Haanel says it, and he’s right, knowledge DOES NOT apply itself!
Over the last week I had several thoughts rolling around in my mind, so it’s time to get them down in the Blog. Between the Master Key Part 12 reading, the Webinar Replay for Week 11 (yes, I am behind a bit), and a podcast with Mark interviewing John Novella – I had a lot of food for thought!
Cause and Effect
What we think and do is the cause, what conditions we have are the effects. What is the cause for my current situation? (I am talking about my home business for the moment) I know my actions have been lacking, basically NOT sharing my business very much. I have been “busy” but not focused work towards my goals. And what about thoughts? Am I still thinking limiting or negative thoughts about my business and my business skills and value? Am I afraid to share? Thoughts like “I haven’t had success, how can I help others be successful?” “Who am I to let my light shine?” (We know the Marianne Williamson quote – Who am I NOT to let my light shine?) Think instead how I might be able to help someone.
Which leads me to: What cause to I need to put into place, so I get the effect I want? I must remember the boxes. Thought charged with feeling builds belief, which leads to action, which in turn determines our results. I must think only thoughts of prosperity, hope, love, opportunity (here comes the Mental Diet again). Focus on the gift I can give, not on myself – but on the message. Charge that with feeling!
I also need to take more of the actions that get results. I am comfortable sending texts, messages, emails. I need to get comfortable talking to live people! Sharing with my voice! I can do that!
Focus
In the Master Key Lesson 12, Haanel, talks about focus:
Centre your mental focus upon a specific thought and hold it there, to the exclusion of other thoughts, like a camera focusing on it’s subject. Unless you can concentrate on the object … you will have but a hazy, indifferent, vague, indistinct and blurred image of your ideal, and the results will be in accordance with your mental picture. Charles Haanel, forward to Part 12
Your ideal must be sharp, clear-cut, definite. To change ideals day to day is to scatter your focus and your forces, and accomplish nothing. Unfortunately this is the result many are securing and the cause is self-evident. If a sculptor started with a piece of marble and a chisel, and changed his ideal every 15 minutes, what result could he expect? Why should you expect any different result in molding your life? Charles Haanel 12:6-7
Wow, there’s that cause and effect thing again, right? This passage reminds me of the story of Michelangelo, who sculpted the David. I heard that he saw the marble, which others said was flawed, yet he saw within the perfect figure of David. And he cut away everything that wasn’t David. He could not have created this masterpiece if his focus was not fixed upon his ideal!
So how about I try this: Set a specific, clear goal that I keep top-of-mind at ALL times that will CAUSE the ideal I want. Again – specific and clear. Yes, I know this is basically a DMP, but perhaps mine is not clear enough, or just not charged with enough feeling to keep me focused on it.
When I keep focused on my goal, I will take action continuously, I will be alert to opportunities. This clear ideal and goal will cause people to be attracted to me, to come into my life, people who will be my next leaders, or will lead me to those leaders.
Persistence
The mechanism is perfect. It is the operator who is inexperienced and uninformed. I must keep learning and practicing. I must stay open to inspiration and information.
This leads to persistence. Not just taking action when I feel like it, not just focusing on that ideal when it is convenient – but being fully engaged on a mental and emotional (feelings) level with that ideal, making it crystal clear. Focus also on the gift I am offering to others. It’s not just about me (that would be selfish), but about the ways I can help others. Assume that they want to improve as well, assume that they (at least some) will gratefully accept my gifts and be thrilled that someone (me) cares about them, and wants to help them improve their situation – for their good above my own!
I know that if I help enough people get what they want, I will get everything that I want (Zig Ziglar). So I can take it off me and help them, in the way they want to be helped!
And by offering this gift to others, I am giving my Future Self a gift as well – character, abundance, prosperity, LOVE!
It had never occurred to me to draw as part of journaling, but here is my first attempt:
