Comments on: Willpower

By: Caryn

Caryn — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:00:46 +0000

Hi Karen,

Great points. Sometimes it makes sense for me to push through blocks, and sometimes it is best to leave them alone until I have the mental energy to deal with them. You could almost say that if you aren’t “ready”, some part of you has a legitimate reason for NOT accomplishing that particular task right now. I suppose the key, at least for me, is learning the difference between genuinely not being ready and just being scared/lazy/unsure/etc. Not always easy…

Also, thanks for mentioning EFT and Focusing. I have a very basic understanding of EFT but have not really used it. Sometime I’d love to hear more about your experience with it.

Thanks,
Caryn

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:33:36 +0000

I think this is brilliant because there are so many times I wonder WHY I don’t do something that for all intent and purpose I know I really want to do. I’ve learned that there’s ALWAYS something underneath – and it’s usually emotional. You mentioned NLP. I use something called EFT (emotional freedom technique) that works really well in shifting whatever is in the way. I know that Focusing (www.focusing.org) also works well for listening deeply.

Sometimes too, I realize it’s about readiness. Like, I really want to deal with something in my life, but for whatever reason, I’m just not ready. And sometimes that has to do with emotions and sometimes it’s just because the thing you want to do is a big project that will take energy (even saving money and facing your money fears – seems simple – but takes big energy to tackle). And we only have a limited amount of that precious resource.

Anyway, love the quotes too. Thanks for an engaging post.

By: Caryn

Caryn — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:15:37 +0000

Hi Carly,

I like your process – simple yet thorough. I almost went as far as saying that willpower doesn’t even come into the picture… that the key is (as you said) focusing on why you want to accomplish something, figuring out the steps to get there, and then working through your blocks. I’m a great strategist, and I love creating lists of steps, so the first two steps are easy. It is the last step (blocks) that can bite me if I’m not diligent.

Great quote. One thing I would add is the importance of knowing when you are stuck for a good reason. Sounds odd, but sometimes, for me, being “stuck” means I set the wrong goal in the first place.

Thanks again!

By: Carly Goldsmith

Carly Goldsmith — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:44:59 +0000

Hi Caryn,
Thanks so much for the thought provoking post. I often think about willpower – especially this time of year. And what comes up time and time again is that if I relied on willpower alone, I’d never get anywhere. I’m someone that’s found the magic formula for me is (most of the time) a combination of a compelling vision (why am I doing this?) and small, tangible steps I can take everyday. I’ve also learned to slow down and take care of myself along the way – both physically and as you mention above by paying attention to and attending to my blocks. It certainly is a daily struggle, especially as a small business owner but I’m determined each and everyday to commit to and accomplish something.

This reminds me of a quote I love (don’t know who said it)
“A workable measure of your progress is how fast you can get free when you are stuck and how many ways you know to get free.”

Thanks for getting me thinking Caryn. Look forward to your next post.

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