 "Jack Be Nimble" from http://rockhousefarm.co.uk/play/play.html | Let’s say you want to learn a foreign language because you know it will help you and your organization. Every day life offers similar golden nuggets of wonderful possibilities to expand and improve. Just as the nursery rhyme “Jack Be Nimble” indicates, the ability to “jump” or move quickly is essential to success, happiness and, ultimately, survival. 1. Create a Positive Mental Framework for Success When opportunities present themselves, we may not initially perceive them as such. Using the foreign language example above—suppose these thoughts flood your mind:
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Such thinking stops you from moving forward; yet, the desire to learn a foreign language persists. In fact, the longer you delay taking action, the stronger the idea becomes.
Finally, you decide to research your options. Let’s say you discover numerous ways you can begin learning the foreign language (using a digital mind map) such as: Quizlet, an online class, borrowing resources from your library branch and listening to audio programs in the car. You discover a team member is fluent in the language you want to learn and willing to tutor you for a reasonable fee.
Or, you can go a class at a community college or your neighbor’s cousin has a good friend who is a foreign language instructor, along with a treasure trove of other options. Suddenly you have 10 different methods to learn the foreign language and you are sharing your goals everywhere.
This generates even MORE possibilities to achieve your foreign language goals!
Now that you are opening your mind to the opportunity, a waterfall of options is pouring over you. You are SO excited about learning the foreign language and ready to get started. Suddenly, you’re already dreaming of becoming a translator!
What changed?
Your thinking.
2. ‘Begin With the End in Mind’
Dr. Stephen Covey, the beloved and celebrated late author of the breakthrough business manual “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” generated a global whirlwind when his book debuted in 1989. Habit 2 is “Begin With the End in Mind.”
Covey writes that this habit “is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.”
“… To the extent to which we understand the principle of two creations and accept the responsibility for both, we act within and enlarge the borders of our Circle of Influence. To the extent to which we do not operate in harmony with this principle and take charge of the first creation, we diminish it,” according to the book.
Now that you are ecstatic about learning the foreign language ask yourself: What does success look like? What results do I want to achieve?
Defining “the end” by capturing your thoughts in writing enhances your capacity to achieve your goals. It’s been proven scientifically that writing goals, works.
3. Be Nimble
The “Jack Be Nimble” nursery rhyme demonstrates the value of speed and the importance of project management (didn’t see that one coming, did you?) in achieving your goals.
Nimble means “able to move quickly, easily and lightly.” Now, take a look at the image of Jack jumping over the candle.
Let’s view the candle as the desire to learn a foreign language. Taking action quickly and moving forward to achieve your written goals will accelerate your progress. Doubtless, you will face challenges along the way (that candle is hot, of course). So you have to have a plan covering how often you will study and factoring in how you will overcome challenges. And write down the prize for all of your efforts—be sure to document that in the plan.
Whatever challenges you face--have no fear. You are equipped and committed to ACHIEVING your goals.
Finally, you decide to research your options. Let’s say you discover numerous ways you can begin learning the foreign language (using a digital mind map) such as: Quizlet, an online class, borrowing resources from your library branch and listening to audio programs in the car. You discover a team member is fluent in the language you want to learn and willing to tutor you for a reasonable fee.
Or, you can go a class at a community college or your neighbor’s cousin has a good friend who is a foreign language instructor, along with a treasure trove of other options. Suddenly you have 10 different methods to learn the foreign language and you are sharing your goals everywhere.
This generates even MORE possibilities to achieve your foreign language goals!
Now that you are opening your mind to the opportunity, a waterfall of options is pouring over you. You are SO excited about learning the foreign language and ready to get started. Suddenly, you’re already dreaming of becoming a translator!
What changed?
Your thinking.
2. ‘Begin With the End in Mind’
Dr. Stephen Covey, the beloved and celebrated late author of the breakthrough business manual “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” generated a global whirlwind when his book debuted in 1989. Habit 2 is “Begin With the End in Mind.”
Covey writes that this habit “is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.”
“… To the extent to which we understand the principle of two creations and accept the responsibility for both, we act within and enlarge the borders of our Circle of Influence. To the extent to which we do not operate in harmony with this principle and take charge of the first creation, we diminish it,” according to the book.
Now that you are ecstatic about learning the foreign language ask yourself: What does success look like? What results do I want to achieve?
Defining “the end” by capturing your thoughts in writing enhances your capacity to achieve your goals. It’s been proven scientifically that writing goals, works.
3. Be Nimble
The “Jack Be Nimble” nursery rhyme demonstrates the value of speed and the importance of project management (didn’t see that one coming, did you?) in achieving your goals.
Nimble means “able to move quickly, easily and lightly.” Now, take a look at the image of Jack jumping over the candle.
Let’s view the candle as the desire to learn a foreign language. Taking action quickly and moving forward to achieve your written goals will accelerate your progress. Doubtless, you will face challenges along the way (that candle is hot, of course). So you have to have a plan covering how often you will study and factoring in how you will overcome challenges. And write down the prize for all of your efforts—be sure to document that in the plan.
Whatever challenges you face--have no fear. You are equipped and committed to ACHIEVING your goals.
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