How To Make A Breakthrough In Your Life

I recently underwent full anaesthetic for an operation, and the aftermath was weeks of regressive behaviour which had me wondering what the hell was going on…

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a known phenomenon whereby higher cognitive function is slow to return, often taking weeks before full functionality is restored.

Was that what was happening to me?

The regressive behaviour I entered into was of the mindless variety. Netflixing Series 3 of House of Cards in a day; a few too many drinks at a family gathering (usually I rarely drink at all); the inability to focus on deeper matters for more than a few minutes; actually responding to my iPhone when it pinged each time. And eating: 5 kilos up in three weeks.

What is going on?!!!

I realized that what I saw as dysfunction was once an everyday occurrence. It was an opportunity to reflect and rejoice that I was even seeing it like that - and ask the question: what is higher cognitive function? What's it's job?

It's a tiny particle in a vast universe of influence.

It's a strategic decision-maker that sets a new course in life. Unconscious behaviour governs more "wilful" acts that most of us care to admit. Research Cialdini's six principles of influence if you doubt that.

Peter F. Drucker points out in The Effective Executive that a successful CEO is made by implementing no more than 2 or 3 decisions. These strategic decisions result from a deep thinking understanding that involve risk and courage to implement.

How do you get there?

Silence your phone for a start. Or at least disable all those badges that light up the red numbers next to your apps. Read a book - one that takes your hand and walks you through a new world that interests you, and is relevant to your life. Clear your schedule for an hour or two every day and think. Wake up earlier if you have to - when was your evening ever that valuable? Make it a habit to start your day that way.

These are themselves simple, critical decisions - based on higher cognitive function - that will dramatically change your life.

Breakthroughs are easy to come by when you unify your behaviour.

Unified behaviour is panoramic and focused. Usually we are focused, but not panoramic. The immediate grabs our attention, and we are holistically dumb. Unified behaviour is time aware: where am I? Where have I been and where am I going? Is what I am doing now part of my life's mission?

Watching Netflix, responding to my smart phone 30 times a day, medicating my Self and eating too much all created a background depressive hum in the process of being me. I have to breakthrough that state to breakthrough anything.

It's not what you do that counts, it's what you don't do that is most powerful. Alexander was right about that.

Start by giving up things, and in that space your breakthrough will arrive by itself.

P.S. If you read this far, then go on to my mailing list to catch my blogs: Click here now and fill in the form.