Thanks to new technology that allows researchers to measure the brain’s responses to learning stimuli, the science of learning is advancing faster every day. We now know more about how the brain learns that at any time in human history. Despite all this new technology and research, there is one stubborn fact that troubles the teaching community, people will only learn to the level to which they are motivated to learn. In other words, it is a personal decision as to whether you are willing to learn something new.
Some researchers contend the issue is based on a personal choice and consequently, they can group people into two groups, those who won’t learn anything new and those who welcome the chance. Since you have read this far, I’m going to assume you are a member of the second group, you are someone who wants to learn more.
How would you respond to the following questions?
Yes or no; I know of something specific I can do in the next thirty days that can make my personal life, family life and professional life worse. I bet you were thinking I was going to say better. It’s a valid question when asked both ways.
Yes or no; I know of something specific I can do in the next thirty days that can make my personal life, family life and professional life better.
Yes or no; I believe that choices have consequences.
Yes or no; I believe the choice is mine to make.
If you are like most people, you probably answered yes to all four questions. You may not realize what you have agreed to, so let me walk you through our new agreement, step by step.
What you’ve agreed to is this; no matter what your personal situation is today, there is something specific you can do in the next thirty days that could make your personal life, family life and professional life better or worse.
You also agreed with me that choices do have consequences.
And finally, you agreed with me that the choice is yours!
The choice is yours! Isn’t this great! You’re empowered! You can do something specific in the next thirty days that can make a positive difference in all aspects of your life, if you will only take the steps to put your decision into action.
Here are Four Keys to Self-Improvement to help you get started.
Key #1 – Write Down You Goal
Far too many people are resistant to self-improvement and goal setting because they feel they are just too busy. Don’t confuse activity with achievement. You can be busy all day long and get nothing done. Goals need to be specific, measurable and written down!
Key #2 – Overcome the Fear of Failure
Even though you have already identified something specific that you can do in the next thirty days that will make your personal life, family life and professional life better, you may be unable to proceed out of fear that whatever it is you could do, it might not work out. There is a risk of failure that holds you back. You may feel like the safe move is to stay just as you are. But before you decide you are content to stay just as you are, remember our agreement. You agreed that choices have consequence. That means making no decision, which is really a choice, has consequence too. Will Rogers was born in Oklahoma. He was cowboy who became an actor, humorist, newspaper columnist, and social commentator. Among his many famous quotes is this one; “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
Key #3 – Share Your Decision with Someone Special
Don’t undertake this new decision to improve your personal life, family life and professional life in secret. That’s cheating! Nobody will know about your plans so you’re not accountable to anyone other than yourself and that makes it too easy to put off doing what you should be doing today. Putting off what you should be doing is another decision and we agreed that decisions have consequences. Besides, getting someone else in on your plans could have unexpected benefits. Perhaps your confidant can serve as a coach or a mentor. Maybe they have some experience you could benefit from.
Key #4 – Don’t Give Up!
Giving up is a decision. Decisions have consequences. You agreed; the decision is yours. Don’t decide to give up. Decide to try again, try something new.
Thomas Edison “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to success is always to try, just one more time.”
Let me finish with what I think is an original quote of my own, “You’re only one decision away from becoming the person you deserve to be.”
Let me know if I can help.
