I'm reading a really good book right now called Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. I don't recall the individual who said it, but I've decided to adopt the Hell Yeah! principle. The Hell Yeah! principle means I say "no" to everything that I don't feel like saying "Hell Yeah!" to.
I've spent my entire life doing things I don't really want to do simply because someone asked me to do it. I've allowed guilt, and a desire to please, or at least not to hurt someone else's feelings, rule my actions. This behavior has allowed everyone else's agenda to become my agenda.
The past few months, heck ever since "losing my religion," I've decided that this type of behavior is not something I want to continue. Instead of acting out of obligation, obedience, or duty, I've decided to only respond to those calls that excite my being. If the invitation, request, activity, belief, or idea, does not enthuse me, I don't do it. And I don't make excuses either. I don't owe anyone an explanation as to why I don't want to do something or why I won't be attending. I simply say, "that doesn't work for me." Charting your own course, owning your calendar, making space for more goodness, requires no explanation or apology. Others have their own ship to steer. It's best we all mind our own vessels as we all have different destinations.
Some people may think the Hell Yeah! principle is a very selfish, worldly way to live. I don't. For me, it's a proactive way to protect my time and my mission. It's like the analogy where you've got a pile of rocks, pebbles, and sand and you've got to get them all to fit into this jar. If you don't put the big rocks in the jar first, followed by the pebbles, then the sand, they won't all fit. That's how life is. If you let all the minutiae and small stuff fill up your jar first, you won't have space for the big, important stuff. Priorities people!
I have daily activities I've made a priority as I've found that doing each of these things contributes greatly to my happiness. These activities include: obtaining sufficient sleep, exercising, eating nutritious food, working, studying, spending time with my family, serving others (in my way, not in some way assigned by another), laughing with friends or family, pondering, downtime. I've found that last one to be particularly important. I LOVE not feeling overcommitted and overscheduled.
Now, I've worked hard to create a life wherein I can do all the things I just outlined above (this is what I consider having a great offense). My job now is to protect what I've worked hard to create--aka, having a strong defense (which means saying NO to things that take me away from my mission, make me feel overcommitted, or crowd my calendar). Defense, for me, is essential to maintaining my personal peace, happiness, health, and joy. Ultimately, the Hell Yeah! principle allows me to design and protect the life I want to live.
So what are some of the things that excite my soul? What are some of the other rocks I want to make sure get in my jar? I want to elevate the spirituality of the planet. I'm committed to helping inmates. I want to create a program that helps them return to society as successful, contributing members. I want to fund advancements in neurology so we can better understand brain health and improve the lives of the mentally ill. I want to share mindfulness with the world, starting in our kindergarten and elementary schools.
I, like John Lennon, am a dreamer. I am committed to creating a world of peace, free from the tyranny of politics, religion, ignorance, superstition, and hate. These are my big rocks. If I protect my time, I can focus on these "mission-critical" ideas. I cannot afford to be distracted, therefore, I will continue to say "no" to things that don't make me feel like saying "Hell YES!"
I've spent my entire life doing things I don't really want to do simply because someone asked me to do it. I've allowed guilt, and a desire to please, or at least not to hurt someone else's feelings, rule my actions. This behavior has allowed everyone else's agenda to become my agenda.
The past few months, heck ever since "losing my religion," I've decided that this type of behavior is not something I want to continue. Instead of acting out of obligation, obedience, or duty, I've decided to only respond to those calls that excite my being. If the invitation, request, activity, belief, or idea, does not enthuse me, I don't do it. And I don't make excuses either. I don't owe anyone an explanation as to why I don't want to do something or why I won't be attending. I simply say, "that doesn't work for me." Charting your own course, owning your calendar, making space for more goodness, requires no explanation or apology. Others have their own ship to steer. It's best we all mind our own vessels as we all have different destinations.
Some people may think the Hell Yeah! principle is a very selfish, worldly way to live. I don't. For me, it's a proactive way to protect my time and my mission. It's like the analogy where you've got a pile of rocks, pebbles, and sand and you've got to get them all to fit into this jar. If you don't put the big rocks in the jar first, followed by the pebbles, then the sand, they won't all fit. That's how life is. If you let all the minutiae and small stuff fill up your jar first, you won't have space for the big, important stuff. Priorities people!
I have daily activities I've made a priority as I've found that doing each of these things contributes greatly to my happiness. These activities include: obtaining sufficient sleep, exercising, eating nutritious food, working, studying, spending time with my family, serving others (in my way, not in some way assigned by another), laughing with friends or family, pondering, downtime. I've found that last one to be particularly important. I LOVE not feeling overcommitted and overscheduled.
Now, I've worked hard to create a life wherein I can do all the things I just outlined above (this is what I consider having a great offense). My job now is to protect what I've worked hard to create--aka, having a strong defense (which means saying NO to things that take me away from my mission, make me feel overcommitted, or crowd my calendar). Defense, for me, is essential to maintaining my personal peace, happiness, health, and joy. Ultimately, the Hell Yeah! principle allows me to design and protect the life I want to live.
So what are some of the things that excite my soul? What are some of the other rocks I want to make sure get in my jar? I want to elevate the spirituality of the planet. I'm committed to helping inmates. I want to create a program that helps them return to society as successful, contributing members. I want to fund advancements in neurology so we can better understand brain health and improve the lives of the mentally ill. I want to share mindfulness with the world, starting in our kindergarten and elementary schools.
I, like John Lennon, am a dreamer. I am committed to creating a world of peace, free from the tyranny of politics, religion, ignorance, superstition, and hate. These are my big rocks. If I protect my time, I can focus on these "mission-critical" ideas. I cannot afford to be distracted, therefore, I will continue to say "no" to things that don't make me feel like saying "Hell YES!"
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