Michael Annese, author of “The VICTORY Cycle” featured in Best Self Magazine with his latest article.
Are you standing in the ‘What’s next?’ doorway? Are you wondering what you should do with your life? So often we pull back from these pivotal moments unprepared to execute a plan — not because we don’t want to change, but simply because we just don’t have a plan. What you’re looking for is a new vision for yourself—one that will ignite your spirit, fueled by the energy within your heart — a new vision that will transform your life into a new reality.
Here’s the good news: Believe it or not, you’re in the right place at the right time for change.
Here are 6 ways to step forward to create a compelling vision for your future:
All too often we focus on reacting to what’s going on around us — the phone, the car, the job, the continuous pressing noise that surrounds our daily life. Stop. Hang it all up for a little while. Put aside time for yourself, to heal and adjust to your surroundings, to set a course for your future. Take some real time for yourself to just be by yourself for a little while, free from all the distractions in your life. Sit and think about what you want your life to be like and what you want it to represent.
Find a quiet place to be alone with your thoughts, to really spend some time with your inner self. Take some deep diaphragmatic breaths in and out. Feel the air passing your lips while you clear your mind. When you arrive at a clear, open space in your mind, what do you hear? What is your inner voice saying to you? What’s really important to you, what are you really passionate about, what are you great at? What is your true purpose in life?
Now is not the time to hold back; now is the time to let go. Think about what you are capable of and reach for the maximum outcome. If you aim high, your successes will be monumental. If you shoot too low, who cares, right? Take this time to dream about the possibilities and what you can do if you put your heart and soul into it. Truly step outside the norm and think about what you could accomplish if you bring your full self to it. Really let go and dream about the possibilities for a while.
Once you have a clear idea of what’s important to you and what you’re capable of, it is time to focus on what that really looks like. See your vision for yourself in full detail, as if it were already completed. Imagine every single angle of this vision. Feel what it would be like to embody this image. Clarity is key; you must completely know what your vision will look like from front to back, side to side, inside and out.
Your spirit lies in your belief in ‘what if’ and the possibilities of what you are capable of accomplishing. When you find yourself on the edge of self-doubt, stop and say: “Yes, I can do this. This is really who I am and who I am about to become!” Accept nothing less than your personal best for yourself and take things one step at a time. Small steps lead to giant leaps over time. Remember a time when you experienced success. Hold those thoughts and feelings close to your heart, and remember that you can do it. You’ve succeeded before and this time there’s no stopping you.
Once you’ve developed your vision, you must take a step towards it in order to start the process of change. If not, you’re just leaving another idea left to wash away and be forgotten. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming — just a small step to symbolize the beginning of this next journey in your life. Prove to yourself that you are committed to making this a reality by serving yourself a taste of your future.
Remember, this is only the beginning. Time is ticking off right in front of you. What you do with your time shapes your destiny, so make every day count. Where you focus your heart is who you really are and what you will leave behind. What you do with your spirit will light up your soul forever. What you see with your vision is how you will live today and how decisions will be made for tomorrow. Visualize your future as rewarding and exciting, and recognize that your personal best is available to you right now. Be the true you and live the adventure of a lifetime—your lifetime, your vision!
I don’t remember who suggested Michael Annese to speak at the 2016 National Fire Academy 27th Executive Fire Officer Graduate Symposium, but I am glad they did.
After attending all the EFO Symposiums and helping to develop the content, I can count the number of speakers I chased down after their presentation and bought their book on one hand. Mike is one of them his book is The Victory Cycle.
Thanks Mike. I hope others read your book and invite you to present The Victory Cycle...
Michaels’s passion for his work came through the instant he began to share his personal experiences that guided him to conceive of VICTORY, an acronym that stands for: Vision, Inspiration, Commitment, Timed Steps, Obstacles, Rejoice, and Yearlong Adjustments. Recently I attended an event at Cucina Caruso Italian Market in Oakland Park, sponsored by the Italian American Descendants Business Network where I had the opportunity to be present at Michael Annese’s inspirational and motivational...
Five Stars! An enthusiastic personal guide to a new you!
Mr. Michael,
It was an honor and pleasure to have you in the presence of our teen group here at the Marti Huizenga Boys & Girls Club. Our teens range from ages 13-18years old; to be frank, they were not up to hearing yet another presentation. Mr. Mike, (as the teens would call you) you came and encouraged them to get involved mentally. Not only were you able to get them involved but, you were also able to grasp and keep their attention on the SEVEN STEPS to VICTORY. Read Full Testimonial
The workshop benefits every aspect of development; personal and professional.
Just read The VICTORY Cycle! To say that it was “Inspiring” does not do this book justice. I actually started the journal suggested in the book. I have already noticed that in the beginning of my journal, I started statements with “I hope to….” and “I would like to….”, etc. By the time i finished the book, my journal entries began with “I am going to….” and “I will….. “. I am so ready for VICTORY!
...I cannot believe the change I am experiencing! The Victory Cycle is so simple to apply and slowed me down long enough to remember who I am and who I want to be! I am now charging ahead to my Victory, Thank you Victory Cycle for clearing my mind and filling my soul!
I’ve never felt lighter, I just begun working towards my Victory and that mountain seems so close. Too many years have passed where I was afraid, and not focused, just plane lack of belief in myself. After reading the Victory Cycle for just two days I found myself looking up again, I was starting to think not only could I make the climb to that mountain top but nothing will stop me! I have started training, and without trying I am losing weight already, I can’t wait to reach the s...
At first I thought that was another book just like everyone else in the market, however there was something different on the cover of the book that forced me to buy it, and I don’t regret it. I recommend it to everyone, because additionally of win a great book or a manual full of experiences and solutions, that inspire and motivate your daily life, we gained a friend and an adviser, that with his experience and his beautiful soul and heart, he has a great vision to be a beautiful light ...
Revealing, insightful and effective – I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, though I knew it was worth a try since I’ve lost control of things, a while ago actually, and I need change. I am so impressed and very grateful to the author for the lessons to be learned here. This book teaches you how to make changes for the better AND gives you the tools and the knowledge to do so, and what I found most helpful was the Victory cycle itself, the model that the author uses t...
The workshop reminded me what my vision is for myself. It made me think about the obstacles I need to overcome or work around in the business and in my personal life. Seeing the cycle helps me stay on track. Going through the exercises really opened my eyes and writing everything down made it so real. Even successful people need a coach!
We all have goals we want to achieve in this life. Some are big and some are small, but they are all important to our journey. For me, I’ve not been doing well I’m achieving my own because of my own fear or fund restraints. I honestly needed motivation to get back on track with them. The author gives us seven steps to follow in order to achieve them. I felt like Michael Annese understands that life happens. We all have things that pop up in our lives that prevent us from staying o...
This book is beyond inspiring! Not only does it make you want to dive right into your goals, but it gives you the tools to do it. The author is so positive and motivating. The examples he gives are very easy to relate to. He gives you the step-by-step path to start TODAY to reach your goals. I suggest the reader keep the journal that the author suggests, as it is very helpful. This book shows you that you don’t have to be a superhero or “wait till the time is right” to start...
I really enjoyed your workshop. It helped me remember what was really important in my life and how to focus on it. It’s all up to me and that’s a great feeling!
A must read guide to a better life – A must read for everyone who wants to change their lives with simple yet sure ways to look at life and work differently. Author Annese has written a step by step guide, if you will, to look at yourself, see who you are and where you want to go. Then, following his clear language guide, get on the “cycle” and make yourself better at work, school, and life utilizing proven management tools that can be extended to any area you choose. Annese...
This book “The Victory Cycle” by Michael Annese, is truly inspirational and moving. It was easy to read and had a major impact on my psyche. Usually I don’t buy into these self help books, but this one is totally different. It seems to motivate you as you are reading it and being interactive makes the reading that much more pleasurable. I think the author has struck a nerve and I am intent on following the path that he leads us down. All I can say is “Thanks for writing it..!!!”
...I love the cycle itself. It just makes me feel powerful when I look at it. 7 steps and 7 letters, makes V-I-C-T-O-R-Y is easy to remember and keep me on track.
If anyone wants to truly lead themselves to a better life, then this is the book to read. There is no way I could give a review that would do justice to Michael Annese’s book. Be prepared to learn a simple 7 step process to overcome the obstacles that life presents, all while gaining valuable leadership skills and tips on how to manage and overcome the fear of failing. This book is an easy read that will help you set and obtain goals with tips on how to self-analyze and make adjustments...