Comments on: Getting Out of Your Box

By: Bev

Bev — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:58:19 +0000

I quit my job. I decided to stop working until I wanted -or needed- to go back because I was unhappy in my personal life and my career. I decided that I needed to step outside of my comfort zone to figure out why. I thought it would take a month, maybe all summer. It took a full year but, by the time it was over, there was no longer a box. Now anything is possible, everything is a choice and nothing can get in my way. FYI, that was more than two years ago; I have since sold my condo, moved across the country, I'm taking care of my family, becoming a foster parent and more confident and happy than I ever imagined I could be. I should add that I'm also over $65,000 in debt, but I consider it an investment in my future- the things I've learned be with me for the rest of my life and I'm learning to teach them to others.

By: adult toys

adult toys — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:36:18 +0000

good outlook

By: Gdub

Gdub — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:50:00 +0000

Matt, I think I’m going to print that comment off and frame it. Thanks for the tip. I fixed it. Also that book sounds really interesting.

By: Gdub

Gdub — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:41:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment Roxy.

I don’t know what the heck is going on with you but it sounds pretty intense. I guess some have to get out of the box and some are forced by circumstance. Either way good luck.

By: abrowncoat

abrowncoat — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:36:02 +0000

I tried doing the video recorded response but it appears that it didn't work. What I was saying in it though was basically quoting a line from Say Anything when John Cusack asks his sister why she can't just decide to be happy and then be happy. That line has always stuck with me because many times (not all) that's all we need to do, just decide that this is the way things are going to be and once you accept that as a fact instead of an option things get that much simpler. I think that was one reason the BHAGs worked the way they did was that we had it in our minds that there really was no choice as to whether we were going to follow through with them, we just had to do them.

By: Matt Whitlock

Matt Whitlock — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:13:13 +0000

So I am reading a book right now, called The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. It basically says the same thing. Large advancements in research lead to paradigms. These paradigms influence how scientists think about their chosen field. Naturally, therefore, the problems they choose to solve are based on these established ways of thinking. Scientific revolutions occur when discoveries lead to conclusions that are incompatible with the current paradigm. Obviously, these discoveries are only possible when a scientist works outside that paradigm, whether by accident or by intent. In other words, these "boxes" you refer to are contextual and, most likely, individual.

That is very insightful to refer to the walls of one's box as the limitations one has set for oneself. And as said in Dead Poets Society "There is a difference between sucking the marrow out of life and choking on the bones." A random violation of the status quo will not usually be beneficial.

Great post.

As a piece of general feedback, it can help your SEO to structure references to your other posts as "I’ve said it before and will most likely say it again: make yourself accountable." That way google knows that the page you are linking to is about accountability rather than "before" or "click here".

By: Andy Whitlock

Andy Whitlock — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:50:12 +0000

I've been trying to do something similar to the BHAGs ever since we did them like two and a half years ago. I've done different scaled down versions but I'd have to agree that whatever the goal is, no matter if you want to climb the tallest mountain on every continent or just get to work on time for a week straight, the main thing that a person needs to do is quit making excuses and just do it. I think it must be something in human nature that when we start something hard the instinct is to start coming up with reasons why it'll be hard, that way when we do fail we've already put out that safety net of excuses to catch us. It is easier said than done many times but getting over yourself and getting to work is the most effective way to accomplish your goals.

By: Gdub

Gdub — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:47:35 +0000

Thanks for the comment! Those were some great times weren't they?

I agree most definitely. The step from thinking to doing is always the most difficult. Perhaps I should give more thought to what motivates me to action and find a common underlying principal. I am thinking it's something like, “Understanding + Experience = Action.”

By: Roxy Karmelich

Roxy Karmelich — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:18:45 +0000

For at this very moment…I actually have to hold back a little. I have to step back and realize……WOWAAAH…slow down and have some more patients. Not knowing what is going to happen with someone you deeply care about highly sucks,however, until I know the answer to this question I am going to keep myself busy, give myself time to think things through, and other than that try to be happy. Those are my goals for the next week.