I look forward to our NINJA Selling Mindset Sessions in Orange Beach because I always walk out learning something from others in attendance. This time together is more than the NINJA system. This is a time to share and collaborate personally and professionally. From these sessions, I want to share two nuggets that I have received recently that have really helped my mindset and I hope they help yours too.

"OQP" which stands for "Only Quality People"
Sue Ginter said "OQP" one day in a discussion about buyers and sellers and we all looked at her with the 'deer in the headlight' look. When she explained that it stood for "Only Quality People," it was like a huge light bulb came on to everyone in the room.  As the name suggests, "OQP" is to focus on eliminating the negative influences in your daily life. You do not have to cut them out of your life entirely, but you can minimize the risk by limiting the amount of time you spend around such people.
 
Ninja Mastery tells us: "The first step to mastery is removal of everything in your environment that represents mediocrity, removing those things that are limiting. One way is to surround yourself with friends who ask more of you than you do." Hello, "OQP"!!!
 
When we are on our way to success, there are so many things that can bring us down, so many difficulties we will face . . . so why make the people around us another difficulty? Make sure you surround yourself with people who will push you to do more and to do better.  Surround yourself with encouragement and good advice.  Mastery!

"Success isn't found in your comfort zone."
Debbi Clarke made this statement during a discussion, and it was another 'deer in the headlight' moment for everyone. The most common roadblock to achieving success is ourselves. An even bigger roadblock is not taking any action to overcome them because we are too comfortable.
 
Why we get stuck in our comfort zone:

• Lack of clarity – Not having a vision! Stuck in our routines.
• Self-doubt – Insecurities about ourselves and our abilities.
• Fear – Of the unknown. Rejection.
• Beliefs – Limited beliefs about who we are.

These are all habits that cause us to delay, procrastinate, overthink, and get anxious about getting out of our comfort zone.
 
Common excuses not to leave your comfort zone:

• "I am too busy."
• "I don't have the mental capacity."
• "I will do it tomorrow."
• "It's too late to make a change now."
• "I don't know what to do."

 
Ideas to help you get out of your comfort zone:

• Acknowledge – There is more to life than settling with what you have.
• Gain clarity – Know your "WHY"!
• Actions – Develop new habits!
• Consistency – No definition needed!
• Impediments – Fix your mindset! It is all up to YOU!
• Improvise & Adapt – Change seldom goes as planned so be ready to make changes.
• Support – Have someone to hold you accountable.

Mastery sums it up well: "You must be able to correct yourself (get out of your comfort zone) without invalidating or condemning yourself, to accept results and improve upon them.  Correct, don't protect.  Correction (getting out of your comfort zone) is essential to power and mastery."
 
"OQP" & "Success isn't found in your comfort zone"