A lot of what you’re saying sounds like reasons I was given for going on one of these seminars, which turned out to be a money-cult, brainwashing people with pop-psychology highs to make money and get free labour. A lot of people lose more than money through these things – relationships, sanity and sometimes even their lives.

So if you are a graduate of one of these things it would be responsible to say so. If not, it is tragic how this pithy pseudo-philosophical bullshit (works for some, not for all, take a risk, make a difference…) has infiltrated general culture.

I felt like I had to leave a comment for you because it’s a very neat post, especially for me at this time. I found your site from DIGG > 7 Habits. . . > Five Things… Your entire blog is really cool!

About 5 weeks ago, our first daughter was born. During the first two weeks I spent a great deal of time thinking about my work/occupation. I am 34, and have my own business as a freelance web designer. I’ve been having a lot of doubts as to my work, whether it is good or not, and if I shouldn’t be just getting a “real job”. Etc. Etc. I guess having a child of my own caused me to really examine myself.

Anyways, all this thinking lead me to spend time journaling and asking myself some really tough questions about my work. This was about 3 weeks ago, and as a result of it, I wrote down about 7 or so “Truths”, as I called them, which were really encouraging to me.

Well. . . 2 of them were EXACTLY what you pointed out! #1 and #4.

My personal reality of #1 was that “it takes time commitment to make something really great”. For #4, it was that “my work is improving, and with a change in attitude, thinking, and heart, it will change entirely.” Sometimes people need to be reminded that they in fact ARE changing, though it’s difficult to see.

Truths and insights are very empowering!

Geoff: I don´t mind. It seems like more and more bloggers seem to do something similar.

Al: That´s a good point to keep in mind so your stuff or goals don´t end up controlling you.

We must be willing to do some heavy lifting up front. If we take the time now, it will all be worthwhile.

I know many people, including myself, are big fans of using a planner or planning system to keep themselves organized. One of my favorite sayings about my planner is that the less I use it, the more out of date it becomes. The more out of date it becomes, the less I use it.

If you don’t put the effort into maintaining whatever it is that you are implementing, then you might as well not have implemented it in the first place.