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

Related News

Palin is inspirational leader - Times-Journal Palin is inspirational leader Times-Journal, AL -Sep 5, 2008 By Kelly Townsend Arizona Sen. John McCain announced the governor of Alaska would be his running mate on the Republican ticket, and it left many searching ... Inspirational talks - Northern Echo Inspirational talks Northern Echo, UK -4 hours ago DESIGN businesses and would-be entrepreneurs can attend a series of talks in the North-East to look at what people use for inspiration. ... Proactive, aggressive and inspirational - Hindu Hindu Proactive, aggressive and inspirational Hindu, India -Sep 4, 2008 He is proactive and aggressive, inspirational and calm. And he delivers under pressure. The wicketkeeper-batsman has grown and evolved. ... An Inspirational Success - Long Beach Post Sports An Inspirational Success Long Beach Post Sports, CA -Sep 6, 2008 In May, the class of 2007 graduated and this inspirational moment calls for days full of celebrations which is exactly what many of my peers did these past ... Mother, daughter unite to organize inspirational conferences - Arizona Republic Mother, daughter unite to organize inspirational conferences Arizona Republic, AZ -Sep 5, 2008 by Sonja Haller - Sept. 6, 2008 12:00 AM Somehow, Liz Dawn's mother knew an earthquake was coming. She urged her daughter to leave Los Angeles and return to ... Pan Pacific HIV conference 'eye-opening and inspirational' - Gay NZ Pan Pacific HIV conference 'eye-opening and inspirational' Gay NZ, New Zealand -Sep 5, 2008 "The stories we have heard have been both eye-opening and inspirational. The Pan Pacific 2008 HIV Conference has given us all new strength in our fight ... The Palin family is truly inspirational - Chicago Daily Herald The Palin family is truly inspirational Chicago Daily Herald, IL -Sep 6, 2008 ... whether she can do it all but rather an interview which focuses on the strategic plan this couple has crafted for their family. A truly inspirational story. Ethan Allen Expands to Europe - WELT ONLINE Ethan Allen Expands to Europe WELT ONLINE, Germany -11 hours ago An international network of 295 interior design centers feature Ethan Allen’s single-brand-strategy and inspirational lifestyle displays, of which 159 are ... Ethan Allen plans European expansionCNNMoney.com Ethan Allen Expanding To EuropeHome Furnishings Business Ethan Allen launches European growth planFurniture Today all 8 news articles Tony Lock: Aggressive Master of Spin - CricInfo.com CricInfo.com Tony Lock: Aggressive Master of Spin CricInfo.com, UK -10 hours ago A fiery, brilliant left-armer who reinvented his action twice during a long career, a truly great close fielder, and an inspirational captain, ... What's your favorite inspirational story in baseball (or sports)? - Baltimore Sun What's your favorite inspirational story in baseball (or sports)? Baltimore Sun, United States -Sep 5, 2008 Daily Think Special: What’s your favorite example of an inspirational tale in baseball? How about in sports in general?