Are You Ready for Breakthroughs?

Would you like to have breakthroughs in 2013? Here are 7 nuggets to help you do that; the breakthrough you have been thinking about. What would a breakthrough do for you? Picture clearly what your life would look like with that breakthrough. If not you, who? Why not you?

1) Discipline self. I once heard a wise person say – discipline yourself or others will do it for you. Then I read in a book – discipline yourself or God will do a better job. I have been acting on these two statements for years. Discipline can be about finances, faith, commitments, relationships, and learning and growing. All the people that made this world better had first to discipline and conquer themselves. We can only change others by changing ourselves first. Have the will to disciple yourself; it is a lot less painful than having others do it for you. Be a finisher in a world of starters.

2) Translate resolutions and intentions into actions. How are you doing in your new year’s resolutions? The best of intentions will get us nowhere if they are not converted into actions. Procrastination and distractions keep us stuck in the good intentions and abandoned resolutions. In life there is no try, just do. Adopt the Nike logo; just do it! Overcoming inertia to gain momentum only occurs by taking action. Over analyzing and rationalizing things only leads us to frustrations. Make a great decision once then manage it.

3) Apply people/soft skills. We all have great opportunities to apply these skills daily. Simple things like accepting, approving, and appreciating those around us. Refrain from criticizing, condemning, and complaining. Excuses are really worthless except from preventing us for living a great life. Try greeting and smiling all day long. Fall asleep and wake up with that grin on your face. Yes, even during that 2nd second; right after waking up.

4) Raise expectations. We only get what we expect of ourselves. Set the targets and only compare you with yourself. We will never hit a target we don’t have. Help others to stand tall. Be the leader and serve as an example worthy of a following. Expectancy is a powerful thing.

5) Repair the foundations of faulty relationships. Be the one to apologize. Be a great communicator. Resolve conflicts. Value your relationships above all else. The greater the quantity and quality of our relationships the more significant our lives are. Add value to others. See the greatness in them. Bring out the strengths in others. Grow in character and build trust. Be a 90% encourager and 10% corrector of others.

6) Have the courage to change. Change is always painful yet required to grow. See yourself differently so you can learn and grow. Make the decision and do it consistently. Deal with adversities as they come. It is not what happens to us, it is all about how we deal with what happens to us.

7) Replace pride with humility. Kill the ego and bury it deeply. Have unwavering faith in what’s to come. The greatest leaders are always the greatest servants. Joy comes by replacing painful loneliness with peaceful solitude. This has been a long journey for me but worthy all the effort put into it.

I strongly suggest taking one, a few or all the above to heart. Apply them in your life. If you do so, you will have a great year ahead. Drop me a note on January 18, 2014 with your breakthrough. If you do so, I will buy your favorite Starbucks coffee.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others!

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy)