Of all the things that can affect your future, I believe that personal growth is the greatest. To have more we have to become more. 

 

To that end then, in what condition is your mind? In nature, seasons of growth are preceded by deliberate and strategic cutting back and pruning of shrubs and trees. Likewise, the notion of pruning your mind so that it can develop new growth is a useful one.

In nature, pruning to promote new growth can be severe – but the results will always be well worth it. The situation becomes the same in disciplining yourself, for example, to combat ‘go-nowhere negative’ thoughts. The cheerful fact about this however is that, with our minds, one discipline always leads to another useful discipline.

Just as it is in nature, pruning if you want to promote growth, is not optional. An unpruned tree very quickly becomes an eye-sore next season. So it is with the pruning of and renewal of our minds. The difference is that with our minds, what starts to show up when we fail to prune and discipline ourselves is a gradual erosion of our self esteem. This then shows itself in the same way as the tree that has not been looked after. We feel untidy and are less motivated and less excited about ourselves and about life in general. And, just like the tree, we become much less attractive to be around.

The best time to set up a discipline, or a ‘pruning’ to develop new growth, is when the idea to do so is strong. Attach some positive emotion to that and it will more easily become habit. Ask yourself first of all, what you are aware of within yourself that will make the biggest difference if it is severed and is no longer there as an unuseful and unnecessary influence. Ask yourself what specific difference you will notice first and then who else will notice that difference. Then ask yourself what will be likely to follow after that. The chances are that you will be pleasantly surprised as you investigate the possibilities. You may even become quite overwhelmed with the positive feelings you get when you recognise the powerful consequences of just a simple ‘pruning’.

By renewing and reenergising your mind frequently your will avoid burnout and become more motivated and productive and more able to withstand pressure. This will obviously be hugely helpful in our current economic climate.

Karen Buckland