I thought I’d share with you some things I remind myself of consistently. I’d love to hear your reactions to this…
The Alchemist Entrepreneur’s(TM) Credo:
1. Today, people and circumstances will conspire to make us feel weak, overwhelmed and as if we don’t have a choice but to react and respond. We are in constant danger of being drawn into feeling overwhelmed and out of control. If I relent, I and only I, lose.
Instead, I will lead. I will lead by focusing on only three things:
(1) My ultimate destination.
(2) The very next baby step I can take right now to bring me that much closer.
(3) How I want ‘to be.’ I will keep in mind a clear image of the person I want to be. The way I want to be. And I will be that way right now. Paradoxically, it is my ‘being’ this way that makes my journey my destination.
These three comprise “My Total Focus.” Anything else is a distraction. These are the only things in this world over which I have control.
2. My ultimate destination is first and foremost about me making my maximum contribution to others, with commensurate compensation for myself second.
When the orders are reversed, when I worry about myself more than I worry about contributing to others, my situation deteriorates.
3. All achievement begins with accurately seeing the current Reality. It can be no other way. People and circumstances will want me to see reality as they think I should be seeing it. When I relent, I experience worry, fear and stress and I don’t progress.
4. There are very few things I can control, and very many I can’t. This is the Reality. Wisdom dictates that I worry only about the things I can control.
The only things I can control are stated above. We call them “My Total Focus.” Start each day with a review of the three items in “My Total Focus.”
5. The first antidote for worry and fear is to make it palpable.
99% of what I worry about is an amorphous mental mess. It is a kaleidoscope of fears that rain and rise and roll together, neither coming nor going but staying before me and keeping me stuck.
When you sit down and actually write out, “So what is it that I’m afraid of?” you can suddenly see your fears clearly. And when you see your fears clearly, you know that they are usually nothing to fear. You can then take steps to prevent them. And prepare contingencies just in case.
You will also realize that most of your fears are about mere blows to your ego. You are worried about letting people down. About what others will think of you. About disappointing those you love. None of this is fatal. And when you realize this, you also realize that this is all a cosmic scheme to remind me of all we’ve said above.
The second antidote for worry and fear is to feel gratitude for what I already have. When I slow down and picture myself being the way I want to be I see that I want to be someone who is grateful. Appreciative for the smallest blessings. When I honestly feel this way, fear and worry dissipates. And I am free to take the next babystep.
And when I take that next baby step, I am powerful.
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Well, this Credo is a work in progress, but I wanted to share it with you.
And if you’re so moved, please share your comments with me.
Dov Gordon
