Why is Simple So Hard?

Why do I fight what I know works?

I have a confession to make. It is difficult to put in words, because then the world will see my vulnerability. But so be it. 

Lean in. A little closer…

I have an ongoing battle with procrastination.

There, I said it. Did the world stop? Did my world stop? (cue crickets chirping as we wait…)

It’s one of those secrets I carry around because I am ashamed to admit that sometimes I don’t follow through. Sometimes I don’t reach the finish line (in my mind). Even when I know I have created a great product or written material that will help others.  Especially then.

Is it fear of rejection? Probably…no, that is it. I am afraid that if I “put it out there,” no one will pay attention. That is not really rejection (which takes an active decision by the rejector) but more in line with apathy, as in “Who cares?”

It is fear of the silent no-response that stops me from moving forward.

My internal diatribe usually goes like this. An endless stream of questions such as:  “What if no one buys it?”  “Who would want to pay money for that?” or the one that always gets me: “What do you know about _____?”

The only logical answers to these questions would be to look at my past history of success or failure. If “success” is defined by how much money I have made, then I always lose this argument.  And procrastination wins…again.

I have learned a simple technique that has helped me over the years. I just ask myself, “What is my definition of success?” Answering and knowing that definition becomes my response to the internal diatribe of negativity. For example, instead of “success” being defined in terms of monetary return, I define “success” as connecting to other

like-minded people.

And the cool thing is that I have connected to such people! I am successful (it feels so good to say that and actually mean it!)

My  journey has included many battles with the internal diatribe of procrastination. When I step back from the onslaught and see what is really happening, I can then step forward.  I can identify those thoughts for what they are — creations of my mind – and their nothingness is revealed. And I free to take action towards my dreams.

Today I learned that lesson again.

Instead of sleeping another hour, I dragged myself out of bed and sat down in front of my computer. I had procrastinated for several weeks about writing the marketing materials for my new virtual course based on Mike Dooley’s book, Infinite Possibilities. The  course was finished, I was paying the monthly fee to have it hosted on Kajabi, but I just could not seem to take the steps necessary to create the marketing materials.

Want to know how I got out of bed? As I lay there in that moment of indecision, I chose to use one of Mike’s techniques called “Flip that Thought.”  While I debated whether it was worth it to spend an hour on the project, I took the negative thoughts of “it won’t work,” “it’s not enough time,” and “why bother?” and changed them to something positive. I told myself instead that “it will work,” “time is valuable whether its small or large,” and “it matters to me.”  And my entire attitude shifted.

I was literally propelled out of bed!

Thoughts really do become things (as Mike is so fond of saying). And today I learned that lesson again for the umpteenth time. So now I know what to do when the familiar malaise of procrastination starts to drift over my thoughts. Remember to flip them into what I want.

It really is that simple.

How to Make Your Own Gravity-Buster

Recently, I have been thinking about limitations.

The self-imposed kind.

Why do I tell myself, “You can’t do that! You don’t have the credentials.” Or here’s another oldie but goldie. “You tried that before and it didn’t work. What makes you think that this time will be any different?” That one stops me in my tracks the minute it pops its ugly head up in my thoughts.

But then I look around and see all sorts of people who have tried before, failed, and tried again, only to succeed. Or folks who don’t have the college degree, but they hold a doctorate in courage and faith.

Why do I create my own self-imposed “gravity” that limits my dreams, stomps on my courage and deadens my excitement for the new?

For me the answer is as complex as it is simple (I assume that is true for most people – give me a shout out if you just nodded at that last sentence!) The bottom line for me is a deep-seated, forever-with-me sense of unworthiness. I think it is also called “Fear of Failure.”

But what if…fear is an illusion and you could never fail?

I have discovered through my reading of various materials and my own personal experiences that as soon as I step around the fear that I created, I could see that it wasn’t true. All it did was hold me down, like gravity x 1,000. All I had to do was step away from the fear to free myself to connect once again with the creative force that was waiting patiently.

When I am faced with a decision and I know one choice is dictated by fear, I ask myself the following question:

“What if…what I fear is just an illusion?”

Then I sit still very quietly and listen for the answer. When I know what it is, I always will know what to do.

“But I may fail!” My insistent monkey brain always shouts as the last resort. When I fall for this last desperate attempt, I do end up failing, because I did not step around, away from or beyond the rock of fear-of-failure. So the second step in my formula is always to ask the follow-up question:

“What if I could never fail?”

That opens the door to my imagination to all of the infinite possibilities. Those far outweigh “failure” and have enough juice to get me going around the fear. If you still have problems after this second step, ask the logical follow-up question:

“How am I defining failure?”

Once you bring the imagined failure out into the light, it will shrivel up and disappear. Guaranteed.

And you just discovered your very own, personal gravity-buster. Works like a charm, every time.

You are a Superhero (You just don’t Know It)

Why do we love superheroes?  The top movies of the past several years have revolved around the superhero theme (The Avengers, Thor, Spiderman, Superman, etc.).  Is it because Marvel Comics has finally discovered a way to perpetuate their comic book characters?  Or are we drawn to these movies because they all follow the same plot – the weak hero has no confidence and no direction, but suddenly learns that he is special and different, and that his “power” can save the world.

Why does the typical Superhero plot resonate with so many people?

Because we all have a secret hope to BE that person who discovers their hidden talent. We are joined together by the same desire – we want to be the hero and save the day!

Sadly, most people shove that desire down so deep that not even Dr. Robert Ballard (who discovered the final resting place of the Titanic) could find it. Is all hope lost? Are we doomed to live lives of “quiet desperation?”

Fortunately, the answer is a resounding “NO!”

Enter Pam Grout, the author of E-Squared, Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality. I am slowly working my way through each of the experiments, and have previously written about the first five.

Now its time to tackle Experiment #6 – The Superhero Principle: Your Thoughts and Consciousness Impact Matter.

Based on the premise that your thoughts are much more powerful than you can imagine, Pam leads you through a series of stories from her own life and those of others who have overcome sickness, disease and went on to lead fulfilling lives. From describing Masaru Emoto’s thought experiments on water molecules to the fascinating story about Terry McBride, Pam demonstrates that thoughts have their own energy and impact matter.

Now for the experiment. I planted seeds in six small containers (three on each side) and took care of them for seven days. But I added something extra to the right side of the tray – my thoughts and imagination that the seeds on the right side would grow faster than the left. What was the result?

Disappointing. I will not lie or distort the truth. When I went to check on the tray this morning, I expected to see growth…live green plants reaching for the sky. But all that was there was dark dirt, moist and seemingly empty. But then I looked closer, with more intention.  And saw evidence that I was a Superhero!

Only one tiny plant emerged from the soil…and it was on the right side! Now that I think about it, maybe I am not too disappointed after all.

E-Squared is amazing – it takes you gently by the hand and shows you how to experience these principles yourself. Not through the perception of another…but YOU having the experience.  It sounds simple but believe me, it will change your ideas about how you create your world.