WHY A PERSONAL FOUNDATION?
You will accomplish more — easily if you take the time to first strengthen your personal foundation.
WHO doesn’t want to accomplish more in life? Don’t most of us want more time … more money … more love … more satisfaction? Yet, isn’t our tendency to go for it rather than simply having it all come to us?
A strong personal foundation includes distinct stepping stones which, when linked together, provides a solid yet personalized base on which to build one’s life.
10 Stepping Stones
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Letting go of tolerations.
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Caring for your body.
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Creating a simple life.
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Handling the money.
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Identifying and clearing the past.
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Establishing ten daily habits.
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Identifying and meeting needs.
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Establishing effective boundaries.
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Filling life with integrity.
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Orienting your life around your true values.
Anyone who is living a meaningful life must have a strong Personal Foundation so they can afford to look up at the stars instead of down at their feet. Having a strong personal foundation allows a person to fully use their skills and resources, because instead of constantly worrying about the fundamentals of their life, they are free to focus on the task at hand. The process of building a personal foundation also teaches a person how to eliminate and prevent many common problems that are usually thought of as an expected part of life.
A skyscraper doesn’t start at street level, in fact, the taller the building, the deeper the foundation. This holds true for people, too.
Five Tips to a Strong Personal Foundation
1. A Personal Foundation is an investment in one’s infrastructure
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To grow big, we must be anchored on bedrock, not quicksand…we have to go deeper.
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It takes 1-3 years and is an once-in-a-lifetime investment that pays forever (much like a degree).
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Realize that you are remodeling, using new materials and the architect’s plan may be fuzzy.
2. There will be major changes in your life during this process
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You’ll start telling the truth more and putting yourself first; this takes lots of practice.
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You will reprioritize how you spend your time and energy; warn people around you.
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You will hit soft and hard spots (resistance) as you strengthen the structure; do not stop.
3. It’s okay to complain, as long as you’re working
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Vent the frustrations or emotional reactions you have along the way; your coach understands.
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Keep learning those annoying lessons fully — especially if they keep coming at you!
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Remember that you are doing your very best; even if you have to stop and catch your breath along the way.
4. Go all the way with your rebuilding, not “just far enough”
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Do Complete work.
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Make sure whatever you’re building will not crumble in less than 5 years.
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Do it totally “your way”…even if you make mistakes; don’t follow someone else’s plan.
5. Stop Tolerating Anything
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You’ll know you’re strengthening your Personal Foundation when you stop putting up with things you would have tolerated in the past.
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Don’t let people get near you who drain, upset or diminish you.
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Don’t put up with your own silly behavior…keep making changes!
What to Expect ?
During the coming months, here are some things you can expect to happen:
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Your priorities will change. What you thought was important will be less or even more so.
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Your friends/community will upgrade. You may lose several friends/colleagues.
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You will take better care of yourself, even if you are taking good care of yourself now.
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You will have more energy, though at first you might be dragging.
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You will be discouraged. Remember, you are making fundamental changes.
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You will expect more of others…you may even get demanding.
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Your life will get simpler, easier and less stressful. Some might think it boring.