Stay the Same .. or Take ACTION .. The notion of Different!

On my website, at www.annfry.com I have the following quote: Wanting things to be different and doing what it takes to make things different are two different things!

We all wake up everyday, and during the course of that day, we have thoughts about how things are, how they're going, what's working, what's not ... in other words, we think many times a day about what we want to be different. We are seldom okay with how things are.

We can want things to be different -- we can wish and hope... but making things different .. now that is a much more challenging call. We want .. but do we have the guts, or will we take the time, or can we figure out the how, etc.

We hear people complaining about the government all the time ... criticizing and ranting and blaming. But, actually, what do they then DO to change what they don't like? It's all about ACTION. Ask yourself .. Am I someone who takes action? Or do I sit back and dream about it all, but do nothing? Tell the truth.

I might be the reinvention hotshot, but first and foremost, I'm a human being. I, like many of you, will wish and hope and then sit back and take NO action. Why? In my case, I get hooked into the "I don't know how." place. I spin my wheels, over think it, whine, doubt, etc. I ask everyone else what I need to do or should do. I weigh all the options ... ad nauseum. Eventually, I'll get sick and tired enough of not taking any action and will then do something.
For example. I've been needing to upgrade the content on my website for a long time. I've thought about it. I've printed out the old and carried it with me to make some upgrades, but yet, I didn't. Well, today, I had a burst of energy and just did it. It took about an hour to cut an paste and edit. My webmaster was working, so when I shot it all off to her, she got it done and up immediately. Wow! Weeks of NOT doing got done in an hour. That's ACTION.

Another thing to consider about not taking action ... we get to sit in a space of laziness, fear, aggravation. We get to be slugs. We get to be righteous about how no one is calling us, or using our services, etc. We blame others for our lack of work or whatever it might be. If the truth be known, however, it's US... our not doing anything.

We just get used to the status quo .. to staying where we are, doing the same old thing, whining and complaining about it. Sometimes, the circumstances can be overwhelming and we really don't know what to do OR it seems there's nothing to do.
NOTE: REInvention is NOT easy ... it's scary, demanding, challenging. It takes time and energy and perseverence and guts. It's not for the weak. Give yourself lots of nurturing attention and reassurance and pats on the back as you make progress. Take some down time, yell and scream and get frustrated.. and then, get back on the horse and keep riding forward.

The ACTION will lead to the change you want (eventually). Your life will be different AND it will take some getting used to ... AND it will be better than before if you acknowledge it and appreciate it.

So, stay where you are or take ACTION for things to be different. It's all up to you and you get to choose.
Happy ReInventing.

Shut Up and Take Action

(To listen to this blog rather than read it go here: http://tinyurl.com/2t3vgw )

Hi Everyone,
I think I want to rant a bit. There are so many things to reinvent in the world. If I were queen for a day... here's what I'd love to change:
- the whole political system in this country -- too much fighting and back stabbing
- the fact that people don't seem to understand one another -- the old "walk in someone else's shoes idea" ... if you're rich, spend a few days living like a poor person; and if you're poor, spend a few days living like a rich person. You'll see we all have issues.
- all the award shows ... could we just combine them into one long show ...?
- public fighting ... as on TV. I'm sick of the NBC issues. Do we need all these talk shows anyhow?
- lack of respect. I live in NYC, ride subways and buses. I can't tell you the number of young people that NEVER get up and give their seat to an older person who might need it. I can' even tell you how many younger people don't hold the door when they walk out, but rather just let it slam on the person behind them.
- news reporting... couldn't they just report what's happening without trying to destroy the person they're reporting about... people can make up their own minds.

Well, I could go on and on about my opinions. I won't. The point is ... there's much to change in the world AND we are mostly unable to pull those changes off. We can complain and whine; we can vote for change; we can write our editors, etc ... do what we can. There's a lot of frustration in trying to change big systems.

That being said .. we CAN effectly cause change in our own lives and maybe even those close to us. If we're sick and tired of how things are, we can work to shift our circumstances and have different experiences.

Stop saying "I can't." Stop thinking you can't. You can. If you're willing.

Much of my own personal change these days is circumstantial and sometimes feels out of my control. I have a scary health diagnosis, am getting treatment. It's an annoyance and I can't change that I have it. But, I can reinvent how I look at it all and deal with it. It IS up to me.

So, where in your life do you need to shut up and just take matters into your own hands to make some shifts and changes? I challenge you to take some action.

Share your thoughts, your actions... let us know what you're up to.
Reinvention is not overrated .. it's amazing and liberating and empowering.

Hang in there.
Ann

If Starbucks Can Do it ... You can do it!

Hi Everyone,
I've been on hiatus for a couple of weeks .. some travel, and some other business. I'm back and will be more regular.

ReInvention is such a hot word. I get a google alert everyday about reinvention and it's chock full of all sorts of articles. I read about movie characters being reinvented, companies reinventing, individuals blogging about how they're reinventing their lives. It's wonderful. So, I started wondering even more why the word is so popular and why so many people are re-examining their lives or the cultures of their companies, etc.

It's not rocket science. Our world is in a whirlwind of challenge and change. We have wars, we have devastating earthquakes and tornadoes, we have a very volatile economy and many unemployed people. There is no certainty at all .. in anything. Even the wealthy are having to sacrifice and watch more carefully. Nothing can be depended on. No one escapes the effects of all this turmoil.

So, change becomes the issue. If things aren't working, then do something different. Period. I'll continue to stress that all the time.

I just saw an interesting article on Starbucks. During the last couple of years, they realized that their popularity wasn't where it once was. They needed to go back to the drawing board and consider the quality of their products, create new foods and flavors, begin a social media blitz. They reinvented a great deal. (You can read the whole article here: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1955588,00.html)

So, what makes you any different than Starbucks. What do you have to stop doing or start doing that might make all the difference? Where would reinvention help you? Do you need to shift your attitude? Your career? Do you need to move locations? Do you need to commit to something? Take stock ... look around at your life.

I refer to our present life, at least for most of us, as remaining in the status quo. We do what we do, we don't spend too much time analyzing it, we DO spend time complaining about it. But, do we do what it takes to shift it into something we don't want to complain about?

I'll use myself here as an example. I speak professionally and I coach people. I've had different focuses over the years. Originally I started Humor University. I brought humor to the workplace (even wrote a book about it.) I continue to speak and to coach, but have transitioned quite a bit into this whole reinvention topic. I work with companies to shift their culture .. still bringing fun and happiness into the corporate environment. I work with individuals wanting to have some shift in their life. I run reinvention workshops. However, in this last one .. the workshops, I'm not attracting enough people. I hear people all around me saying how confused they are and how they want things to be different. But, when it comes to plunking down some cash to get into the workshop, they don't. So, I have to rewrite my brochures to be more compelling, or do more social media pushing or something. I have to get some advice on how to reinvent the reinvention workshop literature so that people are drawn to it. Maybe I'll even have to call it something different.

You see, it's about "tweaking." How do you tweak what you do all the time to continue to raise the bar? What does it take? If you're an entrepreneur you do that all the time. If you're a business, you do that all the time.

So, I ask you .. where in your life do you have to "tweak?" Where do you want to raise the bar? What do you want to be different? ANd, what's one step you can take today to begin to do that?

Happy ReInventing.
I welcome your comments.... especially on what you would call a reinvention workshop so that people would come.
Thanks, and happy weekend.
ann

Out with the Old... In with the NEW

Happy almost New Year's Eve and Day,
I'm writing today to invite you to take a few moments and to do an assessment of 2009 and then set your intentions for 2010. Below will be a series of questions for you to ask yourself.
Take some time, take a pad of paper or a journal and write your responses. I promise you you'll feel centered and directed by this exercise.

If you're ready for things to be different ... if you're ready to ReInvent even a little bit... then take this on. I'll be checking back with you soon AND I invite you to let me see some of your responses.
Stay tuned, there are some FREE teleclasses coming just after the NEW YEAR just to help you get jump-started.

So here goes ... happy assessing:

New Year Assessment and Planning Instrument – 2010

(Take out a journal, carve out about an hour, reflect and write … get a jump start on 2010)

I. What are you thinking as you begin this new year?

II. What are your reflections about the past year? How was it?

III. What lessons did you learn this year? What served you well, or showed you a few less pleasant aspects of yourself?

IV. What are your biggest challenges for the new year?

V. Where do you want to be at this time next year?

VI. What have you been putting off that now needs to happen?

VII. As we look at the various aspects of your life, let’s do a little inventory of each – list them all (e.g. health, fitness, work, relationships, finances, etc.) what’s working and what’s not?

VIII. How would you like to be better at your job?

IX. If you were “the best” at what you do, what would that look like?

X. Time to “fantasize” just a bit…. What would you like to do with your one wild and crazy life? In other words – what have you always wanted to do…. But haven’t? Might it be time?

XI. What are you grateful for? Make a list … NOW.

XII. So, where will you start as the calendar turns to this new year? What are your first steps? What’s your direction?

Congratulations! You’re well on your way to making 2010 your best ever year!!

ReInvent From the Inside Out

Good morning,
It's 2 days and counting down til Christmas and a week and two days til New Year's Day. While many are hustling and bustling and doing the same old, same old of holiday craziness, others are going inward, being still, smiling, laughing and taking the season in stride. What's your approach?

Let's start with Christmas. Whether you celebrate Dec. 25th or not, you're in the midst of it. Yesterday, I was at a lunch meeting near Rockefeller Center (NYC) and then had to walk 8 blocks to my next destination .. walked right along 5th Avenue. If you know NY, you know that's a very busy street at all times, but during Christmas, it's really hustle and bustle. People are spending money (that they might not have) at Saks, Henri Bendel's, Tiffany's, etc. Walking along the street filled with many tourists (who walk 4 and more across, blocking the sidewalk) carrying big shopping bags is a challenge. Then, crossing at the corners (with heaps of piled snow) adds to the walking challenge. Sometimes it's easy to get frustrated. But, I just smiled, walked around people when I could, took my time and enjoyed the sunshine, brisk wind, and the opportunity to just observe people. I made it stress-free. It was awesome. I took a few moments to look at the beautiful shop windows, when I could get close enough to see them.

So, I ask you ... how can you still "reinvent" your relationship with Dec. 25th -- starting now? Can you be peaceful, knowing you'll get it all done? Can you be peaceful, knowing it will come around and maybe everything won't be done? Can you take a few minutes, several times a day, to be quiet within and renew yourself? And, then, ON Dec. 25th, amidst all the family to-do's, the meals to be cooked, can you approach it a way that serves you well. Can you reinvent within so that what occurs on the outside works better?

Then, moving into the week after Christmas, can you take time to approach the new year in a new way? Can you agree to take stock of your 2009, look at what worked and what didn't and set a plan for 2010 that serves you best? DON'T make resolutions -- you know you never keep them. But, DO set some intentions for how you'd like the year to be. Take plenty of quiet time to reflect.
Give yourself the gift of reinventing -- doing some new and different things.

I wish you a glorious Dec. 25th ... and will continue this discussion with you during the interim week.

Sincerely,
Ann
The REInvention Hotshot