My Goals – My Resolve

ByMatthew

“The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to reflect their inner beliefs” – James Allen

*****

What must I believe about myself to perpetuate my current conditions?

What must I believe about myself to create the conditions I desire?

What is the disconnect between the conditions I say I want, and the conditions I create?

*****

I create according to my beliefs about what is safe and functional.

If what I am experiencing and what I say I want are different, there must be a disconnect between my stated desires and my deeply held beliefs.

*****

What do I want more than what I say I want?

*  *  *

The above is an e-mail I sent myself the other day.

I had the idea that maybe I wasn’t the only who sometimes has trouble achieving goals so I though I’d share.

I invite you to look carefully at the language above.*

It all started with a quote from James Allen, but it grew into (for me) a powerful set of questions that have 1) put me on notice that I have some things to figure out and 2) that I have some work to do.

What about you?

What do you take away?

*  *  *

* Especially the last bolded sentence. In future posts I will be exploring Kegan and Lahey’s work on Immunity to Change (which for me is very powerful/attractive explanation for why we don’t do what we say we need to do).

Similar Posts

  • It’s Okay to Prepare

    ByMatthew

    Many people are not living the lives they really want (myself* included). One of the reasons people don’t is because they think they should be able to just do it, but they know they aren’t ready. This creates a short little “despair loop” which takes the person out of possibility and back to “reality.” The truth…

  • Listen, Instead

    ByMatthew

    The best way to persuade people is with your ears – by listening to them. – Dean Rusk There’s a difference between persuasion and coercion. If you persuade, you are either helping someone see a different point of view or to act when they would not have otherwise. To persuade you need trust. Trust is…

  • It’s All About the WHY

    ByMatthew

    Something just occurred to me: “What about all the folks that say they want to do X, or be better at Y or stop doing Z? They all say they want to change but complain it’s too hard, or they can change for a while, but eventually “slip.” The truth is that the “how” is easy when…

  • What’s Really In Your Way

    ByMatthew

    “A man’s doubts and fears are his worst enemies.” – William Wrigley Jr. This is the fear Roosevelt was talking about… We each create our own reality (by how we think). When we think optimistic and* realistic thoughts we can meet any situation with strength, confidence and intelligence. When we don’t we will be hesitant,…