The Tolerance Effect

While working with a client several months ago, we went through a process of identifying areas of personal strengths and weaknesses. Through this exercise, we discussed various characteristics and ended up deciding that there was opportunity for improvement in her level of "tolerance". A funny thing happened after that. When she found herself in a situation that had previously triggered a negative reaction be it disappointment, irritation, frustration, anger or even animosity (usually focused on the person in the car ahead of her who didn't use their turn signal), the word "tolerance" would flash in her head and she could immediately change the way she reacted to the situation.

This change was so powerful that I shared this story with a few other clients and they got the same results. Several weeks later, I found myself experiencing the same phenomenon.

Here's what happened. Once the word "tolerance" was presented, it created an awareness to the conscious mind that could over-ride what already existed in the subconscious. As a result, each person was able to break the pattern of "programmed behavior".

Another interesting factor that came from this experience was the far-reaching effects from this particular word. "Tolerance" isn't a word that is often used to describe personal or professional traits but it has numerous positive connotations. Just a few examples would include: caring, kindness, support, non-judgmental attitudes, perception, consideration, open-mindedness, understanding, patience and flexibility. Taking this a step further, tolerance is an attribute that is usually applied when dealing with unpleasant or compromising situations or in our interactions with other people. Have you ever noticed how most of us are our own worst critic? Just imagine the impressive changes that could be achieved when we become more tolerant of ourselves!

What could you achieve if you were more flexible and open to trying new things? How much personal and professional growth could you realize if you were more patient with your progress? What alliances would you form if you could both give and get professional support? How would you feel if you were as kind to yourself as you are to others? Don't be surprised when the word tolerance springs to your mind when you least expect it and see how it helps you become more focused on your success!

Jeannette Kraar, president of Performance Management International is the Breakthrough Career Coach and a highly-acclaimed trainer, speaker and consultant. Hundreds of PMI clients have succeeded even in the most turbulent times. Jeannette is the author of BREAKTHROUGH, The Hate My Job, Need A Life, Can't Get No Satisfaction SOLUTION.

Learn more about the book at http://www.breakthroughcareersolutions.com

Email Jeannette at pmi@manageyoursuccess.com or visit her on-line at http://www.manageyoursuccess.com

---

Whats in it for me if I Hire A Coach?

1. An unshakable foundation:Create and build your life from the ground up. A foundation built on solid ground will support anything and everything you take on, go through and/or desire.2. Your personal negotiables... Read More

Live Healthy - Six Steps To A Healthy Life

Six steps we can take to reduce our risks for heart disease There are certain steps that we can take to reduce our risks of ever getting heart disease and having a heart... Read More

Theres Always Enough Time!

I thought I'd begin this article by stimulating your mind with a little time trivia contest! Are you ready? Alright then, here goes?..Question 1 - How many hours a day did Bill Gates... Read More

What Does It Take To Have It All In Life?

Many people have asked me why I wrote my book, 'The Street Kid's Guide to Having it All', and I realized that some people simply do not believe that it is possible to... Read More

A Perrverse Confidante

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 15, 2002Dad passed away years ago and Mom lives alone. She is still young and healthy, yet she always plays the victim. I am... Read More

3 Keys to Making Small Talk Easy to Do

Small talk used to be really hard work for me. I never knew what to say and I always worried about saying the wrong thing.Then something awful happened to me....I had to take... Read More

Executive Coaching -The Business Benefits

Executive coaching is an investment for you and your business and you need to understand what returns you will get. How exactly will you benefit from it?On a practical level, much executive coaching... Read More

The Biggest Loser

I am a "Loser". You're gonna learn from this writing today the reason why you too must be a "Loser". In all seriousness, let me share with you why I am writing this.... Read More

Crisis: Danger or Opportunity?

I have often heard motivational speakers say that the word crisis in Chinese means both danger and opportunity. In investigating the facts, I have found running arguments on the web as to whether... Read More

Becoming An Information Filter And A Knowledge Sponge

As the title states, "Become an Information Filter and a Knowledge Sponge." On your daily journey to achieve your WHY, you will travel through many different avenues and sometimes you will ask yourself,... Read More

How to Create Your Ideal Life - Excerpt from Individual Power

When I lost it all, I felt powerless. During my darkest hours, I wrote letters to God asking "why?" I received answers in writing.If you have either lost it all, or you are... Read More

The Non-Conscious Mind at Work. Harness it for Your Success

Thoughts are real things. As soon as you realize how to control your thoughts you are on your way to making vast changes in your daily success.This month I am going to follow... Read More

How to be Your Authentic Self

Most of us play many different roles in the course of any given day. We could be Mom, Boss, Employee, Student or Friend, to name just a few. Very often we identify ourselves... Read More

Mind the Gap

The underground train in London can get you anywhere when you know how to maneuver all the options. Like our subways, London under ground is a busy place. When your train arrives and... Read More

The X-factor

Would you agree that today most of us have the same set of opportunities and the same set potential?If you agree with me, then perhaps you might like to consider this puzzling question:... Read More

Let Go of Your Past

People have a difficult time letting go of the past because they are held back by unfinished business. They may regret choices they have made or feel guilty about past actions. As long... Read More

Its Only Adult ADD-What A Relief!

For most of her fifty years, Barbara was at war with herself. Keeping organized, being on time, and finishing what she started were always a struggle. (Sound familiar?)She always secretly felt that she... Read More

Five Steps to Vocational Passion: A Disciplined Plan for Major Mid-life Changes

There's a famous song lyric that asks: "Is that all there is?" Every seven seconds, an American turns 50 years old. So there's a good chance that song is running through some of... Read More

Live With An Attitude Of Gratitude

Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you just can't fall asleep and you have to get up early the next morning for a very important meeting of which you are... Read More

Key Questions for a Coaching Conversation

There are 2 key skills that coaches need to be truly effective, the ability to listen (often for what is missing rather than what is said) and the ability to ask the right... Read More

Choosing The Right Coach

Coaching has become a very popular way for people to get the ongoing support they need to accomplish their goals. However, choosing a coach can be tricky. There are so many METHODS, models,... Read More

Sorry Dr Maslow, I Think You Got It Wrong

In the 1950s Abraham Maslow published a book entitled " Motivation and Personality" in which he outlided his now famous Hierarchy of Needs. Over the years since its publication Maslow's work has gained... Read More

Masterminding Success - How to Start a Masterminding Meeting?

Masterminding is about a group of like-minded, achievement-oriented individuals who come together to combine the power of several minds to tackle problems, seek advice and perspectives in achieving their goals.Before the meeting proper... Read More

Life Coaching for Success and Fulfilment

We live in a world of rapid change and uncertainty. Nothing is as it was even ten years ago. This means there is major pressure on all of us to change, everything is... Read More

Business Coaching - Ten Ways of Dealing with Mistakes You Made

You can either choose to dwell on what happened and get stuck in the past or you can choose to start using your energy to build your future. Either choice is okay. But... Read More

Truth About Life Coaching School Accreditation

With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium, many of you are seeking the right choice for training and certification. Hopefully this article will answer some of your questions.There are many... Read More

Managing Your Perfectionism

What Is Perfectionism?This is the first of two newsletters that address perfectionism. In this issue, we will explore what perfectionism is and why it is destructive. In the next one, we will take... Read More

Communicating with Case Studies

Not long ago, I made a partnership pitch, on behalf of an organization I represent, to another organization with similar interests. If the idea had come to fruition, it would have radically changed... Read More

Two Pillows and One Dead Husband

That's what I needed when I delved deeply into my first acting class. I was 60 years old and had a lifetime of experiences behind me but anger or rather the act of... Read More