progress Archives | Andrew Shaw

Decision time

In the labyrinth of life, decisions stand as the pivotal crossroads defining our journey. At these junctures, the mind often whispers caution, inviting us to delay, rest, or take the easier path. It poses the eternal question: “To do or not to do?”

“Why do I struggle?” you might wonder. “Why do I falter when it comes to actions that are beneficial?” The answer lies not within you, but within the intricate workings of your mind – a confluence of self and subconscious.

Picture this: You, the self, navigating alongside your mind, functioning as a protective barrier (the id). When faced with potential discomfort – physical, mental, or emotional – this firewall triggers warnings. It conjures discomfort, furnishes excuses, and resurrects past biases and limitations. It distorts reality, whispering phrases like “It should be easy” or “You shouldn’t have to.”

And when subtlety fails, it unleashes deep-rooted fears:

“Confrontation might lead to conflict.” “Being authentic might invite societal judgment.” “Saying ‘No’ could exile you from your tribe.”

The mind plays dirty, coaxing you away from anything remotely painful, all in the name of your survival, not your growth or fulfillment.

Capitulating to these mental gambits impedes progress. As time elapses, a chasm widens between your ideal self and the behaviors you exhibit, sparking mental dissonance. Your actions deviate from your values, creating an internal discord.

So, how do you navigate this mental maze?

The answer isn’t in shutting down the firewall (an impossible feat). Instead, it lies in acknowledging these mental alerts and proceeding despite them. Embrace the doubts, fears, and uncertainties, recognizing them as natural companions on your journey.

This courage to act amid discomfort is not mere bravery; it’s acceptance. Acceptance that these feelings and thoughts are intrinsic.

To strengthen this resolve, focus on enhancing mental resilience, grit, and impulse control. Engage in daily exercises that heighten self-awareness. When the choice point arises, grant yourself space and autonomy to decide, free from impulsive tendencies.

With time, you tame these emotions and impulses. You cultivate self-trust, confident that you’ll act in alignment with your goals and values. This transformation, this harmonious existence of beliefs and actions, is what I call Elysium.

In your quest for Elysium, remember: the mind’s firewall may trigger alarms, but you hold the power to acknowledge, accept, and act. As you persist, you’ll forge a path where your actions align seamlessly with your aspirations, leading you closer to the utopia of self-realization and fulfillment.

career goals

The secret to happiness

We must keep growing!

Everything in life either grows or dies, relationships, businesses, and anything else.

If you don’t keep growing you’ll become frustrated and miserable no matter how much money you have in the bank (or rather invested in stocks and shares).

So the secret to happiness, according to Andrew, can be summed up in one word.

Progress.

Progress equals happiness!

Even if you are not there/where you want to be, but if you are making progress with the things that matter you will start to feel more fulfilled.

The second principle, if it were, is that you have to give to feel truly happy.

If you don’t give you’re limiting your happiness. You’ll never feel absolutely alive.

‘You make a living from by you get, you make a life by what you give!’.

– W. Churchill.

Sharing your gifts, your knowledge and experience to help others taps into the true nature of a human being. It isn’t to be selfish. We are driven by our desire to contribute, we want to share, it makes our lives richer to share.

If you don’t have that sense of contribution you’ll never feel truly fulfilled.

It’s also worth reminding ourselves of the obvious truth that becoming financially rich isn’t the key to fulfilment.

People often chase after money in the delusional belief that it is some kind of magic elixir that will give joy and meaning to their lives.

But money alone will never give you an extraordinary life.

I know millionaires that are miserable.

And if you’re not happy you you can’t have a magnificent life no matter how big your net worth.

Remember money doesn’t change people it just amplifies their nature.

If you have a lot of money and you’re sad and mean money will exacerbate that.

But if you have a lot of money and you are generous you’ll naturally give more.

Now there is one thing to point out here. If you are are someone that contributes to the world and gives a lot to others. There is something to be cognisant of.

That is; making everyone else happy but yourself!

You know the safety instruction the flight attendant gives you on an airplane:

‘Fix your own safety mask before helping others‘.

Well, it’s worth thinking about!

Unless you help yourself first how can you help others?

You can’t! You’ll be in trouble and you wont be able to help the people you care about!

So in order to help others, you must first help yourself. It’s imperative that you are fit, strong, and healthy so you have the energy to keep on doing what you do!

career goals, confidence

You 2.0

Have you ever set a goal and not achieved it?

Are you struggling to do that currently?

It could be the way you are thinking about it!

Setting the intention is great. But, when you’re trying to attain it, your thoughts towards it are very important.

Normally you set a goal in the future. It is great to have something concrete and specific. Measurable and precise.

Writing down the intricacies. And to ensure that it is measurable. Not a state. Your goal doesn’t want to be a feeling.

For example, ‘I want to feel healthy’. Of course, you want that but it is better if you have goals that you can measure accurately.

For example, ‘I want to lower my blood pressure to x/y’. ‘I want to have produced x by this time.’ ‘I want to have improved my health markers for my next health assessment’.

The common problem is after you set the goal. With regards to how you are thinking about that goal.

Saying to yourself ‘it’s going to happen’ is telling your subconscious that it’s in the future.

Making it even more elusive.

You want to be thinking that you have already achieved said goal. Telling yourself ‘I have just achieved my ideal body weight’. ‘I have just secured that contract’. ‘I have got the promotion’.

Telling your subconscious to take the required action to meet the instruction/affirmation. To close the differential from where you are now to the desired version of you.

Maybe you are stuck not progressing? As well as not having the right mindset, it could be because you’re taking advice from the wrong people. They mean well and they are more than happy to offer you their opinion. But you should not be taking advice from people who don’t have the lifestyle you want.

And they should not be offering it if they have not achieved what they are advising. After all, you can’t give what you don’t have.

Which makes me want to ask you. Are you…

someone that knows what they have to do but doesn’t take action or put in the work required?

Or are you trying all manner of things? Working away tirelessly to improve your health. But not getting the results from the work you are putting in. You don’t know what you should be doing.

The latter is the type of person I work with. Those that know that there is work to be done to improve their health. But there are gaps in their knowledge of what to do. With regards to diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and performance.

I’m not interested in working with people that are trying to avoid the work required for change. Reluctant to put in the effort to transform them from the person they are now.

When all it takes is some guidance and some elbow grease. To become the future happier, healthier, more confident, better-performing version of yourself.

You 2.0