Action Principle 1
Set Goals
You will either shape your life, or circumstances will shape your life for you. For which results will you plan, work, sacrifice, invest, persist?
You are the sculptor. you create your own image. Have others already done what it is that you want to do? Study them and do what they did. Start anywhere at anytime and persist.
In the beginning, don't be too concerned about how you will achieve your goals. With commitment, research and patience, the means will come. Your goals will evolve into a series of to-dos. Every day, you do what's on your to-do list. You reach the objectives and eventually obtain the goal.
Write your goals down. Visualize the attainment of your goals often. Goals are dreams with dates attached. Commit yourself by sharing your goals with others. Every day, you're one day closer. You will only become as great as the goals you choose. Decide today where you will end up. Think BIG
Action Principle 2
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Get up, stretch and be happy because today you are one day closer to your goals. You know who you are and where you are going. You are generous and kind and hard working. Above all you are self-reliant. You know that success can be yours because success is in your own hands. You feel the enlivening power of having control over your own future. You expect good things to happen. Optimism is a wonderful feeling.
You are your thoughts. You are thankful for being tough enough to take a few setbacks and keep going forward. You are thankful to have the curiosity to keep learning. You are thankful to see opportunity knock so often. You are thankful to have the personality to keep making new friends. you are thankful for the force and all the opportunities it presents. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time so make that one thought positive.
One of the five Shaolin animals is the Dragon. The Dragon possesses many different techniques to deal with opponents. The spirit of the Dragon is indomitable. He cannot be destroyed. the Dragon is also the Shaolin symbol for heaven.
You are a positive thinker in the Force for whom all is a possibility. Count your blessings. Through meditation the way will become clear. You are a follower of the Jediism principles. The world is a better place because you are in it!
Action Principle 3
Okay Folks, this is the same questionnaire I give to ALL of my students before becoming a Black Belt (in Karate) or a Black Sash (in Kung Fu or Tai Chi) Think long and hard about each answer, and then throw us some feedback on how these questions made you feel. We don't need your answers, unless you want to post them, but I would like to know how you felt while reading the questions.
Action Principles Part III
Ask Yourself Are you generous enough to share your good fortune?
Are you healthy enough to keep to a regular exercise schedule?
Are you self-disciplined enough to stick to your prioritized to-do list?
Are you smart enough to be able to debate current affairs?
Are you brave enough to take a moral stand?
Are you self-confident enough to try new things?
Are you humble enough to ask for help?
Are you hard working enough to build your own business or professional career?
Are you strong enough to delay material gratification?
Are you merciful enough to forgive those who offend you?
Action Principle 4
Act As If
If you feel happy, smile.
If you feel daring, act.
If you receive good service, compliment.
If you feel energetic, do something positive.
If you know a good joke, tell it.
If you feel generous, give.
If you are interested in getting wealthy, save and invest.
If someone needs help, lend them your strong hands or soft voice.
If you give your word, keep it.
If you can say something nice, say it.
If you can stand up for the weak, do it.
Action Principle 5
This weeks action principle comes in handy for the warrior or the monk. I have seen numerous questions on what a warrior is, well, people have asked and here it is...
Be the warrior/Monk
Be known as: youthful, successful, controlled, powerful, loyal, passionate, vital, noble, courteous, competent, confident, strong, polite, spiritual, cheerful, generous, honest, happy, kind, modest, centered, secure, disciplined, imaginative, capable, dynamic, motivating, calm, decent, fit, serene, romantic, charismatic, able, daring, diplomatic, patient, inspiring, courageous, vibrant, captivating, altruistic, cultured, clean, funny, enterprising, compassionate, brave, creative, prosperous, persistent, robust, charming, joyous, determined, sophisticated, respectful, hard working, humble, positive, active, thrifty, appealing, delightful, warm, chivalrous, considerate, frugal, unselfish, optimistic, affluent, peaceful, loving, diligent, curious, bold, tenacious, faithful, educated, principled, energetic and elegant. Establish this reputation.
Your assignment for this week, choose the one word on here that you want to become (or become better at) and tell us how you intend to do so! Thanks all!
Action Principle 6
Well folks, for those of you that have not had a chance to speak personally with HC Christopher, I must say, it is a truly an enlightening experience. Every discussion I have with him is worth a hundred others, for that is how much I learn from him. This weeks action principle comes from something he did last night, with or without realizing it.
Share the Credit
If everyone in your school/community (Jediism is just that, a community) volunteers to clean a park, let everyone enjoy the thank you’s. If your team wins a competition or makes a good showing, be proud and let everyone walk around with the trophy.
If your sales team meets its objectives or if your customer service department solves a tough problem, take everyone out to lunch. Let everyone laugh.
As a Jedi or as a manager, your greatest satisfaction should come from seeing the people in your team/community succeed. Share the credit and experience the camaraderie. You know who you are. Let others glow in the feeling of accomplishing a mutual goal. Be enthusiastic for others. Acknowledge exceptional work. Encourage cooperation. Your reward will be communicable loyalty.
Action Principle 7
Listen to your Instincts
I don't feel comfortable here. I don't like the sound of thus. This doesn't look right to me.
Whether with regard to your physical self or your physical surroundings, your intuition and instincts are your own best early warning system. Listen to the inner voice. Listen to that gut feeling. Go to the doctor. Leave the party and go home. Take a taxi home. Get away from these people. Quit this job.
Every once and a while, your instincts may be off and you may feel foolish. Err on the side of safety and your instincts may be saving you from danger. Give yourself time or space to consider your options. It would be foolhardy to do otherwise.
The same is true in business. If you feel that you have a good idea, try it. If you feel that you've made a mistake, correct it and move on.
We have all had feelings of danger that may have saved us, we may never know because we left the situation. Let's share some of these situations and lets also share what your "danger" alert feeling is. For me, when I sense danger or a just "not right" feeling, I break into a cold sweat and the hair on my arms and back of my neck stand on end. My stomach feels like I ate lead. That is my danger sense. Very similar to a mini panic attack. It has saved my life 4 times to date, maybe more... Anyone else?
Action Principle 8
Become Grateful
Life isn't exactly the way you want it to be. You will have your ups and downs and crosses to bear. You will have plenty of opportunities to practice holding your tongue and exercising patience. Yet, because your eyes are focused on the larger picture, you will be able to keep everyday events in their proper perspective.
In the larger scheme of things, you may wish to be grateful for good health, a supportive spouse, a rewarding profession, obedient children, conscientious employees, prosperity, religious faith, loyal friends and even winning sports teams. You add and choose.
When you can look forward and be thankful, you can help others in your charge to do the same. Hold the burning candle from which others light their candles.
This is the discipline of the Force.
Now the fun part, the assignment. Please give us feedback and examples of this post in your OWN words, in addition, please post one minor and one major thing you may wish to be grateful for. Mine are
Minor: I'd be grateful if the Red Sox actually won the World Series for once
Major: I'd be grateful for my health to remain steady and for my faith and connection in and to the Force to continue developing.
-Shaun