Dear Success Seeker,

Recently I returned from a week in Oslo, Norway where I was taking advanced training in the mind training technology that I am certified in. As I was boarding the plane in Vancouver for my European adventure, I noticed an HSBC ad with an inspirational message that said, "Visionaries see the world differently." What struck me in that moment was that every one of us sees the world differently - it is just that visionaries see a world full of possibilities and opportunities. Others see a world of danger, obligation and limitation. And what we see is what we get.

Every result and experience we have in life is determined by how we see the world. Yet 99% of the time we forget two important facts: 1) The results we create and our experience of life are completely determined by how we look at things; and 2) We can choose how we look at things.

This is true in every aspect of life but for now I want to focus on the visionary thing - what you see as possible. Here's an example:

A few years ago I was leading a mastermind session in Sylvan Lake, Alberta with some small business clients. Three of us were walking together beside the lake and we came upon a large lot with a for sale sign on it. I have always loved waterfront and said to the others, "Wow. This would be an awesome place to build a dream home!" Another fellow who is a draftsman said, "This is a great lot. You could build an eight unit condo here." The third member of our group responded, "Why waste a location like this on a small condo? I can see building a high-rise here!"

I was immediately struck with the significance of what had just happened. My mind was limited to the narrow possibility of a beautiful home. That was as far as I could see. Therefore if I owned the lot, that's all I could create. The others saw bigger possibilities and therefore more was possible for them. None of us were wrong about what we saw, it's just that my vision was more limited.

Think about the goals you've accomplished over the years and you'll realize that you have rarely achieved a goal if you weren't able to visualize the end result beforehand. You may WANT to play a big game, but if you can't both see and feel the end result in advance, the likelihood of you bringing a bigger goal to fruition are very small.

So how do you expand your vision of what's possible? Today it is easier than ever before. Consider all the reality TV shows like House Hunters, Renovation Realities, Biggest Loser, American Ninja Warrior and so on. These can do far more than entertain you; they can be your source of vision, motivation and mind-expansion. You can also look on-line. If you want to be like Elon Musk, Richard Branson or anyone who inspires you the internet has thousands of video clips, photos and articles waiting to help you see exactly what is possible. Travel to different environments and cultures, like my trip to Norway, can also open your eyes to new ideas.

Often the way you view things shifts when you see, read or hear about something. You may see something and say, "I can do that" or "I want that" and a new possibility is born in you. It could be a comment someone makes that catches your attention. Moments like this can change the course of your life. I still remember a pivotal experience I had when I was 18. I had very low self-esteem at the time and no idea of a career path. I'd been working at McDonalds and wanted a better job so I applied for a position as a cook in a restaurant. The woman who interviewed me said, "Son, you don't belong in the kitchen. You belong in management." She told me to go to BCIT and study Hospitality Management - so I did. Her comment helped me see a new possibility that changed my life forever.

The key to getting more of whatever you want in your life is to expand your view to include new possibilities. Whether you reflect privately, ask friends and associates for suggestions, or search the world for ideas, be open to new ideas and opportunities that inspire you. When you see something and say to yourself, "I could do that" ask yourself two important questions: "Do I really want this?" and if so, "What is the first step I can take to get started?"

To your success!

Andrew Barber-Starkey, Master Certified Coach
Founder and President, ProCoach Success System