this I am today, that I will be tomorrow

Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and the movements and changes in the world around him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, ‘This I am today; that I will be tomorrow.’ The wish, however, must be implemented by deeds.” Louis Lamour

So.

I have written about self esteem and self image and living life.

Until now I have never found a quote that summarizes a belief I have always had lurking in the back of my head.

Louis Lamour is best known for his western writing (The Sacketts being the longest series).

“Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be.”

How awesome is that?

(pretty awesome)

It is absolutely true that a lot of what may hold us back from our dreams, or maybe more importantly, being whatever it is we want to be isn’t our fault (or in our control). It would be foolish to not recognize that.

But.

The days when nothing seems to go right. The days where dreams seemed to have vanished. The days where ‘not drowning’ is the focus instead of ‘swimming.’ All those days are gonna happen. To all of us.

And it is on these days where it becomes really really easy to focus on excuses.

But.

We do have power to shape our tomorrows.

Even if circumstances make things difficult improving things is NOT impossible. Sometimes a little ingenuity is required.  Sometimes you almost have to trick circumstances.

And what a statement. What a fucking beautifully written statement:

“That I am today; that I will be tomorrow.”

Absolutely most people underestimate what they can do today.

Absolutely most people over estimate what they can do tomorrow.

But it still comes down to two things: action and objectives.

Actions.

What I am tomorrow depends on what I do today.

My actions today make me who I am tomorrow. (you get it)

This is all about first step baby. First step.

You constantly hear “I’ll do it tomorrow”. And when it doesn’t happen tomorrow, it becomes the next tomorrow and the next and …. well … you get it.(and I will explain why under objectives)

But.

While you hear that what is actually the truth.

What do people really do? (and you just may not always see it)

Here is the truth behind actions and this thought. Yup. The truth.

People who decide mentally to “do something” actually … well  … do something. They do take action. They do begin to “shape the clay of their life to become what they want to be.”

Then what is the problem?

Objectives. Meeting the sometimes farcical expectations in the mind.

So.

Let me take a minute on ‘objectives.’

When writing about this quote I happened across this kid (university student) named Scott H Young who wrote something on this topic.

Now.

I will admit. He lost me somewhere in the middle but regardless he comes up with a nifty concept called “velocity based thinking (or goal setting).”  Here you go. I didn’t want to steal his idea but rather simply share it. This isn’t the entire thinking just a highlight to make a point:

How is it possible to balance living in each moment and the concept of personal growth and improvement? Doesn’t personal development imply a certain dissatisfaction with where you are in life? At the very least, doesn’t an obsession with personal growth indicate that you are constantly living in the future, rather than enjoying each moment? How can we remove this apparent dichotomy and get the improvement we desire along with satisfaction now? In other words, how can we live for today and still strive for tomorrow?

The old position based paradigm told us to focus on where we are in life. If we have a big house, a nice family and are in good health, then we can be happy. If we are poor, miserable and alone then we are depressed. Pretty simple. In this paradigm, our main focus is on our current position.

Some take this position based thinking to a slightly higher level when they don’t think about where they are but where they are going. Instead these people draw their level of happiness from the position they feel they will be in the future. Although this is an improvement, the cost of being unsatisfied with today is simply too high a price to pay for this paradigm.

There is an alternative paradigm, however. This is a velocity based paradigm. In this paradigm, where you are doesn’t matter. It doesn’t even matter where you are going to end up. From this perspective, our focus not where we are going, but rather, the rate we are getting there. This perspective tells us that being homeless or a millionaire makes no difference. It is only the rate at which they are improving that distinguishes them.

The major distinction between a velocity based goal and a position based one is mostly in how you view the goal. Positional goals are usually viewed as a means to achieve something. If I set a goal to lose x pounds in three months, then what I am pursuing is the goal itself. Velocity based goals take a completely different approach. The purpose of a velocity based goal is to serve to direct, focus and amplify the growth you are experiencing right now.

Imagine life is like climbing an infinitely large cliff side. Positional thinking tells you to try and get as high up the cliff as you can. Positional goals are used to reach new plateaus on the cliff. Velocity based thinking tells us that getting really high up on the cliff is irrelevant given its infinite nature. Instead velocity based thinking tells us that the true experience of life has to come from the rate at which we are climbing the cliff. Sitting at one notch of the cliff for too long is boring and unsatisfying regardless of your height. Velocity based goals in this sense are not used to reach the plateaus themselves, these goals are used to encourage, push and measure the rate at which you are climbing.

The key difference between positional goals and velocity based goals is simple. If you fail to achieve a positional goal, this is usually very demotivating. This is often why so many new goal setters fail to continue with the practice. The pain of failing to achieve when you’ve tried your best is often too great. Velocity based goals remove this problem entirely. Because the goal was simply a servant of directing and pushing your own growth, as long as you know you were trying your best (maximum velocity possible) then the goal was successful regardless of whether you underestimated the deadline necessary.

A velocity based paradigm is actually far more effective in improving our position.

The reason is actually rather simple. Positional based thinking is built on the notion of competition. As a result, we strive to make leaps ahead in our position based on where we are compared to others. If we are on the top then we slow down, for what is the point of trying really hard when you are already in the lead? If we are on the bottom, negativity and pessimism often cripple our growth. Position based thinkers tend to only achieve a maximum velocity when they feel they need to increase their position, yet that positional increase is achievable. Velocity based thinking doesn’t have this weakness. People who truly live this ideal are at a maximal velocity all of the time. Being at the top or bottom holds no distinction to these people. Rich or poor, strong or weak, healthy or ill these people are always traveling at a speed which is the most they can possibly achieve.

So.

What I like about his velocity thing? It isn’t about frickin’ milestones and moving up the ladder and crap like that. It is about movement. And movement at your own pace. Not in competition but rather just with a goal of improving personal being. Judging yourself against … well … yourself I guess.

And with that I get to complete the circle on this quote and thought.

“That I am today; that I will be tomorrow.”

The only really important word Louis uses throughout this thought is “I.”

It’s not about competition.

It’s not about goals and objectives.

It is about I. And what “I” wants.

That said.

Go your own speed. Fuck what anyone says.

Sure. Becoming who you want to be “tomorrow” takes lots and lots of work. But. Go your own velocity.

Anyhow.

I thought I would share this quote.

Because I like the way it gives the truth instead of some pithy inspirationally flippant quote.
source link of this topic:
http://brucemctague.com/this-i-am-today-that-i-will-be-tomorrow