BalanceNewsletter008

Today's Article: Waking up and turning off Cruise Control!

Recently I heard a terrific metaphor. Many of us are living life on cruise control. Wow - just think about it, when was the last time that you really engaged your mind and began thinking and ACTING in a way that was not a 'routine'. Some of us may consciously challenge ourselves to do this daily, however the vast majority of us are living life on cruise control and not engaging or even scratching the surface of the true capacity of our brain (which has immense potential).

Why you may ask? Well, simply the routine, the norm is comfortable. Our norm may not even be 'easy' - it may be quite difficult, however we live the same patterns and entertain the same activities simply because we know what it looks and feels like, and that comfort is quite strong. By nature, we are creatures of habbit - but we do not have to be if we choose (yes it is a simple choice) to challenge ourself to expand our minds and be willing to think in a new way. In part this means breaking down our ego and opening ourselves to a world bigger than who we think we are.

During my coach training courses I heard a pretty amazing statistic. 98% of the thoughts we have today - we had yesterday! The electrical signals in our head which constitute the foundation of thought literally pave a path in our brain (like cows walking down the same path that has become engraved in the trail). These thought processes become the path with the least resistance and therefore the easiest to follow. By thinking new thoughts, we literally are carving out new neurosynaptic pathways in our brain - how exciting!

So how do we wake up? I can think of no better way than to be clear of what it is that we want in life and literally burn that thought process into your brain. A concrete example would be to write down your vision and read it every day for the next week then read it at least weekly for a year (see this link for instruction on how to write your vision). To live a 'conscious' life - one that is not on cruise control, we must be clear of what it is that we want to, or would even like to accomplish. Secondly, we must take action on that thought - and with this our mind expands and even enters regions and capabilities we may not have known that we even had.

We do not need a 'wake up call' to wake up and become conscious. While for me a cancer diagnosis woke me up quickly, I've learned in working with numerous clients that the wake up call is simply a choice followed by an action. For someone, the first stage in their wake up call may be simply reading this newsletter. The ensuing action could be to enroll a coach, friend, colleague, or mentor in your vision. And to let down our ego such that we enable the choice that the past does not decide the future.

If you'd like to work with a coach and enhance your ability to live consciously, contact me any time to schedule a complimentary consultation or simply to learn more.