A Client Came Up with this Great Concept to Work
He’s a successful businessman, and is super busy. Everything was going great for him. In fact, his only complaint was that he didn’t have enough time.
Working 11 hour days was normal for him. And not taking days off was too.
I immediately recognized myself in him.
From a Certain Mindset, It Seems Like It’s All About Survival
At least that’s what my mind tries to tell me.
If I don’t do XYZ–on the double–then I’ll never get off the ground.
This comes up in business especially, since there is so much to do. But it comes up in spiritual growth as well. It is a stressful thought, and one worth questioning for me.
I Need to Grow at This Pace, Is That True?
Actually, it’s not true at all.
When I believe it’s true, I push without ceasing. I don’t take a break for long. I feel tense in my body. My breathing gets tight. I see images of the future, and feel impatient to get there sooner. I’m incapable of saying no. I’m unable to appreciate where I am. I overbook myself.
This happens with spiritual practice as much as business.
Who Would I Be Without that Thought?
Relaxed, comfortable with my steady pace of growth. I would see it as enough. Fast enough, high enough. Just enough!
I would keep it in perspective. No need to prove myself. I’d just be doing what is necessary to have a balanced life.
The Turnarounds Are Truer
One turnaround is, “I don’t need to grow at this pace.” My client found, for example, that he was already making 300% more than he needed to live a very comfortable life, yet pushing on as if his life depended on it.
He also came up with a cool analogy of how fast growing trees (like Willows) don’t live very long. While slow growing trees (like Oaks) live very long lives.
And this led us to another turnaround, “I need to grow at a slower pace.” To maintain balance, it is necessary grow slowly. And to develop a stable system. And to have a personal life. And to be rested enough to enjoy each stage of growth.
For all these reasons, and more, we found that it is necessary to grow at a slower pace.
How About You?
Do you find the thought, “I need to grow at this pace,” to be stressful? If so, you might want to question this thought thoroughly using the four questions and turnarounds of The Work.
Don’t borrow the work of my client and me. Your answers may be different. You may find that you need to grow at an even faster pace. Who knows? That may be your truth.
I invite you to explore and find what’s true for you. Only by finding your truth can you set yourself free.
Have a great weekend,
Todd
“Who would you be without the story, ‘My future depends on making a lot of money’? Happier. More relaxed. With or without the money. You’d have everything you wanted money for in the first place.” — Byron Katie, Question Your Thinking, Change the World p. 153.
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