Once upon a time, maps were marked HIC SVNT LEONES to denote unknown territory. Hic Svnt Leones means “Here are lions”. Scary. Uncharted territory is scary.
I’ve been paying very close attention to how I accomplish things: What I do and what I don’t do. Why some things are easy and I embrace them and why are somethings harder and I avoid them. I’m trying to improve my business and my productivity so it’s kind of nice useful critical to understand what makes me tick. Or tock. I need to figure out the internal roadblocks that keep me from achieving my goals. I want to recognize them immediately so I can overcome them as quickly as possible rather than letting them pile up to barricade levels.
There is stuff, for lack of better word, that I dislike doing, but when it’s up to me to do everything, and in real estate it often is up to me to do everything, I have to learn to just get on with it. I know this but still, there are things that I don’t like doing so I begin to waste my own precious time, using procrastination as motivation. An epiphany: It recently occurred to me that I would be furious with anyone else who wasted my time the way I so carelessly waste my own time.
Some of the habits I have fallen into are now clear even to me as red flags that I’m avoiding something. Twitter of course, is one example. What? Is it that obvious? Okay, so I use social networking to avoid doing some things that I find difficult. I recognize it now so I can overcome it, and that’s the thing. I once thought this was pain avoidance, but now I see it as fear. Of the unknown. As in Hic Svnt Leones. What is going to happen if I do this thing? What unseen beasties lie in wait to pounce on my soft under belly? I have a very fertile imagination and sometimes it grows weeds in the garden of the mind, but the only way to pull the weeds is if you can recognize them. You have to know which plants are the flowers and veggies, and which plants are like kudzu in Georgia. I’ve been paying attention. Now that I can recognize a red flag going up, I only have to ask myself- what am I afraid of? The answer is typically, no- it’s always something minor, or it’s easily handled, or it’s easily overcome. I may have to break it down into bite size pieces but, quite honestly? There’s nothing I can’t do. You neither if you think about it.
Humans are productive by nature. It’s in our DNA to be working, accomplishing, solving problems, setting goals and achieving them. The best part of learning about what I’m afraid of is that it gives me more opportunities to be productive, to make and meet bigger goals, and accomplish those whispers of dreams that I sometimes barely dare to recognize. Those explorers who ignored the warnings and those intrepid travelers who step into uncharted territory today are the only people who get to stand on the top of the mountain and roar. I want to be one of those people and I’m on my way. See you in that uncharted territory where Hic Svnt Leones.
Greg Swann says:
Gorgeous. I love it.
August 13, 2010 — 6:54 pm
Ken Brand says:
This is helpful, and for me, dead-bang. Thank you.
August 13, 2010 — 6:54 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Damn, you touched on so many areas I want to explore in depth. I’ll be referencing this post for weeks! Two comments I have to make now:
Bias Toward Action. That’s been my motto lately as I (coincidentally) go through similar introspection. Action creates opportunity so be biasd toward action. I had a mentor once who told me: “Do the thing, have the power.” Different verses, same refrain.
Goals are the Goal. People wonder at the meaning of life. Why am I here? What’s my purpose? And other navel-gazing ponderers. Goals are the Goal. I am most splendorous when I am most me; in passionate pursuit of my goals… I serve my purpose.
Thank you Teri!
August 13, 2010 — 9:46 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Sean-
>Bias Toward Action
Perfect. I love it when I get to say to myself, “that’s done, what’s next?” Hic Svnt Leones + Bias Toward Action= Done, and done, and NEXT. There are very few things in life as fulfilling as meeting goals.
August 14, 2010 — 4:34 am
Jeff Brown says:
One of the gold medal moments of my career, hell, my life, was when I realized the only thing between me and any particular goal, was the DECISION to accomplish it.
Lussier strikes again.
August 14, 2010 — 8:47 am
Brad Coy says:
“It recently occurred to me that I would be furious with anyone else who wasted my time the way I so carelessly waste my own time”
What a thought. Although it does no real good to be angry with yourself, the fire it takes to fight will dissolve procrastination. Harness that fire and light appears.
August 14, 2010 — 12:44 pm
Elizabeth Delgado says:
I saw this posting on twitter.
August 14, 2010 — 2:46 pm
Teri Lussier says:
>the only thing between me and any particular goal, was the DECISION to accomplish it.
Bawldguy strikes again.
>the fire it takes to fight will dissolve procrastination. Harness that fire and light appears.
Brad, you are a zen master these days. I appreciate the shared wisdom.
August 14, 2010 — 3:13 pm
Don Reedy says:
Teri,
This is just so you, and thus, so everyone of us.
You dance on the windows of our minds, raining down on us with ideas so powerful we simply have to strike our tents and slip into our armor to go to Hic Svnt Leones.
Woman, you are a powerful and wondrous force, a seeker, and a fire starter. Leave some coals at the top of the mountain. I’m starting my climb now.
August 14, 2010 — 7:17 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Don-
You are such a poet, you leave the most lovely comments- thank you. If I’ve inspired you in any way, I’m honored.
August 15, 2010 — 5:21 am
Chris Johnson says:
Love it and (B) a tool called “rescue time,” is one of the non-arrogant tools that I dig to do help ME stop avoiding stuff.
August 17, 2010 — 8:00 am