| We live in a society that puts limits on us. We live in a world that, if we let it, dictates the choices we make and the actions we take. We live in a time when logic, reasoning and practicality plays too large a part in the things we believe, and, the results we end up with. You are not going to get what you want or deserve, you are going to get what you believe. You will not be successful because of what you know, where you come from or what makes sense, your success is about what you believe. Your intelligence, talent and natural ability will not guarantee high achievement, what you believe and are prepared to do, will. I want to encourage you to stop listening to other people, stop thinking logically and rationally, and starting believing that you are good enough, then, see what happens. |
I want to really get your attention now. You are here, on this planet, for such a short time and then you are gone. Don’t ever allow yourself to go to your grave with regret and your music still inside. It was Steve Jobs who said;
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ”
I hope that doesn’t come across as morbid or negative, but that it helps give you some perspective. The reality is that you have no idea what is possible for you unless you start moving purposely in the direction of what you want… whether you know how to get there or not. My favourite definition of ‘faith’ is; believing in advance that which only makes sense in reverse.’ In other words, right now, you don’t have to know the path forward to achieve what you want, when you step out in faith, the path will open up for you. Then, when you get the job done, you will turn around, look at how it unfolded and see how much sense it made. That is my story to a tee.
I am in the USA right now, and, I am launching my seventh book, The Wellness Puzzle, over here. I am pinching myself as I reflect on where I am today, what I am doing, the people I am meeting, and then, where I was more than 15 years ago when the illogical thought, to write a book came into my head. At that time, I was a non-reader, I was working more than 100 hours per week, and, I had no experience in, qualifications for or knowledge about writing. All I had was a thought, a vision and a belief that if I would just get started, the path would open itself up to me. It made no sense at all, but the feeling of getting it done and how it would impact the lives or others, and, help me in my life was strong enough to move me to taking that leap of faith.
Belief plus action equals MAGIC!
I was speaking last week at an event in San Francisco with the wonderful Danna Lewis, and, some pictures were taken. Of the many wonderful photos taken, and interestingly, the two that impacted me the most were photos of my first and latest books. I thought back to when I published my first book, Eat Chocolate, Drink Alcohol and be Lean & Healthy. At that time in my life, I thought it a miracle that I had somehow written just one book.
To be here in the USA, talking about my seventh book and reflecting on the things I have done and am doing, is mind-blowing. When I decided to write my first book, I knew I wanted to be doing all the things I am doing now, but do you think I had any idea of how that could or would happen? None whatsoever! Which raises the question and reinforces the message of this blog, how did it happen? It seemed like, at that time, to make this dream a reality some sort of magic would have to happen. Well, the magic actually occurred, because I put the right ingredients into the bubbling cauldron. Those two ingredients were; belief and immediate action.
This is what I did, and what you can do, today. I thought about how cool it would be to have a book. I imagined the feeling of holding it in my hands, the lives it could impact and the doors it would open for me. I got excited, and, without any further analysis, I got started. In other words, I took it from my head and quickly moved it to my heart. The powerful positive emotion associated with becoming an author, helped me take that first, spontaneous, even illogical first step. It was not that I actually believed I could do it, I just didn’t know that I couldn’t. Each day, each step and each word built my confidence and belief that I could be a successful author, and the rest, my friend, is history.
It’s about now I want to tell you, as passionately as I can, that logic is the killer of creativity and success. Too many people ‘logically’ analyse their idea or aspiration before any action is taken. The tragedy is that most will talk themselves out of taking that first step because of what they justify as ‘logical reasoning.’ Logic has nothing to do with success. Belief, action and persistence is the key. Unless you have irrefutable evidence that you cannot achieve the desire and aspiration you have in your heart, then it is possible. In fact, with belief and action, it is not just possible, it is predictable.
As always, this blog is less about what I am doing or have done, and more about what you want. Are you truly living the life you want? Are you following your passion and living your purpose? What are you procrastinating on or may have even talked yourself out of? Is it important for you? How will it feel if you actually made it happen? Are you ready to put aside logic, reasoning and intellect, and, take that first spontaneous and seemingly irrational step? I hope so.
So, what is that first step? Right now, it really doesn’t matter, as long as you do something, today! Make a phone call, develop a plan, start writing, start learning, get some advice, book a flight or anything that will get you moving in the direction of your dream. You may not be able to believe that you can achieve your big picture aspiration, but I’m sure you can believe that you can take the first step. If you can believe in and take the first step, you can believe in and take the second. Just one day, and, one step at a time you can achieve anything you want. So, even if it makes no sense, why not believe it anyway?