In all the work I've done in personal development over the last twenty
years, including the Law of Attraction principles, I've come to discover
that there are only really three key pillars to personal success - however
you define success, Zoe.
Whatever you desire for 2008 and beyond, if you pay attention to the
following pillars, you'll get everything you desire. Just don't forget
about the guiding lights (revealed at the end of this article).
1. Environmental Design
Since I've been reading Bruce Lipton's
The Biology of Belief, I've
consolidated my understanding of the importance of environments in
personal growth - both on a cellular level, and on a whole-being level.
Cells actually thrive or die according to the quality of their environment.
Think about it - roses don't grow in cement, whales don't last long on
the beach, and plants fry in too much sunlight. Every organism,
including you, needs a good environment to be fully functional,
healthy, and happy.
In practical terms, what does this mean for you, the modern productive
human? Your environments are either supporting you, or they're not.
How can you tell? Well, if you feel tired, bogged down, stressed,
exhausted, or overwhelmed, then chances are something in your
environment needs to change.
Make sure you assess the following for energy drainers:
Your physical space - clutter, mess, dirt, piles of stuff, broken
appliances, out of date clothes with holes, or clothes that don't fit,
a car that needs a service. I put a lot of effort my physical space -
keeping it clean, tidy, and organised. I simply can't think clearly
if there are piles of junk heaped up.
Your physical body - that's right, nothing new here - make sure what
you're putting down your gullet is quality, nutrient rich, and mostly
fresh. Then you also need to keep the wheels well-greased with
exercise - fresh air and sunlight also a must. Energy drainers?
Try caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, refined foods, sugar. Minimise or
dump the altogether.
Your relationships - yes, these can be massive drainers. Look out for
gossiping, back-biting, criticism, lack of praise and appreciation. I am
sure you know who's a drain in your life. You don't need to put up
with this! Renegotiate the terms of your relationship, or get out.
2. Focus Funnel This is a model I developed for
Absolute Productivity. Basically all
your activities should be based on your values, and the top items on
your wish list. All the rest is just gumph and time wasters. Once you
know what your vision is for you and your life, and you've written
your wish list, then you can make decisions based on these priorities.
This alone can double your productivity.
Keeping focused - this is where your manifestation strategies come in.
Things like a vision board, scripting exercises, meditation, visualisation,
affirmations, living visions, and so on. All these keep you focused on
your intentions, and more importantly, keep you amped up and riding
a good vibration.
3. Beliefs
No amount of focus, scripting, or even environmental design is going
to bring what you desire unless your beliefs are aligned too. Beliefs
determine thoughts, emotional vibe, and actions, and therefore
determine the outcomes in your life. Crappy beliefs = crappy results.
What's a crappy belief? Well, ask yourself what it is that you really,
really, really want more than anything else in the world.
Let's say it's a Maserati Spider (we actually saw one in Bermagui
during the break. The owner was so nervous about putting a dint in
his $300 000 sports car that he drove 20km under the speed limit. I
mean come on! If you're going to own a decent sports car - at least
drive it!)
Now ask yourself why you don't have it yet.
Maybe you really fancy that Spider, but deep down you think it is an
excessive waste of money that serves no real purpose except to look
cool. (yes Rob, I've heard you say this!)
With a belief like that, there is no way you're ever getting behind the
wheel of that sucker!
People have all sorts of limiting beliefs. Zapping these bugs in your
human software is the most critical and empowering thing you can
do for your life.
How do you do it? Try Emotional Freedom Technique, kinesiology,
Byron Katie's work, fluency, re-scripting, Psych-K, core dynamics.
There are lots of ways - do one, do them all, but do this work now.
Otherwise your vision board will just be another thing cluttering
your desk.
The Guiding Lights in your personal evolution
1. Expand your awareness
Lipton explains how his research shows that it is the cell's membrane
that is actually responsible for decisions in a cell's life, not the nucleus.
He proved this by extracting the nucleus from the cell and observing
that the cell continued to function perfectly well, except when it came
to producing new proteins and DNA (the main function of the nucleus)
to repair and replace itself.
Lipton also observed that since the cell 'thought' with its membrane,
then if that membrane expanded and had a greater surface area, the
better-equipped it was to interpret, engage with, extract nutrients from,
and avoid threats in its environment. Bigger membrane = better survival
and growth.
Cells however can't enlarge indefinitely (think of a balloon filling with
water - it expands and then breaks as the strength of the membrane
reaches its limit). A great solution for cells was to band together in a
cooperative community to share information about their environment.
As communities of cells grew, they worked out it was more efficient to
have some cells specialise in particular functions. In the human body,
there are millions of different kinds of cells, each with their own
particular function, all working together to promote a greater
awareness and ability to interpret and respond to its environment.
Companies work in a similar manner: humans work collaboratively
for a common purpose, each specialising in a particular function for
increased awareness and efficiency.
What does this mean for you and your life? Increasing your own
awareness, your ability to observe and interpret your environment,
will radically improve your ability to respond, interpret, and take action
that supports your success.
How do you improve your awareness? First of all, sort out your three
Pillars of Personal Power, as listed above. Next, develop your intuition
through meditation and other energy modalities. Third, collaborate
with others to expand your knowledge and self-perception either
one-on-one with a coach or with a mastermind group. Collaboration
will enhance your intuition.
2. Fun.
It's easy to take personal development too seriously. After all, this is
your
life we're talking about! However, by taking a serious approach
you only confound and bog down your efforts in creating a life of
ease and grace. Start the vibe off right - have fun! When you take an
attitude of fun and delight to your life, then everything flows far more
easily and gracefully.
Did you know that 2008 is officially the Year of Fun? Well, it is
now, according to all the cohorts her at Inner Compass. Join us!
Here's to you and your life,
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