Whenever you ask the question “Why?”, idle curiosity notwithstanding, you are most likely asking it out of exasperation or determination.
Exasperation is reactive and does no-one any good. But determination is proactive, and has tremendous potential to move everyone forward. So always be mindful of which one you’re choosing.
Generally speaking, people tend to label themselves (and others) as “positive” or “negative”. But this is not always as useful as you might think.
So instead, try asking yourself: “Do I tend to think constructively or destructively?” Doing this will move you forward!
Everyone has fears. The trouble is that many people are afraid of their fears; understandably so, as left unchecked they can be devastating.
The good news is that they can be of real positive value to you too – just never neglect them.
Never allow your fears to fester in a corner, gaining strength and increasing control over your imagination! Instead, call them out into the light every so often – make a habit of doing so – particularly when you are feeling overwhelmed by them.
Shake hands with them, give’em a quick rinse, remind them that while you must co-exist YOU are still the boss, and then let them drift on their way.
I guarantee that if you do this periodically your fears will behave themselves, and stay in their rightful place as challenges to be accepted and cautions to be heeded.
What does not kill you makes you stronger.
Confidence is the habit of being pleased with doing and recognizing your absolute best – and knowing why.
The Scenario: Circumstances call for you to exercise your Personal Authority – which is the most appropriate response strategy?
Using FORCE on yourself or others is akin to bulldozing around dirt in the expectation of digging a well and finding water.
Insight: The fuel of FORCE is often fear, which unfortunately constrains free and innovative thinking. So you will get an outcome, but perhaps not of the kind or quality that you expect. And since feelings of pressure & discomfort frequently accompany FORCE, you risk the types of outcomes one gets from being inflexible.
Applying DISCIPLINE to yourself or others is like making the calculated choice to dig a well where there’s water below.
Insight: The fuel of DISCIPLINE is motivation of success. So you’re likely to get the results you expected. Even if the task before you is tough or even unpleasant, when you are exercising the freedom to do or be your best under the circumstances, DISCIPLINE delivers results. And more to the point, it can foster an environment of creative freedom, innovative thinking and maneuverability.
The Takeaway: Keep in mind that the fundamental difference between FORCE and DISCIPLINE lies in their fuel; it really is a matter of choosing to rely on positive or negative emotion. So stay mindful of which fuel you are choosing and why, and you’ll know exactly what types of outcome to expect.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a Catch-22? Can’t figure how to break out of it?
Challenge your premises and identify which one of them is flawed; you’ll find at least one that definitely is. Then just figure out why it was incorrect in the first place, and replace it with one that isn’t!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with holding strong opinions as long as you are their architect; an opinion must be more than just an echo.