Every single person wants their life to be the way they want it to be. If you can get past concepts such as selflessness, altruism, charity, etc., you will realize that every single person on planet Earth wants it their way.
Yes, there are selfless, altruistic, and charitable people, and more power to ’em if that is their thing. However, that doesn’t change the fact that they are selfless, altruistic, or charitable because that is the way they want to be.
All throughout history, every saint, sinner, hero, or demon did what they did because they wanted whatever it is that they wanted. Point blank, straight up, no-holds barred; that’s the truth of our existence.
So, how do you go about building a successful empire full of whatever it is that you want your empire to be full of?
By making sure that every single act is one that creates that empire.
The simple fact of the matter is that almost every single day almost every single person does at least one thing that takes them in exactly the opposite direction of what they are trying to attain. Our lives are so full of “hurry up and get something done” that we often rush right by opportunities to attain our desires. In fact, we tend to rush in the opposite direction of our goals half the time!
- If your empire is one where you are lean, sexy, and attractive, do you really think that scarfing down a pizza or a 1/4 pound of chocolate cake is an act that will help to build that empire?
- If your empire is one where you are wealthy and successful beyond your wildest dreams, yet you spend your entire paycheck and never save or invest a dime, is doing that every week going to help turn you into a financial juggernaut?
- If your empire is one where you are happily involved in a long-term relationship with a healthy and loving family, do you think that hanging out at single’s bars and watching Jerry Springer is feeding your mind with the right type of information to build a happy and loving foundation?
Yes, this all sounds like common sense, but unfortunately common sense is something that is often not as common as its name implies.
- Yes, we all know that a healthy body means proper diet and exercise.
- Yes, we all know that financial success means creating more wealth than we spend.
- Yes, we all know that happy relationships begin with a happy state of mind.
Then why is it that there are so many people who are not happy with their bodies, are not happy with their finances, or are not happy with their relationships?
The reason: Because people say they want one kind of empire, but their thoughts, feelings, and actions take them in the opposite direction of the success that they claim to desire.
Here is the Fast and Easy way to Build your Empire:
From now on, every single time you get ready to say or do every single thing, ask yourself this one simple question:
Is what I am about to say or do something that will help me to create the empire that I want to live in?
If the answer is no, then just don’t do it!
Pretty simple, right? Almost like common sense.
Well said, Aaron, re: the altruism and selflessness… these can often be the most selfish thing in the world.
“If you want to get to Rome, just make sure each step takes you in that direction.”
Thanks. 🙂
That’s funny, Lyman, because I almost quoted something about building Rome several times while I was writing this! 🙂
Thanks for the comment, Lyman!
Aaron,
I’ll agree with ‘fast’, but self-discipline doesn’t sound easy! LOL
I really like this approach to addressing an age-old problem.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Isn’t it funny how so many of our “age-old” problems have such simple solutions? 🙂
The amazing thing about doing ‘stuff’, the stuff we know we should do (even when we’re not ‘motivated to do it’) is that once it’s done, we’re SO glad we did it (and we usually discover we actually are legitimately motivated after we’ve done it)… and then we also discover we’ve developed some new getting-crap-done-even-when-we-don’t-feel-like-it skills!
Good skills to have.
Trust me.
If we only do the things we need to do (to create our desired outcomes and achieve our goals) when we feel like it… then we’ll never achieve much because we’ll be perpetually starting and stopping.
After all, nobody feels motivated (excited, pumped, positive, focused, in-the-zone) permanently.
Hey Aaron,
This is a really great article. Good points, well made.
If only it were that “simple and easy.” I agree with Mike, first of all. There’s nothing easy about that kind of mindfulness.
But I also find this article a little condescending.
Imagine a really obese person who desperately wants to lose weight. You’re basically saying “Stop eating so much!” And call me crazy, but I hold people in higher esteem than to think that they need someone to actually point out something so obvious. People are not simply undisciplined, or stupid. They’ve tried not eating. There are other issues in play.
We are often stuck in patterns that have hidden root cause. For example, in my work I look at past lifetimes and energetic blocks and restrictions – there’s a LOT there that explains some of these inexplicable and irrational things we do that so obviously don’t align with our goals. And that’s just one example. When we clear up the root causes behind our patterns, we find that we can easily shift our actions towards our goals.
To think that common sense is simply uncommon is not taking a very uplifting view of humanity, I think.
Blessings,
Andrea
This reminds me of one of the “laws” of Simpleology – The Law of Straight Lines. We all know that the quickest way from Point A to Point B is a straight line. Unfortunately, most of choose the meandering path!
I really like your idea of using a consistent question to focus work. In fact, I think I’ll formulate a question and post it on my monitor right now!
Craig,
Great point, and one that I think speaks to why a lot of people don’t consistently stick to their goal setting plans.
It is only by pushing ourselves beyond the “norm” (whatever that is for each person) that we get to achieve that sense of accomplishment. As good as that feeling is, you would think that as a race we’d be more addicted to it! 🙂
Thanks, Jenny! I’m glad you liked it, and it is my sincere desire that people will take this simple method and put it to some consistent use!
Hey, Andrea!
Thank you so much for sharing your unique point of view on these issues.
I do agree that there often other issues at play, and whether they be blocks from past lives, present day self-limiting beliefs, or other factors, the end result is still the same; people aren’t accomplishing their goals.
However, that is a discuss of the core reason why people sometimes can’t stick to a goal setting plan. By breaking it down into something as simple as a “does this help me” scenario, the entire process becomes a one step at a time thing, rather than a situation where the core reasoning needs to be resolved before any progress can be made.
For someone who does have deep-rooted reasons for not being able to attain their goals, then perhaps a combination of baby steps and common sense could be combined with a regimen of addressing their deep-rooted issues.
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts, Andrea. Quality stuff.
It’s funny you should say that, Maria, because it is our inability to SEE that straight line that often keeps us from believing that it is even there.
As you indicated, more often than not, we take the winding road, and sometimes that is okay, too. However, as long as each step is at least taking us in the right direction, even a long and winding road will eventually get us there! 🙂
thanks for the inspirational and profound posting… i found it very helpful and appreciated the wisdom! 🙂
Well said Aaron.
To achieve success, we have to align our thoughts and actions. It is common to think of doing big things but not follow it up with action. When we are able to bridge the gap between thoughts and action, we can create our dreams into reality.
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My Positivity Blog https://positivityhub.com/
WOW!!! I was reading something similar in “One Minute Millionaire” today. Good advice.
A thing I learned from simpleology regarding achieving things you want is “Will you choose to take action that brings you closer to or further away from your desired Target?”
great post!
Interesting concept – your right though – it does almost seem common sense – which we all know is not too common…
Etavitom,
I am truly grateful to have provided any inspiration at all. I’m glad that you liked it!
Seeker,
This is beautifully put:
When we are able to bridge the gap between thoughts and action, we can create our dreams into reality.
I don’t really have anything to add, other than to thank you for sharing that awesome quote!
Superspice,
I actually just got One Minute Millionaire out of the library the other day and I can’t wait to read it! I have no doubt that it is chock full of great wisdom and empowering ideas. 🙂
Thanks for the positive feedback, John!
What they say in Simpleology is such a basic and true concept isn’t it? If your goal is off in the distance somewhere, then ANY step that you take can only take you towards it or away from it.
I choose to take steps towards my goals – even if they are only small steps sometimes.
Matt,
I think the misconception about “common” sense is that even though the actual knowledge that makes up common sense about any given topic is very common, we don’t always stop to think about what we are doing long enough to utilize that knowledge.
One of the reasons why I write about personal growth and development is because I get to be reminded on a daily basis to stop and think about creating my life, rather than just rushing through it and reacting. 🙂
Exactly!
“Is what I am about to say or do something that will help me to create the empire that I want to live in?”
Make it a mantra. What a great reminder for those of us who tend to wander off-track from time to time. Stumbled!
Thanks for the Stumble and the positive feedback, Stephen! Both are much appreciated, and I’m glad you liked the post! 🙂
We all dream of becoming someone or achieving something some day. Unfortunately, we tend to keep ourselves limited to dreams. The trick is in awareness. We don’t usually make a conscious effort to ask ourselves if doing this will hinder us from achieving that.
Jay,
That is an excellent point, and one that people should remember. It isn’t very often that we consciously do or don’t do something, since we tend to go through our lives on autopilot. People would do well to set up reminders for themselves to think or act a certain way.
For me, based on this post, every time I see a school bus (which is almost daily), I break out a wide grin and remember how happy I am! 🙂