The Dot

We have all grown up in an age where exploration into dramatic new territory has become routine. We have had people travel into space to live for short periods of time. We have sent people to explore the moon. We have built machines to take people under the ocean to live and work. And we have even built machines, as extensions of ourselves, to go to places where we could not go physically and send back pictures and other data.

There is another arena that it is possible for us to explore - one that we can do personally. It requires a "risk taker" mentality and an adventurous spirit, and I want to give you instructions on how to get there. I am going to take you on a philosophical journey beyond yourself. This may seem a bit esoteric and mysterious, but humor me for a moment.

Begin by getting for yourself a clean sheet of white paper. Now, take a pencil and draw a small dot in the middle of it. For our purposes here, that dot represents something very important about you. It is the sum total of your entire life.

Now for most people, what the dot represents, and the territory inside the dot, is the most important thing there is. It represents their life, their understanding of reality, and all of their experience.

But there is something else on the page with the dot. Look at all of the white space. The white space represents your potential. This is where you could explore if you had a mind to. It represents all of the knowledge you don't have, all of the experiences you have never had, all of the people you don't know, and all of the activities you have never done.

But most people don't ever spend much time and effort probing outside of the dot. Perhaps as many as 95% of the entire population of the planet are satisfied to live in their dot. Now, certainly, as life is lived, the dot expands some. Everyone learns new things and experiences new experiences in the course of their lives and this naturally expands the dot. But it is a relatively insignificant expansion compared to what is possible. For most people there is no intentional activity that they create to expand the dot. It just, sort of, happens.

But, this need not be the case. It is possible to blast out of the dot in every direction and create a life that explodes with new knowledge, relationships, activities and experiences all the time. But, it doesn't just happen. This kind of life must be crafted and intentionally lived. It requires expending energy and effort, which few are willing to do.

Five Steps for Expanding Your Dot

So, how is it possible to get on this journey? There is a simple five step formula that you can use to begin this journey.

1. Hopefully the dot exercise has helped you take this first step. Beginning the journey starts with a realization. You have to realize that the possibility exists to grow beyond where you are. Once you realize the possibilities, you can begin to do things to make changes.

2. Realization means nothing if you don't care. The second step is ramp up the desire to expand your universe. Many people are quite content to go to the same job year in and year out, then come home after work, grab a TV dinner and sit in front of the TV until time to go to bed - and do it all over again the next day.

3. Once you have the desire to explore new avenues of life, you then have to figure out, specifically, what you want to explore. There are a lot more possibilities than any one person could ever personally conquer. So the third step is to do an analysis and make a decision. Where is your life now and in what areas do you need, and want, to grow beyond where you currently are.

4. The fourth step is to make a plan. There are specific steps that have to be taken to accomplish whatever it is you choose to do. You may have to study or practice or work out or make some new relationships. In other words, you have to begin to intentionality figure out what you have to do to walk your new path.

5. The final procedure in the process is to work your plan. This is not a one step or even a one dimensional process. It will take time and effort. It will take re-evaluation and adjustments. But, it has to be played out in life if your dot is going to expand.

There's the Door

Your dot is your life. There is no way that I, or anyone else for that matter, can expand your dot for you. If you want it to be bigger, you have to do the work.

There is something that I can do though, and that is to point you toward the door. It is the door to greater significance than your life has ever known. It is the door to more excitement. It is the door to more purpose and meaning. It is the door to more knowledge and experience. But, you have to walk through it yourself. No one can do it for you. You can get guidance, insight and encouragement from a lot of places, but you have to walk your own walk. Begin now! Expand your dot.

About The Author

Dr. Freddy Davis is the owner of TSM Enterprises and conducts conferences, seminars and organizational training for executives, managers and sales professionals to help develop greater effectiveness and productivity. He is the author of the book Supercharged! as well as the Nutshell Series of books for strengthening business. You can visit the TSM website at www.tsmenterprises.com, or you can contact Freddy directly at 888-883-0656 or davis@iname.com.

davis@iname.com

---

Have You Voted Today

Huh? You're probably wondering when this article was written, and... Read More

My Lost Immortality

Oh my God, I'm not immortal anymore! What happened? Where's... Read More

Challenge Your Problems

Life teaches us in peculiar ways. It knocks us down.... Read More

Planning for the Unexpected

Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too... Read More

Coming To Your Senses, Again and Again!

When we talk about the Enchanted Self we are referring... Read More

A Reason For Living in a Nutshell

In brief, my book A REASON FOR LIVING is the... Read More

Nine Things More Important than Capital

When starting any enterprise or business, whether it is full-time... Read More

Favorite Quotations... What Do They Say About Us?

Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are... Read More

Moment of Grace

The bedrock of the Christian faith is the good news... Read More

Taking the Leap of Faith

So often we stop and look at our lives and... Read More

How to Get Over Emotional Misery

Whether it's a holiday, anniversary, birthday or a time in... Read More

On Stand-by

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 28,... Read More

Those Who Sleep Get Sliced

Chang lived in Flushing, Queens. Every afternoon he rode the... Read More

How To Have An Effortless Life

Isn't that an appealing title? How to Have an Effortless... Read More

The River of Life

I've always loved the awesome majesty of mountains. They are,... Read More

Are You Tired of Being Stuck?

All you want is a little more.More money, more love,... Read More

Do You Suffer From The Chef Personality?

As a chef I have a unique perspective on anger.In... Read More

Hope For Those Sexually Abused As Children

PART 1: Warning - This article may be inappropriate for... Read More

Never Jump to Conclusions

Human mind which is well known as a fluctuating prodigy... Read More

My Life With Furniture

These days, I find the lines are blurred between school... Read More

The Amazing Power of the Human Will

The human will is the most incredible thing. I believe... Read More

Overcoming Addiction

Dear Candace,I am having trouble letting go of an over... Read More

Building Bridges, Not Walls!

Only twenty years ago, people would casually stroll the neibourhood,... Read More

Impaired Judgment

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 23,... Read More

Be a Star in Your Own Life

Do you have the charactertics to be star in their... Read More

Making the Most of Your Peak and Off-peak Times

What is the most essential part of your business? You... Read More

Small Wonder

Wonder:~~To think or speculate curiously~~To be filled with admiration, amazement... Read More

Taking Life Head On

"We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals... Read More

Looking for a Better World - What Every Person Can Do!

Each night, when I put my head on the pillow... Read More

Adversity, What Is It Good For?

As I sat down to write this article, I was... Read More

A Plan Of Attack

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 28,... Read More

Take Action and Make a Better World

Albert Einstein is quoted as having said, "the world is... Read More

The Secret Of Lasting Personal Change

Why do so many of us end up frustrated when... Read More