Monday Motivating Mindset
THE HYPE
This weeks Motivating Mindset will help you stop worrying and start living.
THE CHALLENGE
Your Mindset challenge this week is getting in the habit of asking yourself:
"What should I stop doing?"
THE PROMISE
Ask yourself this question at least once a day and you will reduce stress and get more done.
THE TIPS
At the end of your evening tonight, or first thing tomorrow morning, ask yourself the question:
"What should I stop doing?"
If you want to get more done it may seem a bit counterproductive to ask yourself this question, but stopping is actually an important part of the process of change.
Everything in our lives is like a door that can open new possibilities for us.
In order to fully move into any new part of life, or create a new reality for our self we must first close the door behind us that holds our old identity.
This is because in order to start one thing one must first stop doing something else, even if that something else was nothing.
For example, in order to be reading these words right now you are giving up the opportunity to do nothing.
You are also simultaneously giving up an opportunity to do something else like read a cartwheel if you were so inclined.
Some people refer to this as an 'opportunity cost', or what you have to give up when you commit to do something else.
Everything has an opportunity cost, the relationships we are in cost us other potential mates, our jobs cost us other opportunities to work somewhere else.
Subconsciously and consciously we are constantly trying to choose the best opportunities to take advantage of.
We decide what is most important in our lives by rewarding it with our time and attention.
Here is where the majority of us make a major error in judgment.
We mistakenly give up the opportunity to do what we "want/desire to do" in place of what we feel we "have to do".
Are you guilty of settling for less than you deserve in an aspect of your life? Chances are you have.
Answer 'yes' or 'no' to the following questions to see if you are spending your time wisely.
- Do you currently believe that "you have to do something", but realize that the something is draining your energy?
- Do you feel trapped by doing things the old way, pressured to perform a certain way, or have obligations that stress you out?
- Are you in a role you are no longer committed to, stuck in an unrewarding relationship, or working a jobs that is not fulfilling?
- Do you seem to find yourself "going through the motions" day in and day out?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions then it might be time that you take something off your plate.
A great way to start the process of becoming more aware is in the consideration of the question:
"What should I stop doing?"
THE SECRET
Asking yourself "What should I stop doing?" is a great way to empower and enrich your current efforts.
Human nature is that we all want to get more done with as little time, money and energy as possible.
In life this is called 'Return on Energy' and in business it's called 'Return on Capital Expended'.
Whatever you call it at the end of the day the bottom line is that we all want to return more than we have to put out.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be more effective and efficient in whatever you do.
After all, who willingly wants to waste their time, take longer than needed, or spend more money than necessary?
Absolutely no one. It's safe to say that 100% of the population would never consciously choose to do any of the above.
Yet how is it that most of us end up overwhelmed, frustrated or broke? What happened?
Were we that off base and delusional that we missed all signs of disaster?
Have you ever heard the old saying "It was the straw that broke the camels back?"
Its an old adage symbolizing a story upon which a camels back gets broken, seemingly all because of a single piece of straw.
Of course, we know it was the accumulation of straw over time that created those dire circumstances.
The same thing happens to us when we pile too many projects on the plate, the system is bound to breakdown.
Our when we take on projects, relationships, goals and jobs that are meaningless.
A part of the problem is that we say 'yes' to way too many things that we could be politely saying 'no thanks' too.
It doesn't help when we fail to see the pattern behind the mistakes that we repeatedly make.
If you are continually failing at something and not feeling motivated to move forward this is a sign to check your commitment.
Perhaps you are no longer interested in investing your time and energy into this, only you can tell. Be honest with yourself.
Every goal to be better, to reach higher, to obtain a new income level will require a new level of you.
You decide what experiences and memories you will fuse into the you that exists right this moment, and which aspects of your life to leave behind.
There is not enough time in our lifetime to spend it doing things that act in direct detriment to the loved ones in our lives.
Therefore it is a good practice to put only the things we truly value and the things we are really passionate about 'on our plate'.
Find areas where you feel over-stressed and discover roles where you are not 100% comfortable or committed.
Take time to record your roles and responsibilities every day. Be thorough and don't leave anything out.
Resolve to become more confident and committed to the roles you decide to keep.
Eliminate whatever roles that you can, and delegate whatever roles that you cannot eliminate.
Delegate and eliminate all the areas in your life that do not bring a good return on your capital, time or energy.
In a case where you have been attached to doing things a particular way for a long time, you may not be able to escape this separation pain free.
Unfortunately, sometimes when you finally decide to take your medicine you may have to amputate your foot in order to save your leg.
The best way to avoid a terrible situation like this is to ask yourself right now "What should I stop doing?" and then immediately begin to cut it out of your life.
