In case you haven’t noticed, we have adopted a new logo in the gym. It’s written on our doors:
BE. DO. WIN.
While many people may see it, only a few know its origins and significance. It actually originated from a Landmark Forum speaker who wrote this on the board:
Be. Do. Have…
He then proceeded to explain: “Be your future. Actively do. Then having is your past.”
It’s a powerful way to create the life you want in the most simplest terms. Unfortunately, many of us, myself included, get stuck on the past. We let the past dictate our lives. It holds sway over our thoughts and actions so that in the end, all we ever do is think about the past and in turn are forced to repeat it. While some may argue this is an oversimplification of complex problems, it actually doesn’t have to be. You could start thinking differently tonight, right now, if you wanted to.
What Wolf Are You Feeding?
Identify you’re limiting thoughts. What are you holding on to that is self destructive, limiting or self-serving? They usually come out in my mind as, “I can’t do this/that because ______ .” Or, “I really want to do this, but _______ .” If I sit and reflect on them, they are like comfort blankets. They keep me in my realm of comfort and I never have to step out of them. They are self-serving in this way. However, they are also self-destructive. They limit my potential and ultimately limit my happiness in life. I’ll never accomplish or experience some of my deepest desires from this state.
This leads to the ancient Cherokee Native American parable of the two wolves. A chieftain once told his grandson that deep inside his soul live two wolves. One is fear, hate, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego. The other is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This fight goes on within every man, “including yourself,” said the chief, as he pointed to his grandson. The young man thought for a long moment and then asked, “Which one will win?” The Chieftain answered, “The one you feed.”
Every decision you make is based upon some predication of either wolf. Sometimes it takes deep introspection to truly understand why we make the decisions or choices we do. Make sure the choices you make in life are made for the right reason. Sooner or later, hopefully, you may discover that the wolf you have been feeding was the wrong one and un- noticeably has become the default driving force in your life. If this is the case, that would be a break-through!
Clean Out Your Closet
All those negative, self serving thoughts you’ve been feeding that wolf all those years need to be thrown in the trash. Take some time to write down some of your biggest “stories” you have made up about yourself. Put all your emotion on a piece of paper. Take however much time you need. When you’re done, rip it up and throw it away.
For me, one of my biggest limiting stories in life was “I have to run track. I have to make an Olympic team.” I put all my heart and soul into running. I felt like if I didn’t make an Olympic team in my sport, I would ultimately be a failure. I sacrificed everything else in my life because I was afraid. I had dreams, hopes and possibilities for the future (like starting an awesome gym!), however none of them were possible from my perspective. Upon further introspection, I realized my motivation was based upon fear of failing. I was feeding the wrong wolf and in turn, I got more fear, sorrow and anger. On top of that, I was injured and dead broke! Something had to change…
Act As If
From your cleared space, step into who you want to be. BE your future -> live into it and you will become it. One of my favorite lines EVER is from Boiler Room:
“There’s an important phrase that we use here, and think it’s time that you all learned it. Act as if. You understand what that means? Act as if you are the fucking President of this firm….Act as if.”
This is also known as owning your future. Own who you want to be, take baby steps. Hell, crawl if you need be. In the end, you’ll be running before you know it. You know how I know? Because I did it. I went from making literally $12K a year (yes, I said a year) to creating a business that employs four and changes peoples lives everyday for the better in less than three years. The process works. You just have to DO.
Actively Do
Is it coincidence that The Temper Trap, Sweet Disposition is playing as I write this post? No, I don’t believe in coincidence. Everything happens for a reason. Next question.
Do what you’re passionate about, just a little, everyday. If you’re really crazy (like me), then buck the rules and aim high. Seriously, most people sell themselves short. I hear it all the time, “I hate my job. I really want to do _____. I want to be totally out of my job in 5 years.” What good does that do? Put yourself to the flame and step outside your comfort zone a bit. Five years? How about 6 months. I bet if you cleared out those demons in your head first AND let yourself get creative enough, you would see how easy it was.
Remember in school when you had the big term paper due? How many of us actually wrote it throughout the semester like you were supposed to? No, most of you, in fact 99% of you, me included, waited until the last moment when the heat was on. It’s part of the human psyche. We’re not going to step out of our comfort zone unless someone or something really pushes us.
Have
Have the life you always wanted. Now, realistically, it’s not going to magically appear in front of you. It takes constant work. Remember how long you had been feeding that fear/anger/sorrow wolf? Well, now it’s time to feed the good wolf. He’s hungry but he’s also small and weak. Keep feeding him until he’s the dominant force in your mind. Protect your thoughts and focus your passion.
WIN
Act as if. Actively do. Be the person you want. WIN, in the end. That’s right, I just tied this whole thing back to Teen Wolf. Coincidence? I think not 
I’d appreciate your thoughts, comments or questions below.
Never Let It Rest,
Brendon
