analysis paralysis, perpetual student

[straysweeper]

My friend just asked me the question. What is the point in reading all these books on personal development when I don't do anything with it? My response at the time was how do you know I'm not doing anything with it? Is it not all going into my subconsious, shifting my filters slowly but surely?

I keep wondering about where I'm at in my life. And why I'm here. I am not employed, but I am doing more to look. But I'm not eager to get back into the atmosphere that I was in, but my life situation needs some sort of support. I just feel like there is something more out there, and I don't know what path to take. And thats hard for me to discribe to those that are set in their ways and accept things the way they are. So, I keep learning, thinking something will click at some point.

However, I just had a thought. Perhaps, all this learning without doing, is like asking without receiving. I can learn everything, but without using it, how can I really gain the knowledge? Spooky thoughts these are. I must say, with everything in my head over the past few years absorbing, I'm not sure where to begin. Perhaps I'm just afraid of the light, and keep circling the horizon inbetween. I've noticed many coincidences of late, and I know there is meaning in that. So, I'm going to be asking, intending for that nudge to begin my hearts single most truth.

[suchnessofmoment]

Self-Help Junkies

[bbdream8]

Originally Posted by straysweeper

My friend just asked me the question. What is the point in reading all these books on personal development when I don't do anything with it? My response at the time was how do you know I'm not doing anything with it? Is it not all going into my subconsious, shifting my filters slowly but surely?

I keep wondering about where I'm at in my life. And why I'm here. I am not employed, but I am doing more to look. But I'm not eager to get back into the atmosphere that I was in, but my life situation needs some sort of support. I just feel like there is something more out there, and I don't know what path to take. And thats hard for me to discribe to those that are set in their ways and accept things the way they are. So, I keep learning, thinking something will click at some point.

However, I just had a thought. Perhaps, all this learning without doing, is like asking without receiving. I can learn everything, but without using it, how can I really gain the knowledge? Spooky thoughts these are. I must say, with everything in my head over the past few years absorbing, I'm not sure where to begin. Perhaps I'm just afraid of the light, and keep circling the horizon inbetween. I've noticed many coincidences of late, and I know there is meaning in that. So, I'm going to be asking, intending for that nudge to begin my hearts single most truth.

First of all, don't care about others that don't believe in personal development. It is normal to just start out and read all the books and don't apply what the books taught. It is ok in the first place, but you will need to start applying what you learn soon.

1.Take baby steps. Don't expect yourself to change 180 degrees in a day, a week or even a month.

2.Get a journal, take down the notes you learn from the book and start to apply one thing you learn from the book into your life. Getting a journal help you record your progress and make sure that you are on track towards success.

Take care straysweeper and god bless

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

[allen080105]

The whole growth process started happening with me when I accepted the fact that I created my life with my thoughts. That happened when I watched The Secret and listened to the audio commentary by Rhonda Burne. After that I started actively pursuing changing my thoughts through changing my feelings by doing only what felt good to me. Everything else just took off in a totally new direction filled with new people and new experiences. I ordered about 10 books off Steve's recommended reading list and I know I will use/connect with/apply every single one of them because I already have started doing that with books that are not on his list.

[shefyg]

And you should give it the time. It's better to read the book than doing nothing, but you do need to take some steps to improve.

I do believe you should make an effort to find a job, even if its not what you feel like doing. At least you will be giving some of your time for someone who needs it, and it will give you a break from you thinking.

Good luck

[JAX]

Everything happens in its perfect time. Step back and don’t compare your self-growth with whether you have a job or not, or if someone else thinks you are developing. Sometimes growth is happening on the inside while things look calm and quiet on the outside. I say, you are the only one who truly has the answer to your question, so ask yourself, do I feel like I am wasting my time? Am I paralyzing myself? I think self-inquiry is great, so for me it is. What do you think? My life also ebbs and flows, I have periods of physical activity, followed by quiet times. It is great that you are asking questions, just remember even though we are sharing our advice you have the perfect answers. Forcing yourself into a situation that you have a job, high salary and outer approval, isn’t necessarily the goal. For me following my excitement and joy has brought me incredible life experiences and I am open to more of that.

You said in your post

“I'm not eager to get back into the atmosphere that I was in, but my life situation needs some sort of support. I just feel like there is something more out there, and I don't know what path to take.”

You have other options, be creative, what do you want to do? There is always something more out there for you. Also instead of trying to find out what path to take, blaze your own trail. Find what it is that turns you on and do that and continue doing that. With enthusiasm comes creativity and it is magnetic. Something completely out of the box can open up for you.
Hope this helps,

JAX

[Bing Wu]

I would do the following:

1. Get started on a journal. Here's a great computer version I've been using for the last 3 years: The Journal v4.1 - Journal Software / Diary Software - Free Trial - Download Now!
I believe Steve also recommends it.

2. Implement one tangible thing for your PD every week. This week, you may write down an intention and post it on your computer. Then, join a new club, maybe Toastmasters.A lot of the articles and books you read probably have tangible suggestions for action. Try some of them.

3. Don't be too hard on yourself and don't take any of this too seriously. I think it took 2 years from when I started reading PD to see real, tangible benefits. I wondered a lot where this was all taking me and where I'd go. The way I see it is the following: you're on a ramp that is very gently increasing its vertical slope upwards. At the beginning, results may be minimal, but they are cumulative and will accelerate if you keep at it.

The fact that you're continuously reading more PD books is a good sign. You know that the next step is to put some of that advice to action...

[smartile]

straysweeper,

One of the best ways to put your personal growth into action is by re-training the people in your life. When I say 're-train', I'm talking about the way people occur to you. You can alter the way others occur to you by altering the way you occur to them.

If you occur as a personal growth junkie, others will treat you like a junkie. If you occur as someone who has strength and power, others will relate back to you as strength and power. It's that simple.

When you occur a certain way to others, they respond to you that way. Think of everyone in your life as a mirror of who you really are.

Occur as power and confidence and you'll receive that back. Occur as lost and helpless and you'll get that back too.