Posts Tagged ‘resolutions’

First Run The Play In Your Mind

December 30, 2016

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” — Albert Einstein

A good salesperson runs through the entire interview with her client in her mind while she’s still in the car.

A great college football running back viewed video of his best plays and then ran the back in his mind. 

A speaker visualizes his performance while off stage before anything begins.

People make lists of New Year’s Resolutions and then file them away–undone. Years ago I gained a shred of wisdom when I realized I was just copying last year’s resolutions and reprinting them in the front of my planning diary (before it was all electronic). Why go through the exercise only to feel guilt at the end of the year? Or the first of February?

Albert Einstein made his mark in physics not through his knowledge of math but through his imagination. He imagined gravitational pull on planets and stars, and light traveling through time. That told him which equations to work out and how to work them.

Instead of lists (which I love for remembering things to do or for brainstorming) why not try imagination? Imagine what your year could be like and what sort of person you will be.

  • Imagine joining a group that promotes a cause you admire. See yourself there. Then call someone next month.
  • See yourself reading two books a month for personal growth. Then download several books for your tablet app. Or visit a bookstore and buy a few books. Put them in a visible place. Read for an hour every morning or evening. You’ll be amazed.
  • Visualize time with the family.
  • See yourself at the gym every morning or evening. See the entire process of getting there, your workout, the sauna, the shower, feeling refreshed.

What can you imagine for yourself? There are no limits in imagination. Let it loose and follow it where it goes.

Who sees the irony of my making a list of suggestions? 😉

Happy New Year.

PS: And a tip of the hat to a mentor whom I’ve never met. Jon Swanson wrote today that he has completed eight years of 300wordsaday.com . I can’t believe I’ve been reading him that long (and even before).

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Working On Yourself This Year

December 29, 2016

The real motorcycle you’re working on is a cycle called “yourself.”  — Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

There were weight-loss ads on TV yesterday. Getting ready for New Year’s Resolution season.

I bet you are contemplating a list of resolutions for next year. 

New Year’s Resolutions are great. They give you something to talk about at New Year’s Eve parties. Maybe they last until as late as January 10.

My Yoga class will double in size the second week of January. It will return to normal by the fourth week.

The study of the art of motorcycle maintenance is really a miniature study of the art of rationality itself. Working on a motorcycle, working well, caring, is to become part of the process, to achieve an inner peace of mind. The motorcycle is primarily a mental phenomenon. — Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Making a list, even in classic goal-setting language, is merely a list. “I will lose 10 lbs.” “I will read more books.” Whatever. Doesn’t work.

As Pirsig discussed using motorcycle maintenance as a metaphor, you really need to change you.

Jesus knew. If you want to change, you must change your heart.

It begins with a decision.

What sort of person do I wish to be?

Write that image. Embed it in your mind–conscious and subconscious.

Each time you are faced with a decision, remember what kind of person you are.

Should I go to the gym? I am the type of person who exercises for optimum health and fitness.

Should I work on this service or mission project? I am the type of person who helps others.

Do I stop and talk with God every morning and/or evening? I am the type of person who lives with God.

Within 60 days, you will become that person you wish to be. Not completely, of course. You won’t lose 50 lbs. But the change will be noticeable to both yourself and to others. 

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Thinking New Years Resolutions Think Intention

December 29, 2014

Most of us throughout the world will be reflecting on 2014 and planning for 2015 this week.

We all know that New Year’s Resolutions don’t work. I teach a Yoga class at the local YMCA. In a couple of weeks, my class attendance will leap from 12-14 to 25. Two weeks later–back to 12.

The fitness center will be busy–for about a month. Then back to normal.

We’ll read books. Dream of starting businesses. Find love. Become nicer people.

Except–we won’t.

What if we started with what sort of person we wanted to be? What would be our character? How would we treat people?

Then, what if we prayed daily intentionally for God to bring a new opportunity to serve into our lives? What if we prayed intentionally for new people to come into our lives?

I have experienced that. I’m now living it.

But I’m not through. I’m still praying intentionally for my ministries. I’m still praying for God to bring people into my life. Maybe they will minister to me. Or, maybe they are there for me to minister to.

I have not made resolutions or set goals for many years. I pray for opportunities and for the wisdom to recognize and act on them. It works much better.

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