The Ripple Effect, by Doug Grady
October 31, 2010 by Doug · 23 Comments
You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
You may find yourself in another part of the world
You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
You may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife
You may ask yourself, well how did I get here?
-The Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime
The Ripple Effect
by Doug Grady
I have always been fascinated with how we become who we are. What creates breakthroughs in our lives? What causes some people to wake up enthused and go to bed fulfilled? How do we create a life we are excited about that also makes a powerful and positive difference for others? Why do so many incredibly talented, gifted, and “fortunate” people end up ruining their lives (insert your favorite Hollywood tragedy here)? How do others defy the odds and live extraordinary, exemplary lives?
My work has been in personal and professional development for over 17 years. I have read hundreds of books and invested thousands of dollars and hours in seminars, training sessions, personal coaching and other "self-help" strategies with the “best” in the business. They taught me how to think and act to be more successful; how to set goals; how to manage my time; how to communicate more effectively; how to be my best... I was an excellent student and became a professional trainer. I have trained thousands of people all over the country how to be more successful in their chosen field of endeavor. Still somehow several months ago I ended up “stuck” to put it mildly. My business was losing money, I was physically out of shape, and had a bad attitude. Some of my closest friends and advisors were recommending I consider a new career path. I began to ask myself,
“Well, how did I get here?”
I often brooded over the irony of how I, an intelligent, experienced man in the “success” business could allow himself to be sucked into the quagmire of mediocrity. I wanted desperately to continue to blame it on the economy and bad luck. When I got brutally honest with myself I came to the realization that I was the problem. The ripples created from the choices I had made, the habitual behaviors I had engaged in, and the limiting beliefs I had cultivated led me to exactly where I was. It was no accident. My mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial state- all of which were suffering, were nothing more than the inevitable result of the choices I had made. I knew something had to change and I had to change it.
Inception is the point at which thought becomes commitment.
It had been several months since I had exercised consistently. I felt tired, lethargic, flabby, and weak. I have been athletic for most of my life, but had allowed a hip injury which I incurred while training for a half marathon to become an excuse for not exercising. I made a commitment to exercise a minimum of 30 minutes per day for 30 consecutive days. It was a less than inspired moment, nonetheless it was a commitment.
My follow through began the next day. Initially the workouts were unpleasant and inconvenient to say the least, but I followed through. A few days later I committed to making 20+ prospecting calls per day. Several other commitments followed- healthier eating, getting up early, reading something positive everyday. Some of these simply “happened” without much thought, planning or effort on my part. Others (the calls for example) took more discipline. I began to think more clearly; my energy increased; my communication became more effective; people began to respond differently to me. I met (and now hang out with) some extraordinary people I never would have met otherwise. Oh, and my business began to move in the right direction. My life is very different now- mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. One choice led to other choices and to a series of positive outcomes. The ripples changed the course of my life.
“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The inception incubator. Perhaps you have been thinking of taking on a commitment that would change the course of your life. Your inception point occurs when you resolve to act on this thought. I recommend your “inception incubator” include the following:
• Consider your life as a series of “ripples”. The experiences in your life and your response to them have led you to where you are now.
• Think about the life you really want. Who do you want to be? Who are you at your best? What qualities do you want to develop? How do you want the world to be different because of you? Why are you here? What legacy do you want to leave behind?
• Read something inspirational, educational and/or motivational.
• Listen to your favorite music.
• Go for a walk.
• Get around people who inspire you- people you respect; people who are committed to having an extraordinary life; people who care about you.
Choose your commitment.
• Choose one. Doing something positive is always better than nothing. Do not worry about making the perfect choice. Perfectionism nourishes procrastination and can keep you stuck.
• Choose simply. By “simple” I mean “do-able.” Your daily commitment must be manageable in the face of the unexpected.
• Choose now. Now is the time, this is the place, you are the one.
“I took the road less traveled, now I have no idea where in the world I am.” –Anonymous
Once you have made your choice your ripple has begun. The road ahead will undoubtedly contain many twists and turns; unexpected pain and exciting breakthroughs; victories and defeats. Honoring your commitment isn’t always easy. Your ripple will subside very soon without:
Follow through. Don’t let your ripple die the death of most New Year’s resolutions. Choose everyday to find a way to:
"Just do it!" -Nike
"Do it anyway!" -Donald E Grady, Sr. (My Dad)
Track what is different in your life since you began your commitment.
• How do you feel? What experiences have surfaced? What results, people, places or things? What other choices have you made? What is different in you and in your life? What distinctions have you gained?
• Keep a journal- acknowledge yourself each day you honor your commitment. Write about your challenges, your accomplishments, your breakthroughs, and how you have affected others.
• Share with others what you are doing and what has happened in your life because of it.
For those of you who like formulas (I am one of them), here it is:
Inception (think, choose, commit), Follow through, Track, Repeat.
Your inception point, if you choose, is now.
• I choose to____________ for the next ____ days.
Please include me in the sharing of your experience with The Ripple Effect. I really want to hear from you.
You may find yourself making more empowering choices
You may find yourself turning your business around
You may find yourself alive and excited each day
You may find yourself in extraordinary places with extraordinary people
You may tell yourself, well I know how I got here.
-The Ripple Effect
About Doug
Well Doug, bravo! For making the commitment and following through.
Today is Samhain, ending of a cycle and beginning of the Celtic Year. A kind of a new year! I've made a few commitments that I stuck to for a month and then slacked, so I'm recommitting.
To the smallest denominator - a daily walk or run of 5-15 minutes as SOON as I wake up and before I turn on my computer. Believe me this is huge. 30 days. I'll ask my Mastermind peeps to hold me accountable.
My reward? A great new lululemon workout top!
This is a well written article Doug. I appreciate you sharing your process of accountability. You took a huge leadership step by making the commitment and sticking to it. You transformed into an ANIMAL (grrr) ready to take on the world. Thank you for being a man of courage, honor, and strength.
Bravo Doug! Great article!! Sounds to me you just forgot who you are for a little bit. The Doug I know would NEVER go one day without exercising!! NOT ONE!!!
I remember well it was the secret ingredient to your success in every area of your life. Are you still doing morning pages?
Here's my ripple:
I choose to write for 1 hour / day (EMAIL DOES NOT COUNT!!!)
Alexa is my accountability partner
No tv is my daily pain
Rock-climbing shoes - my 30-day reward!!!
From a Birmingham and Tulanian, loved the blog. Re-thinking my own rejuvenating goals.
Jon
Excellent article, Doug. Very well-written, insightful, honest and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this experience!!
Incredible article Doug - Thank you for writing it. Straight from the heart - I felt your energy & enthusiasm with your new found commitment, drive & integrity! Looking forward to seeing you soon - Continued success in all that you do!
What an inspiration Doug at the lowest point in my life. I have not read or attended high achiever in years and after reading your article i'm not sure where to start, so much needs to change. I will start with the 30 minute challange of excersize daily. I have put on 50 lbs in the past 2 years and it has had a ripple effect that has changed my life forever but I have to take one day at a time and start as you did and allow changes to occur based on this first commitment.
Thank you Doug!
Doug,
This is excellent and I am aware of it, I think you should turn this into a small but powerful ereport and make it an opt-in for High Achievers! I like this, I really do. I know where you were, and this may be the kick in the you know what that I need!
Thanks for being there always, M
I see you, Doug! You're a man of your word, and I am extremely proud of you and the work you are doing. I've heard it said that there is no such thing as an accident. You are where you are because of your decisions and actions, and you were where you were because of your decisions and actions. The failure to decide or act is not the failure to make a decision, it's a conscious decision to let others decide your fate. This is just the beginning for you. Your commitment, determination, and attitude are inspirational and contagious!
Doug,
Great article...Appreciated you sharing your personal missiles and the specific steps you took to push it up in your life. You inspired me to start taking more deliberate action in certain areas of my own life.
Look forward to hanging out again soon.
Waldo
Awesome! Reminds me of the 1MORE game we played over ten years ago. Your results reveal your character.
Turn this into a program and i'll attend.
Doug -
Wow. You've managed to make me feel both the sting of recognition and the spark of inspiration. You don't know how much I needed both of those today! Thanks for this collection of insights - and expect to hear more from me soon.
Best,
JMT
Loved the Talking Heads song analogy, because when you stop paying attention to your mindset, actions, and beliefs you do often end up in a place you don't like or don't recognize. I plan on sharing this article with my Ezine subscribers and blasting it out to my network as well. Thanks for sharing it with the world, Doug. Your "ripple" through this article is sure to make a difference in many lives across the globe.
I can readily identify with the power of the ripple effect. There is power in dedicating to a commitment to do anyone thing. In discipline one finds their measure of integrity. What stands out in my mind about these levels is others can support us but we must get up every single day and see if through.
It is in finding joy and happiness in the accomplishment of the task that is the true motivator to embrace all that comes our way. Sometimes it's as simple as seeing what was right in front of us all along - we just see with new eyes and a fresh perspective. To inspiring the potential that lies within each one of us!
Blondie Talks™ Inspiring the Potential Within.
Thanks Jerry. So true- noone can do the work for you. When we raise our awareness and engage in personal development the distinction between "work" and "play" often blurs. Staying acutely aware of the ripples created through discipline opens the space for more breakthroughs. YOU are inspiring.