THE THRILL

I’ve been writing blogs for 9 years and often feel a little frustrated.   Hey, I’m no Hemingway or Dickens, I know that, but there are times I wish I was.  I have an idea or feeling I want to express and I just can’t do it justice.  And that’s OK, I do my best and I keep improving.   Except this week, every year.

The difficulty in coordinating the videos, evaluating scholarship applications, answering countless emails and 15 hour days for 2 weeks, is challenging.  Then, like a bolt out of the blue, it’s over and fatigue, frustration with technology and drilling the guides so we can render unparalleled support is replaced with a thrill that never gets old.  Matter of fact, the thrill of meeting new people with the desire to improve, to grow, to change overwhelms me more each year.

I don’t know, maybe it’s because I am older… more grateful… less self-centered.  But I find my self in that spot… It is right in that spot that I wish I was a better wordsmith.

I become so swamped with gratitude, admiration and anticipation of great people finally coming to realize they are great, golden and magnificent that I weep.  The crying this year, triggered by joy, set a new record.  I wish, really, I had the skill to express how it feels to witness people, individuals come with hope that will be realized and then facilitate an environment when that hope grows into faith and, with admirable effort, manifest new realities of their choice.

I GET SCARED

So within all this wonder, this marvelous collection of different people from over 20 different countries bringing their trust and hope, why do I get scared?

Shock.

While the promise of the course is 100% true 100% of the time, most people have not been back in a real classroom environment for years… decades for some, if not all, of us.  It is shocks them.   We live in a world of convenience.   Learning is challenging and adding to that the responsibility of learning our way around the campus, studying, experiencing new things, coping with technology and actual homework assignments can feel [and that is the KEY word, FEEL], intimidating.

I get scared because I know, in every fiber of my being, the value of muddling through the early stuff, learning to post a blog, writing a first draft of Definite Major Purpose, having deadlines… can discourage people.  We forget why we said “yes” in the first place.   We forget why we watched those 3 videos,   We forget that whatever it was that triggered us deciding to “go for it” and begin to yield to a feeling [there is that KEY word again], that “this is too much.”

See, I know each and every individual is on the precipice of an entirely different reality.  Not a reality that is a copy of someone else’s idea, [parents, schools, companies, governments, me,  etc.] of how life works but for the first time in our adult lives we become self-directed.   The THRILL of knowing those who force their old blueprint with sheer will to “shut-up” and create new habits is what I love and live for… the fear that the cultural shock of being back in school will discourage some is what I am forced to also live with.

FIGHTING BACK

Learned a few things over the year so I can fight back.  Wifey, The Fabulous Davene and I love getting surveys in, they help us improve.   So we’re fighting back the fear with things we’ve learned in the surveys over the years.   Way back in 2010 we made a decision that while many things in today’s “new world” are great, one thing that has suffered is customer service.  It began vanishing in the 1970’s.  So sad.

If you were a consumer in the ’60’s you know what I am talking about.  You’d pull into a gas station and two kids would RUN out to your car, in uniforms.  One would pump the gas while the other would clean your windshield, check your oil and tires.   Then, every time, they’d sincerely thank you for your purchase.   What happened to that wonderful appreciation and giving more than expected from merchants?    We decided, back in 2010, that was what we wanted our staff and guides to deliver.   And all 82 of them do just that, so do we.

So let’s make you aware of a few things we’ve added to help you REMEMBER that just like anything new, your mind, if you give it a chance, will quickly adjust to this “culture shock” of being back in school, for real… and quickly become comfortable in a culture that will help you help yourself forge a life of possibilities, adventure and effortless manifestations of your heart’s desire.

SPEED TO GET THROUGH ASSIGNMENTS FASTER

To help, we’ve set up a reading class, you’ll read faster.   We’ll get that webcast set up for you in the few  weeks.

YOUR FIRST BLOG

Never posted a blog before?  Relax. Really, posting a blog is like writing an email.  Will it be fancy, have links, social

media buttons and pictures?   We’ll teach you that over the six months in the Digital Solutions course, but don’t worry about that right now.   Just get a post up and here is a short 3 minutes video in our members area to let you see it really is just like writing an email.   It will be fun looking back at your first posts and seeing how much you’ve learned a few months from now.  And, of course, next Monday, we’ll walk you right through it live on the Digital Solutions Webcast 

1960’s SERVICE

This last year we made a decision to lower the “guide-to-member” ratio and we have.  What does that mean?  It means instead of a guide for every 20-25 members, it is now a guide for every 6-8 members.  More personal attention.  The guides have been through six months of training and are service driven.   Use the members area and utilize your guide.  Ask questions in the members area, they are in their constantly and your questions help others.  A great way to stay connected and let us be of service is getting the Marco Polo phone app.  It is free for both iphones and androids.

And, while your in the app store for your phone, grab the Masterkey experience companion app… all this is free, for both types of smart phones. Put masterkey in as one word, it will pop right up.

USE YOUR MEMORY

Think back to a time when you started something new and felt lost; high school, college, a new job.   Didn’t know where the bathrooms were, when the breaks were, where to eat, what to expect, how to open your locker.   A short time later you were able to help others and be comfortable.  The same will happen here if… you use your mind to notice resistance and tell that resistance to take a seat, there’s a “new sheriff in town” 🙂

DESIRE

While we all have different reasons for engaging in the Master Key Mastermind Alliance, we all have something in common.  Desire.  Could be a desire for more rewarding relationships, desire for better business performance, desire for a career change, desire for a particular purpose… but we all desire something different than we currently have.  So the same thing, becoming comfortable will happen here if… you leverage your desire to subdue the initial inconvenience of learning how to manage the course and your current life.  We’ll overcome any “how” if our “why” is authentic and heart driven.  Let your heart’s desire overrule that excuses laden old blueprint.

THE KICKER

It is false that children learn faster than adults.  As an education major, I can assure you it is not even close.   Adults learn faster.  The most remarkable mechanism on the planet is sitting between our ears.

That’s the kicker.

Give your brain a chance and override the old blueprint.   The old blueprint and years of negative self talk is NO MATCH for the brain, it’s power and ability to adapt.  

Make the choice and trust your brain instead of listening to the old blueprint… that voice that says “this is too hard… too much… can’t blog, can’t keep up, don’t have the time…” is NO MATCH for the remarkable you.  However, this is your responsibility and choice as to what you honor… honor the old blueprint or honor the latent potential of your magnificent mechanism.   Simple.

I know what lies beyond the precipice you are currently standing on.  You know the choice I want you to make between the old blueprint and your brain.   Trust the magnificent mechanism and you’ll discover the most amazing person you’ll ever meet.   You 🙂

Keep giving to keep growing

believe

mark j