When I was in college I had an enormously prolific design professor. Not only was he dean of the department with all its accompanying meetings and responsibilities, he also taught a full course load each semester. On top of that he had his client work, freelance commissions, and personal projects. He also was active in his community and church and the father of ten children. Yes, ten.
I remember talking to him one time and remarking how amazing I found his level of production given his numerous responsibilities. I asked him the secret to his success.
Without hesitation he simply said, "Easy. I never watch television."
The typical American watches over 35 hours of television per week. That is an average of 5 hours per day. It is almost equivalent to an entire second week of work—every week.
If you were to reclaim just one of those 5 hours per day, you would have 365 additional hours to put towards writing your novel or starting your dream business or getting fit. That's over 9 work weeks. Imagine what you could accomplish with that time.
It is rarely true that we have a lack of time to accomplish our goals and pursue our dreams. It is really a lack of priority.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
Fortune Friday: "You are a deep thinker with a knack for problem solving."
It often feels like society—or at least western culture—is becoming increasingly shallow. Our news and media are delivered in sound bites and 15-second clips. Our social interactions reduced to likes, emoticons, and 140-character blurbs. Personal appearance and getting our 15 minutes of fame seem more important that character, integrity, and good old fashioned hard work.
I know this is not a completely accurate picture. I am sure there are thousands, if not millions, of grounded folks out there. I'm just saying the trend seems to be swinging to the shallow end of the spectrum.
And the problem with a shallow society is that it breeds individuals with a shallow mentality. Me, me, me. Now, now, now. It breeds impatience, intolerance, and a lack of foresight—the kind of vision needed for fixing what ails humanity.
The solution is to go deep. Dive deep. Be deep.
Going deeper is a learnable skill. We all have the capacity to go deep. How often have you heard yourself say, "I'm just not creative," or "I don't have great ideas"? But how hard have you tried? Really. How many hours have you dedicated to solving your problems or to getting crystal clear on what you want from life? Be honest. Actual hours and minutes. 20 hours? 10, 5, 1? If you were a consultant and were billing time for deep thinking, how much could you honestly bill?
My guess is you're not going deep enough.
Most of us deal with our circumstances on a superficial level. We put Band-Aids on top of Band-Aids. Quick fixes that last just long enough until the problem resurfaces.
Go deep. Go medieval on your problems. Think long and hard. Give those problems the attention they deserve.
Persons of renown and respect are often described as having a depth of knowledge, or experience or character. They're deep. They have layers. Are you developing adequate depth in your life, relationships, or career?
To your good fortune!
I know this is not a completely accurate picture. I am sure there are thousands, if not millions, of grounded folks out there. I'm just saying the trend seems to be swinging to the shallow end of the spectrum.
And the problem with a shallow society is that it breeds individuals with a shallow mentality. Me, me, me. Now, now, now. It breeds impatience, intolerance, and a lack of foresight—the kind of vision needed for fixing what ails humanity.
The solution is to go deep. Dive deep. Be deep.
Going deeper is a learnable skill. We all have the capacity to go deep. How often have you heard yourself say, "I'm just not creative," or "I don't have great ideas"? But how hard have you tried? Really. How many hours have you dedicated to solving your problems or to getting crystal clear on what you want from life? Be honest. Actual hours and minutes. 20 hours? 10, 5, 1? If you were a consultant and were billing time for deep thinking, how much could you honestly bill?
My guess is you're not going deep enough.
Most of us deal with our circumstances on a superficial level. We put Band-Aids on top of Band-Aids. Quick fixes that last just long enough until the problem resurfaces.
Go deep. Go medieval on your problems. Think long and hard. Give those problems the attention they deserve.
Persons of renown and respect are often described as having a depth of knowledge, or experience or character. They're deep. They have layers. Are you developing adequate depth in your life, relationships, or career?
To your good fortune!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
3 Reasons Why The Law Of Attraction Does Not Work
Several years ago as I was starting out on my quest for personal improvement, a friend introduced me to a movie called The Secret. This was the first time I had ever heard of the Law of Attraction. I was enthralled and intrigued. And shortly thereafter I set about making a mental checklist of all the new, shiny things I wanted to attract into my life. I drank the Kool-Aid. Every last delicious drop.
A few weeks later I was having a lunchtime discussion with some coworkers and one of them said, quite curtly, "That crap doesn't work."
Being the newly-enlightened soul that I was, I chalked up their statement to ignorance—or just being a sour grump who was failing to get what they wanted out of life.
Later I came to see that maybe they were right all along. The Law of Attraction does not work—at least not in the way most people think it is supposed to. Here are three reasons why:
Reason 1: Ignoring the Law of the Harvest
The Law of the Harvest simply states that you reap what you sow. Plant the seed, eat the fruit. It's all about action. You gotta get your hands dirty. Prepare the soil. Dig the hole. Plant the seed. Water it. Give it sunlight. Keep the weeds at bay. Protect it from bugs and birds and animals. Give it time. Wait. Be patient. Let it grow.
The problem with LOA enthusiasts is that they tend to gloss over the action portion of the equation. Too much focus is placed on the thinking and feeling portions of the Law. No doubt these are vitally important components, but without action the Law simply does not work.
Reason 2: Using it as a tool for acquisition
Most people who discover TLOA use it as a tool of acquisition. Like I did, they start making lists of all the cool things they'd like to bring into their lives. This is not all bad. Having goals and aspirations is a good thing. It gives us hope and confidence.
The Law of Attraction is better used as a tool for recognition. We all know the brain is great at filtering for what we want to see. When my wife was pregnant with our son, I started seeing pregnant women everywhere who had previously gone unnoticed. Similar to the Pygmallion Effect, our circumstances tend to rise and fall to the expectations we place on them. If we expect good things, good opportunities find a way of presenting themselves.
Dr. Wayne Dyer is fond of saying, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." We can train our minds to recognize opportunities which we can capitalize on by our actions.
Reason 3: It stifles creativity and creation
Attraction by its definition implies that there is something outside of us that we need to bring toward us. That something is missing. It discounts the high capacity for creation that exist within us all.
When a Hollywood blockbuster is described as "action-packed" we envision chases, fight scenes, explosions. Lots of continuous movement, scene to scene to scene.
Creation equals life. Nature is constantly creating and reinventing itself. Growing, adapting, moving. To achieve or get what we desire, our lives should also move. They should be action-packed. Packed full of action.
Even better, they should be "action-pact." We can make a conscious deal—a pact—with the Universe to act upon any opportunity or inspiration that crosses our path. I have a friend who is a landscape painter. He has found tremendous success following this formula. He says, "I commit to doing the work, and I ask God to keep blessing me with fresh ideas." Sounds action-pact to me.
In conclusion, does the Law of Attraction work? No and yes—but only when used properly. Keep planting seeds. Keep your eyes and ears open. Follow through.
That is how you attract what you want in life.
A few weeks later I was having a lunchtime discussion with some coworkers and one of them said, quite curtly, "That crap doesn't work."
Being the newly-enlightened soul that I was, I chalked up their statement to ignorance—or just being a sour grump who was failing to get what they wanted out of life.
Later I came to see that maybe they were right all along. The Law of Attraction does not work—at least not in the way most people think it is supposed to. Here are three reasons why:
Reason 1: Ignoring the Law of the Harvest
The Law of the Harvest simply states that you reap what you sow. Plant the seed, eat the fruit. It's all about action. You gotta get your hands dirty. Prepare the soil. Dig the hole. Plant the seed. Water it. Give it sunlight. Keep the weeds at bay. Protect it from bugs and birds and animals. Give it time. Wait. Be patient. Let it grow.
The problem with LOA enthusiasts is that they tend to gloss over the action portion of the equation. Too much focus is placed on the thinking and feeling portions of the Law. No doubt these are vitally important components, but without action the Law simply does not work.
Reason 2: Using it as a tool for acquisition
Most people who discover TLOA use it as a tool of acquisition. Like I did, they start making lists of all the cool things they'd like to bring into their lives. This is not all bad. Having goals and aspirations is a good thing. It gives us hope and confidence.
The Law of Attraction is better used as a tool for recognition. We all know the brain is great at filtering for what we want to see. When my wife was pregnant with our son, I started seeing pregnant women everywhere who had previously gone unnoticed. Similar to the Pygmallion Effect, our circumstances tend to rise and fall to the expectations we place on them. If we expect good things, good opportunities find a way of presenting themselves.
Dr. Wayne Dyer is fond of saying, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." We can train our minds to recognize opportunities which we can capitalize on by our actions.
Reason 3: It stifles creativity and creation
Attraction by its definition implies that there is something outside of us that we need to bring toward us. That something is missing. It discounts the high capacity for creation that exist within us all.
When a Hollywood blockbuster is described as "action-packed" we envision chases, fight scenes, explosions. Lots of continuous movement, scene to scene to scene.
Creation equals life. Nature is constantly creating and reinventing itself. Growing, adapting, moving. To achieve or get what we desire, our lives should also move. They should be action-packed. Packed full of action.
Even better, they should be "action-pact." We can make a conscious deal—a pact—with the Universe to act upon any opportunity or inspiration that crosses our path. I have a friend who is a landscape painter. He has found tremendous success following this formula. He says, "I commit to doing the work, and I ask God to keep blessing me with fresh ideas." Sounds action-pact to me.
In conclusion, does the Law of Attraction work? No and yes—but only when used properly. Keep planting seeds. Keep your eyes and ears open. Follow through.
That is how you attract what you want in life.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Fortune Friday: "Your dearest wish will come true."
In business they say what gets measured, gets done. What you focus on gets accomplished. Our dearest wishes are no different.
Our actions reflect our priorities. What we choose to spend our time on is a mirror of our true desires. Want to know how committed someone is to something? Just look at their results. Results don't lie.
Literally what is already done—what exists in current reality—is proof of what you were committed to.
Remember, every system is absolutely perfect for generating its current results. Every system.
For example, are you financially broke? Look at the internal and external systems in your life. Really look at them. Are you treating your money in a way that promotes prosperity? Are you languishing in a dead end job because it is comfortable or you're too lazy or scared to change? Have you let your skills lapse?
Congratulations! You have a perfect system in place to keep you broke.
Are you overweight and out of shape? Again, look at your systems. Eating junk while laying on the couch at 2 o'clock in the morning?
Congratulations! You have a perfect system in place for generating flab.
Sure, some people have genetics that predispose them to being overweight. But in a twisted way, that system too is perfect for the results it is generating.
Change the system, change the result.
Want your dearest wishes to come true? Abandon your current systems that are keeping your wishes from coming to pass. Create new systems that are conducive to the results you desire.
Then analyze your level of commitment. Real commitment, when understood and applied, creates miracles. Because real commitment breeds certainty.
What you truly commit to—not wishy-washy wanting, but real commitment—is, in effect, already done. When you truly commit to something it is as if that thing is already done. It is just waiting for time and circumstance to catch up.
Change your systems. Get committed. And your dearest wish will come true.
To your good fortune!
Our actions reflect our priorities. What we choose to spend our time on is a mirror of our true desires. Want to know how committed someone is to something? Just look at their results. Results don't lie.
Literally what is already done—what exists in current reality—is proof of what you were committed to.
Remember, every system is absolutely perfect for generating its current results. Every system.
For example, are you financially broke? Look at the internal and external systems in your life. Really look at them. Are you treating your money in a way that promotes prosperity? Are you languishing in a dead end job because it is comfortable or you're too lazy or scared to change? Have you let your skills lapse?
Congratulations! You have a perfect system in place to keep you broke.
Are you overweight and out of shape? Again, look at your systems. Eating junk while laying on the couch at 2 o'clock in the morning?
Congratulations! You have a perfect system in place for generating flab.
Sure, some people have genetics that predispose them to being overweight. But in a twisted way, that system too is perfect for the results it is generating.
Change the system, change the result.
Want your dearest wishes to come true? Abandon your current systems that are keeping your wishes from coming to pass. Create new systems that are conducive to the results you desire.
Then analyze your level of commitment. Real commitment, when understood and applied, creates miracles. Because real commitment breeds certainty.
What you truly commit to—not wishy-washy wanting, but real commitment—is, in effect, already done. When you truly commit to something it is as if that thing is already done. It is just waiting for time and circumstance to catch up.
Change your systems. Get committed. And your dearest wish will come true.
To your good fortune!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Navigate Life Using Your Inner Compass
When you want to get somewhere in life—literally or figuratively—you have two basic options. You can follow a map or you can follow a compass. Both are excellent tools for the job, but one method will yield more of the results you seek. We will discuss both options.
The Map Option
Using a map seems like the obvious choice. It is efficient and takes advantage of known routes and landmarks. It lays out a path from point A to point B. Terrific if you are driving from Los Angeles to New York City or outlining the necessary steps to becoming a doctor, but not so great when you're trying to follow your heart dreams.
You see, maps have an inherent drawback: they are only as accurate as the data collected to make them, and as the person making the map.
So what do you do if you want to go somewhere where no one has ever been before?
The Compass Option
A compass does one thing. And it does it really well. It points north. That's it. It points north all day, every day, 24/7. Never wavering.
North. North. North. Still north. North. And north. Let's see...north. North. Yep, north.
If I want to travel from Mexico to Canada, all I need to do is follow the compass and eventually I will get there. Now, I may have no idea of which roads to take, which exits or turns to take. The compass may lead me over mountains, across streams, or through fields. The path may be smooth and easy in parts and perilous and difficult in others. But so long as I follow the heading, I will get there.
So it is with our life and our dreams.
You can choose to follow a map laid out by someone else. And sometimes that can be useful. But in the end it isn't YOUR map. And heaven forbid if you choose a wrong map—especially one not aligned with your values.
Better instead to open up your inner compass. Decide what your true north is. Look at where your heart wants to go. See where your needle is pointing and start moving in that direction. It might not be the smoothest path and the journey may take longer than you expect, but if you keep stepping you will eventually get to where you truly want to be.
Note: This concept was illustrated to me by coach and author Ali Campbell at a recent workshop he put on with Michael Neill. A lot of great insights were shared that evening.
The Map Option
Using a map seems like the obvious choice. It is efficient and takes advantage of known routes and landmarks. It lays out a path from point A to point B. Terrific if you are driving from Los Angeles to New York City or outlining the necessary steps to becoming a doctor, but not so great when you're trying to follow your heart dreams.
You see, maps have an inherent drawback: they are only as accurate as the data collected to make them, and as the person making the map.
So what do you do if you want to go somewhere where no one has ever been before?
The Compass Option
A compass does one thing. And it does it really well. It points north. That's it. It points north all day, every day, 24/7. Never wavering.
North. North. North. Still north. North. And north. Let's see...north. North. Yep, north.
If I want to travel from Mexico to Canada, all I need to do is follow the compass and eventually I will get there. Now, I may have no idea of which roads to take, which exits or turns to take. The compass may lead me over mountains, across streams, or through fields. The path may be smooth and easy in parts and perilous and difficult in others. But so long as I follow the heading, I will get there.
So it is with our life and our dreams.
You can choose to follow a map laid out by someone else. And sometimes that can be useful. But in the end it isn't YOUR map. And heaven forbid if you choose a wrong map—especially one not aligned with your values.
Better instead to open up your inner compass. Decide what your true north is. Look at where your heart wants to go. See where your needle is pointing and start moving in that direction. It might not be the smoothest path and the journey may take longer than you expect, but if you keep stepping you will eventually get to where you truly want to be.
Note: This concept was illustrated to me by coach and author Ali Campbell at a recent workshop he put on with Michael Neill. A lot of great insights were shared that evening.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Fortune Friday: "You are soon going to change your present line of work."
When we say we are going to change, or are in the process of changing, our line of work, we are usually referring to some broad, sweeping, and sometimes drastic, career shift. A whole new direction. A total rework. From plumber to chef, or from accountant to high school gym teacher.
The word line has many meanings. One definition is a connected series of military fieldworks or defenses facing an enemy force. As in "he was trapped behind enemy lines." These defenses include trenches, berms, pickets, razor wire, tank traps, fox holes, sand bags.
All with one purpose: to keep the enemy out—or at least at bay.
So how can we apply this to our work? And by work I am referring less to our day to day jobs (although it is certainly applicable there as well) and more to our personal creative work. Our gifts to the world. Our art, however we define it—be it writing, paintings, music, dance, teaching, craftsmanship, personal connection, etc.
How do we keep the enemy out?
How do we keep the enemy at bay?
How do we safeguard our time, our process, and our intention against forces that would seek to destroy or impede our progress?
Understand, not all forces are malicious. Sometimes the 'enemy' (and I use the term very lightly here) has really good intentions. It means well and is sincere. Sometimes it comes disguised as family commitments, PTA meetings, children's soccer games, and school fundraisers. Other times it shows up as piles of laundry, yard work, late night runs to the grocery store, or a really intriguing new show on TV. Social media and never-ending news feeds. Yes, even this blog.
True, some things in life need to be addressed. I'm not talking about shirking responsibility in the almighty name of art. But we do not need to address all of them, all of the time, with all of our attention, effort, and focus.
We can choose to draw a line in the sand. We can protect our creations and provide a safe haven where they can nurture and grow.
When I was younger, my 'line of work' was to say yes to every request from everyone. I would say yes to freelance design jobs I really didn't want to do because I wanted the money. I was so afraid of saying no because I feared that if I did I would never get another gig again.
My line was weak. The enemy could sneak past the perimeter at will. And hundreds of well-intentioned ideas and projects now lay dead on the battlefield, face down in the mud.
For me, changing my line of work was learning to say no more often. Learning to listen to my gut and politely saying "No thank you." Learning to stay true to my values and desires and dreams.
And you know what? The phone still rings, the jobs still keep coming in. Better opportunities show up. I honestly believe that when you are willing to empty your cup you create space to receive.
Is it time you changed your 'line' of work?
To your good fortune!
The word line has many meanings. One definition is a connected series of military fieldworks or defenses facing an enemy force. As in "he was trapped behind enemy lines." These defenses include trenches, berms, pickets, razor wire, tank traps, fox holes, sand bags.
All with one purpose: to keep the enemy out—or at least at bay.
So how can we apply this to our work? And by work I am referring less to our day to day jobs (although it is certainly applicable there as well) and more to our personal creative work. Our gifts to the world. Our art, however we define it—be it writing, paintings, music, dance, teaching, craftsmanship, personal connection, etc.
How do we keep the enemy out?
How do we keep the enemy at bay?
How do we safeguard our time, our process, and our intention against forces that would seek to destroy or impede our progress?
Understand, not all forces are malicious. Sometimes the 'enemy' (and I use the term very lightly here) has really good intentions. It means well and is sincere. Sometimes it comes disguised as family commitments, PTA meetings, children's soccer games, and school fundraisers. Other times it shows up as piles of laundry, yard work, late night runs to the grocery store, or a really intriguing new show on TV. Social media and never-ending news feeds. Yes, even this blog.
True, some things in life need to be addressed. I'm not talking about shirking responsibility in the almighty name of art. But we do not need to address all of them, all of the time, with all of our attention, effort, and focus.
We can choose to draw a line in the sand. We can protect our creations and provide a safe haven where they can nurture and grow.
When I was younger, my 'line of work' was to say yes to every request from everyone. I would say yes to freelance design jobs I really didn't want to do because I wanted the money. I was so afraid of saying no because I feared that if I did I would never get another gig again.
My line was weak. The enemy could sneak past the perimeter at will. And hundreds of well-intentioned ideas and projects now lay dead on the battlefield, face down in the mud.
For me, changing my line of work was learning to say no more often. Learning to listen to my gut and politely saying "No thank you." Learning to stay true to my values and desires and dreams.
And you know what? The phone still rings, the jobs still keep coming in. Better opportunities show up. I honestly believe that when you are willing to empty your cup you create space to receive.
Is it time you changed your 'line' of work?
To your good fortune!
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
How To Get Clarity
As a followup to my previous article about the power that comes from clarity, I wanted to share one of my favorite and drop-dead simple quotes from hip marketing chick Marie Forleo. She says:
If you're anything like me you spend a lot of time up in your head weighing pros and cons, making lists, and doing risk management analysis. Whatever it takes (or so you think) to avoid failing and "guarantee" success. But these acts rarely get you where you want to go. Don't get me wrong, having a plan—even a mediocre one—is usually better than no plan at all. But at some point the rubber has to meet the road. You're gonna have to get your hands dirty and DO something. Anything. Even if it is little.
Any action trumps no action.
From my own experience, I guarantee that if you are feeling stuck in your life it is because you are over thinking and under acting.
So get out there. And move. Whatever it is, take one small action today that will move you in the direction of where you want to go. You may just find that small action leads to bigger ones. It primes the pump, so to speak.
One of the definitions of engagement is an arrangement to do something or go somewhere at a fixed time. Kind of like a date. So make a date with yourself. Carve out some space. Set a time to work on your dreams. Hold that time sacred and be willing to say no to distractions or other requests, even so-called obligations and have tos.
When you act, you get clear. When you get clear, you can change your life. When you change your life, you change the world.
Stop thinking. Start moving. Clear enough?
"Clarity comes from engagement, not thought."
If you're anything like me you spend a lot of time up in your head weighing pros and cons, making lists, and doing risk management analysis. Whatever it takes (or so you think) to avoid failing and "guarantee" success. But these acts rarely get you where you want to go. Don't get me wrong, having a plan—even a mediocre one—is usually better than no plan at all. But at some point the rubber has to meet the road. You're gonna have to get your hands dirty and DO something. Anything. Even if it is little.
Any action trumps no action.
From my own experience, I guarantee that if you are feeling stuck in your life it is because you are over thinking and under acting.
So get out there. And move. Whatever it is, take one small action today that will move you in the direction of where you want to go. You may just find that small action leads to bigger ones. It primes the pump, so to speak.
One of the definitions of engagement is an arrangement to do something or go somewhere at a fixed time. Kind of like a date. So make a date with yourself. Carve out some space. Set a time to work on your dreams. Hold that time sacred and be willing to say no to distractions or other requests, even so-called obligations and have tos.
When you act, you get clear. When you get clear, you can change your life. When you change your life, you change the world.
Stop thinking. Start moving. Clear enough?
Friday, September 5, 2014
Fortune Friday: "Great thoughts come from the heart."
When it comes to making decisions, people typically gravitate towards one of three decision-making systems: the head, the heart, or the gut. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say people tend to trust or rely on one of these feedback mechanism over another—usually as a result of long-term use. Over time they've grown accustomed to the method which seems to serve them best.
Some people, including myself, place more emphasis on the head. Giving more weight to reason, logic, data, rationale. This is the source of To-Do lists and Pro-Con sheets. Heaven knows I love me a detailed plan.
Some favor the heart. They base their decisions on their emotions and how they feel.
Others, still, follow their gut. Neither the head nor the heart, but something instinctual. A visceral sensation in the body. They can't explain it with reason or passion. It just is.
None of this is new news.
So why take the time to outline it?
Because what if—and this is a big what if—none of these methods are the real source of our "knowing"? What if it is something outside ourselves and bigger than we can imagine.
When you get down to it, anatomically speaking, neither head nor heart nor gut makes much sense as a decision-making instrument. After all, all three are essentially nothing more than a collection of tissue and fluids and nerves.
So what then is the source of our knowing?
Philosophers, theologians, and even many hard-core scientists have ascribed this phenomenon to the "soul of man." The idea that somehow, somewhere, the Universe or God or Spirit or whatever name we call our higher power, breathed into us something beyond the sum of the head, heart, and gut.
Personally, I believe at our core we are divinity in human form. And as such we have access to power and insight and creativity and personal revelation the likes of which we can hardly fathom. A virtual treasure trove of possibilities just waiting for our attention.
So how do we get the Universe's attention?
We just have to be still. And it that stillness, listen.
Great thoughts come from the heart?
Do they, really? I wonder.
To your good fortune!
Some people, including myself, place more emphasis on the head. Giving more weight to reason, logic, data, rationale. This is the source of To-Do lists and Pro-Con sheets. Heaven knows I love me a detailed plan.
Some favor the heart. They base their decisions on their emotions and how they feel.
Others, still, follow their gut. Neither the head nor the heart, but something instinctual. A visceral sensation in the body. They can't explain it with reason or passion. It just is.
None of this is new news.
So why take the time to outline it?
Because what if—and this is a big what if—none of these methods are the real source of our "knowing"? What if it is something outside ourselves and bigger than we can imagine.
When you get down to it, anatomically speaking, neither head nor heart nor gut makes much sense as a decision-making instrument. After all, all three are essentially nothing more than a collection of tissue and fluids and nerves.
So what then is the source of our knowing?
Philosophers, theologians, and even many hard-core scientists have ascribed this phenomenon to the "soul of man." The idea that somehow, somewhere, the Universe or God or Spirit or whatever name we call our higher power, breathed into us something beyond the sum of the head, heart, and gut.
Personally, I believe at our core we are divinity in human form. And as such we have access to power and insight and creativity and personal revelation the likes of which we can hardly fathom. A virtual treasure trove of possibilities just waiting for our attention.
So how do we get the Universe's attention?
We just have to be still. And it that stillness, listen.
Great thoughts come from the heart?
Do they, really? I wonder.
To your good fortune!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
The Power of Clarity
Getting really, really clear about what you want—what you want to do, be or have—is crucial to making it actually happen.
Some decisions or moments of clarity happen in an instant. And by all means we should act on those if it right for us. But more often than not, getting clear requires time and space to let your thoughts mature and distill. To allow the truth to bubble up to the surface. Don't be afraid to give your thoughts the time they need. You don't have to rush it.
In fact, when we feel an urgent need to figure things out, that is when we probably need to slow down the most.
So why is clarity so important?
Here is a simple formula I have cobbled together over the past few months:
Clarity breeds change.
Change breeds commitment.
Commitment breeds certainty.
Certainty breeds creation.
Creation breeds the world.
When you get really clear about what you want, the desire to change increases. We feel the urge to level up our lives. We see the path, the possibilities, the light at the end of the tunnel. It fires up our drive to grow.
That fire to change fuels our goals, objectives, and our daily rituals. We get committed. We make, and keep, commitments. All of them. All the time. We keep and honor our promises—particularly to ourselves. We become our word. Patterns emerge. Our life begins to take on a theme.
That unwavering commitment builds trust in ourselves and buoys our self worth. We see what we are capable of. We begin to experience our real power to affect change. This knowledge grows into an immovable stone, a solid bedrock foundation upon which we can build and rely. We become sure. We become certain. We know through personal experience that we can speak into existence what we choose. Always. Never doubting.
This is real power.
This is how ordinary people like you and me change the world.
That is the power of clarity.
Some decisions or moments of clarity happen in an instant. And by all means we should act on those if it right for us. But more often than not, getting clear requires time and space to let your thoughts mature and distill. To allow the truth to bubble up to the surface. Don't be afraid to give your thoughts the time they need. You don't have to rush it.
In fact, when we feel an urgent need to figure things out, that is when we probably need to slow down the most.
So why is clarity so important?
Here is a simple formula I have cobbled together over the past few months:
Clarity breeds change.
Change breeds commitment.
Commitment breeds certainty.
Certainty breeds creation.
Creation breeds the world.
When you get really clear about what you want, the desire to change increases. We feel the urge to level up our lives. We see the path, the possibilities, the light at the end of the tunnel. It fires up our drive to grow.
That fire to change fuels our goals, objectives, and our daily rituals. We get committed. We make, and keep, commitments. All of them. All the time. We keep and honor our promises—particularly to ourselves. We become our word. Patterns emerge. Our life begins to take on a theme.
That unwavering commitment builds trust in ourselves and buoys our self worth. We see what we are capable of. We begin to experience our real power to affect change. This knowledge grows into an immovable stone, a solid bedrock foundation upon which we can build and rely. We become sure. We become certain. We know through personal experience that we can speak into existence what we choose. Always. Never doubting.
This is real power.
This is how ordinary people like you and me change the world.
That is the power of clarity.
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