How to Get What You Want
By Brian Norris ©2006
414-899-1905, info@BrianNorris.com
The Secret of life?
So a special friend and I are sitting out on the balcony on the 6th floor of the hotel where I'm conducting a seminar. We're enjoying a delicious bottle of Pinot Noir. The stars are bright as we enjoy the breeze coming off the ocean. She looks at me, and I can tell she's happy to be with me.
A few moments pass and we talk about this and that. She turns now to face me, wrinkles her nose and smiles again.
"So tell me, Brian what's the secret to life? What's your secret to getting what you want in life."
"I'm a scorpio, we always get what we want -- one way or the other." I answered with a big grin on my face
She continued by asking, "Seriously, Brian. Do you always get what you want?"
"Yes, I do," I said, I will things to happen or for people to come into my life (or leave) and inevitably, I get what I ask for."
"Really?" she said, as she raised her eyebrows. "Do tell. How on earth do you do it?"
I thought about an appropriate answer. After a minute of silence I smiled, took her by the hand, looked into her deep brown eyes and said, "Ask the universe for what you want with a spirit of humility and expectation."
That's really all there is. As I went on to clarify my response I gave her the approach I take to life, an approach that has rarely failed me.
First, whenever you ask for something you need to be ready for the positive and negative consequences that come with almost every event, especially when it involves other people.
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Are you strong enough to be happy, to be loved and to really be free?
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Do you have the fortitude to handle the responsibilities that come with personal and professional success?
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Can you deal with the temporary upheavals, tears and broken hearts that your desires and requests might cause?
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Are you prepared to live (or learn to live) in a world of uncertainty, randomness, miracles, amazing coincidences, spontaneity and perpetual ambiguity?
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Will you be able to look into the mirror daily and say to the person you see smiling back "I have no one to blame (or thank) for my current situation but me!"
These are the lifetime dues of membership. You must pay these dues daily or face going insane. Do you still want to get everything you ever wanted?
If you are willing to pay the price then you're ready to benefit from this insight (and to escape Life Sucks Syndrome forever). So, here is the secret again...
Ask the universe for what you want with a spirit of humility and expectation.
Don't get cocky with the universe. Humility demands that you manage or altogether eliminate your ego. Humility demands that you learn something new from every person you meet and every event you experience. Humility requires that you actively improve your mind daily (reading, watching or listening, classes, internships, workshops, volunteering to take on new projects outside your written job description, job shadowing) and that you apply your newly acquired knowledge whenever possible.
With this spirit of humility specify what you want to happen. I usually close my eyes and speak my expectation as if I'm talking to a friend. You can also write down your expectation. Read what you've written out loud.
Be descriptive when you tell the universe what you want. Share details of the events you want to happen or the people you want to meet. See the colors. Smell the aromas and distinct fragrances that you will encounter when your expectation comes to pass. Experience the emotions. Note the time of day you want this to happen and all the miniscule details.
Do all of this with the foundational understanding that while you'll get what you asked for (often within hours or days), it won't be in the linear order or specific process or exact package that you imagined.
Thank the universe for hearing, processing and responding to your request. Now, keep your eyes, heart, mind and options open.
Remember how I wrote about being prepared to live (or learn to live) in a world of uncertainty, randomness, miracles, amazing coincidences, spontaneity and perpetual ambiguity? Well, this is the world you're in now.
Don't write anything or anyone off as insignificant. Almost everything that happens to you (and the people you meet) after you've made your request is somehow a manifestation of events set into motion by your expectation.
Don't overanalyze; just go with it. The fragments don't always make intrinsic sense by themselves. Hindsight is the filter through which the pieces will finally make sense, so exercise good judgment and then enjoy the moment.
Equally important, plan actions that will create an environment where the universe can assist you.
For example, don't just sit in your home or office waiting for the phone to ring. Make some phone calls. Send out some emails or text messages. Go to places that you truly believe will put you in touch with people that can assist you (and where you can assist them) in reaching your goals.
When you go somewhere, initiate conversations rather than waiting for someone to approach you. It doesn't matter what your gender, age or status is. You have to take initiative.
Be clear and specific about what you'd like to happen or do. Listen to what is being said. Pay attention to the non-verbal cues you get from others too. The key is to expect the best of every opportunity without being overly pushy or needy. There's a thick line between freak and friendly!
Ask how you can be of service to others too (it's part of being humble). Reciprocity, when it comes from a place of kindness or positivity is an amazing dynamic. Give freely. Receive freely.
Ask for the job, the meeting, the phone number, the kiss, the date, whatever. The worst that can happen in any situation is to be met with a "No" or "Not right now."
But if you don't ask or do nothing to capitalize on your circumstances you don't get. I expect a yes, and if I've learned as much as I can and taken actions to create the ideal conditions, I generally get the yes (and much more).
The fine print here is that we get what we focus on as long as we:
- trust the universe to deliver,
- can relinquish our need to control the process
- inwardly smile and remain positively passionate in knowing the outcome will be what we needed.
Are you ready? You deserve everything you get, everything you want, everything you need. Just ask for it, and do what you need to do to make your desires and dreams a reality.
As a leading motivation and positivity expert, Brian Norris shows individuals and organizations practical, real-world strategies that create positive, productive environments. He is available for training, keynotes and coaching. Brian may be reached by calling 414-899-1905 or emailing info@briannorris.com .