Personal Growth

Current and preferred states

These are two identifiable conditions which all of us as
human beings experience everyday of our lives.
These contribute to the way we look at, and live life.
The choices we make and how we follow through on them.
Our reactions and results will be measured by the
responses we take on those outcomes.

We all want to improve the quality of life, to achieve those
goals we set. To obtain the things we want. This is a fantastic,
ideal, but it requires work, and lots of it.

We have these two contending sets of ideals. Which can and
do cause internal conflict. This turmoil can distract our minds
to a massive degree. The confusion which results causes constant
shifts in focus as we struggle to steer a path through life.

This leaves two ways in which we deal with life.

Taking direct and positive control over life to create our desired
outcomes. To get what we want. Alternatively, accepting an
unresponsive and passive form of reality. Where the results
we achieve are a reaction to the experiences we have in life.

To be more simplistic, we take what we want from what life
gives us, or we choose to accept what life throws at us.

We live in what is called a state of Current reality.
This is simply where we are now in life.
Our life, work and social circumstances as they are Now.
This is our life experiences, how we define ourselves,
day to day relationships. Our beliefs and how fulfilled
we are as people.

The vast majority of us inhabit our current reality state dealing
with the experiences that life generates for us. This means we stay
at this level of existence, whilst a preferred state vision may exist.
It never gets fully explored or achieved quite simply due to the
pressures of life.

The second state has a powerful draw which pulls our minds
and stretches our imaginations. This is called the Preferred Reality.
It is basically an ideal future state where we would like to be.

It is here where we look to learn and grow, to see who can we
become. What can be achieved, it’s where our visions and goals
reside. Those that do move forward, have made a decision to
take control by deciding what they want from life.
Creating a plan, taking action steps to achieve that plan.
Whilst constructively dealing with the life experiences they
receive along the way. This requires self discipline and effort
to drive the move forwards. For some this is an easy process,
for others it may require an in depth self analysis.
Combined with a desire to make changes, and the drive to
take focused action.

You are simply taking responsibility for getting the things you want
out of life. Not blindly accepting what life thinks you want
It is not an easy thing to accomplish, for most we don’t like change.

Unfortunately change is a constant factor in life. For most of us
buried in the daily world we fail to notice it’s subtle nuances
until something radical hits us and we are forced to adapt to new circumstances.
That is reactive behaviour.

Those that choose to work at and achieve things they want in life
are actively seeking change. It becomes a requirement by which
they measure life. Thus they embrace it, and accept the responsibility
they take in following this way of living. It is creative behaviour.

It requires developing a certain kind of mindset, some
characteristics of which are listed below


Maturity: Stop making excuses for not doing something.
Instead start taking concerted action steps toward
achieving your goals.

Decisiveness: Life is constantly moving and changing. You decide
where you want it to go next.

Consistency: Taking actions which move you forward in a concise
and focussed manner.

Certainty: The depth of self belief that drives you forward towards
achieving the things you want. Not those provided for you.

As can be seen, we live in the now, how we choose to look at life
and the actions we take. Will define what we as
individuals achieve with our lives.


In the next article I’ll look at how we start to make sense
of the information gathered from our senses.

Hope you enjoyed this article
All the best
Mark Reed