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Nine Keys to Enhanced
Awareness
by Dr. Mark Pitstick
Nine Keys to Increased Awareness
1.
Use a pro and con
list whenever faced with difficult decisions.
List the advantages and disadvantages of each decision
and notice which list is longer. Prioritize the items
and see which ones are really most important to you.
Viewing your options in black and white often clarifies
decision making.
2.
Future tripping,
a simple visualization technique, helps you through
tough times. Imagine ahead 1, 5, 10, or more years and
see yourself being successful and happy. Picture
reaching your goals in spite of or even because of
the difficulties you presently face. Remind yourself
that most major stressors are time limited and enjoy
your visions of a brighter tomorrow.
3.
The 80/10/10 Rule
states that 100% success all the time is impossible.
Unrealistically high expectations can set you up for
failure and criticism. In most cases, things will go
smoothly 80% of the time and fairly well another 10%.
The other 10% are events governed by Murphy’s Law. So
if you’re reaching your goals 80% of the time with gusts
of 90%, that great. Whenever things get rough, mentally
remind yourself ‘80/10/10.’
4.
Appreciate what you
have and give thanks for
it. Happiness is being content with what you have and,
at the same time, growing toward even greater heights.
So, yes, set your goals and never stop improving, but
remember that happiness lies in the journey and
in reaching the destination.
The grass always seems greener on
the other side of the fence. Some people waste their
lives chasing the carrot dangling in front of them: a
new car, bigger home, more attractive partner, and so
on. They don’t realize that lasting happiness does not
come from ego boosts or material objects. None of this,
by the way, is a justification for mediocrity or putting
up with a chronically unhappy situation.
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Count your
blessings rather than focusing on the
negative. We all have so much to be
thankful for. I learned
this lesson at college when I was going bald.
I envied a thick haired student who was walking on
the other side of a short concrete wall. As he passed the wall, however, I saw that he
had only one leg. It reminded me of the saying, “I complained about having no shoes
until I met a man with no feet.”
6. Don't take life too
seriously. Humor and
laughter are important for psychological and physical balance. Research shows an
increased immune response, decreased anxiety, and reduced muscular tension with hearty
laughter. Since prevention is the best approach, take time to regularly enjoy comedy
from professionals and in everyday life.
7.
Motivational books
and tapes keep the heart
and mind focused more positively. With a steady input of
higher thought, you can look at the bright side more
consistently. Enrich your life with the works of
positive and enthusiastic individuals. By the
way, the word “enthusiasm” comes from two root words
meaning filled with God.
Over the years, I’ve
particularly benefited from inspirational teachings by
Richard Bach, Wayne Dyer, Denis Waitley, Og
Mandino, Richard Carlson, Stephen Covey, David Schwartz, Charles
“Tremendous” Jones, Zig Ziglar and others.
8. Take it easy on the material things. More
is not always better. The stress in your life is
directly proportional
to the number of electronic and gasoline powered objects
you own. Keeping up with the Joneses can keep you
overworked, stressed out, and broke.
9.
Enjoy the present
moment. Present time
consciousness means living one day and one
moment at a time. An old Sanskrit maxim says:
“Look well to this day, for yesterday is but a dream; and tomorrow is only a
vision. But today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every
tomorrow a vision of hope.”
The word happiness comes from
the root word meaning “to happen”. Happiness comes from a life of action—fully living
the present moment and being in harmony with the great way of life.
Living in the present moment includes
recognizing that each action takes you down one fork of a crossroads. Don’t look
back too much. An occasional analysis of the past reveals trends and lessons. For the
most part, however, don’t relive past decisions and second guess yourself. Live in the
present moment and stay alert for new possibilities.
Read Radiant
Wellness by Dr. Mark Pitstick to learn
effective ways to enjoy
the many benefits of greater awareness.
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