January: Creation over Consumption
Consumption:
· Am I spending my time fulfilling a need in a way that’s really helping or is
it a bandaid?
Some examples of consumption:
· Eating/shopping/drinking, etc. to feel better
· Looking at social media to either build ourselves up or tear ourselves or
others down.
· Watching an excessive amount of television/video games, etc.
What makes us consume?
· We like to stay hidden (not put ourselves up for negative
feedback/rejection)
· We default to, “I don’t know,” instead of working out next steps
· We get stuck in thought loops
How to get out of consumption mode:
Ask yourself the following questions:
· Am I fulfilling a need in a way that’s not really helping me?
· Am I truly progressing?
· What is it that I really need? (connection, validation, entertainment, etc.)
Figure that out and then DELIBERATELY choose what to consume.For
example: Is the TV really fulfilling? It’s ok to watch some tv, just limit it a
little and use some of that time to fulfill what the real need is.
· Decide ahead of time how you want to spend your consumption time
instead of responding to impulses
CREATION:
Some of the lies we tell ourselves about creation:
· I don’t have the time, I’m too busy.
· I don’t know what I want to do.
Our brain wants to be efficient. It doesn’t want to work hard. I don’t know
is an easy way for it to shut down.
The alternative to I don’t know? I’m in the process of figuring that out. Or,
ask yourself, “If I did know, what would it be? Take a guess. What can I do
to figure it out?”
· What are you committed to and excited about? This is where you should
spend your creation time.
JANUARY CHALLENGE:
Part 1: Find an area of your life where you can cut back on the
consumption. Take a look at your consumption habits. Is there one
particular thought loop you want to break (constantly turning to Facebook,
instagram, tv, etc.)? Replace some of that time with time spent doing what
you really want.
Part 2: Set a goal for yourself with the following guidelines:
·Set a 30 - 90 day goal.
· Your goal should scare you! Believe it’s possible and that you’re
going to accomplish it, even if you aren’t sure how.
· Do the work! Pay attention to your thinking (CTFAR on paper).
· Write down all the obstacles to achieving your goal.
· Take each obstacle one at a time and write a strategy. Strategies
likely include information from people you know, youtube, google, etc.
· Calendar in when you are going to implement each strategy.