The keynote speaker at the DSWA Education Celebration Leadership Training was Brian Klemmer from Klemmer and Associates. He has a book called “If How To’s Were Enough, We Would All Be Skinny, Rich and Happy.” Does that not just say it all? His training struck a chord with me. Knowing how to be successful, knowing how to make phone calls and book parties, knowing how to lose weight or how to have a happy marriage, it isn’t enough. Learning how to is the easy part! But sometimes we are more committed to staying the same, or being comfortable, than we are to accomplishing our goals. It’s easier and more comfortable to not work on our goals in earnest. We may say we WANT this or that, but the truth is often we want something else even more, and that something else can be holding us back. We know this based on our results.

This was a “lightbulb moment” for me and I decided to try out some of the techniques Brian explained. One way to accomplish a breakthrough is to 1) visualize yourself being successful at your goal, 2) make a promise to someone that you will accomplish this goal by a certain date, and 3) assign a high-risk consequence that will occur if you don’t do it. Do all 3 and you will see dramatic change in a short amount of time.

I decided to test this out with my weight loss goals. I’ve struggled with being “just a little” heavy since having kids. I am done with that and am really out of excuses. I know what to do, I just haven’t wanted to do it bad enough. So I am visualizing myself thinner, and made a promise to Greg that I would lose 15 lbs by the end of May. I wrote this down in my journal with the date and my starting weight. He and I worked on figuring out what would be a risky consequence for me - I knew it had to be something I really would NOT want to have happen. I decided on saying that if I didn’t lose the 15 lbs I would home-cook 3 meals a day for a month! Cooking is not something I really enjoy doing, and I certainly don’t want to spend that much time doing it for a month! Breakfast, lunch and dinner. No way!

So I am using the Kenzen protein shakes from Nikken, eating a healthy dinner, and walking 20-60 minutes a day using the Cardiostrides weighted shoes. So far I have lost 8 lbs and feel great! Before this, I thought there was just no way to fit in any kind of exercise and that I had no will power or control over my eating. Now that my intentions are clear, I don’t even care about food, and after 20 days of walking, I feel my day isn’t complete unless I step outside for a brisk walk around the block. There’s no way I am NOT doing this. I’ve decided! Once and for all.

Brian’s talk was inspirational and informative in so many more ways. He talked a lot about the “sunglasses” we see life through based on our past or circumstances and how awareness of them enables you to lift them and see things more clearly. The amazing thing is that I found out he is in this local area, so I was excited to see if I could get a workshop together up here. Then I found out Klemmer and Associates had already had planned what they call a Champion’s Workshop for May 29th in Rancho Cordova. AND that the DSWA Founder, Nicki Keohouho would also be training on Leadership for a few hours before. I am excited about attending that event and hope many others from my area will join me. At only $20 it’s a bargain especially with the training from Nicki. I signed up right away.

Then as if things could get even better, I won the Klemmer and Associates door prize at the Celebration which means several of his books and CDs and a pass for a Personal Mastery weekend! It was truly Fate, you know what I mean? One of their associates, Kathleen, called me shortly after the Celebration to talk to me about the local event, and I invited her to our Chapter meeting which was going to be the next day - on a whim! She not only showed up, had dinner with us and hung out but she brought books for everyone there and personally invited us to come on the 29th. I gave a little talk about what an impact Brian’s speech had on me and it was just a great time sharing something so meaningful.

I am really looking forward to the Champion’s Workshop and later the Personal Mastery weekend. I can’t wait to find out what other breakthroughs are in store for me!