Lambs to Lions

It's 8:50 on a Saturday morning. I've been up about an hour an a half brainstorming and prepping for the day. I also consider that I got up late today. (I had my alarm set for 6AM, but got woke up at 3AM by some drunks outside).

You'll be amazed (or perhaps not) how many people comment on this, often hearing this (especially from my mother):

"Rob, you work too much, you need to rest more."

And then I might have a back-and-forward similar to the following:

• Rob: And what will I do when I "resting"?
• Other: Clear your mind, relax, sit with your thoughts.
• Rob: And think about what?
• Other: You know, things you want to do and stuff..
• Rob: Like what I am actually doing right now?

Don't confuse resting with procrastinating.

If you are mentally or physically tired, then rest. Have a good meal, get some sleep and let the batteries recharge.

When you feel recharged and start thinking about what you want to get done, get on and do it.

Just because it's Saturday or Sunday, it doesn't mean you should just sit around doing nothing. With a good diet, and regular sleep there is no reason why you can't "work" 7 days a week.

Stop listening to others and listen to your body.

But when you are working on things that you are normally sat around dreaming about, it's not really "work" is it? It's living.

Now go live.

You have an idea, something you want to do, a goal to be achieved.

You ponder on the thought, "wow, that would be amazing.. BUT.."

BUT - then we plummet into a world of "worst case scenario". Your mind runs wild on the things that could go wrong. "I could lose my job", "I won't have any income", "what if they won't talk to me again".

Before long, sometimes in just a few moments - we have convinced ourselves that we are "better off not doing it".

Pareto's Principle

You will often find me going on about Pareto's Principle (commonly referred to as the 80/20 rule). Why? It's everywhere.

Including here.

The "worst case scenario" can happen, sure. But how often? The truth is - hardly ever. So we optimise for the majority. If 80% of the time "worst case scenario" doesn't happen - think about all the opportunity you are missing out on!

"Plan B"

Whenever I am doing something big and bold - I always have a "plan B". This is often not a definitive action, but more a direction to start moving if the situation starts to turn. I tend not to think of it as "Plan B", but more of an "Flanking Manoeuvre". One implies you want to get out, the other implies you are doing your best to get in.

If you keep things as black-and-white as "if X happens I get the hell out", then you will often find yourself running away from situations long before "worst case scenario" is actually on the horizon.

For example - when I decided to up-sticks and move to London, I was nervous. I was leaving my hometown (where I have been all my life) and moving somewhere big, busy - and expensive. A lot could go wrong. Worst case scenario? I end up on the streets of London with all my stuff, getting robbed and stabbed (as several people said I would when I informed them of my decision to move). Likelihood? Not much.

So, my "plan B" was to make it easy as possible for me seek shelter. This was neatly aligned with my minimalism goals, since that wanted me able to live out of a backpack. Therefore, if things really started going south, then I would just grab my backpack and have everything I need. I then ask a friend to let me sofa-surf or something.

Your situation(s) will definitely differ, but the point is this you wanted this "thing" for a reason - so stop running and start doing. We humans are a lot better at survival than we give ourselves credit for.

The REAL "Worst Case Scenario"

I find this helps. Rather than think about "worst case scenario" on a situation-by-situation basis, think about all the opportunities you may miss if you keep preventing yourself from going for what you want.

Our time here on this earth is limited. Don't find yourself at the end of the race thinking "I wish I..."

The truth is, if "worst case scenario" was to rear it's ugly head - your flanking manoeuvres will probably take care of 80% of the problem anyway..

• Make your goals.
• Plan some flanking manoeuvres.
• Ignore "worst case scenario".
• Get it done.
• Rinse and repeat.
• Have FUN!

We all have problems, and some of them big.

Think of this problem like a big, juicy, tasty golden delicious apple (or whatever big handfruit takes your fancy). Mmmm - looks good doesn't it?

Now take said apple/fruit and cram the entire thing into your mouth at once. Not so enjoyable now is it?

Now bring the pain

We were just talking about having too much of something we like, now think about doing the same with something you don't like.. A massive onion or a swede - or 1 million brussels sprouts. The situation has just gone from "not-enjoying it" to "OMG I think I am gonna throw up/die".

Not good.

Stop taking the big bites

The tasty fruit is best enjoyed by taking medium-sized bites. If your bites are too small, you just get the skin and not the juices, if they are too big - you either choke and/or juice goes everywhere.

Likewise, the horrible food is best mashed up in amongst all the good stuff. Chop your brussels sprouts up into tiny pieces and mix them up with the rest of the roast dinner.

Stop trying to take on massive tasks all in one go. You have to chop them up in to tiny pieces and take care of them individually. Just remember to pop your head back up now and then to look at the plate and make sure you have your portion sizes right. Ensure you are not eating all the good bits now and saving the worst for later (and vice versa).

Well, while I am not into astrology (I believe fate is well and truly planted in OUR hands) - I was born a Leo. If you check out what the common characteristics of a Leo are, you get me. This is something that I have been proud of. I think the good traits of a Leo are true strengths, while the majority of 'flaws' can be managed. So the Lion become quite an inspiration for me.

If I was feeling a bit down, I would get a really strong vision of a big, strong lion stalking through the plains, snarling at his predator before taking them down.

So, when I saw "rise and rise again, until lambs become lions" in the Ridley Scott Robin Hood movie it instantly struck a chord with me. I remembered those times when I used to be fragile, to gradually growing stronger and more confident.

And here we are today.

Never underestimate the power of a strong positive mental image (or negative one for that matter). Find an image that makes you feel stronger, more positive, more passionate and keep visualising it. Each day, every day. I always spend at least 10 mins each morning while prepping for the day doing this and it gets me off to a great start.

(if you are interested in a relatively good overview of Leo's characteristics see this website).

Put simply, I want it to be a repository of any thoughts, ideas, tips, tricks - ANYTHING that I think can help anyone improve their lives.

Like most, there have certainly been some rough patches in my life. But the gift of tenacity (which I think I get from my mother) coupled with a passion for breaking apart problems and solving them has allowed me to get through all of them - generally "coming out swinging".

I've learned a lot in these few years of my humble life (at time of writing this, I am 27 years old). I can hand-on-heart say that every year I have improved. Especially in the last 5.

"Lambs to Lions" is the documentation of findings from this ongoing journey - the constant cycle of personal evolution.