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    Is Rear View Mirror Syndrome Limiting Your Potential?

    February 3rd, 2012 by Hal Elrod

    “Begin to live out of the glory of your imagination, not your memory.”
    ~Robin Sharma

    One of the most crippling conditions in life, which we all suffer from, is RVMS—Rear View Mirror Syndrome. We go through our lives, our subconscious minds equipped with a rear view mirror, through which we continuously relive and recreate our past. We mistakenly believe that who we were is who we are, thus limiting our true potential in the present, based on the limitations of our past.

    Statistics show that on any given day, the average person thinks somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 thoughts. The problem is that ninety-five percent of our thoughts are the same as the ones we thought the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, and so on. It’s no wonder most people go through life, day after day, month after month, and year after year, and the quality of their lives pretty much stays the same.

    Like baggage that is old, worn out, useless and more trouble than it’s worth, we carry stress, fear, and worry from yesterday with us into today. When presented with opportunity, we quickly check our rear view mirror to assess our past capabilities. “No, I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ve never achieved at that level. In fact, I’ve failed, time and time again.”

    When presented with adversity, we go back to our trusty rear view mirror for guidance on how to respond. “Yep, just my luck. This crap always happens to me. I’m just going to give up; that’s what I’ve always done when things get too difficult.”

    If you are to move beyond your past and transcend your limitations, you must stop living out of your rear view mirror and start imagining a life of limitless possibilities. Accept the paradigm: my past does not equal my future. Talk to yourself in a way that inspires confidence that not only is anything possible, but that you are capable and committed to making it so.

    Don’t place unnecessary limitations on what you want for your life. Think bigger than you’ve allowed yourself to think up until this point. Get clear on what you truly want, condition the belief that it’s possible by focusing on and affirming it everyday, and then consistently move in the direction of your vision until it becomes your reality. There is nothing to fear, because you cannot fail—only learn and grow.

    Remember this truth: Where you are is a result of who you were, but where you go depends entirely on who you choose to be.
    _______________________________
    BONUS: Q&A From the Comments…

    Joel Canfield Asked:
    Hal, what’s one thing a person can do to break the cycle? How does a person dream up a new future that’s not some kind of reflection of the past?

    Hal Answered:
    Joel, I think the straight forward answer is that we have to condition our mind, through daily repetition, to think about and focus on what’s possible instead of what’s happened or who we’ve been, in the past.

    How do you do that?

    1. Read self-help books daily
    2. Listen to positive, self-improvement audios every time you’re in the car
    3. Create a vision, in writing (an “affirmation), of what you want your life to be like and who you need to be to make it happen. Then read it everyday to program your subconscious mind.
    4. Take massive action in the direct of your vision. Falter and fail along the way, learn lessons, pick yourself up and keep going. Success is inevitable for those who keep moving in a particular direction UNTIL it’s reached.

    I have done all 4 of these for the past few years and found that success rarely comes quickly, but it does come eventually. I think most people just aren’t willing to maintain the focus or discipline for long enough to finally realize it.
    _______________________________
    –> If this blog has added value to your life, or if you have any thoughts or insights to share, please leave a quick comment below. Thank you!

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    This entry was posted on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 7:39 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

    • marcus bowerbank

      Agreed, we all need a vision for our lives, this comes from having dreams with deadlines, there called goals.  Seeing if its working or not, and changing our approach until it is, and not stopping till you get what your after.  Life can be many things to many people, challenging, rewarding, giving many words describe the experience of life and I believe all these are part of life part of our journey. Sharing and connecting with others allows us all to grow from each others experience.  With so much going on all over the world and internet  I feel truly grateful to be associated and to be part of the miracle morning?   Kudos to HAL for keeping it real and telling it like it is.  ”CAN'T CHANGE IT” Lets all live in the magic of this moment. God Bless

    • Frank

      Writing out one's intentions adds a huge dimension to forwarding goals. In my own case, I wrote down that I wanted to reach my natural weight of 185 lbs. by June 2012…last March 2011. To-date, I've dropped 40 lbs.(I was nearly 290 lbs.) and am on-track to reach my ultimate goal, plus learning how to and applying healthy eating to my life to boot! I weighed in at 250 lbs. as of last night. Yes, writing one's intentions out, and most importantly, really defining the “WHY” (requires thinking way out-of-the-box) one want to accomplish a thing adds velocity, desire and drive towards this end. Here's an exerpt of my March 2011 intention and “WHY”: ………” to enjoy the DIGNITY of physical fitness, looking and feeling great…regaining a true sense of useful power OVER food instead of food controlling me…”. Thanks for your post, Hal.

    • http://FindingWhy.com/ Joel D Canfield

      Way to go, Frank! I've gone from 286 to 256 myself. Like you, it was all about WHY:

      http://www.findingwhy.com/why-…

    • http://FindingWhy.com/ Joel D Canfield

      Hal, I could spew all day on this subject, but I'd love your take: 

      What's one thing a person can do to break the cycle? How does a person dream up a new future that's not some kind of reflection of the past?

      (Ooh; that could be a fascinating conversation between us.)

    • Deborah

      Thank You, beautiful reminder!

    • Dianalytal

      As always, Hal, you are right on! What a blessing you are to those around you. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to meet you and hear you speak in the past and continue to enjoy your insight and wisdom!! Keep up the great work!!

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Diana, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and kinds words! I appreciate YOU!! :^)

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      You're welcome, Deborah! :^)

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Joel,

      I think the straight forward answer is that we have to condition our mind, through daily repetition, to think about and focus on what's possible instead of what's happened or who we've been, in the past.

      How do you do that?

      1. Read self-help books daily
      2. Listen to positive, self-improvement audios every time you're in the car
      3. Create a vision, in writing (an “affirmation), of what you want your life to be like and who you need to be to make it happen. Then read it everyday to program your subconscious mind.
      4. Take massive action in the direct of your vision. Falter and fail along the way, learn lessons, pick yourself up and keep going. Success is inevitable for those who keep moving in a particular direction UNTIL it's reached.

      I have done all 4 of these for the past few years and found that success rarely comes quickly, but it does come eventually. I think most people just aren't willing to maintain the focus or discipline for long enough to finally realize it.

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Frank, you're very welcome. Thank YOU for sharing so openly and authentically. I'm sure others (take Joel for example) will relate to and be inspired by your post!

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Marcus, thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments. Your authenticity and gratitude shine through. God Bless you too, my friend.

      With sincere gratitude,
      “Yo Pal” Hal

    • Cutco Trudy

      This blog adds tremendous value to my life.  Anything is possible and I am capable and committed to making it so…

    • Danny from the Dyanasty

      This blog really hit me hard where it counts… I think I need to make some personal changes in the way I look at the world. You have opened my eyes to the future and closed them to the past. Thanks Hal!!! :]

    • Brian

      I have been trying to retrain my brain for years by reading self help and motivational books. Nothing really changed until I started to take action on the ideas and principals of the stuff I was reading. What Hal said to Joel is key. Action is huge in getting to my goals and keeps me moving to a better future. I stumble quite a bit, but a blog like the one I just read is always a sign that I'm doing the right thing. Thanks Hal.

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Yes YOU are, Trudy! :^)

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Danny, I'm so grateful to hear that! You are very welcome, and I thank YOU for your thoughtful comment and open mind. :^)

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Brian, thank you for your excellent feedback. Maybe I'll add the comments to Joel into the blog somehow. Hmm…

      I sincerely appreciate you, and it's always a pleasure to align with like minded people. :^)

    • http://www.facebook.com/cutcoclosinggifts Jeremy Katen

      Great blog, and totally true.  I think most of probably do this as its human condition and being aware of it is key.  the steps above really can help make a huge difference.

    • Eleni Theo20

      Thank you so much for this message, it re-enforced for me today that I'm doing all the right things and moving in the right direction.  I couldn't agree more that if we just keep taking the action steps, all we want can be realized, I needed the reminder, since that's exactly what I'm doing.  Sometimes it's takes longer than we expect to reach.  Thank you.

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      Jeremy, I agree about it being part of the human condition. And yes – being more self-aware and conscious about our thinking is the starting place to improve our self-image move beyond our past limitations.

    • http://YoPalHal.com/ "Yo Pal" Hal Elrod

      You're very welcome! Thank YOU for your thoughtful comments, and congratulations on moving in the right direction! :^)