“Why do you think that?” That’s a straight forward question, and one that I’m sure you hear often. Now the question is whose answer do you give, yours or someone else’s? Think about it. Have you ever had a truly original thought in your life? I would bet the answer is probably not.
So what’s my point? The point I’m making is that almost all of our understanding of the world around us based on two things, personal experience and learned opinions of facts. Granted, there may be the occasional new idea, but I would argue that such an event is very rare.
By this time in history mankind has tackled most of the big questions. Through their struggles they have come up with both right and wrong answers. And though terms, applications, and contexts may change, almost all issues today can be boiled down to a philosophy or event that is rooted in the past. In short, we are exposed to other peoples’ opinions and values and then we accept or deny them based on personal experiences.
Ok, now rather than rant on about philosophical stuff I would like to rephrase the question.
Why do you believe the things you do? That’s really what I’m interested in because beliefs affect actions. One thing I’ve noticed, especially lately, is that people love to subscribe to popular opinion but rarely take time to analyze why they accept it. They can tell you all the surface arguments and points of any given topic, but it seems a rather small percentage of people take the time to make sure their beliefs (or belief systems) have strong foundations. Whether politics, religion, or goals in life, many people choose to live based on assumptions and testimonies of others rather than challenge the logic and applicability of it. Sure they weigh this against personal experience, but still tend to “go with the flow” rather than be considered dissenters. So how does this apply to the Fast Lane? It applies in that you have to decide whether you are living for rhetoric, or for real.
What is Rhetoric? Rhetoric is speech that is presented in such a way that it has an emotional impact on people’s lives. It both manipulates and inspires.It is catch phrases and repeated slogans, speeches and testimonials, and all things said that cause your blood pressure to rise and sends your mind racing.
What is real? Being realistic is looking at the facts and determining if they lead to a good conclusion. It is also accepting that in order to reach an end result, certain steps have to be completed.
What does it matter? It matters because a majority of people are driven by rhetoric and choose to over look realistically what is required to succeed. In other words, emotion overrides reason. Before you become defensive, please let me explain further.
Thousands of people go through this website every month. Of that, dozens sign up for membership, and of that a handful (small percentage) continuously contributes to the forums. Almost everyone that came to this site did so out of a desire to improve their lives. Even breaking into the ranks of contributing members, only a few have actually achieved that goal. “Now stop!” you say, “You are being a defeatist!”
No, what I am saying is that it is fun to get caught up in the hype, but it’s a shame that few are willing to take the steps required to reach success. As stated before, being real is finding the facts and deciding what actually works. Don’t confuse being “real” with being “hard”. Not all paths to success require the journey to be difficult; they just require the steps to be deliberate and effective.
Wow, am I dancing all over the map on this topic. So let’s get back to the point. What do you think? Why do you believe the things you do?
In other words are you here because you got caught up in all the hype and excitement of other people’s dreams? Or are you here because YOU want to be successful? It is very easy to let emotions energize you and excite you about improving your life. It is very hard for most people to hold on to that energy and apply it to REALISTIC plans that are effective.
Don’t just say, "I’m going to start a web page and make millions." Learn from those who have and apply the advice they give you. Find out how they did it and then adopt the idea that you can do it too. It is no longer rhetoric if it involves the implementation of a plan with a successful history.
So as you go from here, ask yourself, “Am I here because I’m excited about other peoples’ ideas? Or am I here to learn what can be done and how to do it?” If you are here for yourself, determine what your motivations are, your plan for success, and then make a commitment to fulfill it.
So what’s my point? The point I’m making is that almost all of our understanding of the world around us based on two things, personal experience and learned opinions of facts. Granted, there may be the occasional new idea, but I would argue that such an event is very rare.
By this time in history mankind has tackled most of the big questions. Through their struggles they have come up with both right and wrong answers. And though terms, applications, and contexts may change, almost all issues today can be boiled down to a philosophy or event that is rooted in the past. In short, we are exposed to other peoples’ opinions and values and then we accept or deny them based on personal experiences.
Ok, now rather than rant on about philosophical stuff I would like to rephrase the question.
Why do you believe the things you do? That’s really what I’m interested in because beliefs affect actions. One thing I’ve noticed, especially lately, is that people love to subscribe to popular opinion but rarely take time to analyze why they accept it. They can tell you all the surface arguments and points of any given topic, but it seems a rather small percentage of people take the time to make sure their beliefs (or belief systems) have strong foundations. Whether politics, religion, or goals in life, many people choose to live based on assumptions and testimonies of others rather than challenge the logic and applicability of it. Sure they weigh this against personal experience, but still tend to “go with the flow” rather than be considered dissenters. So how does this apply to the Fast Lane? It applies in that you have to decide whether you are living for rhetoric, or for real.
What is Rhetoric? Rhetoric is speech that is presented in such a way that it has an emotional impact on people’s lives. It both manipulates and inspires.It is catch phrases and repeated slogans, speeches and testimonials, and all things said that cause your blood pressure to rise and sends your mind racing.
What is real? Being realistic is looking at the facts and determining if they lead to a good conclusion. It is also accepting that in order to reach an end result, certain steps have to be completed.
What does it matter? It matters because a majority of people are driven by rhetoric and choose to over look realistically what is required to succeed. In other words, emotion overrides reason. Before you become defensive, please let me explain further.
Thousands of people go through this website every month. Of that, dozens sign up for membership, and of that a handful (small percentage) continuously contributes to the forums. Almost everyone that came to this site did so out of a desire to improve their lives. Even breaking into the ranks of contributing members, only a few have actually achieved that goal. “Now stop!” you say, “You are being a defeatist!”
No, what I am saying is that it is fun to get caught up in the hype, but it’s a shame that few are willing to take the steps required to reach success. As stated before, being real is finding the facts and deciding what actually works. Don’t confuse being “real” with being “hard”. Not all paths to success require the journey to be difficult; they just require the steps to be deliberate and effective.
Wow, am I dancing all over the map on this topic. So let’s get back to the point. What do you think? Why do you believe the things you do?
In other words are you here because you got caught up in all the hype and excitement of other people’s dreams? Or are you here because YOU want to be successful? It is very easy to let emotions energize you and excite you about improving your life. It is very hard for most people to hold on to that energy and apply it to REALISTIC plans that are effective.
Don’t just say, "I’m going to start a web page and make millions." Learn from those who have and apply the advice they give you. Find out how they did it and then adopt the idea that you can do it too. It is no longer rhetoric if it involves the implementation of a plan with a successful history.
So as you go from here, ask yourself, “Am I here because I’m excited about other peoples’ ideas? Or am I here to learn what can be done and how to do it?” If you are here for yourself, determine what your motivations are, your plan for success, and then make a commitment to fulfill it.
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