Chamber University>Articles of the Month>November

Are You Open To A New Mindset For The 21st Century?
By Paul A Coulter

Are you trapped in a 20th century mindset of normalcy?  Does it seem normal for people to be in jobs they don’t like, to be in emotionally empty relationships, and to be financially strapped?  Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with their song still in them.”  So, how do we find our song; how do we get what we want in our lives?    

If your first question is “What do I do?” chances are you’ll wind up right back where you started. You are where you are now because of the direction your answers gave you the last time you were struggling and asked that same question. The answer isn’t in “What do I do?”  It’s in asking questions that get you beyond your current mindset:  “Is what’s going on in my life working for me?”  How about, “Is what I’m telling myself about my world (my reasons or justification) the truth?”  Could your pursuit of self-improvement and worthiness be blocking your path to self-awareness and self-discovery?  Is what you know (truly believe – “your current mindset”) getting in the way of what you really want? The next question could be, “If I had my way, what would my life look like?” 

Consider this, it isn’t what we know that’s the problem; it’s what we know that isn’t so that creates our bigger problem. 
How would you answer the following questions:

1. My current life isn’t working the way I want it to?            T    F
2. A different perspective has a quicker and lasting impact than changing
   you’re behavior?            T    F
3. What’s currently in my life is there because of the choices I’ve made
   and continue to make?             T    F
4. Most people are focused on what they don’t want or like?       T    F
5. Problem solving and creating are the same process?           T    F
6. In the areas of my life not currently working, I’m committed to having
   them be different?               T    F
7. I believe the limitations that exist in my life are mostly the result of
   my self-esteem and current beliefs?              T   F
8. If we want our life to be different we have to control our circumstances?        T    F
9. I currently feel powerless to change what’s going on in my life?                       T    F
10. I believe my current circumstances are a reflection of my opinion of
    what’s possible for me?             T    F 

A discussion of these questions will be part of my Personal Leadership 101 class at the Chamber of Commerce office Thurs., Nov 4, 2008.