As the classic film “Groundhog Day” staring Bill Murray beautifully depicted we tend to produce results based on the behaviours that we do. If we do the same behaviours next year as we did this year then there isn’t much chance of getting different in results in 2019.
I was recently in the USA and was in a petrol station paying for some gas and the attendant, picking up on my accent said, “Oh, I have always wanted to go Down-Under”. I was in a hurry and so didn’t follow through with this conversation other to say rather flippantly, “a few dollars, a couple of movies, a little sleep and you are there” but as I walked away from the counter I wondered whether he would ever make it to our ‘hood’.
I think the chances are pretty slim. I think that maybe the patterns that he has established giving him a ‘Groundhog Day’ every day and indeed every year will prevent him from attaining his “want”.
The same could be said for all of us at various levels of our life and business. When you look at the patterns in your life it can be quite an eye opener. Your thoughts become your behaviour, your behaviour becomes your actions, your actions become habits and your habits become your destiny.
Too often we go into the New Year seeking a new destiny without considering the values, thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that have got us to where we are right now. Many of these will prevent us from moving to where we want to be in the future.
The accumulation of thoughts that you have done throughout your life are drivers of what you have right now and what you will have this time next year – that is the predictable future.
The challenge then is to make a future that is unpredictable – a future that wasn’t going to happen by itself.
Making a future that is unpredictable then requires that you do thoughts and actions that are also unpredictable. Now I don’t mean become a psycho filled with bizarre thoughts and behaviours, I mean do the values, thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that get you the results you seek rather than what is usual and predictable for the familiar you.
It is a matter of questioning whether the values, thoughts, beliefs and behaviours and the subsequent habits are serving you.
So, rather than diving into the New Year’s Resolutions over the upcoming week step back and assess the behavioural patterns that you do.
These will range from your morning waking habits, to your food and exercise habits, to your TV, on-line addictions, to your relationship communications, to every aspect of your practice and business detail and so many others.
Identify and name the habit and make a commitment to observe yourself doing the behaviour and if it is not useful then instigate another behaviour in 2019 that will give you a chance to make ‘unpredictable’ outcomes.
It has been an absolute honour and a privilege to be of service to you and our profession this past year. We are grateful for having the opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of the Quest members and others in the small way that we do. We get a real buzz out of seeing your lights of cognition go on, your practices grow and your contribution increase.
May your Groundhog days be over and if you want a hand to be ‘unpredictable’ just make a time to have a chat with us as to how well we can help you and your practice.
Mark & the Quest Team
