Living in the western suburbs of Melbourne has finally caught up with me. I’ve seen some bad bad things, and I’m going into a witness protection program where I’ll be assuming a new name like Daisy Smith.

Well. Not really.

In reality, I’m off to Sydney for a while. Holiday? No. As I alluded to in the subject heading, “I leave it all behind”. And by that, I mean I leave the old me behind in search of a new & improved me. Like “iLaine 2.0″ or something.

I’m going up for a 7-day personal development course which purports to be “life changing” – so much so, the course itself is called “Life Design“. It’s through a mob called Success & You.

Ok, some of you may be sceptical, or may think I joined a cult. But you know what? I don’t care. And you know what? A few months ago I would have!

It all started with the intro course “Personal Success Intensive” (or PSI for those in the inner circle) which I did back in late August/early September. 2.5 days of personal success intensive-ness… so why did I go on it? My dear friend Lina (much love to you schmoops!) recommended it to me for a number of reasons. And I’m glad I listened because it’s the best thing I’ve ever done - I’m a COMPLETELY different person, and I’m the happiest and strongest I’ve ever been. And about time I say!

I’m not going to go into much detail as to what the 2.5 days entails – just that you need to go in with an open mind. They say it’s good if you want to start your own business etc, but personally, it’s much better if you just need to break out, emotionally speaking. To start thinking on another level. To quote Jerry Maguire from the opening scenes:

“Break down? Breakthrough…”. 

Looking back at the person I was back then to I am now, and in just a few months, I’ve learnt about who I am, why I was the way I was (e.g. self defeating behaviours), and let go of fear. I’ve stopped caring – but in a positive way. I’ve stopped caring about what other people think, and having to please others. It’s now all about me – and not in an obnoxious way. I’ve never been happier.

On top of that, I’ve come out of the course with an amazing friend, Luke. They say the universe works in mysterious ways, and indeed it does, because we click soooo unbelievably well. So much so I had to look up our birth dates, and yup, karmic connection. (Such a typical Cancerian thing to do – feel free to check out your horoscope compatibility). And it turns out Luke also loves the Time Crisis arcade games as much as me!! Can you ask for anything more in a friend? :p  

So if that’s the value I got out 2.5 days, imagine what I’ll get out of 7 days doing Life Design. Granted, it cost a bit. And it’s in Sydney – so that means flights, accommodation – but heck. I NEED a change. 

Mind you, I signed up on impulse after they gave us the selling pitch at PSI. Bad move some of you may think. Why did I sign up? I go back to my mantra ”Everything happens for a reason“. Well, the signs were there…

About 2 yrs ago, I was reading an article in Herald Sun’s Sunday magazine about this lady who dropped out of the workforce (ex journalist) to raise a family. She attended a personal development course completely sceptical, looking to write an article about how the whole thing was a sham. The article covered the process – how you get allocated a mentor etc, and are held accountable for achieving the goals you set out. At the end, she’s completely converted, having achieved her goals – and then some. I remember reading this thinking, “it sounds good, I should l look into it” and tore the article out for safe keeping, and to add to my to-do-list.

Fast forward 2 years, I’ve completely forgotten about the article, and am sitting in the PSI course listening to the spiel about Life Design. It then occurs to me it was exactly the same course the article was about – the one I tore out of the magazine and kept. A sign. I signed up then and there. 

After all, it covered EVERYTHING I desperately needed to make a change in:

  • Business/career
  • Health
  • Emotions
  • Spirituality
  • Finances
  • Relationships

What I like about this course is that you don’t just rock up, pay attention (well, maybe), and leave. I mean, how often do you attend a course to do absolutely nothing with it once you go back? You work out your goals, get allocated a life coach over a 12 month period- and then they hold you ACCOUNTABLE for achieving those goals. No easy road here. And on top of that, you join their “Success Club” where graduates from the Life Design course meet on a monthly basis – which only cements any positive behaviours learned.

So I figure, I’ve got nothing to lose (despite the cost) and everything to gain.

Now since doing the PSI course 3 months ago, a number of my friends have gone on it based on my experience and have found it invaluable! Freakin’ GREAT! And they have even signed up to Life Design next year.

What we have here is now a supportive group of friends, who have all gone through the same experience, and continue to motivate each other. There’s no turning back now – for either of us!

So the course begins this Saturday (28 Nov). I’ll be sure to blog my thoughts on the experience.  

And I am PUMPED!! BRING IT ON!!

(Btw – did I mention you go firewalking on the first day??)

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