I saw a biography of George Bush, the Elder (President 41,
as he's often called) this week. I was reminded that he
jumped out of an airplane to celebrate his 85th birthday.
And then, five years later, he did it again to celebrate
his 90th birthday! I thought that was remarkable and
appreciated that he did it to remind all of us to stay
active and keep doing new and interesting things. I took it
as a personal challenge to wonder what I might try in the
next five years. How about you?
What will you achieve, learn, start (or stop) in the next
five years? How many perfectly good airplanes will you jump
out of?
There's an old quote that, "five years from now you'll be
exactly who you are, and where you are, except for the
people you meet and the books you read." I always like to
add that there are more ways to grow and change, 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 has written many
books and my impression is that this one sold fewer copies
than his others, and that's a shame. There are many
wonderful "positive addictions."
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 through pain! That was 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 or a bike ride on a 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 the careful, thoughtful choices we make.
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 or make
mistakes while they learn new things. I'll go so far as to
say if you aren't willing to be a clumsy beginner, you are
refusing to grow and that's a terrible thing. Try stuff!
You don't have to jump out of airplanes to develop a
positive addiction to personal growth! Practice your
addiction to exploring your life and becoming all that you
can be. Whatever calls you, explore it! Jim Rohn observed
that the vital importance of goals is not what we get from
achieving them, but what we become in the process. Choose
your addictions wisely, then invest in them and see where
they take you.
as he's often called) this week. I was reminded that he
jumped out of an airplane to celebrate his 85th birthday.
And then, five years later, he did it again to celebrate
his 90th birthday! I thought that was remarkable and
appreciated that he did it to remind all of us to stay
active and keep doing new and interesting things. I took it
as a personal challenge to wonder what I might try in the
next five years. How about you?
What will you achieve, learn, start (or stop) in the next
five years? How many perfectly good airplanes will you jump
out of?
There's an old quote that, "five years from now you'll be
exactly who you are, and where you are, except for the
people you meet and the books you read." I always like to
add that there are more ways to grow and change, 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 has written many
books and my impression is that this one sold fewer copies
than his others, and that's a shame. There are many
wonderful "positive addictions."
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 through pain! That was 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 or a bike ride on a 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 the careful, thoughtful choices we make.
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 or make
mistakes while they learn new things. I'll go so far as to
say if you aren't willing to be a clumsy beginner, you are
refusing to grow and that's a terrible thing. Try stuff!
You don't have to jump out of airplanes to develop a
positive addiction to personal growth! Practice your
addiction to exploring your life and becoming all that you
can be. Whatever calls you, explore it! Jim Rohn observed
that the vital importance of goals is not what we get from
achieving them, but what we become in the process. Choose
your addictions wisely, then invest in them and see where
they take you.
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