MASTERING LIFE

MASTERING LIFE

Create the life you want to live.  The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.  The person you are today is not who you have to be tomorrow.

THE ZEN CONCEPT OF KAI-ZEN

Kai-zen is the Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices, personal efficiency, physical and psychological well being, etc.

KAI-ZEN MEANS CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to act.  Progress is the ultimate motivation.  What you do everyday matters more than what you do once and awhile.  If you pursue your dreams long enough a compound effect occurs.  This momentum will carry you where you want to go.  Push your boundaries.  Kai-zen is a step by step approach.

You have to emotionally condition yourself to think differently.  Condition yourself for success, turn frustration into excitement.  Think clearly and be flexible.  Try new approaches and if they don't work you at least get an education.  The road to someday leads nowhere.

THE FEAR TRAP

Fear could be a good thing as long as it is you Counselor and not your Jailer.  Quiet your mind so you can hear intuition over fear.  Fear can make talented people unsuccessful.  Don't fear past failures.  Failure is not a sign of personal incompetence, it's just one experiment that has gone wrong.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

You'll never be free in life until you free yourself from the prison of negative thoughts.  Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone. Remember nothing is permanent, don't stress out to much because no matter how bad the situation is, it will change. 

"You have the power over your mind, not outside events.  Realize this and you will find strength"-Marcus  Aurelius

UNDERSTAND YOURSELF

Being a polygraph examiner, I deal with people's attempt at deception all of the time, but the worst of all deception is self-deception.

ELIMINATE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR

The reason we human beings have a hard time controlling negative behavior, ie. drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gambling, cigarettes, over-eating junk food, inactivity, etc. is that all of those behaviors have an effect on our brains.  When we participate in these behaviors, there is an increase in the brain's release of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. These are the brain's feel good, pleasure organic chemicals. These chemicals are naturally released when we are happy, eating good food, having sex or exercising. Different people have different demons of course, but the best way to deal with this toxic behavior is to replace it with positive behavior.  We must recondition ourselves in order to get the same good feeling from positive behavior, such as achieving great goals, accomplishments, and improving our self image. One way of doing this is to start new routines.  Human beings love routines, it makes us feel comfortable.  Replace bad routines with good ones, i.e. replace inactivity with an exercise program and replace junk food with health food.  Remember take care of your body, it is the only place you have to live.  If you make a small positive change everyday, you will create and unstoppable positive force.

GOOD FRIENDS

I believe Lennon and McCartney said it best with the lyric, "I get by with a little help from my friends."

THE TRICK TO BEING A GOOD PARENT

Try to be the person you needed when you were younger.

ON SUCCESS

Always remember you can't always be rich if you don't have happiness.  You can't have great success without inner peace.  You can't really be wealthy without your health.

CONCLUSION

Grand Master Masaki Hatsumi, the founder of the bujinkan often says "Gambatte" (keep going)

 "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"- Mae West 

In six months from now, you can be in a completely different space, mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially.  Keep working and believing in yourself.  

When you write the story of your life, don't let anyone-else use the pen.  

About the Author: 

Judd Bank is the CEO and President of CPI Investigations, a multi-dimensional private investigation firm with offices in Manhattan and New Jersey and over 35 years of experience. Mr. Bank is a life long Martial Artist.  http://www.privatedetectiveny.com