This Is How You Change Your Life

Jul 9 (edited) in Self Improvement & Motivation

The Problem

Let's talk about desire for a moment. We all have desires, right? We want to change, to improve, to reach our goals and live the life we've always dreamed of. But here's the kicker: desire can be both a blessing and a curse.

Remember this: desire equals suffering. Every desire you have is an axis where you will suffer. The solution? Focus on one desire at a time. The universe is rigged in such a way that if you want just one thing and focus on that, you'll get it. Everything else? Let it go.

The problem is, when we try to change everything at once, we're setting ourselves up for failure. It's like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle – it looks cool in theory, but in reality, you're probably going to end up face-planting.

The RPG Analogy

I came across the 45th law while reading the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green, it says, "Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once." In other words, pick ONE thing to focus on and crush it before moving on to the next.

Think about it like this, Your life is an RPG (role-playing game for the non-gamers out there). You've got limited skill points to allocate. If you try to level up everything at once, you'll end up being a jack of all trades, master of none. You can't just max out all your skills at once. You have to choose where to allocate your points.

For example, let's say your goal is to start investing in stocks and diversify your portfolio. Sounds great! But here's the thing – why would you try to allocate points in investing when you haven't even started to allocate points in budgeting?

Imagine your goals as different skill trees in a game:

Level 1: Budgeting

Level 2: Saving

Level 3: Basic Investing

Level 4: Advanced Investing

You can't just jump to Level 4 without going through the previous levels. It's tempting to try shortcuts, but trust me, it's like trying to beat the final boss without any weapons or armor. Not gonna happen!

The Pillar Climb: No Shortcuts to Success

Now, imagine you're standing at the bottom of a tall pillar. Your goal is at the top. What do most people do? They look for the fastest way up. They try to jump straight to the top, or find a shortcut, or use a ladder. They try everything except the one thing that's guaranteed to work – taking it one step at a time.

It's tedious, it's slow, but it's the only way that actually works. The problem is, when we don't see immediate results, we convince ourselves that we don't have what it takes. We get comfortable with where we are and stay stuck in our old habits.

The Power of the Past

Listen closely, because this is crucial. The past is powerful. What has happened before carries weight. Use this to your advantage. When you destroy the familiar, you create a void. It's uncomfortable, but necessary. Borrow the weight and legitimacy from the past, however remote, to create a comforting and familiar presence.

If you're stuck, understand that change was never meant to be easy. Learn from your past mistakes. Don't dwell on them, but use them. Analyze your past, extract the lessons, and apply them using a different strategy towards your goal.

So, what's the takeaway here? How do we apply the 45th law in our lives?

Focus on one change at a time. Don't try to overhaul your entire life in one go.
Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. Think of it as leveling up in an RPG.
Be patient. Real, lasting change takes time. Don't look for shortcuts.
Learn from your past. Use your experiences, both good and bad, to inform your strategy.
Celebrate small victories. Each step forward is progress, no matter how small it might seem.

Remember, change was never meant to be easy. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming either. By focusing on one thing at a time and taking consistent, small steps, you can achieve the change you desire without burning out.

Your Turn to Reflect

Now, take a moment to think about your own life:

What's one area you really want to improve right now?
How can you break that goal down into smaller, more manageable steps?
What lessons from your past can you apply to this new challenge?

Remember, you've got this. Change might be challenging, but with the right approach, it's absolutely achievable. Take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you'll be at the top of that pillar, looking back at how far you've come.

Remember, you're not here to be average. You're here to be great.

After all, slow and steady wins the race.

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