Derailed by disillusion

A month has already gone by in 2012.  February here we go. By now, many of us have shelved our sincere New Year's resolutions, and or, are frustrated by our lack of achievement.  This is common and unfortunate. Fortunately, there is still hope. Instead of waiting for another new year's day to come as a catalyst for one more personal change journey, let's take a closer look at exactly what we are striving for. Perhaps, the goal we are aiming at is actually one that is unrealistic for anyone

Albert Einstein was keenly aware of the deceptive annoyance of mis-placed standards. As a culture, our targets of personal excellence can be forever moving. We are often judging worth by misguided filters influenced by media market trends, or even by previous personal moments that we are either trying to outgrow or duplicate.

Self-worth, is a motivation for all of us. Who likes not feeling good about themselves?! No one. In our pursuit of happiness, let's take caution to make sure that our limited time and energy isn't being directed towards a red herring.  For example, ABC News recently posted a story titled "Most Models Meet Criteria for Anorexia, Size 6 is Plus Size." In it, ABC reveals the atrocious beauty standards of models in comparison to realistic health standards.  The story is accompanied by a video which reveals pictures of comparison that bring to life the real meaning of stupidity. Self-worth is fleeting when we seek to achieve it through  someone else's unrealistic external standards.  Lets be our best in this life for our own sake. There is only one you, and that in itself is a crucial element for the criteria of "priceless."

2012 is already a busy one

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I don't know about you, but 2012 has jumped on me like a spark on dry grass.  A day hasn't gone by where I'm not juggling more demands than I care to admit. Getting up earlier to find more time in the day has it's limits.  A friend of mine recently told me that there are "24 Hours in the day...then there is the night." While he was joking with me about my attempt to find more time in the day, it makes a sarcastic point when it comes to the short-term productivity spike of just not sleeping.  No sleep only seduces you into thinking you are more productive. So what now? My demands aren't going away, but in actuality are they all really do at the same time? No. The key is to be present minded with each waking moment so that those folks who are depending on you can have your best. So how do we do that?

Information without application just tends to add to the clutter. While great information may trigger us for short-term action, it usually winds up in a fizzle since there isn't any practical planning for the change. Today I came across an article regarding a new book titled "Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life," by Margaret Moore and Harvard psychiatrist Paul Hammerness.  In it, the book outlines a practical plan for de-cluttering our brain for follow-through action.

While we may feel like life has got us boxed in, our brains are still driving us. Having a method of organizing our thoughts, in order to attain a more functional and effective position, is key to managing the moment. Moore and Hammerness have taken the discoveries of neuroscience and created a plan that appears to  the give the reader an action orientated mental map for arriving at a place of mental focus.  After reading the plan, it is apparent to me that the work of neuroscience is maturing to the point of producing applicable and practical information for the real-life tasked and time crunched folks like you and me.  Like any other behavioral adaptation, this plan takes some change equity. However, the cost of reorganizing our thoughts appears worth it after reading the article. See article here.

Win Today!

Victor

Getting ready for a new beginning.

Once again, we've crossed the threshold of a new year. While 2012 has been predicted to be full of apocalyptic events, you may want to plan on still be here in 2013. The end of the world is a one time deal. If it does happen, there's not a darn thing that you and I can do about it.

Now that we just freed up some of our limited mental energy for more pressing matters, let's take the opportunity that each new year brings, which is a willingness to change.  Every new year brings resolutions. Seeing a need to change is powerful, since it is the energy behind every great evolution. Understanding how to harness the full potential of that energy is the next step.  Wanting to change is good, actually taking the steps to change is great! To understand the wall of opposition that is inevitably facing us all, we must first take a look at some science.

The law of conservation of energy asserts that we are constantly reverting our activities towards the most efficient state. Hence, our window of opportunity to succeed with a lifestyle change is limited.  Odds are the purchase of the new gym membership will most likely only serve to change our bank account instead of our physical appearance, unless we grab the concept that change is inefficient. Don't be shocked by just how hard it is. You and I are no stranger to this idea, since we've been experiencing it our whole lives. We learned to walk by many falls and we learned to drive by many stalls. The constant for both examples was our passion to achieve the new reality. Passion is the fuel for change. Spend it wisely by planning out your change, and or by identifying a change marker that is attainable.  In order to learn more about the challenge that the law of energy conservation presents, here's is a video clip from that great science show, Regis and Kelly. Move the cursor to the 2:35 mark for the "spiked ball" demonstration. Happy New Year!  Let's make it great.

"That's not what I meant!"

    We all at some time in our lives have felt misunderstood. Whether by a family member or a co-worker, the personal frustration and the actual monetary cost of communication breakdowns can be exponential. Before you chalk up the next miscommunication mishap to the blame of the other guy, take a time out to reflect on our own communication methods. While you may be right, you still may not be heard. Which is another way of equating you to being wrong.  You may feel justified and emboldened about an idea, but that doesn't mean your communication will transfer that passion and conviction to those around you. Quite the contrary, our own passion can actually heighten a situation to the point that it undermines the facts that you want to communicate. The person on the other end of your "conviction" just goes into survival mode and builds up a self-preservation wall.  The facts get lost in translation make the situation worse at best.

    The vantage point of everyone involved can be a killer to the efficiency an intended point if it isn't taken into account. So before you stomp off from another discussion gone wild, do some self-reflection in regards to the intent and motivation behind your communication. Does that other person understand your intent? Do you appreciate theirs? By asking yourself to assess the landscape first, you will be better prepared to glean some beneficial dialogue instead of putting another brick in the personal grudge wall.  In an interview with Inc. magazine, U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal was asked to outline his own communication strategies that have served him so well in crisis. The principles he shares are simple and just as applicable to the grand theater of war as they are to the family dinner table. As intent is understood, organizations, teams, and families can then operate with a mission-driven independent efficiency since they understand the grand idea.

Win Today!

Victor