What I Say When I Talk to Myself

Doing things wrong is a temporary byproduct of doing things different. When we want different results, we need to put in different actions. Different actions are naturally foreign to us and must be honed through experience. The byproduct of the hands-on training required for experience is that you will likely mess some things up. That's OK.

Albert Einstein apparently said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. For a scientist, this is obvious. To even test a theory requires changing a variable in the experiment and looking for changes in the result. This is true in our lives as well. If you continue to operate at the same level of performance in your job, can you likely expect a bonus or raise? If you and your spouse are growing apart emotionally, wouldn't it be wise to try turning off the TV, quitting a sports league, and/or setting up a date night to rekindle the flame? If you continue to watch the same kinds of shows and read the same kinds of books, doesn't it follow that you'll get the same kinds of information? And if you find yourself feeling frustrated and hopeless, shouldn't you look for different information?

Sure changes can be scary, they're out of your comfort zone! That's the point. Our distraction-laden modern lives can have the effect of shrinking our comfort zones. We have so many options for pleasure, that we forget about chasing true happiness. Happiness, which only comes from doing what we were built to do, requires constantly pushing our comfort zones and trying new things. This process can look foolhardy at first, especially when we're new.

Imagine if a world-class runner decided to race a world-class wheelchair racer...in a wheelchair. Who would win? The wheelchair racer, of course, because he has experience that the runner (though fit and strong) does not have. Would the runner look like a fool? To the unknowing audience, probably. Could he learn to beat the wheelchair champion with training? Certainly. Would it make him a more well-rounded athlete? Absolutely.

So what about the failures and laughter of the audience? First, failure is a part of learning to be a success. Second, the audience likely does not understand what they are witnessing. Finally, who cares what other people think? Don't be so selfish. Let the ignorant have the pleasure of their laughter, while you chase the happiness of your dreams.

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What to Say When You Talk to Yourself: By learning how to talk to yourself in new ways, you will notice a dramatic improvement in all areas of your life.