In the spirit of the two-headed Greek God of Janus for whom the month of January is named to allow reflection of past and future, I offer this note to memorialize the lessons learned over the 16-days straight course of running the …

Pacific Coast Interim 5:30 AM Boot Camp – Purpose, Vision, & Goal(s).  

First off, I want to thank both of you [Gary Glass & Cliona O’Hara] for allowing this opportunity as well as my cc’d co-host […] and the others who regularly showed up to meetings[.]

I’ve journaled my personal lessons learned as well as areas for my self-improvement and seek to offer them to you for what they may be worth. OK, so with that “throat clearing” here goes … 😊

LESSON 1: Be willing to accept help that is helpful.

COMMENT. Patricia [Fish] volunteered to assist immediately and so we did an organizational, practice run on Sunday, December 17. This proved to be invaluable! Patricia contributed a ton and helped me to realize a lot of logistical details which I had not even considered.  

LESSON 2: Have an Overarching Purpose and Daily Theme.

COMMENT. We knew we had until about January 2 until Gary was going to resume Pacific Coast Boot Camp leadership, so we geared our daily study around PURPOSE, VISION, GOAL, & HABIT FORMATION overall and had a Daily Theme associated with going through You-Squared.

LESSON 3: Consider the benefits of  “book-ending” the meeting with Physicality.

COMMENT. We started the meeting with Patricia’s Qigong to “Shake It Up & Wake It Up” and then closed out the meeting with a song in which we ‘Took an Chance on a Dance.’ This physicality seemed to get us going and then to also allow us to cement the ideas through action. And as to that action – dance – this gives people an opportunity to get just a bit beyond themselves doing something which they may feel is foolish, but doing anything at the beginning is something at which one will do some things a bit foolishly … that’s just part of the process!

LESSON 4: Allow plenty of time for Gratitude.

COMMENT. We placed this immediately after Cliona’s Meditation and I asked people to consider as the PROMPT: “I am a loving soul who is grateful for … because … .” This prompt allows “The Great I AM” as well as an idea of identifying “Positive Causality.”

LESSON 5: Consider the benefits of Involving Others.

COMMENT. I invited people to read the Self-Confidence and Self-Discipline Formula with people switching between “odds” and “evens” and all but one person declined this opportunity.

LESSON 6: Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them … and then explain what you told them.

COMMENT. I read the “red bracket” each day of that day’s “You-Squared”, read the Chapter, and then came back and concluded with the “red bracket” … and then reviewed the highlights of that chapter. This gave me an opportunity to offer others – and myself – the insights that came to me from the reading.

LESSON 7: Allow the benefits of Serendipity.

COMMENT. I introduced a “Sound Bath” during the period in which we wrote up the “Purpose, Vision, Goal(s), & Habit(s) [and Task(s).” This was something that showed up early on right after Cliona’s Meditation and instead of dismissing it out of hand, I took a look and Patricia also explained what this was all about and its benefits. This became perhaps the most enjoyable and productive part of each Boot Camp. For more, see … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDuDgCZyGUgo .

LESSON 8: Figure out how to incorporate Patricia’s Boot Camp Protocol Reel.

COMMENT: Patricia has put together a STELLAR BOOT CAMP PROTOCOL REEL. I didn’t take the time to figure out how to (separate) images and sound at the same time. In the future, I would want to run this during the [Purpose, Vision] Goals, Habits & Task portion. Then if people have a moment to look up, they might see something which serendipitously would prompt continued writing allowing more of a syncing of both their written piece and the protocol into their emotional mind.

PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITY (“PIO”) 1: Don’t take it personally when people jump in and out of the call.

COMMENT. This didn’t happen too often, but it was something that I observed would generate some frustration in myself. Particularly frustrating was when the person with whom I had recently volunteered to be an accountability partner with indicated that she would instead watch past boot camp videos. That was game over for me; I just cut her out without a word!

Reflecting: I should have attempted to schedule a talk to express my feelings about it. If I had, I may have been able to demonstrate the benefit of live boot camps vis-à-vis their accountability … and with it retained her accountability to my own necessary project which I admittedly allowed to slip. This is now in the past and I don’t care to directly broach the subject, but it is something to note going forward.

PIO 2: Create a tighter master vision of how this was all to come together and communicate this more effectively.

COMMENT. I learned a ton going through this project and as I mentioned much of that came from the assistance of Patricia. If I had to do this over again – knowing that I would get the affirmative nod – I would have sought to clearly flesh out my vision of how to run the boot camp and then communicated that to Gary. Instead – in line with a deep-set paradigm in which I am accustomed to receiving a “NO” from those (primarily my parents and spouse) that seek to exert authoritarian influence, upon the slightest indication that Gary was willing to allow the opportunity, I ran with it and failed to secure as much of the incredibly valuable input which he may have been willing to offer if I had simply had the temerity to ask.

PIO 3: Create a slide deck for the presentation’s non-negotiables and have only the daily variables up and ready outside of that slide deck for use.

COMMENT. There is an optimum between rigidity and flexibility, to generate the closest thing to perfection I will want to generate systems which allow the benefit of both.  Idea: Seek to “democratize” the understanding of the Santa Fe Institute’s practical findings in the area of COMPLEXITY THEORY.

PIO 4: Be mindful of the time.

COMMENT: One of Gary’s most enviable qualities is his ability to run the boot camp within the time parameters. This didn’t happen immediately, but once he dialed it in … IT WAS “DIALED IN” … PROFESSIONAL!!! This is something that I really admire about your presentation Gary!

[…]

[PIO 5: Never be shy to provide great affirmations.]

COMMENT: During the middle of the run, I decided went back and listened one of Cliona’s Boot Camps. In this particular one which she conducted for the Eastern US on the Winter Solstice 2023, she had an incredible set of affirmations. I wrote most of them down and would sprinkle them in at the end of our Purpose, Vision, Goal, & Habit Sound Bath. A lot of folks really liked this!

Ok, so what’s with the picture? Well, I found that on the way to the gym immediately after victoriously concluding this final Interim Boot Camp. It reminded me of a time coming across a black Ferrari after a big court victory in June 2017 … and I don’t think that this is just a coincidence!!!

Happy New Year! 2023 is in the past. All of 2024 is ahead of us … with the exception of this first day. And because this is a leap year, this means that we still have a full 365 days ahead. Hip, hip, hooray!!!

But, what does this all mean with respect to the present?

Well, the whole world is in January and as someone who is keen on the etymology of words, I think its cool to find out what the low down, background of the name of this month is all about … and of course what you look for, you will almost certainly find.

Turns out that January is derived from the Greek God Janus. That’s the guy in the picture who has a face on both sides of his head.

One face looks to the past; the other face looks to the future.

Ok, so far so good … but, where is the “present” in all of this.

Well, the way that I have generally considered defining the present is as … “the attempted reconciliation of the past and the future.”

Think about it … we are never able to really have the present, there is always a short delay … a gap between creation and perception.

I might add that there is generally a much greater gap – actually more of a chasm – between perception and awareness too … but that is a digression which we will have to pick up another day.

When we look at the present in this way though, we never get to it. We can always seek to parse the measurement of that gap in greater amounts of division.

And this brings me to one of the biggest points here. This division or severance is a pronounced Western idea. We wield a knife which cuts our activities down as well as our relationships with others and self.

Now, there is another way of thinking about the present as well. It’s essentially the corollary.

The idea – and one which is much more associated with the East – is that the present is all we have. By this view the past is a flowing remnant of the present and the future is the unfurlment of the present too.

Going back to the pictured statute above, what would be better?

Should our month of Janus be devoted to (a) looking back at 2023; (b) considering all the things that we would like to do in the time we have ahead in 2024; or (c) living in the moment that we continue to be able to enjoy – if we focus our minds on it – the present.

In all honesty, it’s probably good to take a look at all three. But, I would recommend that you carefully consider the general percentages.

Anything that is in the past, you are really not going to change … unless you are able to gain a new perspective as to it. Here the question is: “Is doing this work worth it?”

In some cases it most certainly is! I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t have some of the past in which they continue to live. In fact, if this weren’t the case, it would probably be almost impossible to hold any habits.

But, in the main, unless one simply can’t stop ruminating about the past, or perhaps particularly if past ruminations are the issue, getting help releasing oneself from one’s past is really a wise decision.

As to the future? Now, this is a much greater subject!

I’ve been working now for the last 7 months with the Napoleon Hill Institute and previous to that with Bob Proctor since the second day of 2019.

Throughout my study, I have learned that it is critical to identify one’s

  • Develop a Keen Sense of Gratitude
  • Definite Major Purpose
  • Clarify One’s Vision
  • Identify One’s Particular Goal
  • Create a Plan for Attainment
  • Begin at Once – i.e. in the Present – by “taking action.”
  • Persist in pursuit – though not necessary in means – until goal attainment.
  • Then start over again with the newfound knowledge to pursue a new goal in line with purpose and vision.

The thing that is so critical here is to be clear as to the goal and then – as I used to scream to my son and his team mates during their soccer games – “GO TO GOAL” … daily.

And just as importantly while doing so, make certain that you fully FEEL that goal achieved each time you do so.

It takes practice to develop this … and of course the goal itself. But, for those that do this, they discover the incredible magic of tapping into the 90 – 95% of that unused potential which is locked up in our subconscious mind.

This is because the sub-conscious mind is unable to discern the difference between that which is real and that which is fantasy. And actually, if the “fantasy” is impressed upon it enough in the “present” … even though there is no evidence of it being real …

In time the sub-conscious mind will deliver what Napoleon Hill called “the plots and the plans” to deliver into the “physical realm” the reality which is planted in the emotional mind of the subconscious.

For this reason, if you need to … spend a significant amount of time this January and every day, week, month, and year living in the future … in one’s minds eye.

But, then make sure to get up and get going by acting.

Action is what happens in the present and without it, regardless of one’s past … one will have not much of a present nor a future!

SO, TAKE ACTION!!!

What does intellect have to do with first principles? When we really think about it – pun allowed – we realize something really profound.

It is our ability to think which separates us from all other creatures here on Earth.

Bernard Shaw is noted to have a character stand up and say in his play, ‘Sound of Freedom’ (?) …

There is nothing you won’t find in a man that is different the a pig or a horse than his mind.

‘Sound of Freedom’ (?) …

This is to say that it is our ability to consciously reason which sets us – humans – aside from everything else.

But, if this is true why do we have so much “war” in the world … including in our own profession. This is to say, why do we have to fight with words.

It’s precisely because we are able to “fight with words” instead of with missiles, guns, knives, and pitchforks, that we are able to litigate the truth.

Often times truth hurts! But, what is is truth really particularly with respect to the intellectual mind.

I am willing to venture that the “truth” in such situations is not much more than identifying the boundary of demarcation between differing entities opposing views.

Yes! What this means is that the truth is the exact line where my responsibilities end and yours begin … and importantly vice versa.

Now, to realize this intellectually alone is really a challenge, because our intellect as driven rationally perceptively through the ego is self-protective … and self-projective.

In other words the intellectual use of the mind through the ego allows us the ability to press the external bounds of truth through a certain level of understanding, BUT here’s the rub.

The intellect only controls perhaps 5% of the mind. The other 95% is what is determined through our emotions. And of course, that is where the next blog post will jump in.

—

As an unrelated aside. What I am realizing as I write this is that this blog is going to be my free-form area. This is to say that I am not going to worry about getting everything right on the first run through. I’m just going to do my best to stream of conscious my ideas on whatever topic as relates to it’s particular category. And then, AFTER just putting down my ideas in stream form, I will go back and see if through the mess, I can craft a great blog which I believe is worthy of weekly post out to include LinkedIn as a forum. It’s my real hope to strengthen my intuitional writing skills and draw forward from my wellspring of knowledge through my individual draw from the source of infinite intelligence and in doing so become greater and greater. As Wallace D. Wattles says, this will be my “certain way.”

This morning I went to church and heard from the pastor the reference to an insight that Thomas Friedman has made with respect to God.

As she retold it, the analogy is that God has done to all of us just the same as that which Kevin McCallister’s family did to him when blindly scurrying to catch their holiday vacation flight – rendered us Home Alone.

Essentially, it is upon the child of the McCallister and the children of God to now put on our “big boy pants” [or “big girl pants” as the case may be] and start taking care of our own problems.

Now, that’s a big idea. It suggests that in the past God walked (figuratively) hand in hand with at least a select group of people and now that contact has been withdrawn.

I didn’t buy it! I believe that God or as Napoleon Hill Identifies as “Infinite Intelligence” not only exists but is indeed still right here with all of us. And, as long as we have the faith to move forward, God does help out.

Now that’s another big idea. Earl Nightingale, who was directly mentored by Napoleon Hill, explained it as when you move toward your goal, your goal moves toward you. The why and how that happens is beyond my level of explanation, but I do know that these types of serendipities occur.

These serendipities occur with sufficient occurrence at least for some that they become … dun, dun, da – “Spiritual.”

Spiritual folks. Hmm? Who have they generally been? Oh right, they are the pastors, rabis, imams, swamis, etc…

Well. It seems that many of these spiritual leaders are not doing their job and are allowing things to run amok.

Just kidding. Or am I?

In that I wasn’t in possession of enough time to articulate my views in conversation on our open house zoom call meeting this past Friday at the Napoleon Hill Institute, I did believe it was appropriate to check in on a written exchange forum.

Here’s the transcript with names redacted.

BZ – In outwitting the devil, is the Napoleon Hill Institute willing to acknowledge that religious traditions, while certainly imperfect, also can offer paths to the understanding of universal values? Is having a faith tradition better than having none whatsoever or are we to renounce and embrace spirituality alone? Maybe a false dichotomy? A pastor of mine once explained that there are several paths to “climb the mountain”. I like this in that it serves as an acknowledgment that differing faith traditions can coexist and appreciate that we need not all be on exactly the same path. This is why I can appreciate Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Taoists … and have enjoyed the inside of each of their respective houses of worship too. I believe the purpose of NHI is to help people to better move along the path (which may or may not include religion) that they come to increasingly find their greater selves and serve others. My opinion, which others are free to reprove, is that for many “Spirituality” alone is too amorphous. [9:30].

First Respondent – #1 – In my experience it seems religious people have more questions than they have answers and now through this teaching I have found more answers to my questions. When you have the kingdom of God you don’t need religion because I now see that the kingdom of God is the original truth about mankind for example religious people say the truth is I am a sinner. Well, it may be true that I was a sinner but that’s not the truth about me. To me the truth is original information about a product. The original information on mankind is that we have inherited a kingdom that was prepared for us from the foundation of the world. See Matthew 24. These are some of my thoughts. [9:49]

First Respondent – #2 – I also want to add that I have heard many religious people speak things that are truth and they have helped me to understand myself better. [9:51]

BZ – @First Respondent to your comments. I believe you are correct. Our understanding of the rational through Science has far outstripped our understanding of the irrational through those who have professed to have a monopoly on Faith … and this attempt at the monopolization of Faith is exactly why there is so much discord amongst religions. It then often is even made worse when manipulators within Faith traditions seek to use faith traditions to justify war. With respect to Christianity. I have guardedly been able to accept my Faith tradition by realigning the (purported)_ words of Jesus – “No one comes to the Father (in Heaven), but through me” – to represent the meaning that Jesus is to be understood ONLY as the professed embodiment of “LOVE”. Though having insufficient knowledge to know, I think that this is the universal truth that all religions seek. Further, it seems that Western religions pursue this understanding externally whereas Eastern religions pursue this truth primarily internally. Either path ultimately affords the divinity that is within the individual to meet the divinity which is in the Universe. IMHO, our role and goal is to best manage this gap – which is our own life. We do this by lovingly contributing to the world in the manner in which we are uniquely made to graciously serve others as we allow others to in turn graciously serve each of us. [10:23]

Second Respondent – #1 – Great questions. If going around the world and looking at theology – studying spirit – the very common concept of loving benevolence is what we may call God, infinite intelligence, and etc.

The main thing – love God. Love others & living beings. (Which doesn’t mean we must like everyone – simply wish everyone well and not harm/hurt to them).

Under that point, nobody would ever seek to control another person and to be willing to work through disagreements so that no impasse happens.

The shift may be when “people” get involved and over time someone ego thought they had power or “owned” judgment of others – instead of free will which our creator gifted us!

As I learned more about spirituality I feel I can drop into any spiritual practice or religion and get [the] sense of their intention to serve in the greater good for all – welcome individual expression.

When it’s about the “person” doing [the] speaking or teaching and it becomes about them – or without compassion to understand other people – this is where those seeking higher ascending drop off. Others stay and play “not to lose” instead of how to win and always be growing a full realm in life.

I think most religions hold and intention for spiritual connection; others attract people who come under failures in leadership by being attracted to power and prestige of the “title”[.] [12:43]

BZ – <<Name>> [of Respondent #2], I wish I could say that you took the words right out of my mouth (but certainly can’t). Thank you for saying from the heart what I seam to only arrive at through the intellect. Yours is the better way!!! Sincerely, BZ/JUSTICE SMILES, pllc [12:53]

Second Respondent – #2 – Oh Robert grateful for your words – I don’t have any better way.

Your words and intellect are amazing and well said. [1:05]

Non-Respondent # 1 – Happy Sunday everybody!

I’m just wondering are we allowed to share the link that’s inside the private space group book for people to register for tomorrow for the self-discipline challenge? Or where do they register for that? I have a couple of people asking and I registered from the direct email I believe but for new people? … thank you for any info. [2:03]

…

And this reminds me now at 10:00 PM as I finish off this text before editing ahead of post out that there is a challenge for anyone/anywhere who wants to really move ahead this Month.

Now, if you are over here on the West Coast, this is going to be an incredibly difficult challenge … unless you want to push forward another 4.5 hours. Why?

Because the challenge is to get up and go at 5:50 EST. I’m going to the link and register and then bring it back for anyone who possibly is daft enough to go for it along with me.

Why? Because I am needing the hard reset … and I know this is going to be the best way to do it!

So, to the question that serves to title this blog post … which if you forgot is … Is Justice Smiles finally ready to “Outwit the Devil” along with the Napoleon Hill Institute?

Answer: AFIRMATIVE, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE NAPOLEON HILL INSTITUTE!!!

Here’s not only the link but the accompanying letter from our leader Cliona O’Hara …

Dear Robert, This will be my first of many personal letters to you. I want to develop a relationship with you and anyone in our community who has a true desire to serve from the heart and help others whilst on their visit to earth.   I have leaped wholeheartedly back into the process of defining my vision for Napoleon Hill Institute. In seasons like these, sometimes a warm cup of coffee and an empty notebook are just the right atmosphere for new ideas to take shape for me.  Last week after studying Chapter 7 (Self Discipline) of Outwitting the Devil, I personally had an emotional impact.  Hill’s words struck me, and I took an immediate true self-analysis of myself and my own inventory.  I created an instant burning desire to take action and help others with this information.  Hill talked about our body and how the devil uses toxic foods as a Poison to contaminate our “sewage system” which then creates the habit of drifting.   The thought of my body or even my children’s body as a sewage system rang true to me. “What have we been eating and how have we been feeling recently?” I asked myself.   I just moved home and with the move came a lack of order. We were eating out or getting quick takeaway options because our home was not set up yet properly.  I found myself going to quick snacks that I wouldn’t normally eat. I could feel it in the morning.  I wasn’t as energetic as I normally am, “Oh this is what Hill was talking about… I could start to drift.”      Drifting is not an option for me, I have children who depend on me and a company to lead with integrity.  How can I teach and spread these teachings if I’m not 100% following them myself personally?   I had a good talk with myself and did what I always do (with no judgment), I made a DECISION.   While closing out our daily study call, I discovered an opportunity to serve you in a new way.  Today, I’m excited to share my latest offering with you. Created from my heart and born out of a desire to empower you to prosper in your mind, body and soul in the months ahead—I am so proud to announce that we are launching the Self Discipline Camp, Monday morning at 5:30am.  This is a free 30-day challenge to help you step into your “other self” your “higher self” with me and our team. Details – FOR EST TIME ZONE: When: Oct 2, 2023 05:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkf-quqjktHNf5zyMaoLJSfCu0S6Ew3nSz 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Details – FOR PACIFIC TIME ZONE: When: Oct 2, 2023 05:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUldemrqj0rH9E0fjxq1IeBEFBpp80RSu2s 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  ________________________________________________________ Consider this your personal invitation to dive deep with me into discipline, develop a new relationship and meaning with this word. I remember thinking “discipline” was a punishment of some form, I laugh now as I write that.  After doing several of these 30 day reset camps myself in the past, I know one thing for sure, discipline is actually “Self-Love”, “Self Mastery” and I personally feel closer to God when I am disciplined and keeping my word to myself and others.  I am also not a follower of starting new habits or creating order just at the beginning of a new year. I feel we should get a head start now in the last quarter…   Just imagine how good you will feel before New Year with this 30-day commitment and accomplishment in your wins journal!  2024 is a year that is brimming with promise and potential; however we still have three very powerful months to create momentum and lasting impact to close out 2023.   Something beautiful is awaiting you on the other side of this self-discipline camp. I would love to explore the opportunity to find it together. I can’t wait for you to join me. I have no doubt that it is going to be quite an adventure of self-awareness and self love. Feel like this is your time? Sign Up for the Self Discipline Camp, it is free to all and invite as many as you want to join us.  With Sincere Love and Gratitude, Cliona O’Hara ________________________________________________________ You are invited to join us in a 30-day free Self Discipline Camp. The Camp will be led by the New Napoleon Hill Institute Founder, Cliona O’Hara. Together we will embark on an amazing 30-day challenge inspired by the timeless principles of self-discipline and personal development. Here’s what you can expect: – Daily Guidance: Every day, at 5:30 am EST, we will get together. We will study and meditate, setting a powerful tone for the day ahead. – Self-Discipline Mastery: Learn how to cultivate self-discipline, establish empowering habits, and align your actions with your Definite Major Purpose. – Holistic Well-being: Gain insights into improving your diet, enhancing your sleep quality, and nurturing your overall mental and physical health. – Supportive Community: Become part of a dedicated community of individuals, all working towards the same frequency of success. THIS is your chance to become a part of such a remarkable experience—an opportunity to align yourself, elevate your life, and create lasting habits that lead to unparalleled success. Ready for the transformation?  

In my role as a boundary dispute attorney, I often had to help neighbors contend with betrayal.

And truth be known, I had to assist some to orchestrate betrayal as well.

Also, it’s the rare individual who hasn’t been disappointed in life by people that they trust.

But, neither of these arise to the subject that I’m going to explore this morning.

What’s ultimately debilitating is the intentional betrayal by someone you love and trust. When that happens its pure malevolence.

To prevent its occurrence “wise” people might seek to adhere by the ‘scripture of Michael (Corleone).’

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Yes, this is one way to approach it. But, the toll then is that one has very few if any intimate relationships.

What’s more when one takes on this frame of mind, it is likely that one will become the machiavel that readily betrays others.

And this might be the biggest point right here. As one betrays others, one is really betraying oneself.

At the end of one’s life arch, do you think that anyone is going to give a damn about your work contribution?

The answer is self-evidently not! Heck, we can barely remember even a sentence about a 1/2 dozen American presidents.

And as to the truly great contributors of our age such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk … their names will be remembered no more commonly than Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and the Wright Brothers.

So make certain to not betray yourself by focusing solely on work to the exclusion of family and friends.

But, returning to the overall idea of what to about being betrayed oneself.

The first thing to ask is: Did my family member or friend intentionally seek to harm me?

If they did, as painful as it is to not only get out of the mess that they stuck you in, beyond that the loss of them as confidants, the best is to recognize that this is their issue, do your best to forgive them, but drop them like a bad habit.

If on the other hand, they did not intend to cause harm and they show nothing but contrition bordering on self-hatred for what they have done, seek again to forgive them and slowly rebuild the relationship.

Friends are easy to find. But, loyal friends not so much.

Note, that to find and ones that have mistakenly betrayed you can actually end up being even better friends after the harm has run its course.

One last thing to note too though, while you will never want to forget the betrayal, seek to remember the policy …

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Don’t raise the issue with your friend or family member again. They likely already went through hell over their error and forcing both of you to relive it is going to help neither of you nor the relationship.

The bottom line: Forgive and assess whether or not the relationship is worth retaining. Try to take the long view in making your decision. And then commit fully to it.

 

What is the best way to pursue and achieve the life of your dreams?

It would seem that this would be rather obvious. Figure out what you want to achieve and then go out and do it. What’s the big whup?

Well, it is that simple. And yet unfortunately a lot if not most people don’t really do this.

Don’t believe me? Well, then ask yourself these questions.

  1. How many people graduate from high school and take the most convenient job available or go on to college because that is what’s expected of them?
  2. How many people if they chose to go on to college then come out and take almost any job that they can find?
  3. And if they still aren’t satisfied, how many people go on and get a law degree thinking that will help them figure it all out?

I think you get my point. Most people are job takers, not job makers.

Incredulously, I hear my audience – if that only be my inner critic – asking: “How can I be a job maker if I don’t have the resources to build my own business?”

And it is right here that we start to learn where the difference between success and failure lies. It’s there right at the very beginning.

Earl Nightingale – who was one of if not “the” founder of the personal development industry is well known to have defined success as “the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”

I’ve come to realize that without a goal not only is one a failure – for that period in which one is just drifting without one – one doesn’t have a  life of any meaning.

And I can attest from personal experience that a life of nihilism is worse than an unpleasant life – it can become an absolute hell!

That aside, I’ve also found that I seem to be constituted such that once I finally lock onto a goal, I will go at it with such a narrowly deterministic focus as to block out almost all other aspects of life.

Here, you can think how Robert Patrick portrayed T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. (See photo above).

Nothing, save complete destruction of self, was going to prevent achievement of a goal.

Now, this is a great way to achieve goals. I don’t think that this is the problem for most people.

This is because a lot of people give up before they achieve their goals, usually – though bad luck can sometimes put people too far off course – usually instead, they just weren’t sufficiently committed.

But, there is also a big problem that comes along with it beyond becoming very one-dimensional through goal pursuit.

The hazard that came to me was that upon achieving a goal, I always had that sense of “what’s next?”

And this wasn’t an airy fairy feeling by any means. No instead just a few days or at most weeks after achieving the goal, I would find myself in a state of depression. Yep, there is that nihilism again.

In fact, I did a pretty good job of finding something that indicates this and put it up at my boundary dispute blog post [HERE].

So, what’s the best way to prevent this from happening?

The best idea is to first focus on discovering purpose, then build an overarching vision, and then identify the first goal toward the attainment of that vision in allignment with purpose.

If you are interested in knowing more about how to do that, by all means check in with me and at no expense, I’ll help you unlock this blog post which addresses exactly this point [HERE].

Now, I don’t think that will be enough. And I know this because it wasn’t enough for me.

So, what I would recommend if you are still seeking to design your ideal life is to try out Dr. Jordan Peterson self authoring suite.

This is a program which costs no more than $30 and for those willing to invest the time will find that the value and understanding that it draws out from them is massive.

I’m close to finishing this program off, so next Monday I’ll give my review. And, I’m also committing to writing another post tomorrow. Hope you’ll take another look. Cheers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP1FyPApRn4

 

Three and a half years ago, I set up this blog as the means of assisting boundary disputants and others to move beyond victimhood to become victors through personal development.

So, one would think that by now I would have hundreds of posts up and be far along on my mission of helping others to become their best selves, right? Wrong!

It’s been over 3 years since I got this blog up and running in even its present rudimentary state and I still haven’t made much traction. Why? What happened?

It might be easiest to throw out the trite saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” But, that again would be more talk and less action.

So, what does it take to not only get into action, but just as importantly to stay persistently and consistently in action in the days, weeks, months, years, and perhaps even decades to come?

Well, I think I have come across something here from my “Youtube Friend” Andrew Huberman, which can really help out.

Offering bona fides, it might be helpful to know that according to Dr. Huberman’s introduction squib: “Andrew Huberman is an American neuroscientist and associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine who has made many contributions to the brain development, brain plasticity, and neural regeneration and repair fields.”

Ok, so that sounds to me like he has the ability to back up what he says with scientific evidence. As a skeptic of the herd mentality, that is a fact which is really important to me and hopefully you too.

In the video above, Huberman shares that while securing a great vision of your ideal future or accomplishing a great goal is a great idea for jumping into action initially, this strategy soon fades in its effectiveness.

Oh, so is that the reason why I didn’t keep up with the blog? True there are a number of people who have blogs and don’t do much with them, but there are some superstars who establish the habit of blogging every day.

What is it that they may have done differently? Here might be some great clues.

Dr. Huberman explains in the video above that often successful people will actually use their imagination of fear to keep them going.

It’s the fear of all the potential horrors of what will happen when we don’t follow through on our commitments that will often serve us to just get in there and do the damn thing.

Moreover, he indicates that by using fear, we start to imagine why travelling path A or path B will not serve to get us to our destination. And the result is that we stay on path.

But, what I find most intriguing was when he explained that our body is wired in such a way that we will exert far more energy to avoid something bad than to travel toward something good.

Right here two concepts pop into my mind which I feel compelled to share.

From my brokerage days I recall the mantra: ‘Upside pleasure is not nearly as great as downside pain.’

From the bible, Jesus is reported to have concluded his 40 day wilderness trial by telling the devil: ‘Get thee behind me.’

In other words, protect the downside and use fear as a motivator to move forward instead of as a blocker of progress.

So, how am I to use this for my own purposes of getting going regularly on this blogging project?

Well, it is pretty clear to me what fear that I can use at least initially. My fear is that I will just continue to spin my wheels and not make any real progress nor grow as a writer.

But, what does that really mean? Well, instead of having an absolute ton of materials and if not having already published a book or possibly even two. I don’t have much of anything tangible to show for the last several years.

What if I was struck down today? Would I have in place my best ideas if for nobody else but for my own children to live a better life and to not make many of that I have over the course of mine?

What’s so odd is that I really do love to write. I love it so much that like most writers, I write even though there is an incredibly high likelihood that my efforts won’t lead directly to bottom line improvement. Or do they?

Perhaps, it would be best to save the topic of exploring the ultimate bottom line for another day.

For now, I want to recommit to my writing. And to leverage the learning from the post above, I am going to create some fear by seeking to make an accountability partner of “the whole world.”

Shoot, that means I need to actually go ahead and post this at my LinkedIn profile and promise that I will get another post out tomorrow too. Ok, well that settles it then!

Expect a post from me on Monday too!

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Think about it, really think!

The pen is mightier than the sword.

What the heck does that mean?

The use comes from a higher level than the use of the sword.

Using the pen one usually taps into the reasoning mind, whereas use of the sword taps into the emotional mind.

With the reasoning mind we are able to think not just of our experience in the moment, but of the experience we want ahead.

With a pen we can quite literally divine our future.

Bob Proctor used to echo his mentor Earl Nightingale’s saying:

If you can tell me what you want, I can tell you how to get it.

Well, the way that you identify what it is that you want is by writing down some ideas.

What are the things that you want to do, be, have in your life? Write them down.

Then, pick one, only one, and concentrate on that.

Write that one idea down on a goal card and hold it loose in your pocket.

Every time you look at it, or even touch it, you will  think about your goal.

And it is thinking which causes feelings, which in turn causes actions, from which flows results.

It’s that simple.

Now, think about the sword.

What is the sword good for?

Destruction.

The sword is used at best for a projection of power to maintain current order.

But, the real purpose of the sword is to cut down one’s enemies.

And yet to the extent that you cut down anyone else, you cut down yourself.

True, you may not end a swordfight having been cut down yourself, but through the act of cutting down another, you diminish yourself.

Ever notice how people that fight are not really that creative?

It’s because they have locked themselves into fear and destruction.

The world is divided into two courses of action: Create or Disintegrate.

Using a pen to create is a much more powerful act than using a sword to destroy.

The paradox is that it takes a lot of time to create anything of lasting value, and it can take almost no time at all to destroy.

So, shouldn’t it be that the sword is the stronger of the two instruments? No.

Creation is a mighty act that takes much more focused energy.

By focusing the flow of a pen to form words which express to ourselves and others, we are engaging in the most difficult activity there is concentrated thought.

And with our concentrated though we have been able to design ships that cover land and ski.

Books which can transport us to different places, times, feelings, and understandings.

Mathematical computations which help us to better understand the world in which we live.

The pen is the instrument which opens all of this up to us.

The sword? It’s just an instrument of brute force.

Yes, it’s not always easy or fun to write, but if you were given the choice of only one of the two objects, which would you choose.

With the pen you can create anything, with the sword about the only thing you can create is chaos.

If you are a fearful person, the likelihood that you would pick the sword is much higher.

But if you realize that life is not worth living without access to knowledge, order, and creativity, then the pick should be simple.

Choose to pick up the pen. And write something with it.

We live in a part of the world where we have agreed that our right to express our ideas is to never be taken from us.

Yet the old adage is true: “Use it or lose it!”

Exercise your right to write! You will open up to yourself a powerful world of possibilities.

That’s the power of the pen.