How good are you at focusing your attention? It is an extremely valuable
skill, and I would like to talk about it today.
As I talked about yesterday, if we are to grow and reach our full potential,
it is absolutely necessary to take risks. By its very nature, risk implies
the possibility of loss. But at the same time, there is also the possibility
of benefit or gain. Whether a risk feels frightening or exhilarating
depends, almost entirely, on whether you are paying attention to the loss or
the gain.
If you focus on the loss, you will be tense, fearful and uptight, and your
performance will inevitably suffer. Maybe you will back down and decide it's
just not worth it. You will suffer a paralysis of will, and rationalize it
by saying to yourself, "Well, I didn't really want this after all. What I
have is good enough for me."
However, if you focus on the possible benefit and you picture yourself
enjoying success and gain, you will feel excited, even exhilarated. And you
know something? Fear and excitement feel pretty much the same in your body.
It is how you interpret and label them that makes all the difference.
So, the next time there is something you really want, and a risk is attached
(as there usually is), try controlling your mind. While you don't want to
ignore the loss altogether, focus instead on what you have to gain! We call
this deliberate focusing "visualization," and it's a powerful tool that will
help you take the risks you need to take in order to grow.
Lou Tice
nikkilou said
Sep 30, 2005
Peggy,
Thank you. I'm about to so something I'm not to sure of. That is what I needed to read to taday. THANK YOU prefect timing.
NIKKILOI
WakingUp said
Oct 1, 2005
Over the years I had gradually become more pessimistic, and it is hard for me to shake this feeling off. I never used to be like this, but now I look forward to the future and expect dire circumstances. As a recovering Al-Anon, this attitude is gradually starting to change, but it doesn't happen overnight. Thinking in terms of risks and gains, rather than loss, is extremely beneficial. I'm going to save this share. Thank you.
"Risks and Focus"
How good are you at focusing your attention? It is an extremely valuable
skill, and I would like to talk about it today.
As I talked about yesterday, if we are to grow and reach our full potential,
it is absolutely necessary to take risks. By its very nature, risk implies
the possibility of loss. But at the same time, there is also the possibility
of benefit or gain. Whether a risk feels frightening or exhilarating
depends, almost entirely, on whether you are paying attention to the loss or
the gain.
If you focus on the loss, you will be tense, fearful and uptight, and your
performance will inevitably suffer. Maybe you will back down and decide it's
just not worth it. You will suffer a paralysis of will, and rationalize it
by saying to yourself, "Well, I didn't really want this after all. What I
have is good enough for me."
However, if you focus on the possible benefit and you picture yourself
enjoying success and gain, you will feel excited, even exhilarated. And you
know something? Fear and excitement feel pretty much the same in your body.
It is how you interpret and label them that makes all the difference.
So, the next time there is something you really want, and a risk is attached
(as there usually is), try controlling your mind. While you don't want to
ignore the loss altogether, focus instead on what you have to gain! We call
this deliberate focusing "visualization," and it's a powerful tool that will
help you take the risks you need to take in order to grow.
Lou Tice
Peggy,
Thank you. I'm about to so something I'm not to sure of. That is what I needed to read to taday. THANK YOU prefect timing.
NIKKILOI
Over the years I had gradually become more pessimistic, and it is hard for me to shake this feeling off. I never used to be like this, but now I look forward to the future and expect dire circumstances. As a recovering Al-Anon, this attitude is gradually starting to change, but it doesn't happen overnight. Thinking in terms of risks and gains, rather than loss, is extremely beneficial. I'm going to save this share. Thank you.