This week, a friend of mine went skydiving for the first
time. He did it to celebrate his 50th birthday and it
reminded me that a few years ago, George Bush, the elder
(President 41, as he’s called), jumped out of an airplane
to celebrate his 85th birthday. I thought that was
remarkable and appreciated his comment that he did it to
remind all of us to keep doing new and interesting things.
I like that, and it made me wonder what new things I might
try in the next five years. How about you?
What will you achieve, learn, start (or stop) in the next
five years?
There’s an old quote that, "five years from now you’ll be
exactly who you are, and where you are today, except for
the people you meet and the books you read." I always like
to add that there are also many other ways to grow, but the
point is well taken. Getting older is automatic; growth is
a choice.
Many years ago, William Glasser wrote a wonderful little
book called, "Positive Addiction." Glasser wrote many books
and my impression is that this one sold fewer copies than
his others, and that’s a shame. Positive addictions are
wonderful things!
Glasser talked about being addicted to exercise and
fitness, or to the joys of relationships and creativity. I
want to propose that personal development fits in that
category. It’s a good thing and like most addictions, it
begins with a few clumsy or uncomfortable experiences, and
gradually becomes a core part of who we are.
Why not choose to be addicted to positive things?
I know people who are positively addicted to saving and
investment. They get a thrill from adding to their savings
account every paycheck. They watch their investment
balances go up and up. To relax on Saturdays, they look at
investment properties or read annual reports, looking for
the next opportunity.
Now, obviously, any positive addiction can go over-the-top
and become a destructive obsession. Many years ago I loved
running to the point that I gave myself a stress fracture--
broke my leg--from running in spite of pain! That’s not
good!
But here are some positive addictions I encourage you to
consider:
1. Reading. Books open the world to us. Through books we
get to know the most famous, creative, powerful and
interesting people who ever lived. We can travel to other
galaxies, expose ourselves to the past, and the future. We
can experience other cultures and learn skills. We can "try
on" ideas--and lives--we will never experience any other
way. Read!
2. Exercise. I’m talking about fitness and health and
movement and fun, not Olympic championships. For most of
us, exercise is about play and being alive. It’s about
tennis or golf with friends, or basketball with our kids.
It’s about climbing a mountain, hiking on a beach, or a
bike ride on Saturday morning. Exercise may add years to
our lives; it definitely adds life to our years.
3. Ponder. Long ago a philosopher said, "the unobserved
life is not worth living." I'm not sure I would go that
far, but taking time to observe, to wonder, to contemplate
and take notes definitely makes things better. Keep a
journal. Pray or meditate. Enjoy moments of solitude, or
respectfully debate the important things of life with a
trusted companion. A great life doesn't happen by accident.
It's the result of careful, thoughtful choices.
4. Save money. Brian Tracy once said that "if you cannot
save money, greatness is not in you." Again, that might be
a bit extreme, but money is a representation of our lives.
It’s the result of the work and skill and contribution we
make in the world. Saving creates opportunities and opens
doors. It's insurance against misfortune and a source of
self-respect. An addiction to saving definitely beats an
addiction to spending!
5. Be curious. One of the most important traits of high
achievers is that they are eager for new ideas and new
skills. They are always "beginners" in at least one
important area of life--willing to be clumsy while they
learn new things. I'll go so far as to say if you aren't
willing to be a beginner, you are refusing to grow and
that's a terrible thing. Try stuff!
You don’t have to jump out of airplanes to prove your
positive addiction to growth. It's just one way to do it!
Practice your addiction to exploring life. Whatever calls
you, explore it! Whatever challenges or excites you, pursue
it and see where it leads. Jim Rohn observed that the
importance of goals is not what we get from achieving them,
but what we become by pursuing them. Choose your addictions
wisely, then invest in them and see where they take you.
time. He did it to celebrate his 50th birthday and it
reminded me that a few years ago, George Bush, the elder
(President 41, as he’s called), jumped out of an airplane
to celebrate his 85th birthday. I thought that was
remarkable and appreciated his comment that he did it to
remind all of us to keep doing new and interesting things.
I like that, and it made me wonder what new things I might
try in the next five years. How about you?
What will you achieve, learn, start (or stop) in the next
five years?
There’s an old quote that, "five years from now you’ll be
exactly who you are, and where you are today, except for
the people you meet and the books you read." I always like
to add that there are also many other ways to grow, but the
point is well taken. Getting older is automatic; growth is
a choice.
Many years ago, William Glasser wrote a wonderful little
book called, "Positive Addiction." Glasser wrote many books
and my impression is that this one sold fewer copies than
his others, and that’s a shame. Positive addictions are
wonderful things!
Glasser talked about being addicted to exercise and
fitness, or to the joys of relationships and creativity. I
want to propose that personal development fits in that
category. It’s a good thing and like most addictions, it
begins with a few clumsy or uncomfortable experiences, and
gradually becomes a core part of who we are.
Why not choose to be addicted to positive things?
I know people who are positively addicted to saving and
investment. They get a thrill from adding to their savings
account every paycheck. They watch their investment
balances go up and up. To relax on Saturdays, they look at
investment properties or read annual reports, looking for
the next opportunity.
Now, obviously, any positive addiction can go over-the-top
and become a destructive obsession. Many years ago I loved
running to the point that I gave myself a stress fracture--
broke my leg--from running in spite of pain! That’s not
good!
But here are some positive addictions I encourage you to
consider:
1. Reading. Books open the world to us. Through books we
get to know the most famous, creative, powerful and
interesting people who ever lived. We can travel to other
galaxies, expose ourselves to the past, and the future. We
can experience other cultures and learn skills. We can "try
on" ideas--and lives--we will never experience any other
way. Read!
2. Exercise. I’m talking about fitness and health and
movement and fun, not Olympic championships. For most of
us, exercise is about play and being alive. It’s about
tennis or golf with friends, or basketball with our kids.
It’s about climbing a mountain, hiking on a beach, or a
bike ride on Saturday morning. Exercise may add years to
our lives; it definitely adds life to our years.
3. Ponder. Long ago a philosopher said, "the unobserved
life is not worth living." I'm not sure I would go that
far, but taking time to observe, to wonder, to contemplate
and take notes definitely makes things better. Keep a
journal. Pray or meditate. Enjoy moments of solitude, or
respectfully debate the important things of life with a
trusted companion. A great life doesn't happen by accident.
It's the result of careful, thoughtful choices.
4. Save money. Brian Tracy once said that "if you cannot
save money, greatness is not in you." Again, that might be
a bit extreme, but money is a representation of our lives.
It’s the result of the work and skill and contribution we
make in the world. Saving creates opportunities and opens
doors. It's insurance against misfortune and a source of
self-respect. An addiction to saving definitely beats an
addiction to spending!
5. Be curious. One of the most important traits of high
achievers is that they are eager for new ideas and new
skills. They are always "beginners" in at least one
important area of life--willing to be clumsy while they
learn new things. I'll go so far as to say if you aren't
willing to be a beginner, you are refusing to grow and
that's a terrible thing. Try stuff!
You don’t have to jump out of airplanes to prove your
positive addiction to growth. It's just one way to do it!
Practice your addiction to exploring life. Whatever calls
you, explore it! Whatever challenges or excites you, pursue
it and see where it leads. Jim Rohn observed that the
importance of goals is not what we get from achieving them,
but what we become by pursuing them. Choose your addictions
wisely, then invest in them and see where they take you.
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