I bought a new iPod the other day. 160GB. A real bad boy.
I have about one fifth of my music collection on my old iPod, and it was signaling "No Mas" when I tried to coax it into more action.
I'm on a decluttering/organization/simplify kick. Want to get rid of the CD clutter and have all my music and lectures in the palm of my hand. A simple plan.
But the execution of this plan proved to be more challenging.
Like my old iPod, my MacBook laptop was waving me off, telling me the hard disk was full. I could not understand how this was the case, but the logic of my computer was unyielding to my protests. So, before I could use my iPod, I'd need to solve the hard disk problem.
I have some strange perversion in wanting to do things for myself. I'm sure that it serves me in some positive ways, but it feels like I usually end up taking on projects that are beyond the scope of my skills/knowledge/interest.
I am reluctant to ask for help. And I suppose that I am sometimes reluctant to pay for help. Why pay when I can do it? (This especially ironic because my living is based on people investing in me to help them in some way.)
Back to my issue…
So my first approach reflected my self-reliant programming.
I went on various websites looking for answers. I spent at least two hours hunting around and found myself entering lines of DOS-like code into my Mac (into a Mac, mind you!) with little idea of what the hell I was doing. Hitting my wall, I called Apple.
They wanted 50 bucks for support. At first I was miffed, coming up with some cockamamie protest that I'd just bought a $250 iPod and could not use it. The rep remained polite but firm. The issue was with the computer and I was out of warranty. He told me he believed he could help me.
When I heard those words – I can help you — I believed him. And that's what I really wanted.
Help. Relief. Ease.
I wanted to be free of this problem. I wanted to get on with the organizing of my life. In that moment I could see how silly I was being in my resistance to invest in help.
I reached for my credit card, and for the next two hours on a Saturday morning, Daniel solved all my problems and then some. In time and energy, the investment was worth many times what I paid.
Getting help — good help — is not an expense. Doesn't matter if we're talking about someone cleaning your house, creating your website, or coaching you through a problem.
They are investments.
Wealthy people invest in getting their problems solved.
Filed under Blog, Current Events, Freedom, Ease, Connection Files, Money $ by .
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"THE POWER OF PRACTICE"
FEBRUARY 2010
Drew Rozell, Ph.D. partners with a select number of dynamic individuals, groups, and progressive companies who wish to harness the power of Radical Responsibility to dramatically create better outcomes.
"OWN YOUR THOUGHTS, OWN YOUR LIFE"
A winter hike with my friends Chris, Bob, and BoBo the dog.We started at the furthest point on the pond in the distance. Walked over the ice to meet the trail. Temperature around zero degrees. Great fun and sun.
February 2010
Welcome, my friend!
We're still deep in winter here in the North Country.
Our family has expanded. Two weeks ago, we picked up Coco the cat from a cold country roadside and welcomed her into our warm house. So far, so good with Coco and the little ecosystem we have at our home.
When I'm not huddled up next to the woodstove, I've gotten some nice skiing in. However, it seems like all the big snowfalls have hit lower on the East Coast. Still waiting for a big powder day! While I'm enjoying winter, it's nice to see the days growing longer as well.
I've spent the last few months getting myself in shape, and I am happy to report that I feel stronger and in better shape than I've ever been in my life. (I am confident I would be able to take the 20 or 30 year old version of myself handily). Anyway, I highly recommend tuning up your body and mind. It makes like a whole lot better.
That takes me to this month's feature — practice.
It's easy to overlook the power of practice, but there's no getting around it. Practice is the true key to success.
I hope you find this month's article valuable and I thank you for your support.
Really.
P.S. If you like this, please share it with someone. Or leave a comment.
THE POWER OF PRACTICE
"An ounce of practice is worth tons of teaching" – Mahatma Gandhi
Go on.
Set aside the whole humility thing for a moment.
And allow the answers to flow out of you.
At what endeavor—work or hobby or sport—are you great?
Not good? GREAT.
Take a moment and bask in some of the skills that you’ve mastered in your lifetime.
Maybe you’re great at baking pies. Doing a perfect downward dog. Flirting. Sudoku. Running marathons. Making furniture. Grilling a steak to perfection. Writing stories. Fixing a car engine. Choosing stocks. Playing Frisbee.
Tell me what you are great at and I know something important about you.
I know where you have invested a significant amount of your time and energy. I know what you have practiced.
Perhaps this seems obvious. We all know the importance of practice if we wish to reach a level of mastery in our lives. But the true power of practice is emerging in at least a couple new ways worth exploring.
First, when see greatness in other people, very often we think of these people as being uniquely gifted and different from ourselves. For example, when I listen to Eddie Van Halen playing a guitar solo, I am much more likely to think about his amazing dexterity and creativity as a gift from God than I am to think of all hours he spent in a bedroom somewhere, building calluses on his fingertips, hitting the wrong notes countless time until he got the magic progression.
Likewise, when I think of Michael Phelps, I think of someone with a perfect swimmer’s body. I remember hearing how his big feet serve as flippers in the water. Surely, he was born to race dolphins, right? Images of him beginning his day before dawn to spend six hours a day in a pool practicing do not readily come to mind. But he was there, as was Eddie.
While it might be true that the chances of me meeting the standards of Eddie or Michael in their respective fields are slim, there’s growing evidence that the gap between their God-given abilities and mine are significantly smaller that I think. In fact, an excellent book, The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle makes a compelling case that greatness is grown, not born. In other words, the secret to achieving greatness lies much more deeply in the habits we adopt rather than winning the gene lottery.
Coyle shares the research underneath the power of practice, specifically how deep practice builds myelin, the insulation that wraps around our nerve fibers. The more myelin we have, the more quickly and accurately our nerve impulses fire and the better we perform. To make his point, Coyle offers evidence ranging from singers to fighter pilots. The essential ingredient is practice. In short, a formula for greatness could be written as follows:
Deep Practice x 10,000 Hours = World Class Skill.
If you want something, you need to make the decision to focus your energy in that place. It’s not that complex. The top performers practice more and they practice smarter than everyone else. (It’s worth noting that along with practice, The Talent Code identifies the need to have a great coach who is an expert at teaching what you wish to learn as another essential ingredient in success. Clearly, all top performers invest in coaches and mentors. You should too if you wish to play at the highest level.)
Another new way to think about the power of practice has to do with our thinking. When we think about practice, we still tend to think about engaging in an activity or mastering a technique.
We do not typically think of the power and importance of practicing where we focus our thoughts. Again, the top performers in any field recognize the importance of learning how to direct their thoughts (Phelps has practiced directing his thoughts and meditation techniques since he was 12).
But most of us still don’t think about our thinking very much. And what’s to be gained by taking the time to direct our thoughts?
Well, consider this: Show me the thoughts you’ve practiced and I can tell you exactly what you are creating in your life. The thoughts we practice become our beliefs and our beliefs do the creating in our lives. For example, a recent study on aging showed that people’s thoughts about aging may play a larger role in our health than the physiological factors that we and doctors tend to pay the most attention to.
The study looked at the beliefs people held about aging. Did they think negative thoughts about aging (Things keep getting worse as I get older) or positive thoughts (I am as happy now as when I was younger)?
Checking the records twenty years later, the researchers found that those who were in the habit of practicing negative thoughts died, on average, seven and a half years earlier that those who practiced positive thoughts about aging. Choosing positive thoughts made far more difference than many of the typical, more action-oriented practices like lowering blood pressure 0r reducing cholesterol (avg. +4 years) as well as the benefits of proper body weight, exercise, and not smoking (avg. between + 1-3 years).
Even though a large percentage of our beliefs are not in alignment with our desires, most people do not devote a specific portion of their day to practicing better thoughts. It’s simply easier not to, right? Think of it this way, noticing that you do not have as much money as you would like is easy. Picturing yourself having lots more money requires more conscious effort.
Considering that only about 16% of Americans engage in physical exercise every day, I would guess that the percentage of people consciously directing their thoughts is significantly less.
My take away point is this: you have everything you need to be great at whatever you desire in this world. It’s all within you already. But here’s the deal. In order to activate this greatness within you, you need to take charge of every aspect of your life. You need to show up. You need to understand that you will become what you do.
But even more important, making the decision to adopt a practice for directing your thoughts will make a huge, positive impact on your life. Yes, it takes time, energy, and commitment, but I’m guessing that you could carve out 10 minutes a day to start, right? Before you go to sleep, take a few minutes to focus on what you appreciate. Connect to the good things that you accomplished that day. When you wake, before your feet hit the floor, connect to more thoughts of appreciation. Pick out a few things you are looking forward to this new day. Expect the best.
Over the next decade or two, I’m confident that our awareness on the importance of practicing where we focus our thoughts will continue to grow. Those on the cutting edge of any field are already there.
Why not join them?
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AN INVITATION TO THE CUTTING EDGE
CONNECT WITH DREW
Ah, the cutting edge.
A very cool place to be, methinks. Uncommonly cool.
Definitely not for everybody. In fact, it's not for most people. (And that's fine.)
But if it's for YOU… well then, I have an invitation for you.
Because no one gets there alone.
THE FIRST STEP
The first step to living on the cutting edge is to get clear on what you desire in your life. Where are you going? What do you need to get there? What's in your way?
Get clear and your life starts moving in the direction of your desire. Remain unclear, and well, not much happens!
So if you are ready to take the first step to creating a life of focus, freedom, and fun, then I encourage you to take me up on this offer.
I am offering 5 breakthrough sessions for the members of this list. The one-on-one phone sessions with Drew are 30 minutes long and the investment is $75 to reserve your spot. (This is a fraction of my normal fee).
And to boot, I'll guarantee that you'll be happy with the results.
First come, first serve.
Hope to connect with you…
<<< Schedule a session with Drew here >>>
* A Book and a Movie *
• A Book:
THE ART OF RACING THE RAIN: By Garth Stein. Received this book as a gift from my auntie Fran and I savored it like a really good cup of coffee. Written from the perspective of a dog, it's not really a "dog book," but certainly dog lovers will appreciate it. Learned a bit about auto racing and dare I say there were some Law of Attraction insights in there too. Worth your investment.
• A Movie:
UP IN THE AIR: Made it to the theater. First time in a while. We were there 10 minutes early and still got the last two seats — you guessed it, right up front. Despite being 18 inches from George Clooney's six-foot head, we really enjoyed this film. Made me appreciate Clooney's skill as an actor (the role was written for him and it shows), and everything seemed true to life, from the acting to the writing. Deserves all of its accolades. Worth your investment.
- Connect with Drew: Drew's Facebook | Drew's Twitter
- Subscription Information :: To subscribe, just enter your information in the box to the right side of the page. To unsubscribe, just follow the link on ANY mailing to you.
- Archived Issues :: Find 'em here.
- Contact Drew :: To comment on this issue, just leave your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. e-mail <drew at drewrozell.com> phone (518) 642-3111
ISSN: #1530-3101 Library Of Congress, Washington D.C., USA © Copyright 2010 by Drew Rozell, Ph.D. – All Rights Reserved
Filed under Blog, Drewsletter!, Freedom, Ease, Connection Files, Power of Environments by .
When I think of the superpower I'd most like to have (sure, flying would be awesome), I usually think of books.
Yes, books.
I'd like to be able to put my finger on a book and be able to absorb the information. (And to feel the pleasure I get from reading.)
What I notice about myself is that my eyes are often bigger than my, um, eyes. In other words, I buy more books than I read. I often start reading one book, really like it, then pick up another. More books do not get finished that get finished.
Part of feels a little guilty for not finishing a book. Like I'm throwing away perfectly good food or something. Being wasteful in some way. But I know that not really my voice in my head; it's just some old programming playing itself out.
Because here's how I really look at the situation.
I don't buy books.
I invest in them.
Books give me a return, a return of information, ideas, or pleasure.
I can get my return on that investment in just one sentence. To me, one new idea is worth many times over whatever amount I invested in the book.
Case in point. I bought Seth Godin's new book Linchpin. I'm currently reading at least three other books. I don't know where Seth's book falls in my queue. But during coffee in the bright sunshine this morning, I picked up the book and just opened to a page.
I came across a story about Steve Jobs telling one of his people who was working on perfecting something before getting it out the door. According to the story, Jobs said three words to the man.
"Real artists ship."
I took this to mean that you gotta get your stuff out the door and into the marketplace. You have to let people experience you and your idea.
If I never read another word of that book, it was $15 well invested for me.
Even if you're not into books, don't just spend your money.Invest it.
Filed under Blog, Current Events, Power of Environments by .
I was reading through Seth Godin's latest blog post this morning and his message struck a chord that's worth sharing. You can read his post here to read it in full.
The line that stopped me was this :
"The skeptic always finds a reason."
Here's why it struck me.
I have a strong belief about life. I believe the thoughts we choose determine what shows up in our lives. I believe that it's my mission to teach people how take charge of their thoughts and get out of their own way. I believe in what I do.
Underneath my belief as to how life works, there is a mountain of scientific evidence. Data. Proof. Cutting edge results from the world of quantum physics. In fact, there are heaps of studies from all different fields that reach the same conclusion: Your thoughts create your reality. Own your thoughts and you own you life. Fail to do so and you get what you get.
I feel so strongly about my message that I want everyone to get it. I can talk about it for hours. I can explain it logically. I can offer up the evidence. I can debate with skill.
But here's the thing…
The cold truth is that will all my evidence and all my skill, I've never converted a skeptic. Not a one.
No matter how many facts I produce, no matter how seamless my logic, whatever I offer the skeptic falls into the abyss. We end up right where we started. Why? Because once a mind is made up, it's nearly impossible for you to change it.
The skeptic always finds a reason. Always.
So here's my takeaway point. I notice that when I am writing something like this or creating a new program, part of me is still writing to the skeptic. As a result, a significant part of my energy is being siphoned away, trying to prove my point so that everyone will get it.
But now I can see (and feel) how much energy I waste in that approach. Not everyone wants to get it. Entertaining the skeptic weakens my message, dilutes my intention, and takes me out of my creative flow. Now that I am aware of my tendency, I am making the decision to no longer do this.
I believe every one has something creative and unique to offer the world — a message, a signal, a product, and idea. However, the reason most people do not fully express themselves is because we have one eye on the skeptic. We figure if what we have to offer will be questioned or rejected by somebody, then it must not be worth sharing. And that's a mistake that keeps us small.
The skeptics are not going anywhere. They will always be out there.
Acknowledge their presence.
But do not waste a second of your life trying to move them.
Walk around.
Filed under Blog, Current Events, Freedom, Ease, Connection Files, Radical Responsibility by .
Just before sunrise. 1/13/10
How do you start your day?
Certainly there are an infinite number of potential responses to that question.
So let's see if we can create a couple categories into which all potential responses could be separated.
Do you start your day DELIBERATELY?
Or NOT? (Best I could come up with in the moment.)
While there's not a right or wrong way between the two, I think there's a better way.
Each day when you wake up, you start with a fresh slate. What you created in your life up to that point does not matter. What you struggled with the previous day or for the last couple decades is irrelevant.
The only thing that matters on this new day are the thoughts you choose because the thoughts you choose today determine what you create tomorrow.
When you take that in, I think that's really awesome news, right?
Of course, taking advantage of this clean slate requires something of you. It requires you to deliberately focus your thoughts. It requires you to actively put your attention on that which you truly desire to create. While this process is not very difficult, it's a habit. And it's a habit most people do not practice.
Most of the time we wake up and let our thoughts go where they may. We follow our thoughts rather than consciously leading them. Again, we begin each day with a fresh slate, but if we mindlessly connect to the same worries and concerns we had the day before, we give up that terrific opportunity to create something better in our lives. In short, we give up our power.
This is why how you start your day is so important. Begin your day by deliberatively guiding your thoughts to places that feel good, and you will attract more of that throughout your day.
Roll out of bed and let the headlines (or your e-mail) decide where your attention goes, and well, you get what you get.
The practice of directing your thoughts to start the day is not hard.
Before you get out of bed, allow yourself five minutes. Allow yourself to connect to feelings of appreciation. The objects of your appreciation do not matter. Make it easy. Appreciate your bed. Your pillow. The warmth under the covers. Maybe you can appreciate the person next to you or cat who's hogging all the bed space.
Do not try to solve any problems. Do not try to fix anything that's awaiting you during your day.
Just appreciate. Just connect from one good feeling thought to another.
Next, perhaps you can allow yourself to think about your day and imagine things going well for you. See your day and feel it flowing they way you wish it to be.
When you feel good, get up and move about your day.
You are now ready to bring in the good stuff.
And yes, you can go pee now, too.
Filed under Blog, Country Living, Drew's Photos, Freedom, Ease, Connection Files, Good News, Radical Responsibility by .
