I was stuck in PD Paralysis ...

I think one of the most amazing and yet problematic things about network marketing is the emphasis on personal development (also referred to as PD from here on in cause it's quicker to type and I've already lost all the text in this blog forgetting to save it once before this version).  

Now let me explain:

I'm OBSESSED with personal development and I always have been ... even waaaaay back in the 90's when we used to just call it "self-help".   I used to read books and magazines, watch Oprah as though she were my BFF and so much of what I was exposed to STILL shapes who I am today.  When I joined my network marketing company and found out they actually ENCOURAGE daily PD, I thought "this is the cat's ass, man!  How awesome to focus on the PERSON and not just sales."

But then I started noticing it ... It became the answer to everything.

Problem:  Can't sell your product?
Answer:  Personal Development

Problem:  Can't grow your team?
Answer:  Personal Development

Problem:  Not sure where to turn next?
Answer:  Personal Development

Problem:  Got a yeast infection?
Answer:  Personal Development

... and HERE is the secret ...

PD works not because you read the book.  PD works not because you got inspired, took notes, and had all the ideas to do all the things.  PD works because you IMPLEMENT what you learn.  

I want you to truly think about that.  

- have you bought books that people swore was life/business/relationship-changing but they still remain on the shelf?
- have you started reading the books but moved on to another one before you finished the first?
- have you subscribed to all of the next best podcasts but a lack of listening to them means they stopped auto-downloading?
- have you done the PD, taken notes even and been determined to make some changes, only to move onto the next "life-changer" and forget what you learned previously?

I suspected so.  This is what I call PD Paralysis

PD paralysis is this idea that we get so addicted to the LEARNING piece and to the potential of what's possible we seek out that "one perfect piece of advice that changes our lives forever", but we fail to implement what we've learned.  Since we haven't yet seen the success that we want to achieve, we seek out more and different types of PD but we stay paralyzed, remain stuck, until we find the one perfect thing.

The problem is that we don't find it.

For it to be the one perfect thing that changes our business we need to implement what we learn.  We need to MOVE.  But we don't ... because we have moved onto the next "thing" that everyone says is life changing.  Ugh!  So frustrating (but I get it ... I've done it too).  So here is what I suggest to my clients who are stuck in this cycle:

1.  Choose ONE source of Personal Development and do a bit of it each day (even if it's just 5 minutes).  If it's a podcast, download one of your faves.  If it's a book, read ONE and don't switch it up or move to youtube until you've read it.   Too often we get caught up in gathering up more and more information and then we are overwhelmed.  This is not hundreds of chips you've just won at a poker table, stop gathering them up like you're going to lose them if you don't DOWNLOAD/BUY now.  

2.  Choose the method of PD that works for you.  Some entrepreneurs love the physical books, others I know prefer audiobooks.  I personally love podcasts because I can listen to them quickly on short trips to and from work/sports etc.  If you are not a reader, please stop buying books ... Do what is right for YOU.

3.  Choose an author that you love, who inspires you and who has a message that YOU need.  Too often we purchase the next best book that everyone else is reading because we're experiencing FOMO, but what if you don't necessary need improvement in washing your face or apologizing?  ;)  Let's face it, not EVERYONE will experience the life changing shifts of Rachel Hollis (many do, but if that's not you its ok NOT to read the book even when everyone else is).  So if you're a Brene Brown girl or maybe you love the philosophical advice of Eckhart Tolle ... CHOOSE THAT.

4.  Choose SOMEONE to keep you accountable to doing the actual work of implementing what you're learning.  It's SUPER easy to just read or listen to PD it's a whole other thing to make changes based on what you're learning.  So whether you use your spouse, a "push partner", a friend or a biz coach, you need someone who will not accept your excuses and just simply push you to make those scary changes.  You are a CEO for a reason ... success is what you're searching for ... well that means you gotta do the dirty work, girl and at times, you're going to want to retreat.  Make a pact with someone who won't let you.

5.  Celebrate the hell outta yourself for taking those steps to make changes.  Personal Development is life changing because you MOVE based on what you learn and that shit is not always going to be a bed of roses.  You deserve to celebrate the progress and the work that you're doing along the way to the success you wish to achieve.

You got this.

S

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