There is a saying that goes something like "getting to the top is easy, the hard thing is staying there once you get there."
There's a reason the above statement is so true. It has to do with this interesting little quirk we humans have: our belief in finish lines. Deep with in our brains we have this belief that once we arrive, we can relax.
Now there are times in life when there are finish lines: 10K races and marathons, dog and horse racing tracks, and at Nascar races.
The problem is we apply this thinking to so many areas where there really are no finish lines: getting in shape, dieting, growing in your profession and especially marriage and other relationships.
Now in no way am I saying that we can't enjoy our achievements and pause to smell the roses. It's just that it's so tempting to stop and only smell the roses and not much else. I once supervised an intern who then took a job in the program. The ffirst thing they said after they got the job and then graduated with their degree was "I"ve been reading so much in school that i'm not going to read anything for a year."
Wrong answer.
When we imagine finish lines where there are none, we fall prey to something I call arrival syndrome.
Signs of Arrival Syndrome
The belief that you have "arrived" (with accompanying trumpets).
Coasting
You stop doing the things that got you where you are.
You do significantly less of the things that got you where you are.
Slipping backwards, losing the ground you have gained.
Other people noticing that you are slipping back but you deny it.
How to Avoid Arrival Syndrome
Discard the belief in finish lines
Pause to njoy your successes, just don't stop there.
Learn CPR. That stands for consistent, persistent and resistant. Consistant in the actions you take, persistent in your efforts to continue to grow, and resistant to the notion of resting on your laurels.
No matter how good things get, always remember to ask the queston: "how can we make this even better?"
Take notice of the mile posts of success along the way. This builds momentum and keeps you going.
This one is so simple and obvious, yet so many times we don't do it: keep doing the things that got you where you are. ANd if you really want to be different, do even more of the things that got you there.
It's often difficult to balance the enjoyment of all we have achieved with the commitment to continuing to learn and grow. Here's one tip that can be helpful: unless you see a white line painted on the ground in front of you, there are no finish lines.
Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
![]() Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:51:06 GMT Theatrical Review of Body of Lies - DVDTOWN.com DVDTOWN.com - By Jason P. Vargo "Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. Will 'Chihuahua' take a bite out of 'Body of Lies'? Body of Lies Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:39 GMT Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—When two American scientists won a Nobel Prize this week in chemistry, the driver of a car dealership's courtesy van had reason to take special interest. Video: Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes for Jellyfish Protein Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:14:18 GMT American space tourist blasts off in Soyuz rocket - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) - A Soyuz spacecraft with two Americans and a Russian on board lifted off from Kazakhstan on Sunday for the international space station. Space Toilet Fixed – For Now Russia launches spacecraft with sixth space tourist Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:11:37 GMT Many homers, and pitches, in Game 2 - MLB.com
MLB.com - By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Five hours and 27 minutes elapsed during Saturday's American League Championship Series Game 2, bookending the moments when Scott Kazmir threw the game's first pitch over home plate and BJ Upton popped its ... Up, up, and away Mike Timlin shoulders blame Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:22:57 GMT McCain campaign's tone likened to George Wallace's - Newsday
Newsday - WASHINGTON - Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement, says the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminds him of the hateful atmosphere segregationist Gov. McCain in 'hatred' war of words Obama thanks, jabs at McCain Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:27:11 GMT Japan says will tap FX reserve if IMF steps up bailout - Reuters
Reuters - WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Japan said on Saturday it is ready to offer a part of its $1 trillion foreign reserves to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the multi-national lender is to support countries facing economic crisis. Video: IMF: Timing right for G7 IMF Calls for Aggressive Response to Crisis Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:32:02 GMT ARM Holders Would Do Well to Shop Around Now - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Nancy Trejos The global financial crisis has affected virtually every aspect of personal finance, from mortgages to student loans to credit cards to retirement savings. Finance giants reportedly ordered to buy $40 bln of mortgage bonds ... Fannie, Freddie to Buy $40 Billion a Month of Troubled Assets Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:07:17 GMT RSS to HTML |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Expanding your comfort zone isn't quite the same as building... Read More One of the things I've noticed about successful people is... Read More Experiencing strong emotions is not uncommon. What is uncommon is... Read More Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More One of the most challenging things about starting on a... Read More Have you ever read something like this as a "way... Read More I'm back from Hawaii; it was ten days of physical... Read More Why am I constantly putting things off? Why don't I... Read More Your motivation is one of the core resources you have... Read More I have a confession to make - several confessions in... Read More One of the shortcuts to creating wealth is to learn... Read More Review: Productivity Engineering- A hypnosis program to help you improve... Read More Many people say that working for themselves or working on... Read More I once heard a statement that no matter how good... Read More I hope you do. Sounds awful, I know. But I... Read More It is often taken for granted that the reality tomorrow... Read More I worked hard for the past 17 years. I felt... Read More Everyone has something, whether it be a habit, or aspect... Read More Fear is the minds great mortal sin.And isn't it just... Read More It's no secret that life is a tricky animal to... Read More "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow... Read More Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to... Read More A few years ago, I was with 20 of America's... Read More It is so important to know how to motivate ourselves... Read More I want to wish you good health, long life, success... Read More
Adsense
websites
Five Ways to Expand Your Comfort Zone
Motivtion: The Power of Responsibility
Motivation: 5 Powerful Emotions You Can Use
Mastering Emotions: Taking Your Life To The Next Level
Getting Started is the Toughest Part of the Job
Motivation-- The Key Is In Your Actions
Our Future
Beyond Procrastination ? 8 Questions To Ask Yourself
Motivation, Your Core Resource
Is Work Still Necessary?
Wealth Building: Let The Wealth Building Secrets Of J. Paul Getty Inspire You To Great Achievement
Productivity Engineering
Are You IFFY?
Ahead of the Curve to be on Top
What If I Fall Flat On My Face?
How to Change Your Negative Reality
Starting Over
Letting Go Of Our Negativity
No, Fear! The Success is Yours (1)
Three Fs and a Challenge
Life Is About Taking
Commit to Doing 80%
Whats Your Zipline?
All Talk And No Action; So Let It Be Written; So Let It Be Done!
Success: 10 Easy Success Tips To Help You Achieve Your Ambitions In Life
The darkness of Winter has descended.For many the long stormy... Read More
If I knock at your door hold your hand take... Read More
We often hear that "Knowledge is Power". Is it really... Read More
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
Do you want to know how the super successful overcome... Read More
Today is an anniversary of sorts for me. Three years... Read More
Most of us plan to find the love of our... Read More
'Stuart Goldsmith? Who is Stuart Goldsmith?' you may be asking.I... Read More
As often happens following one of the Best Year Yet... Read More
Personal time or relax time is often why people want... Read More
We've all heard people say "I have a system". Ever... Read More
I think each one of us has had the experience... Read More
"Making a lot out of a little"Ever noticed how some... Read More
Achieving excellence in our work is an integral part of... Read More
Have you ever felt stuck?You know the feeling - you're... Read More
As you prepare to take your first steps, could there... Read More
I am a big proponent of balance. Everything has to... Read More
Who are the most courageous people in the world? Armed... Read More
I receive many emails from people that basically ask the... Read More
What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More
The key to achieving more than you currently are, no... Read More
1. Most of us are motivated by one of two... Read More
Many people long for a better life. In fact, I... Read More
As a "Motivation Trainer" for over 20 years, I have... Read More
A technical support person in a pager company tells the... Read More
Motivation |