Whatever you are allowing in your life right now, you can change!

As I continue to strengthen my faith and replace those old, limiting beliefs with new ones that truly propel my life and business forward, a new board of advisors has emerged. They are supportive, inspiring, encouraging, and validating. My life is much richer and fuller from the mastermind experience. I plan to continue participation the next time a group is formed to continue the learning and to stay on the path I have now chosen.

#thinkandgrowrich #manifest #motivate #achievement

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Leslie Flowers, with 45-years in corporate publishing and training, has 20,000 hours over the last 15 years teaching people principles of success [Think & Grow Rich] and universal law, and how to apply them for consistent successes in 21st century business.

Her repeating hybrid 12-week achievement program based in a 25-year leadership career has yielded achievement of 500 client 90-day goals for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and emerging enterprises.

Leslie Flowers, is a master teacher and trainer in achievement, mindset, success principles, universal law, and strategic business coaching, published nine books (7 best sellers), is a certified consultant (LSC), speaker (CS), and dedicated fully in articulating complex concepts in the most simple turns … for the fastest ‘client returns.’