Look to the sky. See any clouds? What do you think they’re made of? Air, condensation, dust, magic, and unicorns? Chances are you’ve never checked for yourself. You had to rely on the research of someone else. And you’re perfectly fine with that.
But what in the credibility arena did it for you? Was it the authority of the person that did the research? The number of degrees they held or letters behind their name? Or maybe since you didn’t have the time or resources to check, you decided to consider others’ work as the only realistic option?
Tools to Find – Tools to Try
When it comes to changing the way you live, I understand you’ve got to cautiously consider what’s there. After all, I’m not comfortable accepting a life-changing tool without trying it myself. I digest it, file it away, and make note to try it out. To not give it a shot is to not give myself a chance to grow.
This is something I want you to do here, too. If you read through this website full of doubt and lack-of-interest, then it won’t stick. You won’t be able to prove to yourself that anything here matters. You need to experience the tools for yourself to make them real. To really bring them to life, requires giving them a chance.
The number one killer of new ideas and habits is doubt. The critics around you will tell you such and such won’t work. They’ll hang their professional reputation on method X and tool Y, but definitely not skill Z. And, hey, I admire that type of confidence. Except they’ll never know if skill Z was the one holding them back.
Pick Your Own Path and Take It
But do this for yourself. Give yourself permission to take the learning in and try it for yourself. You are capable of figuring out if something will work for you or not. You don’t need Dr. Bojangles or Researcher Ninnetelle to figure out your life.
Do you know the difference between a scientist and an engineer? I’ll paraphrase Henry Petroski’s great explanation:
“Engineering is the design of new, useful devices. The purest of scientists seek knowledge for its own sake – with no application in mind.”
A Scientist is soaking just to soak and an Engineer is trying to make it work. Take it in, experiment with it, and see how it’s going to work in your life.
Be your own Life Engineer.
| Photo by: Seattle Municipal Archives |