+1: #480 Put Your Name on a Sheet

Since our time with George Leonard exploring his ideas on Mastery, I’ve been thinking about him a lot.

 

I realized that I forgot to share another one of my favorite Ideas from his great little book that has most changed my life. 

 

It’s super simple but equally powerful. 

 

First, the context. 

 

In a section on getting energy for mastery, George tells us: “A human being is the kind of machine that wears out from lack of use. There are limits, of course, and we do need healthful rest and relaxation, but for the most part we gain energy by using energy... It might well be that all of us possess enormous stores of potential energy, more than we could ever hope to use.”

 

Of course, as we discuss often, we need to remember to oscillate and train our recovery, etc. but we’ve also gotta know that human beings GAIN energy by USING energy. We’re the kind of machine that wears out from LACK of use.

 

Which reminds me of super-energized Leonardo da Vinci’s wisdom: “Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind. So we must stretch ourselves to the very limits of human possibility. Anything less is a sin against both God and man.”

 

(Cue choir of angels on this one: ”So we must stretch ourselves to the very limits of human possibility. Anything less is a sin against both God and man.”)

 

So…

 

George offers a few tips on how to Optimize our energy for mastery.

 

One of them is to set priorities and make decisions. He tells us: “Indecision leads to inaction, which leads to low energy, depression, despair.” 

 

Another tip is to get on the path of mastery and STAY ON IT. He says: “Much of the world’s depression and discontent... can ultimately be traced to our unused energy, our untapped potential.” 

 

All of which leads us to two questions and then the point of Today’s +1.

 

Question #1: Got any decisions you need to make?

Question #2: Are you using your potential?!

 

And, now to the main event: As an Aikido master, George tells us: “It’s instructive to watch the immediate surge of clarity and energy during training that comes from the simplest act of writing one’s name on a notice.” 

 

I don’t know about you, but after I’ve put my “name on a notice” (aka signed up for a Spartan Trifecta for the year including a 13+ mile race up and down ski slopes at elevation with bonus energy points for racing with the elite age group guys), my energy and clarity and intensity of (and consistency of!) training IMMEDIATELY shifts. 

 

How about YOU? 

 

Has that ever happened to you in the past? 

 

And, most importantly: Got any sign-up forms waiting for you?

 

Yah? What makes you smile (and maybe makes your heart skip a beat) just imagining doing it?

 

A 5k? A triathlon? A Spartan Race? Getting your black belt? 

 

What’ll it be?

 

That’s Today’s +1. If you’re feeling so inspired, go put your name on a notice. Watch the immediate surge of clarity and energy during your training.