I would really like to see some tangible results from this course and I have got to LL14.

I have noticed that I am often overly critical. For example my work has moved to a new building which is quite pretty but badly designed for the work needed to be done there. Everyone else seems to be very positive about it except me and I can't find a good word to say.

My question is, should I press on with the course and 'expect success', or will this bad habit hold me back from being successful (which means being financially independent of working for someone else, to me)

Thank you for the really encouraging replies! I will try to incorporate your suggestions both into my attitude to the new building and to the course.

Having access to this forum is really invaluable and makes such a difference to 'going it alone' with just a book/tape set.

Thanks again!

Richard

Keep going Rick!
I'll be right there with you!
Helen

Oldrick, being "overly critical" is just a habit. (A habit of thinking things or people ought to be different and you, of course, know how they SHOULD be. It's one of those choice points where we choose to be "right" rather than happy.)

This course is all about first becoming AWARE of how we're unconsciously operating -- thinking and acting -- and then consciously CHOOSING to change those old patterns.

(BTW, did you try the "Day without Criticism" experiment in this month's Certain Way ezine?)

When you started the course, you actually signed a commitment to complete it. (Yes, lots of people sign that and then forget about it -- that is one of their HABITS: giving up, defaulting on commitments to themselves. And then they get the results of THAT kind of thought and action.)

So it's just a choice. What do you WANT?

Think about that. When you do, you WILL start to notice when you're being critical or otherwise focusing on what you don't want.

There is only ONE REASON we ever feel bad or are experiencing some circumstance we don't want -- and that is that we are, habitually, giving our attention to what we don't want.

So notice. That doesn't mean try to push the "negative thought" or feeling away or try to overcome it or fight it or engage in ANY kind of resistance. That will only make it worse and cause it to persist.

Just notice. Watch. Step back mentally and watch yourself thinking that thought, having that feeling, acting that way. It's really quite fascinating. And the cool thing is that, as you just watch, the intensity will fade and you'll find yourself thinking, feeling, and acting differently.

You get to choose.

Hi Rick,

I think that you should go on with the course and 'expect success' as well as becomming more positive about the new building! There may not be anything that you can do about the design for the work needed to be done there, however there may be suggestions that you can make about how to improve the work flow using the design that you now have.