October 2020 – Page 2

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Improve my life. The idea of improvement of getting better is not inherent in all of us. We do what we need to do and not much more. The caveman Grock needed a better smashing rock so what he did was he fashioned a new tool, enter the rock on a stick. The rock on a stick had an advantage and it was an immediate advantage.

Humans don’t often seek improvement when the goal is not clear. Oh, the improvement has potential but the payoff is not immediate, “So yeah let’s push that off.” For those on the cusp of a striking out on a new path of self-improvement, I have a recommendation.

Choose One Thing to Improve Your Life

Choose one thing, and here’s the secret make it small. How small? Here’s an example of how small I made one small improvement. I have a friend that must explain something three times. The story must be told three times not once, not twice, but three times. When I listened to it once I get it, I got the story. I get the explanation but two more versions are coming when regardless of my response. My small improvement was to nod between one and two and between two and three. Once that system is completed, we can discuss it.

A Small Change in Your Life

The smallest of changes, I am wiggling my head. It makes them feel good because they get me in their process, a process that must happen. A small choice on my part with a large improvement.

You want improvement choose one small almost invisible act and do it. The game is how small, how little, how singular can you make your act, and still get the results in the direction you desire?

The goal plus the smallest act should equal the desired result. Remember the game about this way of self-improvement in life is built around the smallest act.

Grok added one stick, I removed words. These are the smallest of changes, yet yield results on the way to the goal, and an improved life via the small change.

If you are perplexed as to what you might choose to improve your life, here is a list of 60 small ways: 60 Small Ways to Improve Your Life.

Another podcast you may find helpful on: Cultivating a Life

Let’s Connect

KRIS WILDER

Kris Wilder is a martial artist based in Seattle Washington. He has authored many martial art books, including the classic, The Way of Kata. Making no apologies for his obsession of Football he can be found telling any who will listen about the nuances of the Canadian Football League.

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Coach Says

One way to look at this is a coach I heard one time say, “If you’re not coaching it you’re allowing it to happen.”

Is the thing that’s happening that you’re not coaching a good thing? If it is a fine thing then you let it be. But there was a discerning eye placed on the thing, to decide if it fell into that category needed to be coached or not. I’m not going to suggest a way to do this.

To analyze this and make this change there are tons of materials out there. There are programs, books, apps, Pinterest, you can find all sorts of things that will help you. The choice is yours in discerning what you think needs to be changed in your life and how can be done.

So, the quick recommendation is to do an ad hoc, freewheeling analysis and ask a modest question or a version of it. “Is this a good thing?” “The best thing?” “Is this good for me and those around me?” if it’s good allow it, let it happen, if it needs improvement go to that end, make sure you address it.

Comfort and Regularity

As humans, we seek comfort and regularity. Rhythm and regularity are soothing and they are important. The regularity and rhythm of a bad thing, well that’s less than a positive act. And yes, we do less than positive acts. When you look at these acts you should couch them in terms of being a cultivated person.

The Cultivated Person, A Cultivated Life

When you look at things in the cultivated person manner, acts begin to take on a new flavor. Think about that cultivated person. That term implies that it’s not an instant change but change that takes place over time. Here’s another phrase that might help you see this, “Whatever you are not changing you are choosing.”