Test your stake!

I came across a great short article in which Vivek Paul, former CEO of a billion dollar tech company shared an interesting story--if you've heard a similar version, it's probably worth hearing again.  Paul described a trip to Bangalore years ago when he came across an elephant tied to a small stake in the ground.  He was curious as to why the elephant didn't just yank the stake out of the ground and be on his/her way.

The animals handler explained that as babies these elephants are tied to a stake and learn through struggling that they cannot break free.  Even as these wonderfully powerful animals grow, they do not test the stake again--thus remaining trapped my an earlier mindset that should by now be irrelevant.  This weak restraint in reality is made powerful and limiting in the elephants mind and belief.

When Paul was told this, he responded, "That's probably relevant to people as well."

Amen!  I cannot speak for you all, but man have I had many 'stakes' that have limited me for no valid reason.  Why do we allow this?  Maybe we are afraid of what may be possible.  Maybe we like the uncomfortable familiarity of where we are?

I worked with two wonderful clients this week that are both looking at some 'stakes' and working to break free.  They are both on the verge of larger success in their careers; they've done the work, they are commited, intelligent and kind.  They just simply need to let it happen.  And they will.

What stakes are in your life.   Slow down, identify them and imagine what it will be like when you pull them out---then pull them out! 

Be well
Danny

Keep Struggling

Recently I had the opportunity to spend an hour and a half with a group of people at The World Bank in Washington, D.C.    I gave a brief talk and then engaged in some discussion, insight and questions with the people.  What a great time with great people.

During one exchange a young woman talked about her quest to practice the principle of jckrbbt we call be still.  This is the discipline we create in our day to slow down and disconnect from the business of our daily lives here on Earth, so we can connect with something bigger. She said that she tries it practice this, and sometimes she is good—and sometimes not so good at it.  She smiled and said, “I’m struggling.”

My response was simple, and it came directly from my heart.  I said to her, “Keep struggling.”  Initially, I think she was surprised and maybe even thought I’d provided an insincere or sarcastic response.  But as we engaged in more conversation about this I reminded her that when she was practicing be still, and even though in her opinion she was not doing it well—she was doing it.  Hear me on this—she was doing it.  Too often I work with people that feel they need to do something or practice one of the jckrbbt principles and be perfect at it.  Well, all I can offer to you (and to me) is that we will likely never be perfect—at anything.

So?  Where in your life are you struggling?  Spiritual? Fitness? Finances?   Relationships?  Self-talk?  Moving on past some negative event in your life? 

What action can you take to continue to move toward the vision you are creating?  Think about it.

Got it?

Good, do that.  And repeat this process over and over and over again, and you know what?  You will create a place where you are no longer struggling. Hang in there!

Be well and God Bless.

Danny