Get Growing! Tools and Strategies for Living, Working and Relating Well
Living Your Wisdom: How to FINALLY Stop Making the Same Mistakes Over and Over
December 28, 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, I’m reminded of how this year has been unlike any other in our lifetime. While surviving and thriving during a pandemic is quite a feat, our ancestors accomplished this without benefit of technology or vaccines. They survived by virtue of that same stamina and resourcefulness that has ensured our survival throughout the ages. We are built for this kind of challenge.
As you look ahead to the coming year, NOW is the time to reflect and ask yourself, how do I want this year to be different from years past AND what needs to change in order for that to happen? More specifically, what actions do you need to start or stop taking to accomplish your goals?
This poem by Portia Nelson has been circulating for a number of years, as is often true of wisdom. As you read it, think about how it relates to you.
"Autobiography in Five Short Chapters”
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost…
I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit.
My eyes are open; I know where I am;
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
Now let’s see how this applies to your life:
In Chapter 1 you’re clueless. You find yourself in a difficult situation, but manage to find a way out without paying much attention to how you got into or out of it. You remain largely unaware of how or why it happened.
In Chapter 2 you’re starting to awaken i.e. become more conscious. You’re now able to recognize the problem, but still ignore the signs and make no attempt to avoid it. The learning curve is steep.
In Chapter 3 you’re becoming even more aware. You know where you are and are able to recognize the problem, but without thinking, you still veer toward it. You choose not to avoid it, even though you know better. Old habits die hard.
In Chapter 4 you’re fully awake! You recognize the problem, remember lessons learned and take action to avoid it.
In Chapter 5 you remember what you know and proactively take steps to avoid the problem going forward. You’re on your way!
Recognize yourself in any of these chapters? Here are some steps to help flatten the learning curve:
1. Think about a chronic problem or situation you’ve been struggling with and see if you can identify which ‘chapter’ you’re in.
2. Try to remember any lessons learned from the past and apply them to this problem next time it comes up.
3. Rewrite history: think about what went wrong previously and imagine what you would do differently if you could do it over. Apply that strategy next time.
Getting from Chapter 1 to Chapter 5 takes patience and practice, so plan NOW to make 2021 your year for staying awake, accessing your wisdom i.e. what you've learned and applying it to your life. It may not be easy, but it’s well worth the effort.
And speaking of wisdom, imagine finding a buried treasure right in your own back yard and all you have to do…is unearth it.
Join me via Zoom to explore the power of wisdom and choice in creating a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Using Professor Randy Pausch’s widely acclaimed lecture Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, I’ll show you how to discover and apply your own inner wisdom to live your life joyfully and by design. You’ll leave this workshop with new perspectives along with tools and strategies for taking those all-important and sometimes daunting first steps in the direction of your goals and dreams.
Living Your Wisdom: Simple Strategies for Achieving Your Goals and Dreams
Wednesday January 27. 2021
6:30 - 8:00 PM, CST
To register, click on this link
Don't miss it!
“I am astounded at how long it takes to discover…for the first time, the things I have learned…over and over again all of my life.” ~ Portia Nelson
“There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery” by Portia Nelson
In the next edition of "Get Growing! Tools and Strategies for Living, Working and Relating Well," I'll be exploring fear's counterpart - WORRY - and how you can transform its negative energy into positive change.
If you know of someone who might enjoy this newsletter, feel free to pass it along.
Want to make this an excellent New Year? Check this out!
Wishing you a joyous, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Living Your Wisdom: How to FINALLY Stop Making the Same Mistakes Over and Over
December 28, 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, I’m reminded of how this year has been unlike any other in our lifetime. While surviving and thriving during a pandemic is quite a feat, our ancestors accomplished this without benefit of technology or vaccines. They survived by virtue of that same stamina and resourcefulness that has ensured our survival throughout the ages. We are built for this kind of challenge.
As you look ahead to the coming year, NOW is the time to reflect and ask yourself, how do I want this year to be different from years past AND what needs to change in order for that to happen? More specifically, what actions do you need to start or stop taking to accomplish your goals?
This poem by Portia Nelson has been circulating for a number of years, as is often true of wisdom. As you read it, think about how it relates to you.
"Autobiography in Five Short Chapters”
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost…
I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit.
My eyes are open; I know where I am;
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
Now let’s see how this applies to your life:
In Chapter 1 you’re clueless. You find yourself in a difficult situation, but manage to find a way out without paying much attention to how you got into or out of it. You remain largely unaware of how or why it happened.
In Chapter 2 you’re starting to awaken i.e. become more conscious. You’re now able to recognize the problem, but still ignore the signs and make no attempt to avoid it. The learning curve is steep.
In Chapter 3 you’re becoming even more aware. You know where you are and are able to recognize the problem, but without thinking, you still veer toward it. You choose not to avoid it, even though you know better. Old habits die hard.
In Chapter 4 you’re fully awake! You recognize the problem, remember lessons learned and take action to avoid it.
In Chapter 5 you remember what you know and proactively take steps to avoid the problem going forward. You’re on your way!
Recognize yourself in any of these chapters? Here are some steps to help flatten the learning curve:
1. Think about a chronic problem or situation you’ve been struggling with and see if you can identify which ‘chapter’ you’re in.
2. Try to remember any lessons learned from the past and apply them to this problem next time it comes up.
3. Rewrite history: think about what went wrong previously and imagine what you would do differently if you could do it over. Apply that strategy next time.
Getting from Chapter 1 to Chapter 5 takes patience and practice, so plan NOW to make 2021 your year for staying awake, accessing your wisdom i.e. what you've learned and applying it to your life. It may not be easy, but it’s well worth the effort.
And speaking of wisdom, imagine finding a buried treasure right in your own back yard and all you have to do…is unearth it.
Join me via Zoom to explore the power of wisdom and choice in creating a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Using Professor Randy Pausch’s widely acclaimed lecture Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, I’ll show you how to discover and apply your own inner wisdom to live your life joyfully and by design. You’ll leave this workshop with new perspectives along with tools and strategies for taking those all-important and sometimes daunting first steps in the direction of your goals and dreams.
Living Your Wisdom: Simple Strategies for Achieving Your Goals and Dreams
Wednesday January 27. 2021
6:30 - 8:00 PM, CST
To register, click on this link
Don't miss it!
“I am astounded at how long it takes to discover…for the first time, the things I have learned…over and over again all of my life.” ~ Portia Nelson
“There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery” by Portia Nelson
In the next edition of "Get Growing! Tools and Strategies for Living, Working and Relating Well," I'll be exploring fear's counterpart - WORRY - and how you can transform its negative energy into positive change.
If you know of someone who might enjoy this newsletter, feel free to pass it along.
Want to make this an excellent New Year? Check this out!
Wishing you a joyous, healthy and prosperous New Year!
