Time is on My Side

Hi Persuader,

“Great wealth and the lack thereof, both provide for unbelievable experiences that we might not otherwise have had.”

Is the cup half full or half empty? It’s a common ‘test’ or indicator of what your attitude is. What’s your focus — half full or half empty?

Both are accurate. Both are absolutely accurate. The glass is half full and half empty. To that end, we have tremendous opportunities right now in this seemingly half empty economy. In light of persuasion, since some of the best minds in the world are even telling us that this is where the greatest opportunity is what we need to do first is know how to manage our expectations.

I was talking to one of my coaching groups earlier today about how it’s not so much what happens to us, it’s how we think about what happens to us. That’s easier said than done but I’m going to give you a bit of the explanation I was giving to my class and it’s simply this: the idea that we’re born into the physical world, into this place, to earth, in which time is such an enormous underpinning of all that we are and all that we have, is truly amazing.

Time, if you think about it, it’s something that we take for granted. It’s a presupposition of all that we are and all that we have ever been, all that we’ve done, and time forms just an elemental aspect. However, time a bit arbitrary as well.

It doesn’t necessarily exist where there’s no cycles. With the earth, there’s the cycle of the sun rising and setting and there’s the cycle of birth and death and so, how many suns will rise and set before a person is no longer here.

Time forms an integral part of all that we are and all that we do. And so the key to having an even deeper understanding is that time is so very real and not real at all.

I think all of us would choose to have the great wealth more than anything, but the fact is, is that again, it’s how we think about it. I really believe that thinking about things begins with a great understanding of where we are, an acceptance of where we are, and so to that end, it’s really good if we just look at our lives and write a snapshot of where we are and where we want to be. Where are you? Where is your business?

In it really boils down to what we think of it and how do we use it to our advantage. Again, it is not that we are in any way limited by what’s being thrown at us, we’re limited about how we think about what’s being thrown at us.

Once you’ve done that, and you really see clearly where you are and what you want then I would answer the question in your snapshot, how do I feel I can best use persuasion skills to get ahead?

Why do I say you should answer that question? Because it puts, as a presupposition into your mind, that you’re going to be using them and if you are, you’re going to be more successful than you would be otherwise.

Put these kinds of presuppositions into your head because they’re going to do amazing things for you. This is something I’ve been thinking about an awful lot lately in my own life and how can we use it to our advantage? It all starts with what’s between our ears and then it goes from there.

Until Next Time,

Kenrick E. Cleveland