WEEK 64: INCREASE AWARENESS

WT = Waiting Time. DT = Development Time.

PLANNING (task, scheduling, and WT = DT):  I plan to write my Leap Year W34 post into the site Medium on Wednesday at 6 PM in the study. I plan to turn those small WTs into Grateful Time, where I look to see what I can be grateful for in those situations. For example, last week I thought how grateful it was to be a father of two healthy children. Parenthood is not easy by any means, but there have been small moments that have taken my breath away.

EXECUTION (strategies used):  Weekly task completed. Although I use a combination of many strategies throughout the week, there are always some that are used more than others depending on what comes up. For example, I relied heavily on the Be a Pro, Implementation Intentions, and TRUST strategies this week. The highlighted strategies which were used in the week are listed below along with the I CAN'T statements they help overcome.

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Last week I wrote what it entails to take on challenge. It involves having a pretty good idea of where you are going, but not the knowledge of all the steps which will take you there.

An important part of this process came to me as I was reflecting about the week, and I wanted add this to the learning from last week. The unknown, or the idea of not knowing exactly what the end result will be, can produce many uncomfortable feelings. Fear, anxiousness, anger, and awkwardness are but a few.

We are creatures of habit and love the comfort of certainty and love to do things where we know what is going to happen. For example, my wife and I love to go to our favorite restaurant, as we know we will get a certain level of food every time we go. Although it might be exciting to try something else, the possibility of not knowing deters from trying something new.

I have said before the path to your dreams will be hazy and unclear at times, and this is where the challenges arises. Which path do you choose? What actions should you take? Or, what decision should you make?

This lack of clarity produces unwanted emotions and we usually try to avoid them at all costs. However, this is where you have the opportunity to embrace the challenge and the uncomfortable feelings that come with it. This is a key part of the process. You must be able to sit with, learn from, and use these feelings in order to overcome the obstacles on your path to reach your final destination.

Tony Robbins has said

"The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the level of uncertainty you can comfortable deal with."

I have learned embracing challenge requires you to welcome uncertainty and the feelings that come with it. Is it easy, no. Do you want to quit at times, yes! The key is to know you will encounter these feelings along the way to your dreams. Do not try to avoid or change them, but rather interact with them.

Call to Action

When embracing challenge, know you will have to face uncomfortable feelings along the way. Do not try to change them, just recognize them, and use them to your advantage. For example, use the nerves before giving a big presentation to your favor. Nerves are caused from adrenaline, and adrenaline is a source of power to move you forward.

Next, break challenge down into simple actions, then focus on the process of consistently following through on them in order to make progress.

What went well?

Weekly task completed and crystalizing the steps to embrace challenge.

What is something we can improve upon? What actions can we take next week?

Increase awareness. Do not judge or try to control everything, but rather be present to what the current situation is offering. This will allows us to maximize the creativity in every moment.

What is something to avoid next week?

Resisting or controlling situations.