We just assume we were dealt a bad hand.
We tell ourselves: ‘this/these person/people is/are doing better than me’ – ‘I just need to change’.
‘I just need to – complete school – finish my book – network – get a coach – work harder – meditate more – talk more – feel more – do more
We see success – we want to emulate it.
We see others succeeding – so, we try and model their behaviors, actions, and ideas.
Now: take a deep breath
count to 10
you are about to experience a thought experiment
EVERYTHING CHANGED DRASTICALLY WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
YOU ARE WOKEN UNEXPECTEDLY BY POLICE PULLING YOU FROM YOUR BED
Despite any arguments or fight, you are immediately transported to court
Now, you are face to face to face with a judge.
Your crime: CRIMINAL NEGLECT OF YOURSELF with lesser charges of: abandoning yourself to pursue someone else’s dream, denial of pursuit of happiness, verbal abuse of yourself, underpaid wages for services performed, and abandonment or dismissal of personal well-being
Are you guilty?
What do you say?
You say: “Well, yeah, I’m guilty – BUT, SO IS EVERYONE ELSE!”
The judge agrees, and sentences you.
Your punishment: YOU GET TO GO TO PRISON WITH EVERYONE ELSE – WHO IS ALSO GUILTY
How does that make you feel?
Does it make you feel like you want to change your answer?
Luckily, you are still in court and the judge is willing to hear you.
What do you say?
Do you say: “Yes, I am guilty, BUT – I WANT to change!”
The judge says: Ok, I will let you go back on ONE CONDITION:
YOU MUST CHANGE ONE THING – TELL HIM WHAT IT IS – HOW IT WILL CHANGE THE CRIMES YOU ARE CHARGED WITH – AND HOW WILL YOU PROVE TO LAW-POWERFUL-JUDGE THIS CHANGE WILL HELP PREVENT THIS CRIME IN THE FUTURE.
What do you say?
What change do you make?
Do you feel overwhelmed with a slew of changes you should make?
Does your mind race through gigantic, labor intensive, changes?
Do you feel uncomfortable? Sad?
The truth is: if you choose to make a big decision – you’ll spend the rest of your life proving yourself to this judge. Then, you’ll be brought back in for the same crimes.
THIS IS BECAUSE BIG CHANGES START WITH SMALL CHANGES
This judge is real, and it is your life.
It is hard to struggle SO MUCH to be met with constant adversity amid what you see as success – but it is EVEN HARDER to ACHIEVE success -if you abuse, neglect, dismiss or abandon the ONLY person who truly benefits from your success – YOU.
Now; answer the question again.
WHAT SMALL CHANGE CAN YOU MAKE TO AVOID BEING LOCKED UP WITH EVERYONE ELSE?
We always say, “Practice what you preach” and I am no more innocent of this crime than anyone else.
So, I will do this with you. I am in the same place you are -I might even be picturing some of you as I imagine some of my more successful friends. I really have no idea what I am doing, but I know what I am doing is not working.
My one change is:
I will accept and believe that I am smart enough. I will trust my education and experience. I will not immediately doubt myself or my opinion. When faced with new unconventional facts, I will examine them and make a decision. I will remind myself that I don’t have to prove myself to anyone besides myself.
tell me yours in the comments – or, if you’re having a harder time – let me know and I’ll help. We’re in this together
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