On Apple, Monkeywrenches and World Impact: 3 Simple Ways to Change Your Life and Spark Personal Development

ON APPLE

Apple has more cash on hand than the U.S. government. It’s easy to see why. In 1984, Apple introduced a groundbreaking commercial that revolutionized the advertising industry. I am a huge Apple fan, but I’m an even greater fan of the woman in their first commercial. She is a woman who recognizes that there needs to be a change, and awakens the worker slaves from their endless monotony to show what’s possible.

One day, one of my coaching clients told me I should watch this Apple commercial, because I had done for her life, what lady in the commercial had done for this group. After finally seeing it, I was honored. because this is exactly what I’d like to do for as many people as possible, including you.

Apple’s slogan is “Think Different.”

Our society has embraced this slogan to some extent. We believe in technology, individuality, and expression. But as I talk with more and more people, I’ve seen the need to take this – and apply it in other ways, especially in personal development and life success.

For example,

• If you are one of the 8.2% of unemployed Americans, you’ll have to “Think Different” to begin to produce new income or to find that next job. Our economy changed forever after 2008 recession.

• If you’re one of the 81 Million unemployed or underemployed youth worldwide – you’ll have to Think Different to work with your environment to produce sustainable income.

• If you are fearful, depressed, or discouraged because there seems to be no way out of your current situation: you’ll have to “Think Different” to find that solution.

There is a popular quote, which says
Life is 1% what happens to you, and 99% how you deal with it.

How have you been thinking about your day so far? Is it just another day, or a precious opportunity that the 70,000 people who died as of yesterday no longer have? If you begin to “Think Different” about your life, yourself, and the world I believe you’ll begin to have different results.

There are 2 simple questions you can ask to begin to “Think Different” and make life better.

1. Why? - Wisdom is found in asking why. We should never just take things going on in our life or in the world at surface value. Cause and effect is one of the basic universal principles. There really is a reason for everything. The first step in positively changing anything is to understand why it is the way it is right now.

2. Why Not? – Many times, we prematurely place limits on ourselves and our own abilities. Like tamed lions raised in societal cages, we don’t tap into our innate power to break free of the constraints put on us. Words, actions, and expectations from ourselves and others either give us the give us strength, or quietly drain our souls. You may be in a situation where you need to be your own best cheerleader. The next time someone implies, that you would not be able to accomplish something, simply ask: Why Not?

Usually, the obstacles surfaced by asking “Why Not” are never deal breakers in achieving your goals. At best they are just minor setbacks or aggravations that can be creatively overcome by “Thinking Different”

For instance, did you know that people (not just planes) are flying these days? See for yourself - http://bit.ly/flyingwingman

The ability to see things from many perspectives is a gift I’ve naturally been blessed with. However it’s also a skill that anyone can develop overtime. It’s a habit of not taking on the first immediate meaning of things. If you want to speed up your own personal development, practice suspending judgment in order look for solutions.

MONKEYWRENCHING: How to Live a Good Life

People everywhere are curious about “the secrets of life” or are wondering “ how do I life a good life that actually counts for something?.”

Here’s my take: In order to live a life full of joy and fulfillment, you should learn how to be a Monkeywrench by changing systems and doing worthwhile things for others.

What is a Monkey-wrench? I’m glad you asked! Go here to see a picture of one - http://images.yourdictionary.com/monkey-wrench

The term monkey-wrench was coined around 1900 and is American in origin. A monkeywrench is a spanner with a movable jaw . Low paid factory workers used to toss them into the industrial machinery to get a break. The phrase was first used in 1931, by The Daily Express - talking about the head of the liberal party - "He hurled a money wrench into the machinery of Liberalism". (The word sabotage came about the same way - French workers threw their wooden clogs (sabots) into the machinery.)

Likewise, the verb monkeywrench means “to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately”: Ex: The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.

Becoming the Monkeywrench, and Stopping the Vicious Cycles

In our own lives, the lives of our families, our communities there are vicious cycles going like clockwork, or in this case, “complex machinery”. Somebody has to say, “this isn’t going to work, and this isn’t going to be my legacy, I am going to stop this.”

Once you begin to actively get engaged and step in to make a difference,  you officially become the “Monkeywrench” or “the interruption”. There are currently negatives processes going on in or around your life – maybe you were born into them, inherited them, married them, moved-into them or started them.

Whatever the case, I want to encourage you to be the Monkeywrench because

Sometimes solutions can’t start until problems pause.

We are not living on this earth just for ourselves. Your life is meant to be the answer to someone else's problem.  This is your mission should you choose to accept it. Monkeywrenching can be done in large ways, or small ways that have large impact. For example:

• If you are in a room full of sulking miserable people – smile and say “hello.” Be the monkeywrench by bringing joy to the room.
• If you come from a background of poverty, study financial principles and become a successful entrepreneur : be the Monkeywrench by acquiring wealth.
• If nobody in your family has ever graduated college – graduate in the top 10% of your class, be the monkeywrench.
• If nobody around you is living a powerful, purpose-filled life – be the monkeywrench and start doing the opposite!

Here are 3 examples of historical and modern day MonkeyWrenches;

1. Rosa Parks – After a long day of hard work, she was tired of being forced to sit at the back of the bus, especially when she paid the same fare as anyone else. When she sat down, and the bus drive asked her to give up her seat – she did something revolutionary – she didn’t move. In essence, she became a monkeywrench to a system of injustice that had been running for decades. Ironically, her decision to not move, was a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.

2. Scott Harrison - Scott Harrison is the incredible founder of Charity Water (www.charitywater.org), which provides clean water by digging wells in impoverished communities throughout the world. Scott realized that “Clean Water Changes everything. He used his marketing experience as a club promoter in New York to create one of the most innovative non-profit campaigns in recent history. Read here to find out why clean water is the ultimate Monkeywrench (http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/ ).

Here’s the system that currently runs and why CharityWater has become a monkeywrench in the system of unnecessary death for thousands of people.

“Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. 90% of the 30,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are children under five years old. (source) Many of these diseases are preventable. The WHO reports that over 3.6% of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.”

Charity Water partners with local organizations on the ground for basic health and sanitation projects.

3. Mark Kay Ash – Mary Kay Ash was a monkey-wrench that for women who were discriminated against in the workplace, and women who previously had little economic opportunity. During a time when few married women with families worked outside the home, she became an employee of Stanley Home Products in Houston, Texas.

Mary Kay Ash later left the traditional workplace after watching yet another man whom she had trained get promoted over her. She started her own cosmetics company at the age of 45, using incentive programs and other strategies to give her employees the chance to benefit from their achievements. Her marketing skills and people savvy soon led her company to enormous success. The company turned a profit in its first year and sold close to $1 million in products by the end of its second year driven by Ash's business acumen and philosophy.

Mary Kay Ash used her training in direct sales to create her own multimillion-dollar cosmetics firm and provide women with the opportunity for advancement. Today there are more than 1.6 million salespeople working for Mary Kay Inc. around the world. Mary believed in the golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated - and operated by the motto: God first, family second, and career third.

Listen to some of Mary Kay Ash’s Monkeywrenching wisdom here http://bit.ly/MaryKayWisdom

IMPACTING THE WORLD

When we actually make need changes in our personal lives, we have greater impact in the world. There are a lot of passionate people who talk the talk. But what actually gets done?

My personal vision is to inspire a class of “unreasonable people” who make an impact by changing themselves and then the world.

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. – George Shaw

The world isn’t only changed by people who constantly do great things. Whenever you do small things in a great way it has major impact – I call these things The Great Smallies. I’d like to challenge you to change the world by having the courage to do great things and to do small things in a great way.

You playing small doesn’t benefit the world. When you let your light shine you unconsciously allow others to do the same. This is where your personal development really comes into play.

Here is the Summary of 3 Simple Strategies For Your Personal Development

1. Adopt an Apple mentality – “Think Different”
2. Be the Monkeywrench
3. Impact the World by doing The Great Smallies.

If you do these 3 things you will be well on your way to experiencing the person you want to become. I would also love to help you get there. Visit my website www.JenniferSarpong.com to find out more information about how we can work together to achieve your goals.