Know Thyself and Move Forward - ebook

CHANGE

_“THE ONLY THING THAT DOES NOT CHANGE IN THIS WORLD IS THAT CHANGE IS ALWAYS_

_HAPPENING AND IS INEVITABLE.”_

Change is essential to humans. It ensures continuity and improvement. It is the basis for satisfying our needs. To improve a situation or to solve a problem, we must change. Without change, we would still be in the Stone Age, living in caves. In an even more grand example, change was the basis for the Big Bang Theory and natural evolution. The universe is constantly changing, adapting and transforming — even now as you read this book.

Change is vital to our continuity even if it is something that we as humans rarely engage in with enthusiasm. Change guarantees improvement to things like discomfort, fear and instability. It also, however, guarantees a loss — every change brings about loss. We do not make an omelette without breaking eggs. The word “_decision_” in its

Latin routes reveals an idea of “_to cut from_”. Each decision brings about its share of positive improvements, but also teeth gnashing frustrations. The trick is to multiply the former — the positive improvements — and reduce the latter — the teeth gnashing moments of frustration. The belief that the new habit, or the solution we get from change, is better than not trying at all is paramount. It is only when the anticipated pleasures begin to outweigh the possible pain that we as humans will embrace change.

Without this feeling of comfort, and without trusting in the process of change, we will not even begin to entertain the idea of reaching our goals as the feeling of a lack of safety will hold us in our place. Everyone has limits. Some of us will be prepared to engage in our goals in more innovative and less than conventional methods which fuel the desire for adventure. Some of us will opt instead, for more reserved methods, employing a more formal means of preparation in order to reduce risk. The fact remains that in both cases, security will be acquired. Nobody jumps from a plane without the firm conviction that the parachute will open.DISSATISFACTION

Whether the dissatisfaction is personal, professional or social, when we are experiencing it, it signifies that we are living with unmet needs. Dissatisfaction is the starting point of any problem or project. Think about it: if everything goes right, if ALL

of your needs are met, can we really say that a problem exists? Certainly not. Always seemingly ephemeral, this ideal situation — where everything goes right and all of our needs are met — deserves to be appreciated for its true value. This ideal state of well-being evolved from another state and is therefore representative of change. Even if we were to remain static, and believe we aren’t changing, we must change, as the world is constantly in a state of change. Denying that change exists is to refuse the right to feel good. That really says it all…

If there is a sense of dissatisfaction that has been long standing, change is required to create satisfaction. Without change, we are faced with a limiting definition of insanity: _“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”_

By recreating the same situation, in the same environment with the same actions we will get the same results, without fail. Hoping that “things will work out for

themselves” really is just wishful thinking, and we know how slow that thought process can be to prove itself. Although there may be some sort of recovery process without your intervention, change is required. It is, therefore, necessary to change one or more things to get any sense of satisfaction. We have to remember though, that various changes we engage in will provide different results. Any change that is created will not necessarily be positive, or wanted for that matter. Change can be divided into three broad categories of intervention: to have, to do and to be. Each category provides various solutions. Depending on your desire to change quickly either in the short or long term, the consideration of the preferred response category is paramount.TO HAVE

To have encapsulates all of human activity and its environment. It also refers to the results we get from the actions we participate in. The idea of change at this level is truly a Tour de Force. The idea of changing an environment over which we have no control is an illusion. We can try to control others, which comes back to manipulating them. We can change the mood of a room so that we can better relax there, but nice colours will not ease a mind in distress. In order to be effective, the changes made in this category imply complete control over things which can not be controlled. Any change at this level is quickly perceived as unnecessary and not too effective since the results will be superficial and not directly related to the problem.

Take an overweight man who wants to drop a significant amount of that weight.

On this level, he can get a bigger bed, he can cut off his contacts with all of the physically fit people in his life, and he can remove the mirrors in his house, so he doesn’t have to see himself. The results of these changes will be new to him: he will have more room in his bed; he won’t compare himself to others; he won’t have to see himself in the mirror. In making all of these changes, he will most likely lose the desire to drop the weight because he has effectively removed any opportunity to experience dissatisfaction. Of course, these elements of dissatisfaction will likely present themselves in different manifestations as he has not dealt with the dissatisfaction he experiences. He will, therefore, remain in a state of constant denial because all of those changes did not actually address the source of the problem.

TO DO

Doing consists of all of the actions, deeds and spoken words that one is likely to produce — it is often in this stage that we begin to undertake change. The common knowledge regarding change, in that we engage in it to get different results, is a widespread belief and a logic that works well. The question is, how do we change?

Inevitably, even the simple acts of talking or moving differently will lead to different interactions with our environment which will, in turn, provide different results. In this respect, satisfaction becomes the ultimate goal. If we can maintain new behaviours on a regular basis and keep them going in the long run, we can be satisfied that results are almost a given. Yet, it is at this moment that we lose sight of the big picture: by slipping up, tripping or stumbling upon something on our path to change and improvement, it can be so easy to fall back into our old habits. We must therefore remain steadfast in our consistent path with changes to an old behaviour, method or approach being done on a regular basis.

When we more closely examine our construct of doing something differently on a maintained and regular basis, we soon realize that the level of change we are seeking is perhaps unstable. We can adopt new habits of exercise and a good diet — these changes will lead to weight dropping. If we were to start walking for 30 minutes everyday, and take out our calorie dense desserts, we could drop maybe a pound a week. The instability of the change though, lies in a mathematical calculation. If we were to miss a day here and there of walking, and suddenly began indulging in rich desserts more often, the aforementioned dropped pound per week may not work out so well for us. In order for us to achieve our objective — in this case, dropping weight —

we have to engage in consistent and maintained changes. What if it pours tonight, and you can’t make it out for your walk? What happens when the holiday season approaches with all of its various indulgences? When we are talking about actually making changes, no matter when we choose to implement them, there will always be obstacles and temptations that can thwart even the best of intentions.

TO BE

Being is a fundamental part of our intrinsic nature. It is what we think, what we believe and what identifies us as a person. In this particular stage of being, we look at making internal changes — some of the most profound changes that one can experience. We can change our perspective, our identity, or our personal expression —

we can even change ALL of those things. At this level of being, we have full control, in that it is within us that the change takes place. Here, we identify the “_why_” of change

— we look at the undeniable, underlying motivations that spark a need for change. If we can master changing our actions to comply with our new thoughts, our interactions and existence will see tremendous improvement. It is in the state of being that changes are long lasting and permanent. The changes made in the state of being are incredibly rewarding, as they tend to affect our own self-love and self-respect. A change at this level does not take into account specific actions nor environmental factors because the effect comes from the inside and influences the outside. Change is intrinsic and, if maintained, goes on to have a significant impact on one’s surroundings, even more so on others.

_“BE THE CHANGE YOU HOPE TO SEE IN THIS WORLD.”_

-- Ghandi

Looking at our example, if one found a greater sense of self-love and improved self-esteem, one will inevitably pay closer attention to his/her level of physical activity and diet. That person would refrain from indulging in a buffet, and would probably opt for a walk or a stroll instead of the former habit of watching TV. The new understanding that this person would have, of him/herself, will ultimately dictate that person’s new behaviour. This will be much more powerful and have longer lasting effects than following an exercise program. The person will influence his/her own environment with radiance and any temptations that he/she may have experienced in the past will no longer have the control they once did. All of these changes of being will end up trickling down and effecting self-esteem, energy, stature and personal

relationships. It is in this state of being that the results of change are the most effective since they come from the inside, without much influence from the outside.SUSTAINABLE CHANGE

It is easy to determine that the best approach to change is from being. If we look internally, we see that we have access to all of our strengths and resources to create the life we dream of and, by extension, the world we want to live in. It is therefore, highly recommended that, when preparing for a project, we ask the right questions that will serve to awaken the deep-seeded motivation within us that will generate long lasting, and possibly permanent, positive change.

Very often, the issue of personal development is a topic that is off-putting for most people. For example, we might ask _“Why bother asking me where I see my life at 40? I_ _just want to focus on setting a budget and sticking to it!”_ If you are 40, and struggle in balancing or maintaining your budget, you need to do some reflecting. The simple act of thinking about missed opportunities that were the result of poor financial discipline, won’t provide you with the insights you require. In breaking free from dissatisfaction, you have to actually acknowledge what it is you are dissatisfied about. The questions that I will present to you, which will work to engage your priorities and call forth your motivation will, upon reflection, bring you a sense of freedom. They will elicit from you the realization that you can actually achieve what you want in life. Remember: you are your only obstacle.

If you can change your state of being, you will no longer chase quick fixes or seemingly unrealistic illusions. The “_how_” does not matter, because the “_why_” will be your guide.

If we look back on our example of someone who is looking to drop weight, do you think that that person will get more motivation by focusing on a specific exercise regime, or cutting his/her carbs, or do you think that person will get more motivation by acknowledging the term “_morbidly obese_” — which means, literally, deadly overweight? Will he/she find more motivation in the “_how_” — the process of dropping

weight, or rather will he/she find more motivation in focusing on the “_why_” — looking deeper and realizing why the weight needs to be dropped? The answer is obvious.

Although the “_why_” may seem painful, the motivation that we get from it is far more powerful. The “_why_” is difficult to examine because in so doing, we can often see all of the “_hows_” that we attempted with no success. If we can engage our “_why_” drive motivation, success is more accessible and in some cases, even guaranteed.

Satisfaction, then, becomes a path and not a road strewn with obstacles.THE SATISFACTION OF A DISSATISFACTION

Dissatisfaction is most often what leads us to the decision to solve a problem.

Dissatisfaction can be seen as a gap to fill, and the achievement of finding a solution for that gap can be transformed into a personal project. Regardless of the size of dissatisfaction, whether it is dropping a few pounds, or re-designing a multi-national corporation, the result can be found in a brief shopping list of things to be done, or may stretch into long term introspection followed up by a profound transformation.

The process for conducting such projects — regardless of size or scope — remains the same.

Acknowledging and recognizing dissatisfaction is an undertaking in and of itself.

We have to recognize the nature of the dissatisfaction — that is to say, see the dream and also be aware of what needs to be done to achieve that dream. We need to be aware of all of our options and analyze them, and rediscover our sources of motivation: the ones necessary to maintain consistent actions following the initial momentum. It is this method that I push for and that I will discuss in more detail in the following chapters. For now, we will look at analyzing the obstacles to satisfaction and freedom of change.

To be satisfied underlies a continuous sense of well-being that encompasses some stability. Once one can experience the self-generated satisfaction, often times a linking sense of security is experienced as well — the positive is here to stay. This, in turn, leads to the following principle: to satisfy a dissatisfaction, one must change his situation or behaviour (or both) to regain a sense of security. By logic, then, dissatisfaction is an internal imbalance that requires adaptation. It is in this logic that fear of change can materialize.

The instability and imbalance is what frightens us — by definition, they are new and unknown and directly related to change. We must learn to ride with the new and unknown by adequately preparing and embracing change to avoid the pitfalls of procrastination. In so doing, the satisfaction we can derive from addressing our dissatisfaction will no longer result in negative consequences, but rather positive ends.

We need to remember this certainty: the project will ultimately bring more pleasure than pain. By keeping this in mind, our motivation will remain steadfast and high. This mindset allows us to manage our fears by keeping an overview of the project. This overview prevents us from losing sight of our respective targets. By implicitly trusting that nothing is impossible, we are guaranteed a stable path leading to the expected results.

Let’s see why this certainty is so highly desirable in the performance of any project and why it is even easier to reach than may be assumed.FEAR OF CHANGE

Fear, in all of its forms, is our best ally.

Fear is, indeed a reaction to the unknown and in some instances, a reaction to imminent danger. It helps to protect us, to respond appropriately in emergency situations and to inform us of our weaknesses so that we can try to correct them.

When poorly managed, however, fear becomes a formidable enemy that freezes us, undermines our abilities and scares us off through illogical reasoning. It is, therefore, important to manage one’s fear to avoid dire consequences. Fear of change directly correlates to our primary need for security. As humans, we need to have a solid base to

accept change. Without a solid base, discomfort quickly evolves into insecurity and resistance and pushes us to take refuge in the bosom of inaction. If one perceives that the pursuit of a goal or objective will likely cause more pain and discomfort than the inevitable happiness and satisfaction of achieving that goal or objective, one is more likely to choose not to move. Even if it is unsatisfactory, the status quo, being familiar and stable, ends up being the preferential choice. It is this status quo that provides immediate gratification for our need for security. The situation remains unchanged, the person remains in the known and he/she may quickly forget the deep sense of dissatisfaction, until a better solution can be considered. The reasons that lead us to adopt the status quo, however are often results of procrastination.

Here is another way to see that human beings are naturally attracted to what is represented in terms of security. To act, one must meet one of two basic motivational sources: acquire pleasure or avoid pain. At equal value, the brain will obviously choose pleasure. The brain will be guided by the smell of baked bread, or the memory of the touch of a loved one. However, when quickly contaminated by defeating thoughts, the same sought-after pleasure can be reduced to nothingness before the possibility of pain even exists. This inevitably causes inaction. Take, as an example, the memory of a hot stove to a young child — the child will remember being burned and will likely not reach for the stove again. Similarly, someone whose heart has recently been broken by the break-up of a relationship is far less likely to seek out and engage in another committed relationship, for fear that the pain he/she now experiences, may happen again. All of this despite knowing that a completely different and positive outcome is achievable.

We all have two ways to motivate us into taking action. It is important to be cognizant of both as they are incredibly strong. When we seek out intrinsic motivation, we often look back to past events: looking at the blissful nature of our childhood, but also at all of the experiences which have caused us pain in adulthood. Fear is an inevitability. It is something present in all of us and cannot be stopped completely.

Change is necessary and often encouraged, yet, the fear that accompanies our desire to change is often what ends up halting our movements towards change. If we can learn to manage this fear, it will ultimately help to dictate our responses and our reactions.

In looking at what constitutes a good management system for fear, adequate

preparation is often a driving force that can keep us on track. This preparation helps us familiarize ourselves with the possible obstacles we may face and allows us to effectively meet them and move through them, head-on. Poor management of fear, however, often results in a loss of energy and time. We will see how these delays ultimately lead to procrastination.THE WORKING OF PROCRASTINATION

Procrastination is a human weakness that is the direct result of our resistance to change. The latter, change, is essential to continuity. Paradoxically, human beings have a need for security, which is often achieved through routine activities and settling for the status quo. Maslow, and his pyramid which illustrates the hierarchy of human needs, argues that this sense of security we each have a desire for is largely physiological and psychological in its nature. Being situated at the base of the pyramid, one has to satisfy this need before thinking about its personal growth and social contribution. Physically, we need shelter against bad weather, a blanket to ensure warmth on cold night and protection against external attacks.

Looking at the psychological perspective, we look for a sense of security in employment that guarantees a steady income, a steady support from family and friends, a peace of mind knowing that help will be available if need be. It is in these two areas that personal safety simply refers to a confident attitude that everything is okay.

ABRAHAM MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Maslow’s pyramid consists of five levels. According to Maslow, we look for satisfaction in a given level, before thinking of the next level. It is no surprise, therefore, to see that we prioritize the physiological criteria — survival — before those needs relating to self improvement and the improvement of others.

One needs this basic safety in order to aim high and go for the achievement of goals and objectives. Without personal stability, one lacks the confidence needed to embark on new projects. Therefore, this primary need of security in both internal and

external environments is pivotal before one can even begin to attempt to tackle new things, and change. Interestingly enough, the need for security ends up trumping all other needs and often slows down and halts the needs to be contributing to society and acquiring personal accomplishments. This is where procrastination comes in. It reduces the superficial insecurities of a new project; the risk taking, the challenges and possible losses and instead infuses us with a sense of discomfort and instability which can often lead to turning us into dropouts and quitters.

We cannot completely eliminate the sense of discomfort that we experience where the unknown is concerned. By definition, the unknown is frightening since it is not known; there is no association with any certainty and, therefore, the security cannot be guaranteed in the unknown. When embarking on a new project, insecurity and the fear of the unknown should be diminished to a minimum so that one can find a sense of security within the project. This diminishment comes only when adequate preparation is undertaken. Establishing a global vision which recognizes and plans for obstacles while keeping motivation high by also acknowledging the objective is imperative. With adequate preparation, insecurities become reasonable challenges, obstacles don’t appear to be so overwhelming and confidence is increased.

Procrastination is the result of poor fear management. In order to effectively manage fear, an approach that advocates for preparation for the various steps to make change, adaptations and ultimately positive results is required. Let’s look at some of the possible reactions to change when procrastination surfaces.WHEN PROCRASTINATION HAPPENS

As we have seen, procrastination is the resistance to change. It can occur at any stage in a project, by making its way into the thinnest crack in our suit of armour of certainty. We can be easy targets, as humans, to procrastination. Procrastination quickly moves over us, starting with simple doubt, to questioning. In so doing, it reaches our deepest motivations and results in the loss of desire for any actions of advancement. We second guess ourselves, our timelines and deadlines get pushed until eventually, we drop everything.

So, how do we react to this insidious human weakness when it presents itself?

There are 4 possible responses to procrastination: abandonment, looseness, stubbornness and preparation.

The first possible reaction to procrastination is abandonment. It goes without saying that in this reaction, nothing happens. You drop your project, you temporarily forget about your objectives and you remain in dissatisfaction. This is coupled with a debilitating sense of defeat and cowardice. Often, abandonment is the result of a lack in the preparation stage.

A second simple way to respond to procrastination is to just “_go with the flow_”. In other words, to quit a project at even the slightest signs of fatigue, frustration or doubt.

The logic behind this particular response and the excuses that come with it is that time will take care of things. We turn to this logic to find the motivation to continue.

Perhaps it “_isn’t the right time_” and the execution of the project should have come at a later date. Of course, this reaction has two direct effects: it allows for dissatisfaction to settle, from not completing the project, and contributes largely to the magnification of obstacles that may come up in any future attempts. As a result, schedules get pushed and satisfaction from completion gets delayed. A restart from this point will be even more difficult…

There is always the possibility to work harder and fight fire with fire. When doubts surface, it is possible to ignore them and run head-first into the unknown.

Unlike perseverance, this reaction is more about a stubborn drive to succeed at any cost, even if the original idea, goal or objective is completely lost or forgotten. Reaching the goal becomes more important than the goal itself. Again, with this reaction, the results can be disastrous. We can end up squandering our energy without really investing in the goal. This inevitably leads to dissatisfaction manhandling the project and ultimately sabotaging it. The results are clear: dissatisfaction, regret and unnecessary exhaustion.

This brings us to the last reaction that we express where procrastination is concerned: preparation. I don’t have to spell it out that I am a huge advocate of this approach since it ensure compliance with timelines and targets as well as proper use of one’s energy and resources. It is, in short, a form of self-respect. This method that I

advocate for will help you identify with the needs you are looking to fill and recognize all of the merits of your projects. It will also help you to regain personal confidence in your own abilities, which is ultimately a guarantee for success.PREPARATION

The preparation method I am suggesting for launching a project is a very simple one. It is based on four key questions, essential for an informed preparation. These questions will allow you to highlight the important points of the project’s objectives as well as the starting point, all of your options, and the actions that will guide you towards success. Before going further though, I would like to highlight a very important principle of this method: it is essential that you are completely honest when answering the questions.

This is the basis of a solid method of preparation. If you are unsure as to what your responses are to the questions, allow the questions time to simmer; the genuine answers will surface quickly. Be diligent in your responses, and avoid the tendency you may have to undervalue your goals, and overestimate your starting point. In the first instance, if you place the bar too low and your goals are achieved too easily, you will be left with an unsatisfied hunger, devoid of any motivation as the challenge is lacking. In the second instance, if you build up your starting point beyond reason ,making a mountain out of a mole hill, you will encounter many frustrations when faced with unforeseen obstacles. You will have to quickly re-vamp your plan and may (for better or worse) have to start over, which as I have mentioned earlier, often leads to abandonment.

As you follow this first principle, you will encounter two major obstacles from the start: one will limit you in constructing your ultimate goals; the other will shed light on your true capabilities, which can be a rough wakeup call for some.

The first obstacle you will face will be your own ability to dream freely, without judgement and without restraint. In the first question, you may struggle to find an honest and genuine answer. The first tentative answers will likely be just below your real desires. It will be easy to detect this lack of ambition, since you will likely not

experience a strong motivation to act immediately. If your answer is not what you really want, you may be tempted to give up immediately, and conclude that this method is pointless. This is the first flaw in your own certainty where procrastination creeps in stealthily.

While the idea of abandoning may seem like an easy route to choose as you move to propel your project forward, believe me, YOU ARE ON TRACK! Your brain has detected the change you are implementing. You think differently since you inevitably establish what it is you really want. This is the defensive stage, where the brain is seeking safety in the process. In failing to find that safety, the brain wants to destroy the undertaken approach. You, in turn, start to think that the effort is not worth the trouble. It is important, at this stage and whenever discomfort sets in, that you find a reference point that makes the experience more certain. At this point, facing the obstacle to freely dream, go back to the exercise of the INNER CHILD to restore the creative base of your imagination. You will regain insight that what you now have was once part of your dreams and dissatisfactions, which will enable you to free yourself of reasoned limits. It is much more difficult to motivate ourselves with objectives that are too conservative… and much less fun. It is to your advantage to dream big, even if coming back down to earth is needed afterwards to establish your objectives. By tapping into your imagination, the certainty and purpose of what you are doing will become more clear. Come on, start dreaming!THE IDEA OF ABANDONMENT

Procrastination being my own worst weakness, I would often abandon projects.

Through a lack of preparation or poor management of my own fears, I have plenty of failed attempts and resentments towards projects I was never able to get off the ground. Fortunately for me, even after pushing them away for several years, my goals are still attainable.

The idea of abandoning my past projects would win over me when I thought about the consequences of not completing these projects: because I did not share them with my surroundings, the consequences of my abandonment were not significant.

Without imagining the satisfaction I could have felt if I attained my objectives, I would abandon them before getting too far into the process.

I made two significant errors in my approach: the first was not seeking motivation through pleasure; the second was not establishing any of my own rules of and for success. I would only imagine the negative side of the consequences of my neglect. In so doing, I shot myself in the foot and I deprived myself of an inexhaustible source of motivation. In addition to this, by basing my reflection on what I thought others would think of me, I limited my chances of success by placing a heavy burden of responsibility on myself towards others, without them even knowing it. In short, my plans hinged on negativity and I wanted to accomplish them to gain the approval of others. No wonder the majority of my attempts failed.

I now realize that, for me, I must think positively, imagine what I will feel when I succeed, and share my plans with others to obtain their support, not their approval.

All of these actions are the keys to my success. I am now the embodiment of the 1980’s movie No Retreat, No Surrender.

Find you own keys to success and throw out the defeatist arguments which lead you directly to procrastination.

The second barrier that will impede your progress, while respecting the principle of honesty, will be to shed a realistic light on your starting point, also known as self-analysis. We, as humans, have a certain proclivity to play the peacock while in the presence of others that we consider to be better in one or more aspects. We underestimate ourselves while overestimating others and, just so that we aren’t last in the line, we inflate our own capabilities in comparison to others simply for the purpose of fitting in, or being accepted. Think of the famous fish story, where the fish weighing 5 pounds ten years ago, now weighs more than 25 pounds when the story is re-told. By inflating ourselves as we have a tendency to do, we are only trying to convince ourselves that we are the best. We overestimate to persuade our thoughts that the road ahead is short, and that the steps involved in getting there are relatively easy. This behaviour is actually very dangerous as it leads to a lack of motivation when we realize the challenges ahead are actually formidable. The project, goal or objective will make

short work of these good intentions and the idea of success will sink into the oblivion of one’s mind.

You need to establish your starting point with complete honesty. Maybe it will be difficult to accept that your abilities are not the same, or that you are not really who you think you are. This exercise can often times resemble a very cold shower, however, this is the greatest service you can do for yourself so you can see who you really are, and accept yourself, strengths and weaknesses included. In so doing, your progress in your projects, goals and objectives will be much easier.

In establishing a solid base, you ensure a solid approach which will illuminate an easy path for you to follow. Following the preparation is essential. With your dreams ahead of you and your goals established, this method will guarantee success. If we take a comparison to aviation, your goals are your destination and your starting point is your take-off. Without anyone navigating, you don’t know where you are, where you will go and you will be unable to see your projects to fruition. It is, therefore, essential that you be honest. Be honest for yourself. No one will see your answers, but they will light up the truth for you. You’ll thank yourself soon enough.

“_WE CAN LIE TO EVERYONE BUT OURSELVES._ ”THE INNER CHILD

To truly unleash your creativity, you must awaken the child in you — that part of you that believes in the impossible.

Take a moment to complete this exercise:

* In your life, right now, find an item that once seemed almost unattainable, but is today, a part of your everyday life. An example could be a position you have landed in a company, or the house you live in: were either just a dream at one point in your life?

* Seek out the sense of dissatisfaction you felt at the time you were trying to acquire these things. Remember your grand ideas when you finished university with your diploma in hand or your first visit at the bank to establish your investing power and the banker would blatantly throw you a _“Let’s look at your liabilities, they never lie!”_

* Now, go to the very moment when you finally acquired whatever it was that at the time seemed so impossible. You may see the interview you attended for your dream job; maybe it was when you took possession of the key to your new home.

* Repeat the exercise with elements that have a strong affect on you.

Repeat the exercise with, as a subject, your partner, your dream car, or where you see yourself being in impeccable physical fitness.

Every dream and every solution to a problem is imagined before it is created. All that your brain can conceive is within the scope of being achievable. What you consider today that you have acquired was only a dream a few years back. All of you have done, you have done with your creativity which helped you to find solutions. Trust yourself, and let your creativity speak. Open yourself to what is whacky, because the sweet madness often reveals our deepest aspiration. Express yourself freely.

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