When we're about to start a project, we sit down and we plan.
We plan about the resources we have, the time needed for implementation, and yada, yada. What we don't plan for is someone to watch over us.
So who is this someone who watches over us?
Is it someone who's technically qualified? Is it someone who's emotionally sound? Is it someone who we trust? It doesn't have to be any of the above. It just needs to be someone. Preferably an outsider. Someone you don't know so well.
So let me explain
I have no problem getting stuff done. In early May I got off a plane into a chilly autumnal New Zealand. And in four weeks, I was able to complete writing a book (The Brain Audit Ver 3.2), do the voice recording of the entire audio book, editing, tagging, blah, blah while writing articles and doing squillions of other things. What I wasn't able to do is go for a walk. What I neglected to do is get back to exercising.
And the cold is a good excuse…
Because it's not like I don't plan. I plan to go walking. I plan exercise. And then I don't get going at all. That's when I found someone. I went to the ‘Taking Action' forum in 5000bc and posted my plan. And immediately I found someone. Someone that would gently encourage me.
Someone that would gently nudge me.
But don't find a close friend or relative
That won't work at all. The more you know the person, the more likely you are to snap back when you're underachieving. You know what I mean, don't you? We snap back at our friends, our spouses, our brothers and sisters. But we patiently listen to the outsider. Having a friend or relative is counter-productive as you don't have to live up to their expectations as much. But an outsider,ah that outsider: somehow we feel we can't let them down.
We feel responsible to keep our word. And so we start getting things done. Just so we can keep that outsider happy.
That outsider someone you need to find today.
This could be your neighbour. It could be your hairdresser. Just find someone who's an outsider. Who'll pop up enough to get you going. And keep you going.
For me it's easy. I just head to 5000bc. And there's always someone there for me. Someone I don't know so well, but someone who watches over me and keeps me going.
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