Too much focus on getting results instead of enjoying the process of achieving a result, caused me to struggle greatly against myself in order to get things done. It was always an uphill battle, with a lot of slipping and sliding back down again. Finally, I discovered that what really matters, in terms of living well, is to set and maintain the correct attitude that allows free-flowing action in each moment. Here’s the tale of how I learned this.

As children we are conditioned to obey for very practical reasons but to become adults we must develop the capability of independent thought and action and for taking personal responsibility. Unfortunately, society at large fails to do this. It’s a task that we must take on by ourselves or else forever remain dependent and needy upon other people and other things. Accepting personal responsibility requires courage because initially it entails risk and uncertainty.

“There is only one security and that is the development of our skills” - Aristotle

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its successful outcome.” William James

Just a short little post for you today about two questions that I have found very useful for getting started on new spheres of activity and following through.