Are You Thinking Clearly About What You Want?

Most days, I don't.

Oh, I'd love to point out to you that:

1. I am a rational, sane human being; with
2. a clear vision and sense of purpose; who
3. single-mindedly pursues his goals; with
4. the clarity of a summer's day.

Yes, I try to project that image.

It's just not true.

Damn!

At BodyChance, I guess the bankers still think we are stiffing the books.

They look at our Pro school's retention rate - over 85% - then compare that to other schools on their books. We're off the charts. Hmmm. REALLY?

Yes, really. When people believe, they are loyal. They become ardent, even radical. We all know that feeling - we've been through it, even if it has cooled off.

And actually, cooling off is a good thing. Look at it this way:

My 18yo daughter graduates from school tomorrow.

Angelica stays late at school tonight - preparing pranks for us staid old baby-boomers who amble up in the morning.

How will they prank us?

By disrupting our habitual experience.

The world is full of disrupters. Every generation thinks theirs is the worst.

Back at the start of the 19th century, a train was a concept. When real trains showed up - slowly - it was a shocking. It revolutionized life. Suddenly - fruit could travel from one end of England to the other.

In a day!

Years ago, a Journalist from a popular “alternative cool” magazine called “Kokoro” – which means “Heart” in Japanese – came along to BodyChance’s studio in Meguro to do a feature on our work.

I suggested she come and watch “the Chancer” - thanks to Carol Ervine for my new nickname! - running a Basic Course class. Basic Course is the program we offer in Japan to the Public.

***SIDE BAR ***

BTW: the name of your group is important, even critical.

Calling our public offering “Basic Course” immediately suggests a higher level…

People have asked me:

“Why do you insist on calling our work ‘Alexander's discovery’?”

It’s a valid question, and one I continue to ask my Self. The simplist answer I have is this:

Alexander's discovery is just that, a discovery. It is not a technique or method.

It’s like the realization that the earth revolves around the sun. Knowing it doesn’t change it, but it changes you. It changes your ideas, your beleifs, your choices.

Alexander's discovery can be expressed in several different ways:

My first crisis happened within 2 years of my 18 years of living in Japan happened in Kyoto,

Jaldhara had our young daughter Angelica in the pram, and had just said goodbye. I turned, and started heading down the escalator to go to Tokyo…

And I tripped. I tumbled down the stairs. And - by a remarkable confluence of unexpected factors - dislocated my arm. OUCH!

The worst part was being alone. Speaking no Japanese. Having no idea what to do next.

So I screamed. I screamed as loud as the air in my body would let me…

Sonja Higgo, one of my star students - and her Self an experienced teacher of many years - just emailed me this note…

***

What I have noticed recently is that I benefit and enjoy doing the task I intended to do rather than procrastinating once again. As I experienced relief and joy about such a simple decision I found it really easy to change.

***

It was timely for me, as procrastination recently haunts my days.

I get up, make a list, and do very little of it. DAMN!

How do you manage the mammal in you?

Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success* tells the story of hugely successful athletes, who all started out, with no particular signs of greatness about them.

Michael Jordan wasn't recruited by the college he wanted to play for. He wasn't drafted by the first two NBA teams that could have chosen him. He was cut from his varsity team.

His response?

I am finally launching ThinkingBody this month.

I won't give you all the details via this blog, I do it separately, so sign up here. I've already gathered an audience of listeners, maybe you are one of them…

The content of this course is unique and unseen in the AT world before.

It's impossible not to be strategic, manipulative, plotting and Machiavellian, when you are unable to listen to the clear communication of another human being.

A case in point is the way I am continuing to treat my ex-partner, as if he were an animal needing to be re-captured. Despite his clear request to remain free.

As if he didn't know his own mind?

As if he can be tricked into thinking like mine?

How could I objectify another human being this way?

It's mammalian behaviour. It's how I am programmed to respond.