Starts that finish begin from where you are, not where you think you are.

In our evaluations of where we want to be, rarely do we take a look at the real estate we currently occupy.

We fall on our face with a thousand false starts because we misrepresent the starting line.

The beginning point is where you are now. Too often we convince ourselves that we're further along than we are because we're in denial that we're in a place that we can't accept.

"Only losers occupy such a place" is the mindset we own that keeps us in denial about where we are.

The way forward begins with a personal intervention. When a formal group intervention is done, people close to the person being confronted are asked to just state the facts and leave the personal invective and accusations outside the room. The objective is to hold up a mirror of evidence so that the person can truly see where they currently are.

A personal intervention is done with the same care. We learned a valuable lesson from the tale of Snow White - The magic of mirrors is they don't lie; they just reflect the facts.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall who's in denial most of all?" We are.

We deny the facts, and by doing so, we remain unable to get the footing for a proper start.

When we muster the courage to take a look at ourselves, "warts and all," we are making a comprehensive, personal assessment, not one that's been airbrushed for public display.

It's in this process of no-holds-barred assessment that we reach self-acceptance. Remember the main principle of intervention: Just the facts. The minute you begin to add accusation and acrimony to the facts, you drift away from the starting line.

Self assessment will get you to the starting line; self acceptance will allow you to begin.

The things you cannot accept about yourself are always with you and weigh you down. When you have a willingness to take a look at them, they lose their power. When everything is out in the open and available for view, there is no secret force acting as glue.

Accepting where you are gives you the best chance to go where you want to be.

The starting point is a look in the mirror. If you fail to look, it will reflect poorly on your chances to begin.

All the best,

John