Use this Crisis to Transform Yourself and your Business
This week, the UN’s Climate Panel issued a new report that couldn’t have been any clearer, ‘It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.’ Even if we severely cut carbon emissions, temperatures are projected to rise 1.5 °C (3°F) by the year 2100. A sea level rise by 2-3 meters (6-10 feet), severe heat waves and droughts, tropical cyclones, more rain fall, floods and fire seasons are bound to intensify. And this is the best scenario!
The UN calls on governments and companies alike to take their responsibility and take action to meet the Paris Agreement goals. As much as I support this plea, there’s an even more profound change that needs to happen to prevent the doom scenarios from unfolding. This builds on a secret all ancient wisdom traditions share—the outside world is merely a reflection of our inner mastery. The toxic waste we collectively emit into the environment exemplifies our ‘inner toxicity.’ All pollution caused by the food, aviation, automotive or chemical industries is the result of our individual choices as consumers and leaders. As we don’t balance our inner energy, our actions are spurred on by fear and greed which collectively leads to outcomes no one wants.
In my book ‘It’s NOT About You’ I describe how you enter a transformation process to become the creator of your own future. It’s a metamorphosis that reflects the process of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. A caterpillar is only at the initial stage of its development. Its eyes and antennae are immature and its paws won’t get very far. The caterpillar takes a lot of food, because its only wish is to grow. In fact, the caterpillar is destructive to its environment. The UN report’s warnings are simply the result of our caterpillar perception of our existence.
The caterpillar will physically expand to a level where it cannot function anymore. Consequently, it has to enter the cocoon stage as a pupa. On the outside, nothing seems to happen, while on the inside, a major transition is taking place. The pupa quickly develops its talents. It requires the protection of the cocoon to practice and become stronger. Once fully transformed, the pupa breaks free and leaves the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. It shows its true colors, moving freely from flower to flower. The butterfly acts as a catalyst for nature by pollinating plants and flowers. It has become a lighter version of itself. Rather than just taking advantage of its environment, it adds real value to others.
How about You?
If you want a different outcome in your life, work, business, relationships or the world at large, here’s the key. Nothing will change, really, until YOU take ownership of your inner state. Your inner believes define the energy that you radiate and your environment will tune to that exactly that state. It simply is a rule of life. It’s not just about thinking some positive thoughts. I am talking about your deep core beliefs hidden in your subconscious mind.
During childhood, you depended on the love and care of your parents and others for your survival. You experienced situations where their love seemed to wane, or when they weren’t present, that caused immense fear of survival. These situations programmed certain core believes in your subconscious mind. ‘I’m not enough’, ‘I must be in control’ or ‘I must conform to fit in’ are examples of such believes that the majority of people share (really!). These believes make you uncomfortable and have you operate on an all-determining program: ‘What’s in it for me?’
You’re seeking external sources to fill your void. You’re chasing success, wealth, and the respect of others. To avoid negative emotions, you may even flee into unhealthy behavior like junk food consumption, alcohol, drugs, excessive Netflixing, vacationing, partying, or shopping. And collectively, the sum of all these behaviors lead to the depletion of global natural resources, the extinction of animal species, the pollution of our environment and the tremendous pain and trouble we cause each other.
Be brutally honest. How often do you indulge in negative behavior when deep down you know there is a more constructive choice?
Imagine the immense sense of freedom you will experience if your subconscious beliefs no longer control your thoughts, emotions and consequently your behavior? Imagine how you’ll lead your business if you’re free of any fears? You can shape an environment where all team members find the autonomy, bonding and growth to make their best contribution. You will jointly make the choices that truly benefit the world we live in.
This isn’t wishful thinking. It is within your own reach. Once you see the reality of how you shape your own future, you will find that this crisis offers great opportunities. Like a butterfly, you can create a lighter version of yourself and your company. You can effectively use your subconscious mind to find new solutions. Shape your New Tomorrow and become a lighter version of yourself.
A lighter version. This is How!
Activate our subconscious mind with its infinite capacity and power to find solutions. Your subconscious mind is always active and if properly instructed by your conscious mind, it will go all out to realize your dreams.
Step 1: Activate Your Subconscious Mind!
At night, just before going to bed, consciously ask yourself a few questions, such as:
- What is really important to me? What am I grateful for?
- What behavior have I shown that no longer seems relevant at all?
- How can I become a lighter version of myself and add value to others?
- What does my New Tomorrow look like? What shall I do? Who will I be with?
- And above all: how do I feel?
Don’t try to answer these questions yet. Just let them sink into your subconscious mind while you’re sleeping. Let your subconscious mind do the work!
Step 2: Visualize Your New Tomorrow
Before you open your eyes in the morning, allow yourself 15 minutes to tap into the creative state you are in. Ask yourself the same questions again. And here’s the trick: in this dream state you have easy access to your subconscious mind. Try not to actively think about the answers. See what images come to mind. At first it may feel strange, and you may get distracted by other thoughts. Just bring your attention back and see what happens. If you make this a daily routine, you will quickly get vivid images of what your New Tomorrow looks like. See how this feels for you. If you’re excited about it, you’re definitely on the right track.
Step 3: Become a lighter version of Yourself
Your subconscious mind cannot distinguish between what is really happening and your imagination. That is the key to realizing your dreams. While you are still in your dream state in the morning, visualize your New Tomorrow in all its details. And very important: focus your attention on your heart and feel the passion you have for this vision. Have faith in it, as if it already happened. Don’t worry about planning the steps to get there. Leave it to your subconscious mind to guide you in taking the right steps. That’s called intuition. Do this for four weeks in a row and you will be amazed at the progress you make towards becoming a lighter version of yourself.
Don’t Waste this Crisis!
This crisis challenges us to transform ourselves and our companies to become a lighter version of ourselves. Don’t waste this unique opportunity and transform from the inside-out.
Transform your leadership. Become a Paradise Shaper!
Your success is our mission, Paul
