Often we want to speak or do. Sometimes ours best to just observe. You can learn a lot from active and intentional observation.
Calm your mind. Take some slow deep breaths. Let judgments pass and expectations drop. Remain indifferent to the words or actions.
Just observe.
The brain is quite incredible. While watching my son play field hockey Saturday morning, I was struck by how incredible brain-body coordination is.
The players were taking shots on the keeper and it was a sight to see. There were a series of passes, players changing places and then the final player would take their big shot on the net.
Think of what the brain is doing and what the body is doing! There is eye movement, strategy assessment, angle, velocity and height calculations and all while the body is bending, moving forward, aligning for the shot and finally shooting with the occasional precision they were attempting.
That in itself is wildly incredible. If they get it where they wanted to, it is even more spectacular. The complexity of calculating a target probability, assessing the situation, moving into the best position and making it all happen in a second or two is something we should marvel at more often than most of us probably do.
And then you learn something new. Maybe you stumble upon a new idea or you hear something differently then ever before.
The quote attributed to Albert Einstein springs to mind, “The more I learn, the more I realise I don’t know”. Something similar is also attributed to Socrates. Mark Twain and most parents have also said something along those lines, especially in the direction of their children.
To learn more, pause. You should pause more and consider what is being discussed. Does it make sense to you? What about to people who think differently to you? How could you see this differently if you wanted to learn something rather than celebrate being right?
10 billion people have walked this Earth. Every single one of them have had different experiences and interactions. Until we’ve seen everything through 10 billion lenses, we still have an opportunity to learn new things.
Remove things from your life. Narrow your focus down to a few things that are very important to you.
Remove items you don’t need or that aren’t bringing you benefit or joy. This might mean cancelling a newspaper subscription or tv package. It could also mean stopping an activity that is a habit but no longer as enjoyable.
Simplify your wardrobe, your files, your bookshelf, your schedule, your social media/communications and your thinking.
Keep removing items until you feel calm and more able to enjoy the things that really matter.
Events define people. Actions speak louder than words. And, what people broadly say about you when you are not in the room is your defining brand (for that group of people).
Have you given it any thought? What would you love your legacy to be? Will it be raising a wonderful family? Reaching certain heights in your job, career or business? Will it involve charity work or a specific level of philanthropy?
It is never too late to consider this concept, nor too late to take some actions to bring you closer to the legacy you would like to have or leave. Time will continue to march on though. So you best get on with your thoughts, plans and actions so that you can complete your legacy in your lifetime.
Is it washing the dishes or just making it through the day? Do you want to have a job or maybe a longer term career? Would you like to solve climate, world hunger, global peace, space exploration or poverty?
Note how many hours per day you are actively progressing on your big problem. Are the daily “to do’s” getting in the way? How long have you kept telling yourself you’re doing something when you’re only thinking of doing it?
Stop telling people what should change and start making those changes happen. Don’t give yourself an easy ride filled with reasons and excuses and, “you don’t know how hard it is” comments.
Get uncomfortable. Mix things up. Make 10 phone calls. Make this happen.
Stop living small when you’re dreaming big. Take baby steps and then break into a run as soon as you can. Become Unstoppable. You too can change the world. Make it a problem worth committing to. Now go do it.
Make America Great Again and Build Back Better are the recent slogans of the US Republican (conservative party) and Democrat (liberal party) political sides.
You may have been a little uncomfortable or bothered by one or both of those slogans as you read them here. Attached to them are all your feelings about the leaders, their parties, policies, media opinion and your personal beliefs, values and affiliations. So they can pack a punch!
Though, it’s not the slogans per se though that have the impact. It is your perception of the slogan, what the words mean to you, and the order the words are in. Additionally, how you feel about everything related to the words, their different meanings, your feelings and who stands behind the slogans is really what’s at play here.
If you had seen them written on a wall 10 years ago without knowing who wrote them or why, they very likely would have made a different impact on you.
Remarkably similar, they both seem quite positive. Also, they both have an action word at the start. And this is what attracts many people to both slogans.
If you felt jobs had gone overseas, the superpower status was diminishing or people weren’t as kind as before, you might want to return America to a kinder, gentler, more powerful and prosperous time.
If you thought the past wasn’t great, was rife with issues and problems, such as poverty, race relations and involvement in wars, then you might feel it needs to be better and not great again.
What could every American unite behind? Perhaps forget about the past and focus only on a glorious proud future.
What about “Building A Great America”? Or perhaps, “Make America Great!”? Or, the snappy, “Building The Best America”? Which do you prefer? Do you have one that could be even better?
If you could have an entirely free week, with no commitments, responsibilities or costs and no prep before, or catch up after, what would you do with it?
How would you spend those seven days? Would you go somewhere you’ve never been or somewhere familiar? Are you thinking you would spend it alone or with someone special or a group of people?
Find people who think the way you want to think. Look to join others who know or have what you would like to know or acquire.
It may feel uncomfortable at first. But learn their lingo, culture, norms and preferences. Spend time with them. Get comfortable in their presence. Find your tribe and immerse yourself in it.
We have a strange fascination / avoidance thing going on with The End. Many people find it hard to accept that they, or others, will reach The End.
Once you accept that it is a natural, and inevitable, part of life, you can be more free.
This is also a reminder to treat people like it’s their last day on Earth. Because it could be.
Same for you. It could be your last day. Make sure you have tied up those loose ends, made the calls, given the hugs and had some fun. At some point it will no longer be possible.
