What do you spend your days thinking about?
I spend a lot of time thinking about ways that I can continue growing as a person…to become my best self. In fact, some of my primary goals for starting this blog are to:
- focus on my growth as an individual
- to encourage others to keep growing
- to create a community where we can all share our ideas, insights, and progress so we can learn and grow together.
Change is an essential component of growth.
If we aren’t changing, we really aren’t growing. As Alex reminded me in one of his recent posts, the changes don’t have to be big to make a big difference.
“Thought determines action, actions determine habits, habits determine character, and your character is your destiny.” – Matthew Kelly
If we’re looking to make real changes in our lives, it will involve changing the way we think. We can’t generate change with the same thoughts that got us to where we are now. In order for our future to be different, we have to start thinking and doing things differently.
One way to challenge our thoughts is to ask ourselves compelling questions.
With that in mind, my challenge question to you is…
If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you do?
What will happen if you don’t do it?
Challenge your thoughts…change your life!
Image by Marco Bellucci
Adrienne,
I’m currently stepping outside my boundaries and am doing an all day training. I normally do keynotes or three hrs at the most which is considered a 1/2 day. I know I won’t fail…I just have a fear I won’t be good enough to hold everyone’s attention that long!
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Hi Tess, that’s exciting! Next week, I’ll be facilitating a half day workshop by myself for the first time. I normally always co-facilitate, so I have someone to work off of and keep the energy high…so, I’m having the same fear about keeping everyone’s attention by myself! I guess I’ll just to find the energy in myself.
Did you already do the training? If not, I wish you the best!
Adrienne,
I really love this…and yet – that one little question at the end…it’s so challenging. That little voice in my head is all too focused on what might go wrong…
If I could not fail – I would explore the world…and in that also go more deeply into exploring myself and my connections and one-ness with others. (and as I type this – I can continue to think of why this wouldn’t work…) <– that's the thinking that could use a change…(I'll have to work on that!!)
Really, though – I so much thank you for sharing this – and in that reminding me that I only fail by not doing what speaks from my heart…
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Hi Lance,
Just to get you thinking and to be having this conversation makes me so happy. I think it’s interesting that you say you “would” explore the world and go deeper into yourself…it seems to me that’s exactly what you’re doing! I think it’s good to ask ourselves these simple but powerful questions from time to time, because they really do confront us with our fears.
I love the way you summed this up…”I only fail by not doing what speaks from my heart…” You said it better than I did!
I think I’m going to have to stash that one away in my quote book…
So by inspiring you, you inspired me! Does that mean I inspired myself? Ok…time for bed…I think I’m getting a little loopy.
Hey Adrienne,
Loopy is good!! (well…I sure hope so…because I think I spend a lot of time in that state!!!)
Way to go – inspiring me AND inspiring yourself!! (how cool is that!)
And thank you for this lovely reply. It reminds me that I am venturing down this path of meaning for me…and then – how can I go even further into that place of meaning. (now you are making me think even more deeply…so you really are helping me down this path…and that is very awesome!)
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A great challenge. Thanks, Adrienne. Occupy my mind with love!
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And what a challenge that is! That’s definitely one of those “simple but not easy” challenges in life. A friend and I were just talking about this concept this morning. One of his practices is to keep the radio off on his ride to work and to use that as a time for prayer. He said it completely changes the way he views everyone and everything on the drive.
If we can just keep bringing our thoughts back to love throughout the day, eventually those thoughts will begin to really permeate our minds and create a ripple effect into all other aspects of our lives.
I love the question, “If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you do??
My answer: I would go for it (my dreams) and never look back. My courage is growing everyday to do just that!
Alex
Hi Alex, it looks to me like that’s very much what you’re doing! The cool thing is, as you are chasing your dreams, you are bringing so many others along with you.
I love that question and your clear focus on mission for your space here. I think my answer would be to keep doing what I am doing and do it bigger and better! In regards to change there are many changes that come to us whether we act or not but being in a place to accept change gracefully and move forward with confidence allows us to embrace change instead of merely tolerating it. Thanks for such a cool post.
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Clearly Composed, I think it’s such a beautiful thing that you can honestly say, “keep doing what I’m doing and do it bigger and better!” Unfortunately, I’ve come across so many people that seem to have lost the ability to even dream, let alone work towards achieving their dreams. What you have is a gift.
Hi Adrienne, you are spot on. We have to change our thoughts, which will lead to a change in the actions we take in life.
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Hi Steven, funny you should say that!! And here I thought it was my idea!
Seriously though, I’m really honored that you took the time to stop by and share your thoughts here. The inspiration you share really is changing lives, one thought at a time (including mine)!
If I knew I wouldn’t fail…I would stand up for people the needed a voice. I work in human resources (and accounting) and I continually have to stand up for people that feel helpless in the face of management. That has taught me how to put my own fears aside and stand for what is right, no matter what!
That aside, I really want to stand up for children that are neglected or abused. It is my goal to fight abortion and childhood abuse without fear. Right now I feel deeply passionate toward both causes, but have found too many excuses to avoid action. I continually find myself saying, if I donate money at least others are fighting this cause. What!?! I really need to face my fear on this!
A side fear – I really want to write a book. Not saying this is not in process, but if I was without fear…I would be more motivated and less convinced my idea will amount to nothing.
M, what you’re doing is pretty amazing. I know exactly what you mean with “if I donate money at least others are fighting this cause.” Don’t get me wrong, I still think giving money is a noble and important thing to do, but I also feel called to do so much more than just give money. Like you, I feel like there is always something in the way, holding me back. Whenever I read or hear about people who are actually out there doing amazing things to serve and support others, I am always so impressed and grateful, but in the back of my mind, I used to think I’ll never be one of those people. But all that is starting to change. Like you said, I’m beginning to face my fears on this.
A friend of mine just told me about an opportunity to go build dorms for school girls in Tanzania. If the girls return home after school, it gets less and less likely that they’ll be able to return to school…they may end up having to take care of someone in the family, work around the house, or worse, sell their bodies to make money. If the girls have a dorm they can stay in, they will be able to continue their education and hopefully create a better life for themselves. I’m really hoping I can join her on this trip…and if not this one in particular, I know I need to find a way to actually get out there and make it happen.
I don’t think I knew you were interested in writing! What are planning to write a book about? If there’s anything at all I can do to support you, let me know! I also have plans to get started on a book, hopefully sooner rather than later. Perhaps we can muddle our way through the process together.
Hello Adrienne,
Yes! Challenging our established way of thinking is the ONLY way we can grow, isn’t it?
I am all about everything you’ve written in this post. I have recently pushed back self-doubt once again and am exploring my love for creating music, as well as writing for my blog. Putting something you have created out into the world for all to see, and perhaps judge can be scary. I have found that NOT doing it is even scarier!
Great post and it challenhes me, which is good. Thank you.
Hi Keith, yes I would have to agree with you.
Just tonight I came across a way of looking at growth that really resonates with me: “From a developmental perspective, real growth requires some qualitative shift, not just in knowledge, but in perspective or way of thinking. Growing is when the form of our understanding changes; we often call this “transformation.”" I really think that’s true…we can learn all we want, but unless that learning begins to shift our way of thinking, we’re not really growing.
What kind of music are you into creating? I ask because my husband has his own little recording studio in our house and recently self-released his first album. I’m not musically inclined at all, so I just think that is really cool.
Hi Adrienne,
I love the way you put this “Growing is when the form of our understanding changes..”. That is a quote for the books!
Music. I so intensley love music. I am very eclectic in my musical tastes. I love everything from bluegrass to the heaviest of heavy metal and everything in between. I also have a deep love for “world music”, especially Irish/Scottish/Celtic music and recently I have purchased and am learning the Irish Penny Whistle.
Currently, the music I am creating is…well, I’m not sure where you’d classify it, but it is meditative-like music, and sometimes just fun stuff. You mentioned the recording studio your husband has and I began to drool. LOL I’d love to have some decent recording equipment. I am recording very “raw” at this point and time. Your husband would perhaps cringe at my lack of production. If you’d like, visit my blog and look for the posts entitled Sunday Stillness or Celebration Sunday. I try to put up something original every Sunday.
Blessings…
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Keith, I just had the pleasure of listening to your latest tunes…I think your music is absolutely beautiful! I’m definitely a huge fan of any kind of flute music. In fact, I have some “Tao and Then” from Dean Evenson & Li Xiangtin playing right now, which has some beautiful flute music. Like you, I enjoy a wide range of music…country, rock, pop, and especially “world music” as you called it.
I’ve never heard of the Irish Penny whistle before, so I just looked it up. Found a pretty interesting “tutorial” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfWhAyhA8JE. That is just too cool! It sounds beautiful. I hope you’ll treat us to some of your music once you get the hang of it!
I definitely will be recording some penny whistle as soon as I get a little more experience with it. You may have heard it beofre. Ever see Titanic or Braveheart? Both of those movies use the penny whistle in the main theme song.
Thank you for your kind words about my music. I really do appreciate it so much! Also, thanks for the tutorial link. You gotta love youtube!
Have a great day Adrienne!!
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Juan released an album! I would love a copy.
-M
M,
He sure did…it’s available on i-Tunes and Amazon.com!
For family, we might be able to work out a deal.
!!
Ok
“If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you do?”
The same thing I would be doing now. Risk of failure is no reason not to do the things you love and value. Failures are just signposts telling you how to get there.
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Hi Steven,
Touche! I absolutely love this, “Failures are just signposts telling you how to get there.” It’s true that most of life’s really incredible accomplishments come from risk-taking and not being afraid to fail. That’s especially true on the technology, science, and engineering front. As we’re really finding out in my organization, risk-taking is really one of the keys to innovation. You take away people’s ability to take risks, and you take away their creativity and innovation.
Btw, I absolutely love what you have going on with your blog!! I’m so happy you found me, because I truly have a passion for everything you discuss on your blog, especially neuroscience, psychology, and meditation. Way cool! Wish we could get together for some coffee and talk science.
Song Title: “Stand”
Hear @ URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3MxZcls24o
a song about getting through the rough spots in life
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Adrienne, great post. I think, however, that my biggest challenge is getting out of my EXTREME focus of thinking. For example, if I want to have a cleaner home and improve my environment that way, I can easily become obsessed
So, I think for many, when you’re not getting the results you want, even through focused thinking, you need to take a step back and see the big picture as well.
Thanks for the positive message!
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