Defribrillating Progress (Progess is Dead, Pt. 2)

[Mounds]

So after determining that progress bought the farm, I figured it would be a noble cause to bring progress back from the dead. But first... let's identify what progress actually is.
Progress is (TruthTM) the place where information and action collide. The product of progress is knowledge and experience. You learn what's trash and what is actually works. Then you can continue to apply those concepts for repeated, positive results. At this point, you have made progress.
Too many times I've fallen victim to reading an entire PD book and not applied a single concept. That, my friends, is pseudo-progress (TruthTM). Pseudo-progress is frightening. It gives us that sense of accomplishment simply by gathering information and yet we don't seem to go anywhere. What I find really crazy is that we have all sorts of products to help us cram more information into our brains! Bizarre.
So how do you bust out of the rut of pseudo-progress? I've got a couple of tricks that I've been trying out...

Use the things you read - if you read some tips in a PD book that you like, fool yourself into thinking you'll come back to it. Write that bad boy down and implement it right away. Leads me to my next one...

Two week challenge - the 30 day challenge is nice but to me, it's too darn long. Nab a couple concepts at a time and give them a try. I find that after a couple weeks, you're not even really thinking about it anymore. It's become a habit.

What's the endgame?* - I like talking about this although everyone else seems to hate it I believe all PD topics have a point where you hit the limit. For example, my personal finances are automated to the point where there is nothing left to add. It's like a perpetual motion machine. I just live and I get top notch results. Imagine just existing and getting top notch results in everything. Being an incredible communicator, ultimate confidence, effortless financial management, a system of learning that is unstoppable, stellar health. That's my endgame. What's yours?

-Tim

*This idea is still being fleshed out. I think it has credibility and I won't stop until it's fully realized or crushed into dust. It's the 80% solution. You will never, ever hit 100% in anything but if you get to 80%, that's pretty darn good and it's very doable. Hit 80% in one thing and move onto another.

[LostMyMap]

Great post. 80% solution, you been reading my stuff in the Analysis Paralysis thread? I should have written 80% Solution (tm) when I first wrote it. In any case, I think it's a great way to approach things. Get something that is good enough to get going on, and improve from there. Don't wait till you have the perfect system to even start.

What you said about PD books reminded me of Get Rich books or money mgmt. books. Read all this great stuff and not really get around to doing any of it.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by LostMyMap

Great post. 80% solution, you been reading my stuff in the Analysis Paralysis thread? I should have written 80% Solution (tm) when I first wrote it.

Cool! Glad you liked it Could you link that Analysis Paralysis thread? I never caught that one.

-Tim

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Mounds

*This idea is still being fleshed out. I think it has credibility and I won't stop until it's fully realized or crushed into dust. It's the 80% solution. You will never, ever hit 100% in anything but if you get to 80%, that's pretty darn good and it's very doable. Hit 80% in one thing and move onto another.

If you practice believing that 100% is unachievable and you are committed to stopping at 80%, then isn't 80% actually your 100%?

I prefer to move in the other direction: a no-limit game when it comes to getting results. Whether I get an 80% or 100% result at some given point, that's my new starting point, right where I am, and I get to choose a new 100% mark -- or to move on to something else, if I'm inspired to. I'm not going to decide ahead of time that I'm only going to go so far and then stop and move onto something else.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by Angela

If you practice believing that 100% is unachievable and you are committed to stopping at 80%, then isn't 80% actually your 100%?

Depends how you look at it I suppose. I choose to stop short of perfection because I realize that once you start getting close to 100%, the achievements become smaller and smaller. Between 0% and 80%, there's lots of big wins that are relatively easy to accomplish.

I prefer to move in the other direction: a no-limit game when it comes to getting results. Whether I get an 80% or 100% result at some given point, that's my new starting point, right where I am, and I get to choose a new 100% mark -- or to move on to something else, if I'm inspired to. I'm not going to decide ahead of time that I'm only going to go so far and then stop and move onto something else.

Gotta know where the end is to measure your success

[VinceG]

Thou must findeth "done." If thou never findest "done," then thou wilst never be done.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Depends how you look at it I suppose. I choose to stop short of perfection because I realize that once you start getting close to 100%, the achievements become smaller and smaller. Between 0% and 80%, there's lots of big wins that are relatively easy to accomplish.

All you have to do, then, to keep those big wins going is recalibrate: start where you are, and distinguish a new 100% mark.

I don't imagine there's something called "perfection" at the 100% mark, though, and maybe that's a difference in how we see it. I think "perfection" is here, now, not something to achieve someday; the "finish line" of a desired result is just a fun signpost, one that, as I move toward it, I just keep creating more fun signposts out beyond it.

Gotta know where the end is to measure your success

I agree that having a specific measurable result is a great way to know for sure whether you've reached it or not. I just don't believe that 80% there is a real limit. I don't believe 100% there is a real limit, either!

[LostMyMap]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Cool! Glad you liked it Could you link that Analysis Paralysis thread? I never caught that one.

-Tim

This: Analysis Paralysis?

But I realized I might have been thinking about something a little different than what you meant.

My 80% Solution is the idea that when figuring out a plan, you don't need to have a perfect, complete solution to start moving ahead. That seems a little different that what you described?

[James81]

Two things:

1. On the notion of perpetual information collecting. I used to think this tooo and then I realized that my limit was not the point at which I could absorb no more information or it all got repetitive. I discovered that when information got repetitive it was because I was resisting absorbing the information by continually reading more of the same stuff instead of getting the message that my unconscious mind was trying to show me. Once I got that message, suddenly I was able to read more. So now I outright ask myself what I'm trying to get and I don't feel the need to "walk away" from it. Because I'm already living my life in the real world and am getting what I want there.

2. Automated results are the end goal of all that stuff you stubbornly resisted in your last thread. So its strange to see you say that's your end goal.

Here's the thing...results don't come overnight (unless you are in a state of extreme acceptance and willingness to entertain notions that don't fit your current paradigm). So, if you find yourself in a state of perpetual information gathering, its a good bet that you are being stubborn and resisting the message rather than you are just lazy or have no willpower or something like that. Ask me how I know this.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by LostMyMap

My 80% Solution is the idea that when figuring out a plan, you don't need to have a perfect, complete solution to start moving ahead. That seems a little different that what you described?

Well, I adopt that as well. My 80% solution is that once I reach a certain point, the monkey is off my back. I don't have to progress any further past that point because:

1. It meddles with what I have
2. It's a time sink

I'd rather get all my skills to 80% before getting one or two up to 100%. I find that gives the largest return on time investment. Ten hours spent on financial management can turn into hundreds of thousands of dollars over some years. Call that your first 80%. It's pathetically easy to get. Go beyond that 80% and you are in the realm of uber frugality. Ten hours spent might could save you $100... maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less. No thanks! I'd rather spend that 10 hours working on the next 0-80%, whatever that might be.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by James81

Two things:

1. On the notion of perpetual information collecting. I used to think this tooo and then I realized that my limit was not the point at which I could absorb no more information or it all got repetitive. I discovered that when information got repetitive it was because I was resisting absorbing the information by continually reading more of the same stuff instead of getting the message that my unconscious mind was trying to show me. Once I got that message, suddenly I was able to read more. So now I outright ask myself what I'm trying to get and I don't feel the need to "walk away" from it. Because I'm already living my life in the real world and am getting what I want there.

2. Automated results are the end goal of all that stuff you stubbornly resisted in your last thread. So its strange to see you say that's your end goal.

Here's the thing...results don't come overnight (unless you are in a state of extreme acceptance and willingness to entertain notions that don't fit your current paradigm). So, if you find yourself in a state of perpetual information gathering, its a good bet that you are being stubborn and resisting the message rather than you are just lazy or have no willpower or something like that. Ask me how I know this.

Does not compute.


Sorry guys, I don't stubbornly resist stuff. I blatantly blaze my trail to see what works for me. Someday I'll be able to explain it well.

[James81]

Its a shame wwe're not able to discuss this in real life, cause I think I could make it compute if I rapped you in the head with a golf club a couple times.

(That would have a jokey tag if I used Mounds Forum Tags )

[Mounds]

Think I'm gonna change my avatar back to a gorilla. Then people won't bother explaining elaborate theories to me.

[Angela]

You are an excellent generator of what you don't want!

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Think I'm gonna change my avatar back to a gorilla. Then people won't bother explaining elaborate theories to me.

Hah! Love it!

[James81]

Um helllllooooo! McFly, anybody home? *rap rap rap*



Actually, have you considered making a seperate thread where you could ask questions about those elaborate theories and maybe understand just how much on the same page you and I really are? You might be surprised, buddy.

Just step out of the smarty-pants, dismissive mindset for one thread and seriously have a more synergistic discussion with us rather than one of debate and defense and dismisal. I only ask because I think there's some things I could learn frokm you too.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by James81

I only ask because I think there's some things I could learn frokm you too.

Like how to spell "from"?

[st33med]

Originally Posted by Angela

Like how to spell "from"?

That might be from in Russian.

[LostMyMap]

Originally Posted by James81

Um helllllooooo! McFly, anybody home? *rap rap rap*



Actually, have you considered making a seperate thread where you could ask questions about those elaborate theories and maybe understand just how much on the same page you and I really are? You might be surprised, buddy.

Just step out of the smarty-pants, dismissive mindset for one thread and seriously have a more synergistic discussion with us rather than one of debate and defense and dismisal. I only ask because I think there's some things I could learn frokm you too.

Maybe you and Mounds have some sort of way of 'talking' or something, but if you used the above to try to goad me into 'synergistic discussion', I'd blow you off. Sarcasm, name calling, condescension? Maybe Mounds digs that, but I don't see it as cool, even with a smiley in it.

[Lioness]

Originally Posted by Mounds

I believe all PD topics have a point where you hit the limit. For example, my personal finances are automated to the point where there is nothing left to add.

You may have mastered your finances for now, but your situation will change when your debts are paid off and you have to make investment decisions, or when you have kids. Steve has as article on this somewhere whcih says "what works in spring, doesn't work in autumn" so you have to keep revising your techniques. And aren't you still looking for ways to increase your income?

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by Lioness

You may have mastered your finances for now, but your situation will change when your debts are paid off and you have to make investment decisions, or when you have kids. Steve has as article on this somewhere whcih says "what works in spring, doesn't work in autumn" so you have to keep revising your techniques. And aren't you still looking for ways to increase your income?

Kinda. I see increasing income as a different beast. I'd file that under career.

[Mounds]

Back to the rousing thread.

Man, I must be going banana's. I really thought I was onto something but everyone is acting ape! I swear, I'm not trying to make a monkey out of you. Sorry if I hurt your peelings.

-Tim

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Back to the rousing thread.

Man, I must be going banana's. I really thought I was onto something but everyone is acting ape! I swear, I'm not trying to make a monkey out of you. Sorry if I hurt your peelings.

-Tim

How about just letting things evolve?

[Mounds]

<serious>Ok, I'm done monkeying around.</serious>

<real serious>In all honesty, I get the feeling that you guys think my way of doing things is unhealthy and your trying to show me another way. Only problem is your way isn't my way (and my way isn't your way).
I'm fairly well versed in brain functions and all that jazz so I know what I can do. At one point in my life, I had my brain convinced that a nicotine patch was the equivalent of a bullet proof vest and if I only let it do it's thing, I would be protected from cigarettes. Worked like a charm. I can really set up anything I please within my own mind. It's what manifests into reality that counts for me.
So in my experience, hoarding tons of information is of little value to me if I don't actually use the information that I collect. To me, it's not that the brain is trying to tell me something. The brain is simply doing what it thinks I want and I'm letting it. Once in a while, you have to redirect it. So right now, it's set to "Collect information. Information = knowledge and knowledge is power". Bad brain, bad! Needs a reprogramming to "Collect some information, use information, convert to knowledge. Knowledge = power". Much better.
Anyhow, maybe that will give a touch of insight. Probably not considering it's a very internal process that I just wrote down and it's probably not easy to decipher. Let me ask you a question, James and Angela. What is your goal? What is it you are trying to show me?

-Tim

[James81]

Originally Posted by Mounds

<serious>Ok, I'm done monkeying around.</serious>

<real serious>In all honesty, I get the feeling that you guys think my way of doing things is unhealthy and your trying to show me another way. Only problem is your way isn't my way (and my way isn't your way).
I'm fairly well versed in brain functions and all that jazz so I know what I can do. At one point in my life, I had my brain convinced that a nicotine patch was the equivalent of a bullet proof vest and if I only let it do it's thing, I would be protected from cigarettes. Worked like a charm. I can really set up anything I please within my own mind. It's what manifests into reality that counts for me.
So in my experience, hoarding tons of information is of little value to me if I don't actually use the information that I collect. To me, it's not that the brain is trying to tell me something. The brain is simply doing what it thinks I want and I'm letting it. Once in a while, you have to redirect it. So right now, it's set to "Collect information. Information = knowledge and knowledge is power". Bad brain, bad! Needs a reprogramming to "Collect some information, use information, convert to knowledge. Knowledge = power". Much better.
Anyhow, maybe that will give a touch of insight. Probably not considering it's a very internal process that I just wrote down and it's probably not easy to decipher. Let me ask you a question, James and Angela. What is your goal? What is it you are trying to show me?

-Tim

Dude, the stuff I am saying complements (that is "in addition to" complements) what you are saying in your threads. If you notice, I haven't disagreed much with anything you've said.

So it kinda boggles my mind how you are seeing where there is very little disagreement to be had. Lol!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Mounds

In all honesty, I get the feeling that you guys think my way of doing things is unhealthy and your trying to show me another way.

Well, I find your logic a bit Leakey.

Let me ask you a question, James and Angela. What is your goal? What is it you are trying to show me?

My perspective, of course. Just sharing it -- I have no more intelligent design than that.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by James81

Dude, the stuff I am saying complements (that is "in addition to" complements) what you are saying in your threads. If you notice, I haven't disagreed much with anything you've said.

So it kinda boggles my mind how you are seeing where there is very little disagreement to be had. Lol!

Ok cool! My bad, sometimes hard to tell online what is going on.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by Angela

Well, I find your logic a bit Leakey.

Hmm.. I don't see how. I've used this method of thinking quite a bit for big results. Guess I'll just keep exploring and see where it goes

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Hmm.. I don't see how. I've used this method of thinking quite a bit for big results. Guess I'll just keep exploring and see where it goes

No, I meant... that we guys think your way is unhealthy..... and also, it was a gorilla joke.. get it, "Leakey"?

[Medea33]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Hmm.. I don't see how. I've used this method of thinking quite a bit for big results. Guess I'll just keep exploring and see where it goes

You know your avatar has its fingers in its ears, right?

What would help you explore this? Would you like questions or challenges or suggestions or something else?