Sep

26

Honesty Is Sanity

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Great message from Harun I., a frequent contributor to Charles Hugh Smith’s website, OfTwoMinds.com I include his quote and then provide my thoughts at the bottom.

It is not under-education or an inability to think critically which part people from their money, it is their uncontrolled emotions. Faced with purchasing a house which they know is unaffordable or choosing to rent they will not bother to run the comparison as long as it is their dream and “someone” told them they could. Had grumpy old Mr. Critical Thought been allowed to show up and run a spread sheet or put the numbers into Quicken they (the cold, emotionless reality of the numbers) would have irrefutably deprived them of their “dream”.

This drama plays out everyday at different levels across the spectrum of human psychology, the food you should not eat because you are morbidly obese, the years-old but never used exercise equipment in the garage, the spouse or partner who is abusive but you can’t leave, the dress, shoes, house, boat, car you have to buy but cannot afford, the candidates we vote for because we like the way they part their hair. The inconsistencies, contradictions and convolutions are endless and mind-boggling to the point of madness to the observer.

Facing your inconsistencies and contradictions is a never-ending battle.  To avoid succumbing to negativity and false senses of happiness (mindless consumerism, distractions, addictions/vices), I’ve found the following help:

  • Surrounding yourself with friends, family that support and encourage your growth as a human.
  • Feeding your brain positive information (listening to and engaging your mind in positive thoughts).
  • Being introspective (journaling, silent thought) and determining your own value system, not one that your parents/your society gives you.
  • Being consciously aware of your own strengths, weaknesses and limitations.  Actively working to tilt the playing field in your favor.
  • Being honest with yourself, your lifestyle and those around you.  Honesty is sanity.

Takeaway:  Life is too short to waste time with distractions.  Since your mind can be your best friend or worst enemy, it makes sense to work on your attitude/worldview/values to have more peace of mind.

Jun

25

Mid Year Goal Review

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As we approach the end of June, take some time aside and see how the year has gone thus far.

This time to reflect is important since if we are working hard,  but not smart, all our effort is for naught.

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all. – Peter Drucker

Likewise, it is important to take a step back and think about our everyday habits and behaviors and scrutinize whether or not those daily actions are bringing us closer to or farther from where we would like to be.

If we are dissatisfied with our direction in life, we must CHANGE something to achieve different results.

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.

Growth only comes from exiting our comfort zone.  As men, we should always seek to improve ourselves:  on the job, at home, wherever you have a prescence.

Coasting, resting on your laurels, counting your chickens are all forms of cancer which will kill even the most talented among us.

Complacency Kills

With that, I am displaying a very simple goal exercise which takes a few minutes, which can shed light on your progress.

Simply list in plain English that which IS working and that which IS NOT working.

Things that have been working

  • My relationship is healthy; I proposed to my girlfriend, now my fiancee.
  • I created and expanded my website, inthon.com
  • I am still exercising regularly and I have increased my strength dramatically
  • I am continuing to feed my brain healthy, positive, life-affirming messages and doing my best to avoid negative thinking.

Things that have not been working

  • I still read too much, write too little.
  • I do not take as much time as I should to be reflective and journal.
  • There is room for improvement at work.
  • My sleep patterns have been off since December due to late nights and napping.

This is a very rudimentary exercise, but it forces you to be honest and assess what is working and what isn’t.

Takeaway: Growth does not happen until we exit our comfort zone.  This simple exercise can give you a good idea of where you are progressing and where you are stagnating.  Please give it a try.

Jan

6

Goal Setting Methodology

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I normally jot down some goals for the New Year in no particular order, however, this year I am doing something different and setting goals based on their order of their importance.

Relationship/Family goals are coming first, followed by Work Goals, then Health Goals, and then the rest.

I realize there are benefits and detriments to writing down goals, however, I feel that seeing these goals on a daily basis will help me remember my priorities. I have too great of a relationship and a family to screw it up with complacency.

Thanks for reading.

To read more about deliberate practice, click here.