salsarhythms
05-15-2003, 04:52 PM
It's a known fact.
We all suffer from it.
At times, it's so powerful it causes us to literally become
paralyzed.
What is it?
It's called an "Assumed Constraint".
Let me give you an example:
When you go to the zoo, have you ever seen how the elephants
are tied down to the ground with a chain and a peg in the ground?
What's interesting about that is the fact that the elephant can literally
break free from that chain on his ankle very easily.
So why do they stay put?
When the elephant is very young, it tries to break free from this
constraint, however, at such an early age, it does not have the
needed strength to break free from it. However, the more it
tries, the more painful the experience becomes. In fact, it gets
to the point where they will literally injure themselves and go
through very agonizing pain.
As the elephant grows older, it has become conditioned and
truly "believes" that if he were to try to break free again, he
will go through that same pain.
So of course, he never tries, and therefore is a victim to his
own "Assumed Constraint".
We are the same way.
Some of the popular "Assumed Constraints" are:
I'm just too old.
I'm not tall enough.
I don't have enough money.
I can't, because...
Well, you get the point.
This way of thinking applies to everything you do in life.
That perceived self-image and the assumed constraints
that you live with, will literally prevent you from doing the
things that you want to do.
Once you realize, though, that it is all assumed or perceived
you can begin to make progress in leaps and bounds.
How is this relevant to this forum?
Simple.
When people first learn to dance they are full of
"Assumed Constraints" like not having rhythms,
being clumsy, and the list goes on and on.
You have to realize that this is all in your mind.
These constraints happen due to the conditioning
we receive from an early age and we actually grow
up to believe them (just like the elephant.)
Realize, please, that you CAN break free from them.
That you can essentially do what you want.
Is it easier said than done?
NO!!
Will it take practice and hard work?
Yes, but that only leads us to the realization, that
we are only as successful as we allow ourselves
to be. Period.
I'll repeat that:
Regardless of your endeavors, you are only as successful
as you allow yourself to be. In dance, in golfing, in basketball
in business, in relationships, in life. Period.
Can you be the next Michael Jordan?
Remember this, he was cut from his High School basketball
team. Don't you think that would have been a HUGE constraint
for him? I mean think about it. Here's a coach who is, in this
case, the "expert" telling you that not only are you not good
enough, but he will have to cut you from the team...
Did he work hard at it?
Sure he did.
However, it's pretty obvious that had he fallen victim
to this constraint, basketball would not be where it
is today.
So do yourself a favor.
Break free from the assumed constraints you may have
and you will see some incredible results.
P.S. That also goes for posting here on the forum. Do not
be mis-led by any "Assumed Constraints" into thinking that
you will not have anything of value to add. Believe me, there
is a ton of experience and knowledge you posses. So use it.
And participate more often in the forums.
Respectfully,
We all suffer from it.
At times, it's so powerful it causes us to literally become
paralyzed.
What is it?
It's called an "Assumed Constraint".
Let me give you an example:
When you go to the zoo, have you ever seen how the elephants
are tied down to the ground with a chain and a peg in the ground?
What's interesting about that is the fact that the elephant can literally
break free from that chain on his ankle very easily.
So why do they stay put?
When the elephant is very young, it tries to break free from this
constraint, however, at such an early age, it does not have the
needed strength to break free from it. However, the more it
tries, the more painful the experience becomes. In fact, it gets
to the point where they will literally injure themselves and go
through very agonizing pain.
As the elephant grows older, it has become conditioned and
truly "believes" that if he were to try to break free again, he
will go through that same pain.
So of course, he never tries, and therefore is a victim to his
own "Assumed Constraint".
We are the same way.
Some of the popular "Assumed Constraints" are:
I'm just too old.
I'm not tall enough.
I don't have enough money.
I can't, because...
Well, you get the point.
This way of thinking applies to everything you do in life.
That perceived self-image and the assumed constraints
that you live with, will literally prevent you from doing the
things that you want to do.
Once you realize, though, that it is all assumed or perceived
you can begin to make progress in leaps and bounds.
How is this relevant to this forum?
Simple.
When people first learn to dance they are full of
"Assumed Constraints" like not having rhythms,
being clumsy, and the list goes on and on.
You have to realize that this is all in your mind.
These constraints happen due to the conditioning
we receive from an early age and we actually grow
up to believe them (just like the elephant.)
Realize, please, that you CAN break free from them.
That you can essentially do what you want.
Is it easier said than done?
NO!!
Will it take practice and hard work?
Yes, but that only leads us to the realization, that
we are only as successful as we allow ourselves
to be. Period.
I'll repeat that:
Regardless of your endeavors, you are only as successful
as you allow yourself to be. In dance, in golfing, in basketball
in business, in relationships, in life. Period.
Can you be the next Michael Jordan?
Remember this, he was cut from his High School basketball
team. Don't you think that would have been a HUGE constraint
for him? I mean think about it. Here's a coach who is, in this
case, the "expert" telling you that not only are you not good
enough, but he will have to cut you from the team...
Did he work hard at it?
Sure he did.
However, it's pretty obvious that had he fallen victim
to this constraint, basketball would not be where it
is today.
So do yourself a favor.
Break free from the assumed constraints you may have
and you will see some incredible results.
P.S. That also goes for posting here on the forum. Do not
be mis-led by any "Assumed Constraints" into thinking that
you will not have anything of value to add. Believe me, there
is a ton of experience and knowledge you posses. So use it.
And participate more often in the forums.
Respectfully,