Explosions - Unlimited Self?

"The eye is heavenly in its nature. Hence man elevates himself above the earth only with they eye; hence, theory begins with the contemplation of the heavens. The first philosophers were astronomers. It is the heavens that admonish man of his destination, and remind him that he is destined not merely to action, but also to contemplation. The absolute to man is his own nature. The power of the object over him is therefore the power of his own nature...
Every limitation of the reason, or in general of the nature of man, rests on a delusion, an error. It is true that the human being, as an individual, can and must - feel and recognise himself to be limited, but he can become conscious of his limits, his finiteness, only because the perfection, the infinitude of his species, is percieved by him, whether as an object of feeling, of conscience, or of thinking consciousness. If he makes his own limitations the limitations of the species, this arises from the mistake that he identifies himself immediately with the species - a mistake which is intimately connected with the individuals love of ease, sloth, vanity, and egoism.
- excerpt; The Essence of Christianity, by Ludwig Feuerbach
- great book, by an often overlooked German philosopher....I thought I would share this interpretation of his....its a very interesting conjecture on limitations...hope this empowers you...

Strategy - How to Win

Strategy is the use of a plan to create a certain outcome. Under this definition, strategy has the qualities of immense value and immense power. How well do you strategize? Don't know? Well when was the last time you had a desire or goal and obtained it? How long did it take, and how much did you learn. You see strategy has many threads and repercussions...with strategy you empower yourself to create the life you want for yourself and others...and the repercussions include knowledge, evolution, and serendipities.
The fuel and fruit of strategy is information....information will open the world to you and further more make the universe surrender to you. As a time-binding species we need not "reinvent the wheel" we can simply use effective strategies of others (w/ information), and create the outcomes desired. Well, what about "new" outcomes, or "uncharted" waters? Look closely and you'll get the response....what strategy did Einstein use to come up with new theories? What strategy did Bill Gates use to open a "new" market, or Steve Jobs, or how did Warren Buffett amass such incredible results in the stock market?....Answer begins with focus (what is the "new" i want?) and information (learning, reading, asking). The repetition of this strategy at an accelerated rate equals results...(i'm presupposing action is taken consistently as well.)
Gerry Spence, the famous criminal attorney and writer puts it this succinct way "Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. And Win."
Same equation with different variables. Use it.

Recapitulation and Forecasting

To recapitulate is to remember. It implies a more conscious remembrance as if with purpose or intent. This amazing ability to use our hindsight can be used as a powerful weapon in our lives to achieve mastery in whatever we choose. It provides us with a personal gauge of where we have been, what we have done, how much we have grown, and further allows us to accept or reject personal behaviors that have led to certain outcomes.
The brother of recapitulation is forecasting. Forecasting is the ability to imagine future outcomes. Through forecasting our minds boomerang outcomes into the future for us to witness. Used consciously in a manner similar to recapitulating; forecasting is the ultimate ally to success.
Where do you see yourself in three years? What would you like to be surrounded by? How would you like to look? How much money would you like to make?
Questions like these help create the image and scene to be forecasted. This forecasting exercise to be effective needs to be challenging, and believable. In addition, it needs to be emotionally and viscerally witnessed...you need to feel the excitement, energy...you need to feel your heart beating faster...you need to feel the power!
You need to feel the FEAR...the terror of not changing anything in 3 years...imagine not a single thing getting better in 3 years...imagine going through the same motions, seeing the same things, feeling the same feelings...imagine all novelty gone...imagine being in a state of atrophy, were everything is breaking down!
The forecasting method if applied passionately and with constant reminders and conditioning will immediately change your behaviors. It will give you a map as to what must be done. The skills you need to work on; the abilities you need to cultivate; the routines you need to eliminate; the time management you must be conscious of.

Liberation

"We are never aware of this particular steady kind of 'emotional' tension, which involves hidden fears, anxieties, uncertainties, frustrations, etc., and through the nervous mechanisms of projection colour harmfully our attitudes toward the world and life in general. Such conditions result in defensiveness, which is no defense, but a wasteful, useless drain on the limited nervous capacities." - Alfred Korzybski, from Science and Sanity

To Imagine ourselves as a micro-economy of sorts would help illustrate Korzybski's insight. The state of your economical well being would be dictated by the adequate use of your resources. Our willful energy applied per unit of time throughout the day would be the gauge used to measure the economical efficiency of our selves. So in general, choosing, allowing, or accepting a state of fear, anxiety, frustration, worry, etc., would be an incredible waste of our willful energy . Its interesting to note that we have a choice on how to interpret our environment, circumstances, and opportunities; and unfortunately out of habit we many times choose the energy draining negative economy of painful emotional tension.
In a life affirming self-economy one would choose to nurture a state of great feelings, high expectations, confidence, and love. There is no need for additional energy, just simply redirecting and choosing a productive use of our willful energy.
Just as the emotional tension states create a limited life in shackles; the opposite creates a state of liberation that gives us a glimpse of the infinite potential within ourselves.

The Power of Problems

"...obstacles are very useful to man; if they did not exist they would have to be created intentionally, because it is by overcoming obstacles, that man develops those qualities he needs."
- G.I. Gurdjieff, from In Search of the Miraculous.

The word obstacles can be also replaced with what we call "problems," and "resistance," or even the word "failure"
Its interesting to note that it is by overcoming problems that we grow, become more peaceful, powerful, fulfilled. It gives us a certainty in our abilities. We are made to function as problem solvers...its inherent in every aspect of our beings. If you look at people who are "successful" most of them have "intentionally" created problems, in a simple equation #of problems/unit of time = success. The only thing you need to add is keeping your mind on what outcome your shooting for. Arnold Schwarzenegger was a champion bodybuilder in large part because he "created" more "problems." As a matter of fact he would spend about 2 1/2 hrs a day creating enormous obstacles for himself...its called weight lifting. Now, because he created more problems(weights) and overcame them (lifting the weight)...he created "success."
Michael Jordan, believe it or not, holds only 1 NBA record...the most missed shots...again a perfect example of this powerful principle at work.
Think of how this principle applies in sales, relationships, subjective experience, and just about everything. In sales it is commonly said that the best salesman/woman gets more "no's" than the unsuccessful sales person. That is, they encounter more obstacles, and are able to adjust there presentations to refine and hone their skill level. The good thing for us is that we can create artificial problems and develop a high skill level in any arena we choose to be successful in.

Truth and Inspiration

Today I have two profound statements from 2 wise individuals...one lived over 2000 years ago, and the other is still alive. Consciously becoming aware of this information creates a life support for success...

How To Know God- Deepak Chopra
" when a person is able to create outcomes in his life while another person merely experiences random events the difference is a choice not taken."

Inspiration

When you are inspired by some great,
purpose, some extraordinary project,
all your thoughts break their bonds;
Your mind transcends limitations,
your consciousness expands in every direction,
and you find yourself in a new, great
and wonderful world.
Dormant forces, faculties, and talents
become alive, and you discover yourself
to be a greater person by far
than you ever dreamed yourself to be.
- Patanjali 1st-3rd Century B.C.
author of the Yoga Sutras

Business Development +

"Yet it is dangerously tempting to keep on patching yesterday's garment rather than work on designing tomorrow's pattern." - Peter Drucker, Famous Business Consulting Guru.

This statement by Peter Drucker is a devilishly accurate bit of information. In consulting businesses Peter was ahead of his time and maverick in style. Businesses hungry for profits and intent on being the best should wholeheartedly keep this wisdom in mind. If all one does as the leader of an organization is solve current problems, that is, patching the garment; then he/she can be forsaking future profitability. Exploiting opportunities with integrity is what the opposite of being a patchmaker would be. Searching for tomorrow's pattern, and taking action to build it, is what this wise dictum is all about. Now the most amazing part of this statement is the fact that it applies not only to businesses, but also in our relationships, personal development, and spiritual awareness.

Sacred present

Have you ever stopped to think that you're living at the pinnacle of existence? Think about it, the "present" exists in perpetual continuity...so in essence you are the peak of all life in the Universe. I bring this up just to affirm the realization that enjoyment, happiness, and bliss is found in this "present" the future is inert without this gift. Furthermore, as you stop to realize this, make a commitment to allow yourself to enjoy these feelings of bliss...carry them with you...and share them with your social network. The mindset that says enjoy only until the end, or enjoy and move on is primitive...its based on the either/or dichotomy; black & white, this or that. Realize that it can be a multi-layered life you lead, that is, enjoy perpetually, continuously, and to higher levels....while simultaneously keeping action in focus towards your goals, commitments, and on going achievements on your exploration we call life.

Business, Personal, and Spiritual Efficacy/ Success

This post is dedicated to individuals committed to self improvement. The themes will center around general principles that apply to an individuals personal, business, and spiritual well-being. The information era that we are present in has provided most everyone with unprecedented opportunities...Information creates the potential for the realization of increased possibilities in each individuals life. I will act as a guide that filters pertinent information in all arenas of efficacy, and will distill that information into readily usable principles to enhance business, personal, and spiritual improvement. I encourage readers to comment, ask questions, and provide feedback...cheers!