Don't Worry About What You're Doing - Focus on Who You're Being. One of things we have really backwards in personal development is the way in which goals, dreams and desires are approached.
As a result people make far less progress than they are capable of and eventually get frustrated and stop trying. Today I want to talk about a simple shift in approach that will dramatically increase the likelihood you accomplish your goals and and realize your dreams. Traditional Thinking. Why Everybody Should Embrace Their Creative Potential. In the earliest days of our childhood we spent a good amount of time doing creative things.
We were continually building and creating things like lego castles, forts made of household items, and works of art. Somewhere along the way the importance of this takes a backseat and it’s written off as “that’s a good hobby, but not something you do to make a living.” Before long we stop creating and turn into sponges that absorb information that is rarely put to use. We go through the motions, doing what we’re told, and are left scratching our heads as to why we’re so bored with everything in your lives. We don’t realize that our creative capacity is fundamentally important to doing something the matters in the world. How to Maintain Composure in the Face of Adversity. The other morning I hit a major setback on something big that I’ve been working on.
When I learned about it my immediate impulse was to panic. That was followed by anxiety, and it wasn’t long before I found myself in somewhat of a frenzy. Fortunately the day ended and eventually I fell asleep. When I woke up the next day I realized just how useless all of that had been. You Must Resist the Urge to Quit. Any worthwhile goal you set in your life will require time, blood, sweat, and tears.
It will often be a thankless journey which is why so many people have a tendency to settle for less than what they really want or what they’re truly capable of. They can’t embrace the uncertainty. The journey can be an emotional roller coaster and as a result people give into their temptation to quit. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of being judged., etc., are just a handful of the emotions that most people go through. But if you can remember that there is usually a light at the end of a tunnel, a reason that the little voice in your head is telling you to move forward, you’ll find it in yourself to get through your darkest hours.
The temptation to quit is something you will come across throughout your life. The Surfer's Guide to Personal Development. Surfers have a different relationship with the ocean than most people do.
Rather than admire its beauty from the sidelines, we feed off its energy because for most of us it’s a second home. We’re more comfortable in water than on land. It’s much more than a sport, but our calling in life. Play The Game of Life As If You Have Nothing to Lose. A few days ago I was surfing with a friend of mine and what appeared to be a perfect wave appeared on the horizon.
So, I started paddling for it. From where my friend was sitting he could see exactly what the wave was going to do, so I shouted to him “is it going to close out?” And he yelled back “no , just GO!!.” By the time I had tried to go it was too late. Hesitation killed it for me. I am not saying to never hesitate OR never think. The Opportunity Cost of HesitationMy hesitation had cost me what might have been one of the best waves of the day. Your Willingness to Fail Will Determine How Often You Succeed. Learning how to surf was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
I have zero natural athletic ability, and I’ve never been good at sports. To add to that, the conditions are different every single time you paddle out. But, I persevered. Every single day for several months I took a beating until I finally stood up on my board. The Hardest Part is Standing UpIn the earliest days of surfing, I struggled endlessly just to stand up on my surfboard. Progress Occurs outside your Comfort ZoneEarly in life – thanks to report cards and grades- we came to view failure as a bad thing. Focus on the Process instead of the OutcomeThis is easier said than done. Stand on the Edge of Your Comfort Zone If You Want to Get Past It. The more you’re willing to try new things, the more you’ll evolve and grow as a person.
As kids we embrace this fully. We chase every interest imaginable much to the irritation of our parents who pay for karate lessons, guitar lessons, art classes, basketball leagues and just about everything else that captures out interest for even the slightest of moments. Of course we lose interest in some of those things and eventually we get told “just pick something and stick with it.”
For the most part this is good advice, until we get to adult life and stop picking things period because we’ve been busy “sticking with it” as far back as we can remember.