Lean into the Future

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Lean into the Future

A traditional tactic used in negotiation is to take two steps forward and then one step back. It gives the appearance of compromise, but if left to its own devises it eventually will have two-stepped its way into our world and will own some of it. Before we let that happen let’s take a closer look at the relationship between progress and its evil twin, regression.

Progress is advancing and regression is retreating. Knowing how to play one against the other is the key to creating positive change in our lives. When we’re in the moving forward mode we have eyes peeled on the horizon and can see the efforts of our attempt manifest as easily as is if our destiny was reading our mind. When we lean into our future we’re drawn by a new vision. And by keeping focused on that dream, we not only pick up speed we gain clarity and control. Conversely if we take our foot off the gas we could stall and become frustrated. Why would we do that? Because the pull of the status quo has history on its side and it will play out scenarios from our past where we previously gave up and subsequently, we were rewarded with a new “comfort zone,” a fancy name for a fixed mindset. These flashbacks can draw us into complacency and ennui.

To offset this alluring draw to stand pat, we need to use our vision to lead us. And to the degree that our vision can, it will in the process of becoming a reality, become the anchor for our new port of call. Arrival at our vision’s destination is a sign we’re on the right path. And as with any journey, it’s what we don’t know that makes it fun.

Final Thought:  Without movement there is no growth. To break from the binds of the status quo we need to create progress, and to avoid regression. Regression is a powerful buzz kill and it’s disguised as a comfort zone. Steer clear and have no fear.

Spot Removal

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Spot Removal

A Sixty-Word Short Story*:

Myra could not have predicted the convergence of events that had the powers that be scratching their heads. She surmised that no one else could have seen this coming either. One decision after another had been scrutinized to the nth degree, and yet here they were, stuck in indecision, floundering, trapped in a mental cul-de-sac. Time was running out, fast.

And more…

I think it’s fair to say that we’ve all made decisions on something or someone important, and absolutely felt it was the very best move we could make at the time. We may have been bullish about a relationship or business venture or even the stock market and we charged ahead with enthusiasm and confidence that our decision would take us to a new and better place. But somewhere along the way things changed, and what we originally strived to achieve somehow failed to blossom, turning our dreams into dust. Failure, whether we see it coming or not, can be truly profound. And sometimes like Myra, we find ourselves stuck in a bad spot with time running out.

When unfortunate or unpredictable situations and circumstances surround us, we can sometimes fall into a “deer in the headlights” trance and find ourselves struggling to find a way out, stymied by events and unsure of what to do next. The unsureness of change, and the desire to remove ourselves from the situation we’re in, adds stress and clouds our thinking when what we need most is to be clear headed. If this ever happens, here are a couple of ideas on spot removal you might try:

– Stay focused on who you are, not where you are. By detaching our psyche from the situation, we can gain a better perspective on our options.

– Slow down. When we get stuck, we sometimes struggle as if we’ve fallen into quicksand, and we tend to make decisions without thinking. Taking a breath or two before we act can provide a moment of clarity we need.

– Believe in yourself. We’ve all been imbued with the power to change. And just because we’re in a bad spot now doesn’t mean a better spot isn’t right before us. Often, as they say, it’s darkest before the light.

Final Thought: Being in the right place at the right time is always on the table when it comes to life and the opportunities that unfold before us.

* The Premise: Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this
and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com

Whether Forecast

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Whether Forecast

A Sixty-Word Short Story*:

The moment had arrived, and Marilyn was feeling uneasy. It was time to move on, but why? Yes, she wanted a better life, and yes, she needed a change and yes, the relationship was exciting, but it meant leaving her old life behind. This would change everything whether she was ready or not. When the door finally opened, she ran.

And more…

There is an old expression, be careful what you wish for, you may just get it. The reason this idiom has lasted so long is because it’s essentially true. In fact, the original saying is very old and comes from Aesop’s Fables: “Be Careful What You Wish For, Lest it Come True!” If we apply this to Marilyn’s story it seems like her wishes were all in alignment for her, but the price might just be too high, so she ran. The point is that all change has its implications and when we let our dreams lead the way they can sometimes take us to unfamiliar and uncomfortable moments. And when they do, it’s up to us to decide whether to accept the price or not.

Whenever the word “whether” gets into the conversation, there are usually some alternatives and choices involved. Whether sets the stage for choosing and sometimes those choices can be painful, or joyful, depending on whether we like the choice or not. The trick to having dreams and bringing them to life is to create dreams that accommodate what is most important to us. Actually, any really good wish should include some important components that we deem necessary for our happiness. Remember that our part in bringing our thoughts and ideas to life is often rather small. We just have to be clear about what we really want, move toward it, and the universe will conspire on our behalf to deliver it.

Marilyn while in the midst of stormy “whether”, experiencing her “either/or” mindset, felt forced to choose the past over the future. But it doesn’t have to be that way; both are possible. When we dream with a mindset that already includes what currently makes us happy, we are already winning, and so we might as well wish for EVERYTHING we want, whether we need it or not.

Final thought: Whatever we think, we can bring to life. This includes dreams that add to the life we already have. Think BIG. Live BIG, makes for a hopeful forecast.

* The Premise: Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com