Self-Improvement

“Life is suffering”, as the Buddha said.

Waking up on a cold, dark winter morning and slogging your way to work, you might sympathise.

So, why persevere in the face of such hardship? Even when it can all seem a bit well…pointless…

Good question.

Do you want to improve your leadership skills?

To influence and persuade your peer group?

Perhaps you want to claw your way up the oily professional totem pole of career or simply become a slick social operator.

If so, becoming an effective leader is imperative.

But how do you master this dark art?

Have you ever persisted with something that wasn’t in your best interests?

Either a job you disliked, a destructive habit or unfulfilling relationship?

It’s not that we don’t know what to do, rather we just can’t bring ourselves to do it.

Why is that? I mean, if we can diagnose the problem, it should be an easy fix.

Do you observe your fellow commuters with morbid curiosity…

As you look around the train, do you see human cadavers swaying back and forth, illuminated by their blue, backlit screens?

If so, you too have witnessed the subtle shift in societal behaviour; one that’s revolutionising the way we live.

Life’s a funny little business.

Here we are, unchoosing in our existence and expected to simply figure it out as we go.

But many of us year for more meaning.

So, let’s try life purpose on for size.

Thinking about the power of thought?

There’s a mental conundrum if ever there was one.

I often find myself contemplating my ability to bend spoons and assorted objects.

Aside from becoming a psychic strongman, to a large extent, we are what we think, our mental gymnastics contributing significantly to our quality of life and wellbeing.

We all want a solid life plan.

One that delivers an orgasmic existence.

So we can look back on our little stint and think, yarp, t’was worth it.

Whereas many suggestions out there are pretty vague and don’t translate to real-world results, this is my self-administered attempt at getting analytical.

Taking responsibility for your existence is tough.

“Oh no, I can’t do that because…”

Finish that sentence with any number of excuses that we hear from others and tell ourselves every day.

Do you do hard things even when you don’t want to?

Or do you give in to feelings, flights of fancy and momentary urges?

Even when we have a life plan in place for achieving our goals, on any given day, the struggle is real.

Do you sometimes wake up, look at your schedule and wonder, what’s the point?

During demanding or unpleasant tasks, do the mental monsters creep from the shadows?

If so, you’re not alone…