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Because the challenges are the best part of life. If you’re not doing something scary, it probably isn’t worth doing. Life should be about pushing yourself and moving into new territory.
Purpose is the reason you are. It’s the deeper, driving force behind your goals. It’s what moves you from here to there. How do you find it? Take your goal and look at it as part of the Big Picture, the view from sixty-four thousand feet. You know what you want to do, but why do you want to do it? How will your goal ripple across the rest of your life? Once you answer those questions, you’re on your way to finding your purpose.
Here’s a hint to help you get started: Your purpose probably has something to do with having a better life.
That was when Jeremy found his purpose: his family. Jeremy’s purpose became to make choices and do things that would enable him to be the best father and husband he could be.
It’s your emotions, your attitude, your deeper purpose, that’s going to drive change.”
Always keep an eye on your purpose, but along the way, take time to appreciate small achievements that indicate progress
Some days, it may seem like you haven’t achieved anything. That’s where Law 1 comes in handy. Ask yourself this: Today, did I do my best and forget the rest?
It’s like what Winston Churchill said: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
“The best way to figure out what you need to do is to first figure out what you want to do.” And you can only know what you want to do if you’ve taken the time to discover your purpose.
Variety, consistency, and intensity? That’s it! These three laws are my “Big Three,” the cornerstones of living a better life.
Creativity is an essential skill for success in any type of activity. It’s about seeing problems from different angles in pursuit of a solution. It’s about trying new recipes to discover ways to enjoy foods you previously thought you hated.
Curiosity is about having an open mind—and it’s a wonderful thing. Once you’ve mastered that, creativity is the next step. It’s about not being afraid to share that creative, open mind with the world.
THE VARIETY BALANCING ACT
balance things out !!! read the whole section
When you’re willing to embrace variety, life is better, more interesting, and more fun.
If you want to transition to your dream career, you don’t need to quit the job that’s paying the rent. Instead, maybe start by taking night classes. It’s like what songwriter Paul Kelly sings: “From little things, big things grow.”
In life, if you plod through each day with the same strategy and an inflexible game plan, you’re basically running in place—you’re not getting any closer to your goals. And if you’re mindlessly slogging through your life without any variety, creativity, or spontaneity, chances are you’ve lost sight of your purpose, too.
consistency in your actions is a necessary part of being a good person and a productive member of society.
If you want to have a more positive attitude, you’re not going to shake your Charlie Brown ways overnight. Instead, make a point of saying one nice thing to someone every day, then two, then . . . you get the picture. Make a consistent Plan and stick to it.
So how do you do this gradualism thing? It’s simple. You just need a Plan. Follow this nifty little acronym, OPIE
ONE PROJECT AT A TIME.
PARTITION THAT PROJECT.
EVALUATE YOUR PROJECT.
Fear of failure sets up ridiculous expectations and, ironically, actually sets you up for failure.
Intensity is a game of mind over matter. It is always in you to do something a little better than you did it the last time.
As always, intensity goes hand in hand with consistency and variety. The combination of the three creates a platform for success.
The boredom tipping point is that exact moment when an activity becomes stale.
The best way to avoid getting derailed, stuck, or quitting something altogether is to be on the lookout for the BTP and identify it as soon as it sets in.
think boredom is your body’s and mind’s way of telling you that it’s time to wake up and rethink your strategy.
When you hit the BPT in any part of your life, it’s time to dump your current routine and find a way to love it again. I consciously make efforts to avoid boredom by trying new things, changing up my activities, and surrounding myself with people who challenge me. It keeps me on my toes, it keeps me curious and creative—and it keeps the fun factor high.
THE LOVING-IT METER
print out
How do you know if this is the case? Ask yourself these three questions:
If you answered “no” to these questions, it might be time to reevaluate what you’re doing. How do you do that? I’m glad you asked! All you need to do is review chapters 2 and 3. First, figure out your Purpose. Second, formulate a Plan.
THE WHY GAME
do the why test/game
Focusing on a solution to a problem is daunting. It requires you to quickly put aside any self-pity or excuses. It requires that you think rationally, and not react emotionally.
very important !!!
Solution-minded people (aka Seekers) also tend to avoid negative self-talk because it can have a profoundly bad effect on so many aspects of their lives.
If you describe yourself as a hard worker, when things get tough you’ll be more inclined to roll up your sleeves and get busy. If you describe yourself as a stressed-out basket case, when things get tough you’ll throw your hands up in the air in a panic. How do you want to roll? Be conscious of the power of your words, and the effect they have on your reality.
So the lesson is twofold. Don’t say no when it comes from fear or laziness, therefore ruining your opportunities to say yes.
There are three fundamentals I teach people about meditation. One is to have a straight spine. Two is a relaxed breath. Three is what they call a “single-pointed focus.”
useful when doing meditation
self-myofascial release,
Viktor Frankl. His book Man’s Search for Meaning
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So when obstacles pop up, it’s important to recognize the need to deal with them realistically, with a plan, but one that is born from a positive mind-set. I call this Functional Optimism and it’s a key component of achieving your Big Picture goals. It’s not about knowing everything can work out. It’s about knowing that everything will work out because you’re going to do what you need to do to make it happen.
It’s well documented that yoga can help with everything from depression to anger management.
Problem + Patience + Curiosity = Solution
When you find yourself tangled up in a situation, here’s an action plan for how you can relax acutely.
I’m a guy who got tired of being out of shape, miserable, stressed out, and broke. I saw my Big Picture, I put together a plan, and I acted on that plan.
Don’t spend your life chasing happiness by trying to impress your friends, family, and coworkers. True happiness happens when your priorities are honest and authentic.
When your plan starts kicking into gear, you’ll know. I call this moment “the Satori.” “Satori” is the Japanese word for “awakening.”
Look for vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, which is the kind that your body synthesizes. Therefore it’s the kind your body uses most efficiently—no sunblock required!
typeof vitamin D
Start reading the ingredient lists on the back of snack foods. Acesulfame potassium? Sodium nitrate? Red 3? You know what that stuff is? (I do and, I’ll tell you, it’s more poison.)
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff—and It’s All Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson
