Stop Tolerating
Humans tolerate a lot. Often, we’re taught not to complain, that life is difficult, not to rock the boat, to go along with others, to be grateful for what we have, to be understanding. Not bad advice, but we can still stop tolerating what is bugging us!
When a Person Has Stopped Tolerating:
- They are happier, more fun to be around
- They have extra energy to express their values vs. their egos
- They have the edge: they “step-over” nothing
What Happens When One Tolerates:
- They and their work becomes mediocre; people are tired
- Natural creativity is squashed
- They lose credibility
Ten Steps To A Toleration-Free Life:
- “Get” that putting up with things is good for NO ONE
- Make a list of 10 things you are tolerating at home
- Make a request/take the actions to eliminate these items
- Make a list of 10 things you are tolerating at work
- Make the requests/take the actions to eliminate these items
- “Get” that you’re getting juiced (rackets) by tolerating things!
- Be willing and committed to being toleration-free
- Stop complaining: instead, make a strong request
- Invest $1,000 to handle the tasks/chores which pain you
- Do steps 1-9 above, AGAIN, after you’ve done them once!
We humans put up with lots of stuff, most of which isn’t necessary, holds us back, causes us grief and waste our time and energy.
Key Coaching Points. Tolerating Gives Us Energy
And we enjoy tolerations, in a certain way…A couple of points:
- When we put up with something, it causes friction. That friction heats up our life. It gives us energy.
- As we raise our standards and improve our quality of life, we tolerate less.
- To stop tolerating takes faith. And does involve risk.
- A new, clearer and perhaps boring energy will be used to get through the day.
Ask Yourself:
- Why do I have tolerations in my life? How do they really work for me, in a way?
- Am I ready to find another source of energy? How do I know I am?
- What would it mean to have no tolerations, to be a Toleration-Free Zone?
Benefits Of Being Toleration-Free:
- You will stop wasting your life, trying to manage situations that shouldn’t even be there in the first place.
- You will have more energy to devote to your quality of life and to work on the other personal foundation areas.
- You will grow more quickly because you are not distracted or weighted down with tolerations.
- You will upgrade your community and spend time only with easy, fulfilling people.
- You will be a model for your family and friends as to what’s also possible for them in this area.
Tolerations Identification
Go through the different areas of your life and use this list to jog your thinking regarding what is bugging you.
Make a list of 5 things you are tolerating in each area. Identify the 5 items that you are MOST tolerating, whether they are big or small. Keep it to only 5 or less.
Office/Work Examples
Buggy or slow computer
Piles of unfiled documents
Overflowing e-mail box
Truculent assistant
Inaccurate and inefficient assistant
Stress continually
Inadequate quiet time or space for thought and reflections
List yours!
Home Examples
Pet concerns
Leaky faucets
Sloppy or dirty house
Inability to find things
List yours!
Relationships Examples
Friends or relatives who berate, criticize, or judge constantly
Friends or relatives who are late and don’t call
People who take you for granted
People who expect certain things
People who manipulate
Those who cannot apologize even when you know they know they are wrong
List yours!
Wardrobe Example
Never have the right thing on hand
Hate my clothes
Shoes need to be re-heeled
Don’t have the right shoes
Forget to pick up dry cleaning
Clothes no longer fit
Clothes not in style
List yours!
Car Examples!
Looks like my second kitchen
Looks like my office
Smells bad
List yours!
