Visualizing and Action

I am a huge believer in the power of positive visualization. Some people talk about it in terms of The Secret, but the concepts have been around for centuries. Every religion includes these ideas. (Jesus himself tells a man he healed, "Your faith has made you whole." And Buddhists are all about chanting for positive movement in your life and the lives of those around you.)

Too often, though, people use this as a cop-out. I grew up in a very religious community and was so tired of hearing, “I prayed on it” as a statement of action. Don't get me wrong, connecting with your Higher Power is great (I do it all the time), but it's not enough.

I believe that the Universe responds to action.It's one thing to sit and think about how much you wish you'd get that job or have more money coming in. It's another thing, entirely, to take action and move toward what you want. By going out and shaking the branches for new clients, you'll be amazed at how many “come out of nowhere."

This just happened to me this week. I've been working on two major things: this book and my design business. As I've hustled for new clients for the design business, I have been astounded at how many old clients have come out of the woodwork for updates/new projects. I even got a referral from a friend I haven't really spoken with in years.

This is what Jack of All is ultimately about: taking action in all areas of your life toward the things that you really want, and recognizing that you don't have to over-complicate things. The steps to running a marathon are simple: left foot, right foot. That doesn't mean you don't need to train or have good running shoes. It's important to prepare. But, at the end of the day, when you're rounding mile 25, you'll just be putting one foot in front of the other.

Making a sale to an important client is just a matter of asking questions and really listening to their answers. Over and over again. Be genuinely interested in the answer, and act honestly toward helping them solve their problem. You'll be shocked how well and quickly your clients will respond.

Certainly better if you'd just sat around visualizing the sale.