Читать книгу Stand Out - Hill Alison - Страница 9

Take a moment to take stock of your life right here and now. You've picked up this book for a reason. Something tweaked your interest – even if it was just, ‘What's this crazy psychologist got to say that I haven't already heard before?'

Well, I have a starting question for you, and it's a biggie.

As you consider your life and the stressors you feel on a daily basis, consider the relationships you have, and consider that growing to-do list that consumes and eclipses the pile of ‘damn-I-wish-I-could' items. After considering all this, now think about this:

If nothing were to change for you, what would that mean?

Sure, it sounds a little crazy, but really taking some time to pick at the seams of this question is worthwhile. What would it mean if things kept going as they are? What would it mean in five months' time? What would it mean in five years' time? Take a few minutes, grab a pen and piece of paper, and jot down a couple of words that come to mind for you.

Perhaps you're thinking, You know what, Ali? Life's pretty good and I'm really happy with it. Awesome. Skim-read this book and pat yourself on the back when you read something that makes you think, Yep, got that covered! Keep moving forward, keep making progress and connect it to what matters. You can look for the occasional titbit to help you even more with the stuff you love doing. You're on fire. Keep at it.

On the other hand, if your response is more like a soul-sinking Oh-hell-no/I don't want to sit in this fear, mess and despair anymore/This is not good enough, not yet, now's the time for a reframe. Remember: self-calm, not self-harm.

This soul-sinking feeling now becomes your drive, your reason to do the required work. This is the motivation to ask yourself, ‘Where am I going to make changes?' and ‘How am I going to turn up even when it's really difficult?'

If this sounds like you, we have work to do. It's not easy work and I can't give you a silver bullet that will cure it all overnight, but if you're ready to go through the hard stuff, I can tell you it will reward you. Therefore, read on, you adventurer of spirit. Let's step through this together.