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The Art of Being Your Inspiration

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A Journey to Self-Mastery

Imagine, for a moment, standing in the shoes of your employer, trainer, investor, mentor, psychologist, spouse, friend, or contemporary Stoic. Looking back at today’s work through their eyes, would you feel pride, or is it possible to see room for improvement?

Is your employer a leader or a boss?

A leader leads by motivating, empowering, and inspiring their team, fostering an environment of collaboration and goal-setting. Alternatively, a boss delegated tasks without considering employees’ growth or well-being. Ask yourself, is your employer truly a leader or just a boss?

This is not just a rhetorical question but a profound exercise in self-reflection and accountability that can pave the way to extraordinary achievements.

To become an inspiring person in the distress of this world, you need the following steps:

  1. A Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)

  2. Applied Faith

  3. Going the Extra Mile

  4. A dash of Stoicism

  5. A dash of Positive Psychology

 

The Power of a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)

At the heart of transforming our lives lies the principle of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). Research in positive psychology shows that individuals with a PMA are more resilient to stress, enjoy better health, and achieve superior achievements. This is rather than being complainers as people with a Negative Mental Attitude (NMA). This isn’t about wearing rose-colored glasses but approaching life’s challenges with a mindset that focuses on solutions rather than problems.

For example, my psychology research shows this happens in most jobs with sick leave. Both management and colleagues have an NMA mentality that spreads as a virus to the workplace environment.

Embracing Definiteness of Purpose

The first step in this transformative journey is embracing the principle of Definiteness of Purpose. This means having a clear and precise goal or mission in life. Consider the story of Leonardo DaVinci, who wanted to create the most beautiful and intricate inventions the world had ever seen. He envisioned his goal and was determined to make it happen. His example highlights the importance of having a Definiteness of Purpose.

Step-by-Step to Definiteness of Purpose:

  1. Self-reflection: Dedicate time to introspect and identify what motivates and excites you daily.
  2. Set Specific Goals: Translate your purpose into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. In other words, please write down your goals where you can see them daily.
  3. Visualize Success: Regularly visualize achieving your goals, immersing yourself in the feeling of greatness.

Cultivating Applied Faith

“Applied faith” refers to an individual’s unwavering belief in themselves and their conviction to achieve their goal. It involves confidently moving forward, even in the face of adversity and challenges. A great example is the Wright brothers, who, fueled by their faith, achieved the seemingly impossible dream of flight and forever changed the course of history.

The Wright brothers never gave up on their flight dream. Despite their many obstacles, they kept pushing forward even when no one came to see their first flight attempt – just a journalist and no one else. They believed in themselves and their ability to make it happen. This applied faith was the key to their success and, ultimately, to their invention’s success.

How to Cultivate Applied Faith:

  1. Affirmations: Start your day with gratitude and positive affirmations related to your goals and self-worth.

  2. Action: Take consistent, small steps towards your goals, reinforcing your belief in your ability to achieve them.

  3. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Engage with supportive communities and mentors who believe in your vision. If no one is around, this blog is your mentor or books from the Stoics: Meditations, Letters of a Stoic, Epictetus, or Think and Grow Rich.

Going the Extra Mile

Going the Extra Mile is about consistently doing more than expected or required. It’s a growth mindset. It’s the principle that differentiates the extraordinary from the mediocre. This could be as simple as spending an extra hour refining a project or going out of your way to help a colleague. You could also push yourself to lift another set at the gym or take another step to smile more daily.

“I wish I had known about going the extra mile when I was younger. I could have achieved more, but as the saying says, the most advantageous time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today. Therefore, this blog and our YouTube video ‘Be Extraordinary’ is my way of demonstrating and applying the extra mile.”

Implementing Going the Extra Mile:

  1. Start Small: Identify one small thing you can do today that surpasses your usual responsibilities or efforts.

  2. Make it a Habit: Incorporate this practice into your daily routine, slowly increasing its scope and scale. Make it an automatic habit!

  3. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on the impact of pushing the extra mile and adjust your efforts to maximize effectiveness.

Stoicism, PMA and Positive Psychology: Modern Alchemy

Stoicism, with its roots deeply embedded in ancient Greek and Roman wisdom, harmonizes beautifully with the melodies of PMA and Positive Psychology. It teaches us the art of distinguishing between what is within our control and what lies beyond it, urging us to invest our energy wisely.

Consider the Stoic practice of contemplating adversity as a rehearsal for life’s inevitable challenges. Each morning, reflect on the potential obstacles of the day and how you might address them with calm and resilience. This mental preparation arms you with readiness and calm, regardless of the day.

Stoicism offers timeless wisdom on resilience, happiness, and virtue today. Its core principles resonate with today’s PMA and positive psychology, emphasizing controlling over overreactions, focusing on the present, and finding contentment within.

You may find more information about Stoicism by clicking here.

Stoic Practices for Today:

  1. The Dichotomy of Control: Focus your energy on what you can control and let go of what you cannot. Regardless of what happens, focus on enjoying the day.

  2. Objective Judgment: View events objectively without attaching excessive emotion or judgment.

  3. Voluntary Discomfort: Allow yourself to embrace discomfort to appreciate what you have and build resilience.

 

The Dance of Daily Application

Integrating these principles into your daily life requires deliberate practice and mindfulness. Could you set your intentions each morning based on your Definiteness of Purpose? Throughout the day, lean on your Applied Faith, especially when faced with challenges. As the day unfolds, seek opportunities to Go the Extra Mile in every task, interaction, and decision.

A Gallery of Inspirations

Let’s draw from the lives of those who’ve walked this path before us to illuminate these principles. Consider Amelia Earhart’s unwavering purpose, who dared to fly across the Atlantic at a time when such feats were unthinkable for women. Her journey exemplifies the power of the Definiteness of Purpose.

I’d like you to reflect on Nelson Mandela’s Applied Faith, who held onto the vision of a free South Africa even through the bars of his Robben Island cell. His resilience and belief in his cause changed history.

Also, I would like to draw your attention to Mother Teresa, whose life was a testament to unconditional love and service above and beyond the call of duty and whose every action embodied the concept of Going the Extra Mile.

Conclusion: The Final Brushstroke of Self-Improvement

As the day ends and you reflect on your journey as your employer, trainer, investor, mentor, psychologist, spouse, friend, or contemporary Stoic, let Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words guide you: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Additionally, if you were your employer, ensure that each day’s work reflects your unwavering commitment to excellence. Let this powerful quote be your guiding star as you journey towards becoming extraordinary and destined to be legendary; as the Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said, “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”.

“Embrace the principles of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), Stoicism, and Positive Psychology insights. By doing that, I want you to know that you will be satisfied with today’s work and inspired by it. You will know that each day is a step towards becoming a more extraordinary version of yourself.”

Cheers,

Jay Pacheco

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