Understanding human nature requires subtle intelligence.

The question is “How do we acquire it?”

ATTRACT Opportunities Instead of Pursuing Them…

…Using Counter-Intuitive Thinking

One of the keys to success is understanding others in ways that allow us to help them enjoy greater success.  This week we’re going to use Step 6, Eclectic Education, to discover how we can become more attuned to our fellow human beings and Step 3, Suspend Judgment, to enrich those relationships.

The following quote comes from the Katha Upanisad:

Hidden in all beings,

The self does not shine forth.

But it is seen with supreme, subtle intelligence

By those of subtle sight.

The underlying theme of the Upanisads is that divinity resides in all living things, not just human beings.  It’s this divinity that is “Hidden in all beings” – that does not “shine forth.”  Yet each of us has experienced those special moments in which we’ve become comfortable with who we are and, in doing so, felt the joy of oneness with the world.

Unfortunately these special moments seem to occur too infrequently.  It’s the protracted time frames between these moments that keep the self hidden.  How can we enjoy more of these special moments?  How can help the self shine forth more frequently?

Through introspection – what the Upanisad calls “subtle intelligence” born of subtle “sight.”  If you truly want to experience more of these precious moments, spend 15 minutes each day getting to know who you truly are – warts and all – for even in the warts there is beauty.  Here are some of the things I’ve discovered about myself.  I:

• Am extremely confident.
• Assimilate information quickly and decide quickly.
• Am not good partner material – too independent.
• Am not particularly religious, but spiritual.
• Like people and like to make them laugh.
• Bore easily.
• Am results-oriented.
• Refuse to grow up.

One of the keys to making these self-evaluations work to my advantage is not to judge my discoveries as being either good nor bad.  Being extremely confident is very helpful as long as I don’t allow my confidence to close my mind to what others are telling me.

Not being good partner material could imply that I’m not a team player, yet I have no problems working with groups of people in my clients’ offices or on association boards.  I simply want the freedom to choose what I want to do when I want to do it without seeking a business partner’s permission to do so.  That knowledge allows me to be honest with people who seek any type of affiliation besides a collaboration on a project.

Each day that you spend 15 minutes discovering something about yourself and letting go of the judgment about whether it’s good or bad, the more comfortable you become with who you are.  With this comfort comes the ability the Upanisads calls “subtle sight” – the ability to see, without judgement, the qualities that define those with whom you come into contact.  In essence, you’ll be able to see their “true self” – it will shine forth because you’ve developed the ability to see it.

It’s counter-intuitive, but the ability to know, understand and appreciate others comes from our ability to first know and appreciate ourselves.

Develop this subtle sight, this subtle intelligence and you’ll become very adept at bringing out the best in all whom you meet.  This ability will make you INVALUABLE to those around you and, in the process, attract opportunities so that you don’t have to pursue them.

Would you like to learn how to develop these counter-intuitive thought approaches?  Check out my 7 Steps to Becoming INVALUABLE self-study program.  It’s a modest investment with life-time returns.  Just click on the 7 Steps to Becoming INVALUABLE book cover and learn how easy it is for you to become INVALUABLE.

Attracting opportunities is only the beginning.  Visit www.pricingforprofitbook.com to discover how to get compensated well for the value you provide or check out my latest book, Pricing for Profit.  Enjoy!

How her insights impact our view of ourselves…

…and our future. 

In an address to the students of Howard University, Michelle Obama said “The question that I hate most that we ask of young people is, ‘What are you going to be when you grow up?’ And the truth is, I still don’t know, and I’m 45 years old.” 

I’m significantly older than Ms. Obama and I still don’t know what I want to be, nor do I want to know.  What I have is a direction in which I’m headed.  That sense of direction is all that I need to move forward.  It does not, however, allow me to know exactly what I’ll be doing in the future.  There really isn’t any way for me to know what opportunities my journey will present and which of them will be most attractive to me at the time. 

It’s counter-intuitive, but if I have a clear picture of what I want to do, keep my nose to the grindstone and work diligently toward that end, I’m likely to overlook opportunities that present themselves along the way.  I could easily pass up opportunities that offer greater psychic and financial rewards than the one I envisioned.  

There is another risk associated with having that clear picture of what you want to do.  The market may not share your interest.  Who among us hasn’t created something we thought incredibly exciting and valuable only to learn that we’re a party of one.

Keeping your eyes open as you move in the general direction you want your life to go will allow you to see what the market wants so that you can align its interests with yours.  That’s why it’s so important that, like our First Lady, you’re not overly concerned with what you’re going to be when you grow up. 

Please share your experiences in discovering opportunities you didn’t envision by posting a comment.  If there are topics you’d like me to address, send me an email at dale@furtwengler.com. 

One of today’s most popular concepts.

Why don’t more people use it effectively?

The book and DVD, The Secret, offer a plethora of examples of very successful people who have used the law of attraction to great effect.  It’s a message that resonates well with virtually everyone. 

Why, then, do so few people employ it effectively in enhancing their lives?  The title of this blog offers a clue.  It’s the action.  In my opinion, The Secret does not place enough emphasis on taking appropriate action.  Without action, neither God nor the universe, knows that you’re serious about your expressed desire.  Allow me to share a personal example.

I have a program, 7 Steps to Becoming INVALUABLE.  As I’m sure that you know, it’s the program that teaches people how to develop the skill of counter-intuitive thinking – the focus of this blog.  It’s a message that resonates extremely well with audiences.  It’s not unusual to have over half the audience feverishly taking notes. 

I’ve wanted to take this program national for about six months.  I didn’t make this goal a priority until 45 days ago.  As you’ve probably guessed, nothing happened until the last 45 days.  In that brief period, I’ve had the good fortune to have a literary agent become interested in a book concept that utilizes counter-intuitive thinking.  I’ve increased my speaking engagements six-fold and I’ve recently been interviewed twice by a national continuing education provider.

It’s counter-intuitive, but the law of attraction’s success lies in the action.  Visualizing what you want, keeping the message in front of you everyday – multiple times a day – aren’t enough to get you the success you desire.  You must take action and be consistent in taking actions that move you in the direction of your desired goal.

Do you have topics you’d like to see addressed?  If so, send me an email at dale@furtwengler.com.