http://www.mahoodsculpture.com/hammering-man-sculpture/
Stop – Think About What You’re Thinking About
Most of the articles I’ve read recently seem to focus more on the tools that we use rather than the one who wields them. So let me ask you, how effective is a chisel and hammer in the hands of someone whose only a 1 year apprentice in sculpture? How well does that man or woman’s workmanship compare with the master sculptor? Not well would be my guess. Here’s the point – it doesn’t really matter how many “tools” or how many “techniques” or how many “programs” you’re got hold of if you yourself are not well skilled in using them.
This of course is simple basics. But this philosophy also extends to the ‘why’ to use them, the ‘when’ to use them, and most importantly the ‘ability’ to use the consistently and without failure. This is where ‘think about what you’re thinking about’ comes into play. Have you ever been real excited about something new that came your way? Remember the last time that you made that commitment to purchase the latest program Online that promised success and after reading the sales copy you really believed that it would work for you… this time! I remember such thought. We’ve all had them.
But for some reason it doesn’t always seem to work out that way, does it. Why? Because it’s too easy to get side-tracked. Sometimes we are side-tracked by external things; our family, friends, car problems, sports events and so on. Other times we are side-tracked by internal things; self-doubt, disbelief, failure… and so on. Dealing with the external things is easy – you make a decision to prioritise. Dealing with the internal, while just as easy, is not quite so clear cut. How do we make change to the way we think and feel about ourselves when we’ve been thinking and feeling that way for 20, 30, even 40 or more years? The FIRST STEP is to start thinking about what we’re thinking about; we must become aware of what kind of thoughts are going through our minds at different times of the day.
We must look and see just how (if at all) our thoughts are influenced by external things – for example, when I’m tired (and I don’t mean body tired time for sleep – I mean brain tired middle of day want a nap) I’m not quite so “positive” as I might be earlier in the morning. I’ve learned that my problem solving abilities are way reduced middle of the afternoon. Knowing this I can shift my day timetable to work in with such limitations. As I said, making change to the external is easy. When dealing with the internal though, the SECOND STEP is to question, or “challenge” thoughts that are not productive.
About the Author
Hammering Man in Seoul South Korea