In the UK the platforms on the rail system are sometimes a distance from the footplate of the train. Some years ago the authorities started announcing for passengers to avoid the gap when stepping on and off the locomotive,
I started to think about this concept and how it was a metaphor as to why so many find it difficult to succeed. The gap represents the danger of falling onto the track and we rightly avoid it. However in the commercial world those things we are not aware of and /or avoid is where the gold is stashed.
Life represents a series of mistakes mainly due to a lack of knowledge or relevant experience. As we age we discover that the journey is like tacking a sailing boat at sea. You have to keep changing direction to keep on a steady course.
One of the gaps that we should be plugging is the gap of wastage. We cannot demand more from our abundant universe if we waste what we already have. How many biros are used to the end of the ink before replacement? How much food is thrown away because the food exceeds a sell by date? How many people join the gym in January and never take advantage of their membership. ?
Capitalism consistently encourages the purchase of the new whilst the old still has life in it. However the area of waste is only one way we miss out because we avoid what we have. The brain and the intellect deprives the world of our genius because we lack the confidence to try new things. We fear failure and ridicule which causes a mindset of mediocrity. Once established our creativity is absorbed by endless media trivia , unwanted eating and substance habits and a sense of powerless victimhood.
If you find you are in this state can I suggest you start to stretch yourself by trying new things. Look for experiences that are very different from your previous experience. Family and work commitments don’t have to stop you doing anything new. Look for the gaps in your life and fill them with new experiences and fund these by reducing the wastage in your consumer activity.
Peter Bull (Author of the Get In Touch Self Help Series)