“I look at what I do to see what I believe”. If we have to see what we are doing to know what we believe, we have an opportunity to take more control over our lives. If we want to make 2018 great, we will need to be more directive in our actions.
I heard that quote in Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale interesting speech “Ten Tips For Success“. I learned about Mr. McIngvale from my reading and active learning with “12 Days to Deming“. Jim “Mack” McIngvale was one of Deming’s students who successfully used the Deming management methods and philosophy in his business.
For me that saying was a great reminder and it provided great insight. As Tony Robbins explains, we are unhappy when the blueprint we have of our life, what we thought our life would be, does not meet our reality. In other words, this happens when our daily actions, or the data we collect about our daily actions, does not paint or give us a picture of our life that we like. For instance, to make sure my data paints me a picture I like, since I say I care about the environment, I bike when I can or when I drive I use a Prius to support those values. I also say I care about animals and the environment and therefore follow a mostly vegan diet to support those beliefs and values.
I have my students do a personal philosophy paper which is an introspection of their life. I also do it regularly through reflection and self-monitoring . I do this to know if my actions match my values. I do this because I don’t want to have to look at what we do to see what I believe. Even so, sometimes I get off course and my actions don’t match my values. When this happens, I adjust my actions and feel better for it.
When our actions do not match our beliefs or values or our blue print as Tony Robbins talked about, this is what psychologists call cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort (psychological distress) experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas or values. This happens when a persons day to day actions do not represent their beliefs, values, and or desires. It is not about a one time lapse as much as a regular contradictory practice. In other words, when our blueprint of our life does not match what happens in our life, we may become depressed, sad, confused….
Most of this happens beyond our consciousness as life pushes us here and there. Unfortunately, when this happens we unknowingly lose faith in ourselves because what we do does not represent what we believe. However, rather than seeing this as a problem, see it as a guide. When we get uncomfortable feelings, stop and reflect. Thomas Friedman discusses this idea in his recent book, “Thank You for Being Late”, I discuss at New Responsibilities are Opportunities..
For me this means I first decide what is important, determine what I want to be and then become that person. I do not have to be a product of my circumstances, I can chose to become something that I hope radiates inspiration and pride. Our actions are important. As we know, our actions speak so loudly, they often drawn out our words. As has been said,
The understanding that our beliefs should match our actions is something I see as important and I have posted about it often. See at Choose Well: Economics is our Values, Not Math; Our Economic Choices Demonstrate our Values; Unintentional Consent: Are you giving it?; Action Taken that Created a Better Future in Costa Rica;Its All Meaningless! Here is How to Create Meaning!;Serendipity? Don’t “Have” a Nice Day – Make it So!; and many more.
Make 2018 Great
To have the life desired in 2018, I hope you will do like me. I have decided to proactively determine what I want to be and then determine how those values will be represented by my actions each day. If I do this well, I will not need to tell people what I believe, I will show them with my actions.
In my view we are more alike than we are different. We all want clean air, water and land. We all wan to be healthy and happy and we all want a better future. Lets make this more likely by our actions in 2018. I look forward to learning about how you will show our shared values and beliefs.
As I attempt to do, lets work together to create all good. Lets Practice Paneugenesis so we can cause all good by generating comprehensive improvements with pervasive, reciprocal, selfish, selfless, synergistic interactions so everyone and everything benefits.
Be Well’r,
Craig Becker
Be selfish, selfless, & synergistic so everyone and everything benefits!
Contact me at:
Email: BeWellr@gmail.com
Positive Health Leadership 
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