by Philip E. Humbert, Ph.D.

We've been looking at the enormous potential each of us has to change the world. Every human being is filled with creativity, dreams, drive, and untapped potential. We all know this.

We've all heard the classic stories, from "Grandma Moses" who began painting in her seventies, to Colonel Harland Sanders, the guy who didn't like retiring poor and decided to do something with his fried chicken recipe. As they say, "the rest is history!"

I'm always moved by the story of Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes. He did it and most of the world was astounded. But more importantly, a handful of athletes around the world were inspired (and perhaps a bit angry). They set out to duplicate his achievement and within a year, 9 other men has ALSO broken four minutes! That power was ALWAYS available! It just has to be unleashed.

The same is true for each of us. Whether you aspire to success in business, health, fitness, family, spirituality or some other area of life, you have plenty of power! The key is unleashing it!

Here are four elements I consider essential. In my coaching with individual clients, these four points are always covered in detail:

1. A Sense of Direction. You have to decide where you want to go, what you want to achieve. Without a sense of direction, we're like a weather-vane, kicked around by whatever winds life throws at us. Some people are blessed with a life-long sense of personal destiny, but for most of us, self-direction comes down to more practical projects. We want a raise. We want to win a contest, run a marathon, spend more time as a family, have more money in the bank. The key is that you must CHOOSE!

You have the power to achieve almost anything you want in life, but only with personal commitment and persistence. We all know the story that, without a compass or point of reference, a person lost in the wilderness inevitably walks in a circle. Don't let your life become a series of "wanderings!" Choose.

2. Extreme Clarity. Once you've chosen a direction, choose a precise, clearly defined target. Take time to describe exactly what you want. It's not terribly helpful to say "I wish I were healthier." But it can be extremely helpful to say, "I want to weigh 160 pounds, with blood pressure of 120 over 75."

Clarity about our goals immediately suggests better strategies to attain them. It empowers us to ask better questions, to set intermediate goals, to ask for coaching or suggestions, and to get the support we need. In many ways, "Clarity IS power." Get very clear about what you want.

3. Laser-sharp Focus. We all know that on even the warmest summer day, the sun's rays provide only a small amount of heat. It can make us uncomfortable, perhaps burn our skin or create a small electric current, but that's about all. And yet, when that same power is FOCUSED with a series of mirrors or a magnifying glass, something miraculous happens. Suddenly we have fire!

Many people have a sense of direction and even take time to define their outcomes with a series of written goals, but they refuse to organize their lives and focus their time, their energy and their efforts. They are literally "running around like chickens." High achievers organize their entire life around their key outcomes. So should you.

4. Superb Execution. In the end, performance counts. In the end, only action gets things done. Personal power is about taking action, trying things, and (yes) making mistakes. It's about learning from experts, copying strategies that have worked for other people, and IMPLEMENTING THEM. Sure, we all want to work less, but first we may have to work more! Yes, we want to be efficient, to enjoy our work, to have a sense of "effortlessness" about life, but that is not the same as failing to get up early, take action and get things done. High achievers are hard workers.

You have unlimited power! You can choose what to do with your life, and with your day. You have influence over the people around you, over your daily schedule and daily activities. You can control many things in life - not all things by any means, but many things. Whether you take charge, choose a direction and move forward or not is largely a choice. Remember the old saying, "use it or lose it?" I recommend that you choose to use your power.

Copyright(c) 2006, all rights reserved. Dr. Philip E. Humbert, professional coach, author and popular speaker. He has an excellent weekly newsletter and I encourage you to subscribe at: www.philiphumbert.com

This week what support do you need to unleash your power? Direction? Clarity? Focus? Execution? Decide and make it happen.

August 17, 2006
Pounce on a Project VII -- 2006

Last month our focus was decluttering. We had people going through piles in boxes including lots of books, throwing out eight bags of trash, major desk clean up and office clean up. We all felt lighter at the end of the session. What project would you like to get on top of and accomplish this month? Come to Pounce on a Project VII -- 2006. Join Coach Andrea on Thursday, August 17th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Eastern. We will join as a group by phone and declare what you want to accomplish: getting your website finished, clean up that corner of your office that is looking really scary, finish an article early for Friday's deadline or make cold calls.

During the morning, the group will gather by phone a few times to check progress and get any support needed to finish with a bang. At noon, the group will celebrate their accomplishments. Who says projects have to be boring and tedious? Bring your lightness and fun and join us for the energization. To sign up or learn more, call or e-mail Andrea by noon on Wednesday, August 16th. Feel free to share this with friends and co-workers, the more the merrier. (Cost of the program is only the cost of long distance phone calls.)

Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week is brought to you by Andrea Novakowski, Master Certified Coach who provides Business and Personal Coaching to Executives, Small Business Owners, Professionals and Managers. Andrea is a professional coach who partners with people to set goals and create momentum to produce effective results in their business and/or personal lives.

Andrea is available for individual coaching. If you are serious about reaching your goals and living with greater fulfillment and satisfaction, consider using a coach. To schedule a COMPLIMENTARY initial consultation, send an e-mail to Andrea at
andrea@coachandrea.com.

Please feel free to pass on Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week to your friends and colleagues. If you need to get in contact with us directly for any reason, send an e-mail to andrea@coachandrea.com.

Coach Andrea
Focusing your vision, achieving results

email: andrea@coachandrea.com

web: http://coachandrea.com