Sometimes the simplest of concepts can be the most profound. We study complex organizational development theories. We read endless personal development books seeking nuggets of enlightenment. We take courses and go on retreats in our continual search for ways to make our lives and organizations the best they can be. Yet there is a dead simple two-word concept that you can adopt today that will forever change your life.

Flip it!

Write these two words on your bulletin board. Keep them handy: Flip it!

We create our reality by what we choose to focus on. A generative approach focused on what we have and what we want will open up possibilities and move us forward to achieving our overtone (that extraordinary place of aligned success). The same principle applies to our mindset. Where thought goes, energy flows.

 The Flip it Concept

Consider your current thoughts about a personal or work situation. Are you thinking of the struggle, the lack, the what-is-not-working? If you are, flip your thinking and shift your thoughts to your desired state. Turn your focus to the abundant possibilities. Watch your energy shift when you Flip it!

E.g. Your focus: I don’t have any work lined up for next month. (While mentally focused there, you are stuck with no work.)

Flip it: I want to get three more clients next month. (That opens you up to the next step: Ok, that’s what I want; now how will I achieve it?)

E.g.  Board Meeting focus: Sales are flat for our gala event. No one is buying tickets. We are going to lose a lot of money. (While energy is focused there, no tickets are sold.)

Flip it: We need to sell two hundred more tickets to break even. (Opens up to the next step: Okay, now how can we do that?)

When any of my coaching clients start to focus on their problems (i.e. what isn’t working), I see them quickly losing energy. My job then becomes managing the coaching session to make sure they rise out of their downward spiral.

Alana*, a successful senior VP in a busy, high-stress tech environment, came to me with a non-stop litany of the things in her life that were causing her current state of complete overwhelm. After Alana had exhausted her download, rather than stay with her in that state, I acknowledged how she was feeling and then asked a simple question, “Imagine yourself being totally on top of things, organized and in charge – how does that feel?” That flipped her focus and took her to a future state, where she was in control, calm, and relaxed. It had the effect of opening up possibilities for her in a situation that had seemed hopeless minutes earlier.

The FLIP IT formula transforms your thinking to generative possibilities by helping you focus on your desired future state (i.e./ what you want).You can then put steps in place to move into that desired state. Neuroscience backs up this approach. By keeping our minds in a toward state we can more easily promote growth and insight. We experience resistance when we try to work away from something.

The FLIP IT  4-Step FORMULA

  1. Acknowledge/identify any part of your life where there is a gap between where you are and where you want to be. (no judgment here, only a simple identification of your current state).
  2. Spend a couple of minutes focusing on the gap and what is missing. If you are doing this reflection in a group, engage in a group discussion about what is lacking. Notice how you feel when focused on the “lack”.
  3. Now consciously “Flip Your Focus” and put your attention to where you want to be – your desired state.  (Groups: Flip the focus of your discussion to what you need or want)   Notice what happens when you “Flip it”.
  4. Put steps in place to move toward that “flipped” state with the support of your coach or friends.

FLIP IT! 2 simple words to move you from stuck to action, and scarcity to possibility.

 Article excerpted from THE OVERTONE EFFECT by Jan Carley

©2016 www.theovertoneeffect.com

 *client name changed to preserve confidentiality