Be Careful What You Wish For

I was having a great catchup with a friend recently. He is in Melbourne and called out of the blue so we spent the best part of an hour chatting about life, the universe, everything as we do. We met many years ago after a few drinks and a lot of fun at a karaoke bar and we have shared friendship now over a few decades.

He is a very intelligent man with considerable experience in situations most of us would shy away from and he, by virtue of his role or position, has had to run into. His story is book worthy and, given how he has most recently bounced back after a serious operation to remove a tumour from his brain, ready to be written.

So, there we were. just two friends who genuinely care for each other chewing the fat. After a while of covering the usual topics our conversations go deep, it may be the same for you. ?In this one we got discussing how life pans out and how hindsight shows you the critical decision points along your way that affect the direction you take and deliver us to where and who we are today. It’s an old adage but seems true that you get everything you ask for in this world and that was the gist of our conversation.

Obviously, I can’t know your story however there are a litany of examples across my own time on this planet where I have very successfully created pretty much exactly what I asked for. How about you? Have you figured out how powerful you are in creating just what you have asked for? Strange question I know yet asked in all seriousness because that power is dangerous without very clear direction given.

When I jumped on a shark fishing boat in North Queensland thinking how great it would be to have some sea time I had no idea that that journey would take me three quarters of the way around the country by boat.?This led to me driving a 65-foot trawler through a cyclone 90 miles off the West coast of Australia and actually having the surreal experience of being in the eye. ?The eye gave us time to gather breath before the most awesomely frightening aspect of nature tried to claim us … again. Not something I would recommend nor wish to repeat.

When I put it out there that I wanted a great adventure and headed off to PNG a few years ago to the Black Cat Track I, and the group I was a part of, certainly got that and in hindsight I can see how incredibly that story has expanded into my life and also how I would couch the thoughts differently if I was going back.

We use this power so flippantly in everyday language without realising our connection to everything else around us and that has an impact. We limit ourselves, minimise our effectiveness and abdicate our opportunities or we grow, evolve and create success through what we say, think and feel and embrace every opportunity offered.

What language do you use to yourself about yourself and how does that play out for you? As a coach, I hear people talking about themselves as though they are not allowed to be successful, not permitted to be happy, have chosen to be in a relationship that is toxic and more. As I probe with questions it often becomes clear to them that they have created this environment for themselves by not challenging their thinking, beliefs or templates.

So yes, it is an old adage that seems true - that you get everything you ask for in this world, so in addition, you better be very clear about what it is you are asking for. That’s what my mate and I were talking about and that’s what we are doing. Enjoy the challenge.

Nick Bennett - Faclitator, Coach and Co-Founder, Minds Aligned