Breakthroughs
“Breakthrough: a sudden and overwhelming unfolding of freedom from long-held limitations"
-Larry Chatterton, President of Dale Carnegie Training
Transformation in life comes from a combination of new insight and committed action, resulting in a breakthrough from previous untruth. Many experiences can spark the realization that begins a transformation, but in order to create a real breakthrough this realization must suggest a change in behavior. In this way, this “working” realization naturally leads to action, which naturally leads to achievement. This “Be > Do > Have” approach is the only certain means to establish lasting transformation in life.
Garrett B. Gunderson experienced a profound breakthrough that launched his own personal and professional transformation. At the time, Garrett was living with his wife, Carrie, in an apartment that was adequate for the two of them, but would certainly not accommodate their future family. Though he understood Carrie’s desire to move to a home and prepare to have a child, Garrett insisted that they continue living in the apartment. He wanted the two of them to focus on building their net worth. Once they had enough in savings, he told himself and Carrie, they could talk about buying a house and having a child. Part of their savings plan required strict budgeting of monthly expenses, including only ordering water at restaurants, buying off-brand groceries that Garrett admitted didn’t taste quite right, and other “small” sacrifices.
In his professional life in financial services, Garrett encouraged his clients to make similar sacrifices. If they wanted to adequately prepare for retirement, they must “pay themselves first” in the form of savings, and delay the use of their money as long as possible.
Around this time, Garrett’s life was radically transformed when he attended a seminar with Ron Zeller, who is now Garrett’s business partner. Ron requested that everyone in attendance call their significant other during a break, and discuss any looming issues that created stress in the relationship. This conversation was not to be another opportunity for conflict. Instead, seminar attendees were to recognize their significant other as the inspiring, wonderful person they choose to spend their life with. More importantly, Garrett was instructed to listen to his wife from the point of view that she was truly amazing, thus giving her the opportunity to be just that.
From that conversation, Garrett learned how controlling he was being in his marriage. He learned how his insistence on saving for retirement was leaving his wife unfulfilled and frustrated. He also learned of the wonderful intentions she had for their marriage, and the plans she had to make their future home and family full of joy and love. Before this conversation, Garrett knew of nothing wrong with his marriage, and couldn’t imagine it being better. Through the conversation, Garrett established a powerful relationship with reality and an entirely new realm of possibility was created.
In that moment, Garrett had a breakthrough. He realized how much he wanted the same things for his own life that Carrie said she wanted for hers. In a split second, he committed himself to his wife’s vision of their future. Through that commitment, Garrett’s belief system shifted. Because his beliefs changed, his actions changed. Because his actions changed, his results changed.
This “Be > Do > Have” process is the pathway of genuine transformation. Garrett’s realization demanded a change in behavior. Knowing their results, Garrett could not continue the self-imposed financial restrictions he demanded of himself and his wife. Because he was encouraging his own clients to do the same, he would have to modify his professional behavior as well.
Garrett began to investigate alternative theories of wealth creation. He learned that many of the strategies for building wealth were in fact just sales pitches by financial institutions. The idea of accumulating great amounts of money was itself nothing more than a marketing ploy. Garrett learned the fundamental principle at the heart of capitalism, that money is nothing more than a currency of exchange. Unused money is rotting paper, nothing more.
Garrett came to realize that the key to wealth is not reducing expenses through sacrifice. Instead, it is in living Soul Purpose. By investing in discovery of one’s abilities and talents, a person can bring unique value to the marketplace. Others will pay for this value, creating wealth now. Instead of accumulating net worth for retirement in 30 years, Garrett began focusing on production and happiness now, with the goal of achieving economic independence in less than a year.
In addition to being financially independent (by having enough monthly portfolio income to cover expenses), Garrett also committed to buying new vehicles and a beautiful home for he and his wife. He was able to accomplish all of these objectives, because he was no longer operating in a mindset of scarcity. Instead, his life was about Soul Purpose. Instead of sacrificing luxury and enjoyment in order to “live within his means,” Garrett simply increased his means.
In addition to the home and vehicles he purchased for his own family, Garrett bought his mom her dream car as a surprise Mother’s Day present, and even bought his parents a home in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in all of Utah. He accomplished this all while investing over 70 percent of his earnings back into his business ventures, and still generating five times the net profit he earned before the breakthrough. Though they are not the source of joy and happiness in his relationships with family and friends, the material possessions Garrett has purchased support the life and lifestyle that allows him to experience both pleasure and meaning in his work and personal life every day. Visit the photo album of this Web site to better understand these relationships.
From the initial embers of insight sparked during his conversation with Carrie, Garrett has truly transformed his life. He is happier, healthier, and substantially wealthier than he ever could have been trying to hoard away savings by penny-pinching. He lives in a spectacular home with his amazing wife. Together, they are expecting their second child.
Transformation can begin in a moment, with nothing more than a realization and a commitment to "be" a new person. From being that person, a new set of behaviors results. From that new set of behaviors, a new set of rewards naturally results. No one is stuck with the current circumstances of their life. Breakthroughs can be consciously chosen, and a new life consciously lived. What are your trigger points for transformation. There are two basic options--pain or proactive education. Pain leads to transformation when someone hits rock bottom and finally chooses responsibility. Proactive education is learning before the experience to choose a better path. To loosely quote Jim Abrams "A smart man makes mistakes and corrects them; a wise man seeks the smart man and learns from the mistakes beforehand."