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Why Not Be a Little (or a Lot :) Unreasonable?!?
By: Brian Johnson, Chief Philosopher of PhilosophersNotes.com
"Everything you want should be yours: the type of work you want; the relationships you need; the social, mental, and aesthetic stimulation that will make you happy and fulfilled; the money you require for the lifestyle that is appropriate to you; and any requirement that you may (or may not) have for achievement or service to others. If you don't aim for it all, you'll never get it all. To aim for it requires that you know what you want." ~ Richard Koch from The 80/20 Principle
That's genius.
It comes from Chapter 11 of Richard Koch's brilliant book, The 80/20 Principle entitled: "You Can Always Get What You Want" (which may just win the award for best chapter title ever. :)
So, Rule #1 to creating our ideal lives is simple: We need to know what we want. (It also helps to be unreasonable. :)
We'll start with some simple questions:
- What's your ideal?
- What do you absolutely LOVE to do?
- What comes to you effortlessly?
- With whom would you love to spend your time?
- What would you be doing throughout the day?
- How much would you make?
- Where would you live?
- Would you like be able to create your new business (that pays you to read/write/teach/become a better human being) from an outdoor office on a tropical island in the South Pacific while enjoying daily massages and sunrise yoga with a few meditation breaks whenever you wanna re-charge?!? (OMG. Pinch me... I'm doing that now! :)
Good. It's yours.
First step: Grab your journal or a sheet of paper and write down what flows through you.
Now!
(Seriously. We need to quit putting stuff like this off, because we rarely get around to it "later"!!)
To aiming for it all.
And getting it. :)
-bri
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@ninedosus - tell me about it! I've definitely mastered that skill as well. :) time for us to learn a new way of being, eh?!? :)
@duvessa - awesome!
I think this review is great especially for me because I have always done what others wanted of me. This will definitely help me to realize it is alright for me to want what I want and not settle.
:)
Brilliant. Honestly, I am so guilty of just clamming up and sucking it up without saying or asking for what I need. This is definitely motivation for changing that.
@knits - Thanks and YES! my whole philosophy is: Here are some cool ideas. now, what's YOUR philosophy?!? And, *by far the most important*: are you LIVING it?!? :)
@triplecrown - amen.
@heathcole - your comment made me think of the Big Idea I end the PhilosophersNote on. I think you'll like it :)
“Exceptional thinkers ignore their critics and go about their business making history.” ~ John Eliot
:: Incredible Dreams & Being Unrealistic ::
“You will not do incredible things without an incredible dream.”
You should get the book (if you haven’t already decided to get 10 of them!!) for the chapter on “Embracing the Last Taboo--Being as “Unrealistic” as You Can.” It’s one big inspiring quote.
The essence is very simple. If we want to live a life of greatness, if we want to honor that deep drive within each of us to fully express ourselves in this precious hero’s journey of ours, we MUST step outside of what’s “reasonable” and dare to dream. BIG. And, then have the courage to protect that dream from those around us who tell us to be “realistic.”
(As Eliot says, “as soon as anyone starts telling you to be “realistic,” cross that person off your invitation list.” :)
So, what are your dreams?
As Eliot asks, “If you could do anything at all, what would it be?”
In pursuit of our incredible dreams,
-bri
also: more Big Ideas from the book here: http://philosophersnotes.com/ideas/search/John+Eliot%2C+Ph.D.
I love your blogs. There's always such great information, and instead of just giving everything to you, you have to think for yourself! I can't wait to read more :)
The key is in knowing what you want to change and knowing yourself. I do not actually believe you can always get what you want - but you can always be content with what you have. This encouragement to take a good look at your goals in life is great because many just walk around feeling dissatisfied, but not taking any steps towards making things better.
If only my friends were in agreement when I TRY to do this. I get called selfish and passive agressive when I ask for what I want. It may be in my delivery; I do not know. But I do know what I want and expect, and I am not currently getting it. BUT I am working on getting it!
euroni & leyameera - you both just gave me huge smiles! :)
let's rock!
to the greatest year of our lives,
-bri
You know what? I really like the fact that you are encouraging us to write the list now. If it wasn't for that, I would think it's a great blog but not have done the list. But because you said do it now, I am actually going to do it now as soon as I write this. Thanks for a great suggestion. It's been awhile since i stopped and thought about what I really wanted.
That's a neat thought! I've always wanted to write down what I want, but could never get myself to do it. I'm going to give it a try right now, like blizzard, and see what I want in my life. Thanks!
heheh. awesome, bb! :)
I've got my paper on my desk and a pen in my hand... Later is NOW!!! Thanks for the encouragement
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