CIRCLES OF
EXCELLENCE
Here's how you can have a really resourceful state of mind and body at
any time you really need it: For that job interview, for that big
presentation, for that infuriating customer, for that important date
tonight!
Choose the state, feelings and behaviour you want to have BEFORE you go
into any situation by following this simple procedure.
You can do this exercise on your own; however, it can be useful to have
a friend talk you through the steps the first time.
Stand, with about 6 feet of floor space in front of you.
1a. Imagine a circle on the floor
immediately in front
of you. Give the circle a colour. Make it bright, shining or
whatever makes it visually attractive.
1b. Pick a word or short phrase that
symbolises an appropriately
powerful state for you. It might be "Go For It", or "Relaxed" or
"Yes!", or "Success" etc.
2. Now, recall a time when you felt "on
top of the world,"
or "firing on all cylinders," or some other empowered state. Go for
a really good memory--perhaps one of those times when you exceeded even
your own expectations!
3. Imagine yourself back at that time.
See what you
were seeing then, hear what you were hearing, feel what you were
feeling.
If there were any smells or tastes, imagine those as well. Notice
what you were doing and what you were thinking at the time.
4. As your sense of being in this
excellent state begins to
build - Take a deep breath, say your code word and step into the circle
in front of you.
5. Stand in the circle and INTENSIFY the
memory, re-living
those moments and enjoying those feelings that come naturally from
doing
something really well.
6. Now, imagine another circle with the
same characteristics
as the first and repeat Steps 2 to 5 with a different empowering
memory.
TAKE ALL OF THE FEELINGS FROM THE FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH YOU as you step
into the second circle.
7. Repeat with a third circle and
another resourceful memory.
8. Now think of a future situation where
you want to be at
your best and imagine yourself performing in the state you are
experiencing
now. Doesn't it go well?
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Modified from Charlotte Bretto "A
Framework For Excellence"
(1988)
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