Attributed to Socrates, it is a foundational rule in place for centuries and followed by many. What baggage do you bring to the table of life? We all have baggage. I have 50 years of baggage. Unfortunately we perceive “baggage” as a negative when in fact it is simply our life experiences, some good, some bad, but all of it something we can learn from and make future decisions. Do you know why you are the way you are? What experiences have you had that has contributed to your being? What is your back ground? What do you value? What are you afraid of? What is holding you back? What choices have you made and why? You can’t change what you don’t understand. For extraordinary success in your life take time to reflect, explore your thoughts and actions . . . know thyself.
SUCCESS TECHNIQUE -DISCOVER YOURSELF-Early in my adult life I was given 5 prescriptions that have guided me to this very day. You will need a pad of paper (spiral, steno or legal) and pen, two and half hours of uninterrupted time and a quite, pleasant place to sit comfortably. I like the outdoors so I brought a lounge chair. The first one, for 30 minutes is to just LISTEN. When you think you’ve heard it all LISTEN some more, I mean really LISTEN. Avoid prolonged thoughts. Like the clouds in the sky let your thoughts flow by. Soon you will hear the beat of your heart, far off distant sounds and more. For the next 30 minutes LOOK BACK. Reminisce, review your life from A-Z, visualize the past in all it’s detail. LOOK BACK at the big moments and the not so big, the good times and the bad. Don’t be afraid.
For the next 30 minutes EXAMINE your motives. Why did you do what you did? What were the consequences
(good or bad). What were you thinking at the time? What was going through your mind? What feelings did you have? For the following 30 minutes VISUALIZE YOUR FUTURE. In every last detail what will the future hold for you? Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, five, ten or twenty years from now. Where will you live? Who will be in your life? How will you look? What will you be doing? How will others see you? How will you get there? What must you do? Finally, for the last 30 minutes WRITE IT ALL DOWN. Don’t contemplate; don’t worry about grammar or punctuation. Simply allow your writing to communicate your thoughts as if you were speaking. Use as much paper as needed. Allow this to be a catalyst to knowing thy self. Use this time to clarify your values and character. In time
refine your notes to reflect who you are and how you want to be. Afterwards find at least 30 minutes,
preferably an hour, once a month to sit and just listen, and go through the first 4 steps reflecting on the
past month and looking to the immediate future. How are you going to deal with that difficult boss/
coworker? What will you do to improve the relationship with your spouse, siblings, parents? What will
you do to influence you child the right way? How can you increase your financial success?
OK now the time. FIND IT! Kids? Ask your spouse or someone to watch them. Chores, they will be there
when you get back. The time is there, it’s up to you to find it. See supporting Rules 14 and 15.
Great post, Tony…looking forward to giving this technique a try, and passing it on!
Ilyne, Thank you very much for reading Rules and Tools. I hope you have the opportunity to read all the ones published so far as well as future ones yet to come.