Last week I wrote about "moving your iceberg" as a metaphor for personal development.
It's a powerful metaphor.
Each of us brings a certain mindset to our work and life, and that mindset drives our actions.
But those around us only see the little bit of us represented by our actions - that's the tip of our "iceberg.
" Of course, those actions are solidly connected to what's below the surface, hidden from view: our beliefs, our values, our attitudes, our needs...
all of which comprise our mindset.
I talked about the difference between two types of personalities, and how some personalities have luck moving their iceberg "from the top" by starting with changes in their actions (their habits and routines), while most others have to move the iceberg "from the bottom" by first changing their mindset.
But of course you can't change one without changing the other.
In a sense, it doesn't matter where you start...
but knowing that different personalities will feel the need to "start" in different places as they seek personal development is generally helpful to my clients.
It helps them understand why others approach development in ways that seem different or even "wrong" to them; it helps them feel a sense of self-confirmation for their own preference around how to change their lives.
So it's really a combo deal.
You have to change both your mindset and your actions.
The top-movers have luck making a list of new actions or routines, keeping score each day, making improvements, and sticking with it until the change becomes natural.
By that time, they've changed their mindset, too (and it often seems as though they did so by "sneaking up" on the mindset shift - which is fine!).
Most others need to change the way they view the world first - their mindset - by convincing themselves they have the right to be the new person they seek to be.
Slowly, as this new worldview (indeed, new "self-view") takes hold, these folks find they've managed to sneak up on their actions, and change them.
Start by giving yourself permission to be a better person, a new-and-improved version of your authentic self.
After that, whether you move your iceberg from the top or the bottom is not important.
Just get moving.
There's a great approach to iceberg-moving known to top-flight salespeople, who are generally paid to move their icebergs and those of others, and therefore become professional iceberg movers! In that way, they are not different from good executive coaches in that they understand the power of this simple mantra: "Be," "Do," and "Have.
" Most people who want to improve their lives try to do it backwards.
They see others enjoying a better life, and their first desire is to HAVE what those others have.
If only they had something different (more money, more time, more energy, whatever), they reason, why, then they could DO the right things and BE the better person.
Wrong.
The professional iceberg movers know they first must BE a different person, that this will cause them to DO what different people do, and this will lead them to eventually HAVE what others have.
Give yourself permission to BE a millionaire, and truly adopt a mindset of abundance.
You will then DO what millionaires do, and eventually you will HAVE what millionaires have.
That's how it's done.
It isn't just about money (well, maybe for some salespeople it is, but they don't tend to be the most excellent people in their fields).
It's about accomplishing your mission.
So figure that out, and then you can insert almost anything into the formula, add talent and discpline, let simmer, and you'll make that change in your life.
Decide to BE a thinner, healthier, more vital person...
DO what such people do...
HAVE the figure and energy such people have.
Commit to BEING a good listener trusted by all...
DO what such people do...
HAVE the trust such people have.
So it really is a combo deal.
To truly move your iceberg, you'll need to work on both your mindset and your actions.
Start anywhere you like, but get started today.
What small change can you make before bedtime to put some force behind that giant iceberg, and make your life the one you were meant to live?