Richard Branson, Henry Ford, You? (5 MM 126)

5 MM 126 The Trailblazer Hello my friends and welcome to Five Minute Mojo.  Today I recorded an episode of Zen commuter that focused on ways to leave the comfort zone.  Specifically, it was a primer on escaping the comfort zone by taking baby steps.  On the show I read a great article.  Definitely tune in tomorrow to check it out.  One of the points of the blog post made note to say that not everyone will be able to escape the comfort zone.  It may go against what they believe in, or feel, specifically fear.   In a way that's a great segue for us today.  I would imagine on some level people who are uncomfortable stepping outside that deceptively cozy box may have bigger issues to deal with.  They may not feel comfortable thinking uniquely, not being concerned with the status quo or what everyone believes to be the right way to do things. History is full of examples of people who didn't care what others thought.  They had a vision, a personal vision, and it didn't need validation from anyone.  They were trailblazers.  There are still plenty of them around today.  The question is, are you one of them? There are some common themes on Five Minute Mojo and ZEN commuter.  One of them that I talk about a great deal is the desire to be part of a group.  More specifically, I talk about how life will never be your own until you are guided by your own thoughts, beliefs, values and goals.  So I guess I talk about not being part of a group. So let's do something that is unexpected.  Let's throw the question of the day in here right now.  Let's be trailblazers. When was the last time you did something just for you?  When was the last time you thought about doing something without having to ask permission or go down a mental list of people to sense what they would think? So this question definitely warrants some exposition.  There are many times that we think we are doing things for ourselves but the reality is that those thoughts are deeply imbedded societal beliefs.  I would encourage you to think a little deeper on this one.  Here is a great example.  When you exercise, hopefully that is frequently, what is your reason? I'll list some possible answers and you decide which of these answers do you think are societally influenced and which are your own. You  want to be able to move around better as you get older You want to be thinner You have a history of some illness in your family and you want to lessen your chances. You have kids and you want to be able to play with them and be around for them for a long time. You feel better when you exercise You heard that exercising is a great way to meet people A new crossfire gym opened up in your area and you are excited to try it Two of the answers are definitely influenced by society and one can go either way.  Let me read the list again and see if you can spot the societal answers. You  want to be able to move around better as you get older You want to be thinner You have a history of some illness in your family and you want to lessen your chances. You have kids and you want to be able to play with them and be around for them for a long time. You feel better when you exercise You heard that exercising is a great way to meet people A new crossfire gym opened up in your area and you are excited to try it Did you spot the two?  The first is the desire to be thinner.  What is thinner?  Thinner than what?  More importantly, thinner like who?  Thin is valued in our society, it's enforced everywhere you look; in ads on TV or in magazines.  Maybe your doctor told you that you need to be thinner, sound advice or not, you are taking their word for it. The other one is easier to spot because it has two words that could be a clue, you heard that exercising is a great way to meet people.  You heard signifies that someone else,not you, is driving your actions.  You may want to meet new people but the suggestion came from outside of you. The last answer could be either.  A new Crossfit gym opened up in your area and you are excited to try it. You may have been excited to try crossfit, but is it possible its popularity drew you to experience it. Today has deep implications because as I mentioned earlier, if you continue to follow others, then your life will never be yours.  For the next couple of days I want you to try something.  At different points in the day stop what you are doing and ask yourself if you are doing that task for yourself or someone else.  Think hard there too.  That exercise will reveal a great deal. You have plenty to think about my friends, but the weekend is here so make sure you have some fun too, huh?  This is Thom Walters signing off for Five Minute Mojo.  Go make the rest of the say amazing, sleep tight and of course, sweet dreams.