Seek to Improve

I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toronto, Canada. A theme that was prevalent during that time was “Always Seek to Improve.” I became borderline obsessed with this idea, and as a result I constantly evaluated whether or not my efforts were sufficient. 

Since that time, my obsession with improvement has diminished. One could be upset about this (I kind of am), but in my situation, there are pros and cons to it.

Pro:

This “seek to improve mindset” enabled me to become a better person and feel like I am working to achieve my goals. I love that feeling. I would focus on what is good in my life, and continue doing those things. On the other side, I would focus what was bad in my life, and strive to eliminate them from my nature. Through prayer, faith and divine help, I was able to accomplish many things that would have been impossible on my own.

Con:

When I was hyper-focused on improving as a missionary, I was in a constant state of stress and worry - always wondering whether or not I was good enough. This worry and anxiety really weighed on me and has carried over to other aspects of present life.

Solely based on the lengths of the previous two paragraphs, it seems like the “pros outweigh the cons” and all is dandy, I can just continue being hyper-focused on improvement. But to me, the negative aspects of my mission improvement mindset far outweigh the benefits. 

I know that improvement is a good thing and that I should be focused on it. HOWEVER that focus needs to be at a level that does not cause unneeded stress and anxiety to my life. 

How am I going to have an improvement mindset, and what can I do now to ACTIVELY work toward achieving a goal?

Well, I am going to pick an aspect of my life that I feel I need/want to work on and develop. Then will set goals and make plans, and act. How do I see myself? Where will I be in five years? What goals can I set to help me work toward that vision? What plans do I make to accomplish these goals? And finally, how do I account for/measure my actions? 

Here is what I will do this week - sit down and write down my “2020 vision.” 

The Powerful Mind.

I am a martial artist as well as a student at BYU. I got married about 6 months ago and haven’t been able to train as much as I wanted. So as a result I find myself very out of shape. This weekend I went to Idaho in order to have a weekend to train with my instructor and his instructor. We met on Friday afternoon in SLC and drove to Hailey, Idaho. That’s about a 5-hour drive. Right when we pulled in, my instructor said, “Get out! We’re late!” and then we started to train...immediately. Boy oh boy – it was a rude awakening. Things that were easy to do in the past now seem impossible.

But something hit me. The teacher taught us that when the body says, “I have had enough, the mind kicks in and says, “Let’s keep going.” And then you keep going. Inevitably, the mind gets tired and says, “I’m done!” Then it is the spirit’s turn. The fighting spirit kicks in and then you can keep doing the task in front of you. There is always another layer.

You just need to smack yourself in the face, head butt a brick wall, and keep going! (Another quote from the same instructor)

Why is this important? Life presents obstacles on a daily basis, and it is important to be able to trust in and develop one’s ability to overcome.

My wife and me at a tournament in SLC - 15 Mar 2014

This week I will actually carry out my New Years Resolution – exercise Monday through Friday. It will help develop my fighting spirit, and that will help me to accomplish my goals.

I also learned a complementary lesson. Don’t forget God in my goals. Trust in God and not the arm of flesh.

Go With Your Gut Feeling: Maximize Utility

"It's that gut feeling of -- you're drawn to what you know feels right for yourself, and what you're passionate about."- Magnus Walker. The Urban Outlaw

Magnus Walker, founder of Serious Clothing company, and self-proclaimed Porsche enthusiast, recently gave a Ted Talk on his life's journey: growing up in England, dropping out of school, moving to America, starting a clothing company, and ultimately buying and refinishing old Porsche 911s.

In his own words, he "followed [his] gut feeling." He explains that the things he has done in life all have a common thread, a common bond, and that is the "freedom to do whatever I wanted to do, and a dream . . .  to be able to . . . live my life to the fullest and do whatever I wanted to do."

At an early age he realized his passion for Porsche. At ten years old he wrote to the company and said that he wanted to design for them. They wrote back and instructed him to contact them when he is older. Even though their response could have crushed his dreams, Magnus Walker was not dissuaded. He followed his gut feeling, acted according to his passions, and actually fulfilled his goal of designing Porsches.

How does this relate to me? I am a university student, just finishing my general education requirements. I have an opportunity to choose to live my life according to my own passions. I can choose to study whatever interests me. I don't have to get a "practical degree" -- one that I don't like, but think I should study because it will help me get a job. I don't even have to study something that is connected with the career I work in ten years from now.

If I choose to study something solely practical that doesn't appeal to me, I won't be "maximizing my utility" (a term used by economists that basically describes Magnus Walker's mentality -- be fulfilled in life because you did whatever you wanted to do).

I want to feel fulfilled. I want to look back and see a life full of happiness and good memories. So, right now, it is more important for me to study what I love as opposed to what I think will score a job. It is more important for me to explore my passions and pursue them. To find new ones. To rekindle old ones. By so doing, I am making the most of my life and enjoying it.

Magnus Walker refers to his Porsche passion as "this out of control hobby vibe of just enjoying the process all the way through." I am beginning to explore my passions and hobbies (like reading and writing for pleasure) in order to enjoy my process of life all the way through.

Watch the Ted Talk here.
Watch Magnus Walker's documentary entitled "Urban Outlaw" here.