4 Simple Tips (…and Much More) to Support Your Self -Improvement

In my work as a success coach and mentor we often speak about the distinctions between ordinary and extraordinary thinkers. Extraordinary thinkers understand that if we can estimate that a disaster might happen through systems based assessment tools that we need to do so and respond appropriately. Ordinary thinkers just don’t care about the consequences of an action.

Ordinary thinkers are resistant to change no matter what the cost might be to them for remaining in a particular situation or environment. One reason for this is that they would rather stay with what seems familiar, even if unpleasant, uncomfortable, unproductive and ineffective. And yet, there are few limits to human potential. Even the ordinary among us if shown would understand that there must be stability, rigidity and consistency inherent in a system to help us make sense of the world on even the most basic of levels.

One of the first things an effective decision maker comes to understand is that we need systems to live. So how are systems structured?

Here are 4 concepts that we need to know about self-improvement systems.

1. All consistent (stable) systems are composed of various individual parts or components.

2. The individual parts of a stable system are tightly interconnected.

3. Due to this tight interconnectedness most stable systems resist change. If they didn’t resist changes they would be unstable.

4. Together the resistant elements of all these parts brought together can create a level of resistance that might seem impossible to overcome.

Let’s begin with these 4 ideas as we expand to greater levels of self-improvement

A perfect example of a stable system is a skyscraper. Here hundreds of thousands, even millions of small screws, bolts and beams, sand, and water when brought together on a construction site can become a hundred story skyscraper, amazingly resistant to land shifts, wind, weight and gravity.

What master decision makers understand is that even the most rigid and stable system can be influenced to change. One of the greatest obstacles to change is people. Human beings, especially in groups have a natural attraction to “habitual behavior” Add this attraction to habit, to the emotional resistance many people have to change, and to the fact that systems are consistent and stable, and it is easy to see why change happens so slowly. Still, change is part of life and cannot be avoided.

A small change in circumstances or some other unseen factors may affect a small part of a system and put a change in motion that will affect the entire system through the domino effect and the ripple effect. When this takes place this change will often be a sudden and dramatic one — commonly known as a non-linear factor, or black swan effect. This takes place because it breaks a formerly consistent pattern that was unseen and unexpected. The best a person can hope for is to have enough reserve (stored) energy — to compensate for this radical shift. If there is no reserve the entire process collapses. This is why many people have chaotic and self-destructive lives. They focus on short-term gratification and pay little or no attention to long term issues.

Skilled decision makers understand that there really is no way to know for sure what causes some event to happen or unfold. Sometimes it is a world changing event, the assassination of a political leader, or a natural disaster for example. Here we can see and even change the course of history occurring. Often, however the starting point for a major change is some small, seemingly insignificant occurrence, an occurrence that creates the environment for substantial effects to take place.

When dealing with what seems like negative occurrences, the notion that a calamity might be the unintended consequence of subtler causes doesn’t hold the same appeal as the idea that it has come about through a large shift in the environment, or possibly an unexpected, substantial event.

Part of what defines an individual as a skilled decision maker is that they have the ability to leverage various skills and resources needed to respond to scenarios that require difficult and complex decisions.

If we have a reserve of resources in life, then there will often be an easy, fluid shift in a seemingly rigid system. Often the right decision can take a stable system and make it more stable and thus more effective than it was previously.

Throughout my work as a success coach and a course creator I often reference to what I call the 24 Core Resources (TCR). These are specific tools, and concepts that one can leverage, explore, and apply to address various challenges. When mastered the TCR can be used to create the reserve needed to survive and even prosper in times of scarcity. They also give us the ability to create greater love, freedom and abundance in such times and enable us to use existing systems more efficiently and effectively.

The skilled decision maker has the ability to balance between micro analyses — a study of the parts that make up a system; and macro management — how to use the various interrelated components of that system. Add to this, how our own unique personality and style relates to these two elements and a person can actually predict with accuracy what is likely to happen in the near future.

Within my work which is known as HAGT, (Harrison’s Applied Game Thinking) there are 24 Core Resources (TCR) essential to PEEPPASA (Practicality, effectiveness, efficiency, precision, productivity, accuracy, and self-awareness). Each can be leveraged for power, influence, and to maximize PEEPPASA.

In my own life lessons process, these 24 Core Resources are essential for creating what I need without requiring a lot of cash. The TCR are:

1. Time,

2. Physical Energy,

3. Space,

4. Information,

5. Influence,

6. Power,

7. Critical Thinking

8. Emotional Balance,

9. Spiritual Focus,

10. Clarity of Thought,

11. Physical Wellness,

12. Dependability,

13. Personal Barter,

14. Barterable Goods and Services of others

15. Tools and Technology,

16. Cash,

17. The Capacity for Love,

18. Relationship,

19. Faith,

20. Compassion,

21. Empathy,

22. Wisdom

23. Kindness.

24. Body-Consciousness

The full potentiating of each of these 24 resources from a perspective of change, positive personal growth, and human potential is to balance each of the 24 with the other 23. This is the foundation from which the skilled gamer thinker and master strategists can maximize their PEEPPSA (practicality, effectiveness, efficiency, precision, productivity, accuracy, and self-awareness) when confronted with change.

Here is an interesting article I came across on self-improvement I hope you enjoy it…

Author: Lewis Harrison is a corporate consultant on creativity and innovation. He is the Executive Director of the International Association of Healing Professionals an educational organization that offers programs around the world in Intentional Living. He is also Independent Scholar and a Results-Oriented Success Coach, with a passion for knowledge, personal development, self-improvement, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. You can read all of his Medium stories at [email protected].

For a decade, Lewis was the host of a humor-based Q & A talk show on NPR (National Public Radio) affiliated WIOX FM in NY.

“I am always exploring trends, areas of interest, and solutions to build new stories upon. Again, if you have any ideas you would like me to write about, just email me at [email protected] or check out all of my books, blogs, and videos through my portal www.asklewis.com