Self Awareness is having a clear perception of yourself, your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self Awareness allows you to understand other people, and how they perceive you, and your attitude and your responses and reactions towards them.

Self awareness is the first step in creating an amazing life. Where you focus your attention, your emotions, reactions, personality and behavior to determine where you want go in life.
 
Having self awareness allows you to see where your thoughts and emotions are taking you. It also allows you to see what controls your emotions, behavior, and personality so you can make the changes you want. Until you are aware of your thoughts, emotions, words, and behavior, you will have difficulty making changes in the direction of your life.
 
I would like to ask you a very important question:    Do you really know yourself?

Sages throughout time have stated “Know Thyself.” They have declared that it is the the key to wealth and happiness. At first glance, most people would say that they indeed do know themselves, you think you know yourself, but do you really?

Scientists claim that 95% of what we do throughout the day is controlled by our subconscious minds. Subconscious programming takes over the moment our conscious mind is not fully paying attention.  So how much are you really aware of?
When you are not fully present and aware, you are moving through life on auto-pilot. Most of what you do is automated; you live by habit, reacting unconsciously to people and events around you.

Humans generally let others tell them what to do.  Our minds are like computers, and blindly follow the programs that were downloaded without question when we were young.  You did the same thing. Your mind is programmed to behave, to think, to react to everything that occurs in your life. 

With self awareness, you take charge that programming. You live with intention, focus and purpose. You wake up to your immense potential and endless possibilities. You uncover a wealth of creativity, talent and wisdom that is already inside you, waiting to be tapped into. You begin to create an amazing life.

Have you ever been in an auto accident?  You may have experienced everything happening in slow motion and noticing details of your thought process about the event. This is a state of heightened awareness. With practice you can learn to engage these types of heightened states and see new opportunities for interpretations in your thoughts, emotions, and conversations.

It’s only when you STOP and begin to pay attention to yourself that you can actually experience heightened awareness and begin to understand your subconscious programming. It is then that you can become aware of the beliefs that self-sabotage your highest intentions. It is then that you uncover the root causes of your blocks, your negativity, low self esteem, sadness, fears, overwhelming emotions and pains.

It is like going on a voyage of self discovery. You return from the voyage as a wiser and more confident individual. It is self awareness that helps to form the cornerstone of your own self improvement.

You can’t change what you are not aware of!

I have found that the feeling of dissatisfaction is the first stage of self awareness. What do I mean by this? Well, as you learn to know yourself, you learn to understand the many facets of your thoughts, your personality, and what makes you tick. Once you understand yourself, you will find areas that you are dissatisfied with.  This dissatisfaction with yourself is a tremendous motivator for change. You take action to correct any areas of dissatisfaction.
 
As you become more aware, you will change. You will see more clearly the choices before you, and claim your power to choose what’s best for you. You will remove that which dissatisfies you and you will add that which pleases you.  You control life – life no longer controls you.  You become a powerful creator of an amazing life.

It is said that nothing changes until something moves.  I both agree and disagree with that statement.  I agree that action does cause things to change, but not all action is good action.  I disagree because I think too many times people start moving/taking action without first taking the time to be aware of where they are.

I think of it in this way:  Before you begin on a large journey you first must know where you are in relation to where you want to go.  You must first be aware.  No traveler would begin without first knowing where they were.  It almost sounds silly to say, but far too many people live their lives without knowing where they are.  They are not aware.

Practice stopping before starting.  Before you head off in any direction, first be aware of where you are.  Stop then go.  With a little practice you will become more self aware.

I like to find a quiet place and close out the world, and ponder.  This meditation or inward looking has proven to be very enlightening to me.  I have been able to see things that I would not have seen in the noisy and busy world.  Take a few minutes every now and then to sit and ponder upon your life.  In these moments of heightened awareness you begin to see the life you truly can create.

Lesson:  Stop. Ponder.  Be aware.

As I looked at the 53 people who are going to be delivering information I came to the realization that each one of them is a powerful creator in their own right.

Take a look:

Jay Conrad Levinson | Stephen Covey | Michael Gerber | Brian Tracy | Jack Trout | Robert Cialdini | Tony Robbins | Fran Tarkenton | Neil Fiore | Dan Ariely
Gary Vaynerchuk | Kevin Hogan | Al Ries | Paul Zane Pilzer | Joseph Jaffe | Julie Morgenstern | Spencer Johnson | Sergio Zyman | Michael Masterson
Barry Schwartz | Russell Granger | Dan Hill | Michael Bosworth | Pam Danziger | Christophe Morin | Ori Brafman | Joseph Jaffe | Dr. Paul Schoemaker
Bert Decker | Paul Cherry | Vicki Kunkel | Bo Burlingham | Eric Flamholtz | Kerry Patterson | Lou Adler | Brad Smart | Marilyn Tam | Jan Yager
Nancy Ratey | Dave Crenshaw | Jim Murphy | Josh Waitzkin | Dan Millman | Kathy Kolbe | Tom McCarthy | Marshall Thurber | Marshall Goldsmith
Joseph Grenny | Jeffrey Pfeffer | Sam Deep | Tony Jeary | Herb Cohen |Greg Hicks | John Kotter

Man, just when you think Rich Schefren and Jay Abraham have topped themselves, they go and create a creation even more amazing than their last creation.

Go here to see what I’m talking about (you’re going to freak–I know I did)…

https://schefren.infusionsoft.com/go/loemo/Got2cre8/

Yeah, you read that right. More than 50 of the world’s most brilliant business and marketing minds. All in one place. And all ready to help you create success and achieve of your dreams.

For six unforgettable weeks, you’ll sit at the feet of the masters in a series of intimate panel settings, listening intently as they reveal their most closely hidden secrets for building a mega-profitable business.

Seriously–this “Group Think Tank” process has the capability to increase your profits by up to 1,000%–or more–before the year is over.

And the best part about it? The COST.

Because, well….there is none.

https://schefren.infusionsoft.com/go/loemo/Got2cre8/

That’s right–you can get six weeks of in-depth mastermind training from the foremost experts on marketing and business building…for no charge.

But you gotta hurry. Rich and Jay are only allowing a certain number of people inside. And since the entire industry is buzzing about this, those spots will fill up in a heartbeat.

So go here NOW and grab yours.

https://schefren.infusionsoft.com/go/loemo/Got2cre8/
I’ll see you there…

It wasn’t long ago that day-to-day living was horrible.

I hated life.

I hated everything.

I know the word “hate” is a pretty strong word, but that is exactly how I felt. I hated everything.

I didn’t end it all because I was just too chicken; besides I had two sons and they depended on me. Suicide is the ultimate selfish act and I hadn’t stooped that far – thankfully. But hate – that I could do. And I did it well.

I was angry. My fuse was short and my emotions were always on the surface. I frightened my sons – which would one day (when I stopped being so stupid selfish) turn out to break my heart.

Needless to say, life was far from amazing.

So what happened? What got me out of the depression?

Let me say right now that what I am about to say may not be your answer. It worked for me. It changed my life forever. But I categorically admit that it may not work for you. But by all means try it on, wear it for a while – it won’t cost you anything but a little time and effort.

I promise it won’t hurt. Heck, you may even have more success with what I am about to share than I ever dreamed possible. So don’t discount it till you’ve at least given it a chance to germinate within you.

I can say that I was depressed. I may have even been clinically depressed. I don’t know – again, I was too chicken – so I never gave that avenue a try. But I knew I was depressed. Looking at life through the lens of hate is pretty powerful depression. Yes, I know I was depressed.

Maybe pills would have helped – maybe not. I don’t know. That’s not my story. That wasn’t my path. It may be yours, but friend, that I am not qualified to say one way or the other.

How do you create an amazing life, especially starting from such a deep depressing hole?

First I have to tell you about one of the ugliest days of my life:

I came home from work early, because my wife was going to take her son (my stepson) away for the weekend. We’d been having a really hard time. I was stupid. She was stupid. We were playing relationship games. And the most destructive one of them all was the “blame game.” In my eyes it was all her fault and in her eyes it was all mine.

Been there? Then I’m sure you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t, then let me illustrate: find a brick wall and pound your head against it a few times as hard as you possibly can all the while trying to convince the brick wall that it’s not a brick wall but something else – when the brick wall doesn’t respond (which it won’t) pound your head against it a few more times. Repeat this until you have completely and utterly figured out that the brick wall will never change and that the only thing that can and should change is you.

That, my friend is what it’s like to play the “blame game” – no one wins.

We fought that day. We were both pounding our heads against the wall. We both lost.

She left me. And to my everlasting sadness it was too late to ever get her to come back.

But …

In that depth of sadness I learned something. I am going to call this step one.

Step One: Awareness

When I stopped pounding my head against the wall long enough to be aware of what was happening in my life I realized some powerful truths.

I realized that she wasn’t really all that bad, and that much of the blame fell squarely on my shoulders (which is step two, but we’ll get to that later), I also learned that I was a terribly reactive fool (which leads to step three), and that no matter how out of control it all seemed it was just the way I had created it (step four).

So step one is to stop. Stop in your tracks. Don’t think one more ugly thought. Don’t blame anyone. Don’t do one more thing – stop! Open your eyes and be aware of you.

Yes, focus on you – not on anyone else, just you. Be aware of what makes you feel the feelings you are feeling. Be aware of what triggers you have in place. Be aware of all the causes in your life, and all the effects they have caused. Just stop and be aware.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but chill out! Don’t move in any direction until you are aware of where you are.

Would you start on a long trip if you didn’t first know where you were currently? Sounds like a pretty stupid question doesn’t it?

Imagine wanting to take a trip to a neighboring state but you don’t know where you are to begin with; you wouldn’t know if you should go north, south, east, or west.

Isn’t it funny though, that many of us hate how things are but aren’t aware of where we really are.

I was depressed. I hated life. And if you asked me then I probably would have told you that I hated being married. But when I stopped and really began to be aware I realized that I loved my wife, I loved being married to her, and I loved my home. What I hated was really something else entirely.

You see, not knowing where I was caused me to create an even bigger problem. I caused damage to my marriage, to my relationship with my beautiful wife, and destroyed the thing I loved most. I went south when I should have gone north.

Before you do another thing – stop and be aware of where you are, who you are being, why you are behaving the way you are behaving, and what is causing you to feel the way you are feeling. Stop and be aware before you cause even more damage.

In the next article we will delve deeper into Step Two which has everything to do with you, and only you.

I’ve actually been aware of it for quite some time.  You see, most people that drop by my blog don’t stay for very long – never have.  It’s been a big concern of mine. 

Heck, I want them to stay and I want them to enjoy what I have to share with them.  But I can’t seem to convince them that what I have to offer is of any value.

Now, I’m a big boy, so I can handle the truth.  Most of what I have to say may not be of interest to the masses.  I get it, I really do.  But I also believe that the subject of Creation is powerful and that I have some pretty valuable things to say about it that are not being given any attention either.

Years ago Robert Fritz wrote a tremendous book called “The Path of Least Resistance” which is all about the subject of Creation.  Many of today’s most popular Gurus (Eben Pagan, Bob Proctor, Anthony Robbins) have quoted from the book.  Like I said, it’s all about Creation.  Why is it that this subject so rarely gets the attention it deserves?

I have thought about it.  I have researched.  I have studied.  I have tried new things.  I want the subject of Creation to get some attention.  And after all that I have done I have come to conclude:

1.  The subject I have such a passion for (creation) is a HUGE subject that very few people really understand.Are you familiar with “The Secret?”  The Law of Attraction had the same plight as the subject of creation – it’s HUGE.  Nobody understood it; that was until Rhonda Byrne figured out a way to present it to the masses.  Now there are literally millions of people who are studying, writing about, talking about, and marketing Law of Attraction information.
2. Until I can figure out a way to present the subject of Creation for mass appeal the subject is going to stay in the obscured, uninteresting, quiet and very lonely place it has been in for centuries.
3. The subject of Creation is bigger, more amazing and vastly more powerful than the Law of Attraction.  Everything – I mean absolutely everything you read, you view, you experience, absolutely every facet of your life can and is influenced by creation. Did I emphasize that enough?  Everything in your life can and is influenced by creation – EVERYTHING!

The truth is:  You cannot not create.  So my contention is:  If you are going to be creating anyways why not learn to create amazing, valuable, and important creations that make your life amazing, valuable, and important – and therefore happy and abundant?

So the elephant that has been staring me in the face for some 12 years now is still saying to me that I’m onto something very powerful here – I just need to figure out how to present it in a way that the masses will actually take interest in – in a way that will get attention.

That’s where I need your help.  I’m stuck.  How can I get this powerful subject the attention that it deserves?  How can I help people begin to see that this is a subject worth studying?

I would appreciate your comments, suggestions, and advice.  How can the subject get as much, if not more – even way more attention that the Law of Attraction?

Help please.  Let me know what you think.

No really.  I can’t stand reading my stuff.  How in the heck can I expect anybody else to read it?

Here’s the deal.  I promise to put some life into my writing to get this Blog some constant readers, if you will promise to come back more regularly to read what I have written.  Sound good?

Alright then, let’s begin.

Just the other day I was sitting at the kitchen table and saw billowing smoke rise into the air from just outside my home.  I thought my neighbor’s house was on fire it was so close.

Turned out to be a fire at a recycling plant just a half block away.  I grabbed my keys and got in my car.  Yep, I’m an ambulance chaser. 

Two mischievous boys (ages 11 and 13) wanted to make their mark on social landscape and lit the bundles of compressed cardboard and newspapers on fire while they recorded it on their cell phones.

The blaze was incredible.  Within the hour more than several hundred people were crowded around this huge fire.

Which brings me to what I would like to talk about today.  Why do we gravitate towards spectacle?

Just recently millions of people were drawn to the spectacle of the death of Michael Jackson.  Not that he wasn’t talented and all.  But I think the whole thing was a bit over the top.

It was the only thing on the news for weeks – still is. Why? 

Farrah Fawcett died on the same day and she barely got a mention. But MJ wa practically lauded as a God.
 
Come now, back in the day, I bet there were just as many Farrah posters hanging on teenage boys walls compared to MJ posters on teenage girls walls.  And hands down her posters were tons more appealing – to me anyways.

But do you think she got nearly as much press?  No way close.  Not enough spectacle I suppose.

So why is it that we do that?  There must be a human gene that gravitates towards spectacle.

P.T. Barnum had it figured out.  He could gather large crowds, hoards of people, to gawk over his spectacles.  I wonder how he did it.  He was a wonderful creator of spectacle.

I’ve got some ideas why I think people are drawn like magnets to spectacle, but I’d really like to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.  And also chime in on how you think creation, creators, and creating have anything to do with it.

Oh, and the fire burned all night long.  The smoke was atrocious.  I came very close to getting a hotel room far away.  I almost couldn’t breathe that night.

He writes, “Create, don’t regurgitate.”

I couldn’t say it any better.  Too many people are regurgitating.  Bloggers do it all the time, the News Media is all about it, and by heck there seems to be an epidemic of up-chuck going on the social media sites.

Doesn’t anyone have the huevos to be original?  Why is it that we think that the only way to make a statement is if we re-make someone else’s statement?

It’s starting to make me sick.  If I see another Paris Hilton wannabe I’m going to regurgitate. Come on people, get with the program.

Don’t you get it?  You are the original item.  You are a unique flavor all your own.  You have within you the power to create creations that only you can create.

There is not one single human on this earth that has your unique shape, size, characteristics, talents, personality, background, temperament, imagination, or dreams.

You’re holding out on us – why don’t you let us see the magic that is you?

It never ceases to amaze me why so many people are trying to be like the celebrities.  We already have Brittney, and Madonna, and I think that one Michael Jackson is quite enough – thank you very much.

We need you.  We need to see you in all your wonderful splendor.  We want you.

So as Darren so well said, and I repeat without hesitation, “Create, don’t regurgitate.”

I know I have a lot of work to do to add more content to Creators Create, but from what I have seen already the trend is becoming more and more obvious to me.

People frequent Mark McGuiness’s Blog Lateral Action, which by the way is a tremendous Blog.  I can’t say enough good about it.  And there are many more Blogs and Forums that deal with creativity and creatives.

But that’s not what this Blog is about.

This Blog is about Creators and the things they create – creations.  It’s not about creativity.
 
Many, too many people believe that in order to create a creation you must have creativity.

That is the biggest bunch of whooey I have ever heard.  The fact is you don’t need an ounce of creativity to be able to create creations.
The problem is that most people don’t know what a creation is, therefore they don’t know the role of a creator, nor do they understand the process of creating.

So if you don’t mind, I would like to take a few minutes and go back to the very basics of what this Blog is really all about.

Definitions:

Create = to bring into existence.

Creator = one who brings things into existence.

Creation = the thing that is brought into existence.

There you have it.  It’s really not any more complicated than that.  Creators bring creations into existence by the act of creating.
The truth is that every single one of us on this planet are powerful creators.  We cannot not create.  We daily create creations. 
Everything you bring into existence is a creation that you create.

Here let me give you a few examples:

1. You created breakfast this morning.
2. You created a few emails just a few minutes ago.
3. You created a “Good Morning” smile for your boss this morning when you got to work.
4. You created a better or worse relationship with your spouse today.
5. You created a resume.
6. You created a clean room.
7. You created a hungover body.
8. You created an argument.
9. You created a funny moment when you told that joke.
10. You created an endearing experience when you shared your feelings with a close friend.

Are you starting to understand now what a creation is?  Are you starting to see that you are constantly creating?  You are a creator, and you are always creating creations.

The question now is:  Are the creations you create valuable, important, that improve and bless your life?

Or are most of the creations that you create created by default, without purpose and therefore are useless, unimportant, and do nothing to improve or bless your life?

The chances are since you don’t look at the things that you bring into existence as creations that you probably aren’t all that worried about the quality.

Come to this Blog often and I promise you will begin to look at your whole existence in a whole new light.

With that whole new light you can begin to create on purpose.  You will create consciously amazing creations that improve, bless and inspire.

You will find you are a powerful creator.  Come back often to learn how.

Oh, and I did I even mention that it doesn’t take an ounce of creativity to be a creator?

By the mere fact that you bring things into existence is proof enough that you are a creator.

You don’t need creativity to create.  Creativity is only one tool in the creator’s tool box, and not even a very important tool at that. 

Creators create creations, and every once in awhile they might use creativity.
 
We’ll get into the details of this later on.  Come back often to learn more.

If you have thoughts on the subject please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, and engage in a discussion. I look forward to it.

Most anything really.  This Blog post is a creation.  The blank stare on your face is a creation.

The definition of the word “create” is to bring into existence.  So a creation is something that was brought into existence. 

It wasn’t there, but now it is – a creation.

Actually that is the basics.  But right now I’d like to get a little deeper into it.

There are many different kinds of creations.  There are creations that are tangible, as well as creations that intangible.  There are creations that last for a second, and creations that will last for eternity.  There are creations that are very tiny and creations that gigantic.

Let’s talk about a few of kinds of creations that perhaps you haven’t thought about before.

1. The ongoing creation creation.  This blog would be an example of the ongoing creation creation.  It never ends.  Every day I am adding to it, tweaking it, and updating it.  How many ongoing creation creations can you think of? 
2.  The fleeting moment creation.  These kinds of creations happen every day.  A smile, a kind or unkind word, or greeting.  The fleeting moment creation often is overlooked, or discounted on how truly powerful and important it can be.  Many wars have been fought over fleeting moment creations.  Many lives have been eternally altered by fleeting moment creations.  They may come into existence for only a fleeting moment but they sure do carry a wallop.
3.  The destruction creation.  Sometimes destruction can lead to powerful, ominous, even earth shattering creations that affect the lives of millions, perhaps even billions.  I bet the Taliban had no idea what they were creating the day of 9-11.  But even on a smaller scale how many enemies are created by destructive actions or words of another.  Divorce, murder, hatred are life altering creations brought about by the destruction creation.
4.  A true creator’s creation.  The difference between many of the creations that I have spoken of in this article and that of a true creator is that a true creator consciously creates creations with purpose, whereas many of the other creations that I have described were creations brought into existence by creators that relegated their power of creation to external forces and laws. 
   True creators consciously create creations they want to create.  If they want a better relationship with their spouse they create circumstances and opportunities that support and build their relationship.  If they desire to solve a problem they set out to bring into existence creations that directly or indirectly solve the problem.  Creator’s create creations of value and importance.

This list is just a beginning.  There are many other kinds of creations. 

I would love to hear your ideas.  Please share with me your thoughts on the subject.

In fact, if you make this a habit it would be even better.  You need to ask yourself this question every morning before you start your day.

“What can I create today that will benefit me, my family, my life, my fellow man, my earth?”

Why should you ask yourself this question?

For creators it is the most important question you can ask and it matters.

You need to get in the habit of defining what things are valuable and important in your life.

Know this:  You are a creator and can create valuable and important creations.  Once you determine what is valuable and important to you in your life you can then create it.

Ask yourself this simple question every morning.

“What is the most important thing I can create today?”

The answer does not have to be something BIG, sometimes the answer will even be something quite small, but think about it carefully, you may come to find that it is bigger than you think. 

Here are some examples:

#1 You will create a stronger relationship with your daughter today.

What you do may be quite small, like help her with her homework, or join he tea party, or play house with her.  But those seemingly small things are actually huge in the mind of child.

You are spending valuable time with your child, time that can be used to instill values in her that can last a lifetime, and creating a relationship that will weather even the strongest storm.

#2 You will begin to create your own business.

Obviously this is a “BIG” creation, but many of the steps you will take will be small.  Some of the things you will have to do may even be tedious, mundane and boring.

But this creation will change your life forever. It can bring you freedom.

To create your own business will require lots of work, planning, and strategies, but the rewards will be great. But everything you do will be well worth the effort.

#3 You will create a healthy fit body.

The creation of a healthy and fit body will require self discipline.  You will have to do things until they become habits.

Again, this creation is not the easiest, many people struggle to create a healthy and fit body, but the benefits are tremendous if you do.

Your heart rate will increase, in fact your heart will grow stronger. Your skin, brain cells and all the cells in your body will receive more oxygen due to the increased blood flow that results from working out regularly.

You will feel less depressed because your brain will be flooded with endorphins that make you feel euphoric, happy and powerful.

I always do my best work after a workout. I feel increased mental clarity and increased creativity, because I worked out.  Try it, you’ll like it.

#5 You desire to start creating a Blog.

Maybe you have never written for a Blog before.  It is much easier than you think.

Many people start Blogs every single day; why not you?

Just think of the many benefits you can receive in your life with the creation of a Blog.  You can have a journal of your life, you can make money, you can have many hours of enjoyment.

Regardless of what you decide to create today, the most important thing you can do today is simply ask the question. 

Ask the question every day.

Ask because you are a creator.

Ask because you want to create creations that are valuable and important.

Ask because the answers will surprise you.

Most important of all is that you “ASK.”

What do I want to create today?

I have had at least a million inklings, twinklings and sprinklings of inspiration throughout my life, and I have only acted on a handful of them.

That’s not a very good track record for someone who wants to be a powerful creator I know, but recognition is at least a step in the right direction.

Here are a few ideas for you when you get that little voice inside you telling you to reach, or stretch or to move in a certain direction.

1. Write it down, tape it, photograph it, draw it – record it somehow. Immediacy is sometimes required. You only have a few seconds before it is gone forever, so I suggest you get in the habit of recording your inspirations somehow.
2. Share it. Tell a friend. Announce it to the world. Letting someone else know what you are thinking solidifies it in your own mind.
3.  Teach it. Kind of like sharing it but taking it a step further. Teaching something to someone else always solidifies it in your own mind even further.
4. Do It Now! Don’t hesitate. Act now. Just get busy. The faster you act the more likely that inspiration will strike again.
5. Obey. Too often we rationalize that the inspiration was just a fluke, that it’s not that important, that it really doesn’t matter, or that it’s OK to brush it off. When you get an itch – scratch it. Don’t let it go without giving it your attention.

There are probably another 50 things that you could add to this list. We each vary in our approach to the inklings of our hearts.

Know this: powerful creators consistently obey their intuitions, inspirations, and muses. They rely on them to create amazing creations.

What do you do when your inner voice whispers to you? Please leave a comment and let me know.