Don't Think About Elephants!
16. November 2006
See how it works?
If I write don’t think about elephants what happens? You think about elephants even if only briefly.
If I write think about elephants the same thing happens.
Don’t think about lack…
Don’t think about plenty…
Don’t think sad thoughts…
Don’t think happy thoughts…
It all the same, how ever you word it. Energy follows consciousness, what you focus on determines your reality. Think about what you want.
If you occupy your mind with thoughts of what you do not want or are afraid of then you are very likely to draw that experience into your life to some degree. When I started my yacht painting business I was very worried that I wouldn’t get paid – I had some very negative beliefs about the nature of business and the luxury yachting business in particular. Sure enough three of the first shipyards my company was contracted to went bankrupt leaving me on the brink of bankruptcy myself. I learnt the hard way to focus upon my positive desires more than my fears and thankfully no shipyards have bankrupted themselves since, although it has seemed touch and go at times.
You can read a zillion books, attend endless lectures, spend hours in therapy but ultimately its all very basic – dream of the life you want and begin living it step by baby step…
Don’t think about happiness…
Share your wisdom?
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Hi Chris:
My name is Maggie writing from China. The articles written on your web fascinate me. Because you are doing absolutely opposite things from your present business Painting & Fairing.
My questions, if I may, are that how can you spare your time to write while so busy at managing your business?
What drives you to constantly exploring yourself and how did you cope and conquer the tremendous pressure and problems when you started your business?
Thank you again for your inspiring words.
Hi Maggie,
Good question.
It was the stresses and strife that I experienced running my yacht painting business that set me questioning more deeply how and what I was creating. Things always seemed to work out somehow and I came to notice that the less I tried to manipulate or attempt to engineer outcomes that suited my limited ego based fears then the more frequently positive, serendipitous events came to pass.
These days my yacht business largely manages itself with relatively little input from me. Life, The Universe, God, whatever term fits, has conspired to allow me time to focus upon what inspires me rather than so much upon what “has” to be done. I am very grateful for this and this web-site is one way in which I intend to spread a positive message of hope to others who may feel limited or stuck meeting their perceived obligations.
As for the pressure and problems when I started my business. I enjoyed them at that point in time. Running a business is an endless source of challenge, I enjoy challenge, that is one of the reasons why I also love windsurfing in waves.
I feel that what is most revealing is how you respond to life and business challenges. This fascinates me, I continually wonder at my reactions and those of others, that keeps me exploring me and each new insight into my behaviour allows a me a greater felt sense of freedom and liberation.
Its a bit like switching a camera from “full auto” to “manual” mode, initially its confusing but ultimately its far more free and creative.
Executive stress etc. occurs when you continually fear for the possible perceived negative outcomes of business challenges to a degree more than you are able to float yourself upon a vision of positive outcomes. Business may be viewed as either yet one more hassle or problem after another or an endless collection of opportunities and solutions after another. We can choose how to react or respond, with fear or with hope. It just takes practice and a willingness to be deeply honest with ourselves. The more conscious we can become in choosing our reactions or responses then the less these problems affect us (and those around us particularly) negatively. The problems don’t end we simply relate to them differently and then they are no longer a problem.
I’m very happy you feel inspired.
Thank you for your positive message, I have taken on board a great deal of wisdom from your website and have found it very helpful. I have found myself in the same situation as you were once in with the constant strains and pressure of running a yacht finishing company and have been inspired now to let the chips fall where they may and have concrete ideas of where i am going and not letting my mind falter in any disillusionment. Thanks again Toby
Your welcome Toby. Thank you.