Be like water, my friend - Bruce Lee

Understanding the Inertia Spectrum

Sometimes you need to let go of an idea/action/path, sometimes you need to persevere because through the pain you will find growth. Be like water, but also be the rock. Haha, no worries if you got lost here. Look left or right, rest or work hard, it is all the same concept. Sometimes you do A, sometimes you do Z, and sometimes something in between.

Again: how to choose between giving up or pressing on forward? Again my answer: go to now and feel your intent. Envision your intent and desired result (the result might not happen, you can not predict all the wrinkles of your action). Can you connect with it, in other words: do you feel energized by the intent? Then LFG, with all of your might 🔥! You can’t envision or connect with the intended result? Hold your pace, disconnect and do not act (yet), and see where your energy does flow to. Sometimes your vision is so crystal clear, nothing will stop you. Sometimes you need rest to create clarity. Sometimes you need small steps of action to create clarity (dip your toe in the water). Sometimes every fiber in your body tells you to jump in. Some are born with it, others grow into it, some are risk-takers and jump (perhaps too often) and some will never jump. Connect with your energy and feelings (body)

One important note: do not take advice from others lightly. They might be able to support you, but they are wired differently and they cannot feel your path like you do. They are not you, this is your journey, not theirs. In the end: inside you know what’s best for you. You have your own connection, do not climb the mountain of others. Once more: search your flow, and get into the zone. It is a high state of being, and it is very enjoyable. So even if you miss your summit: you enjoyed the ride.

You will discover:

1. How to identify your place on the inertia spectrum

2. Tips for evaluating the pros and cons of making a change

3. How to tap into your intuition and connect with your inner voice

1. Find your place on the inertia spectrum

When it comes to change, such as transitioning from "I am" to "I will be," consider whether you tend to have cement shoes or winged shoes, or something in between.

• In times of stress or danger, which impulse is stronger for you?

• Have you stayed in past jobs (and relationships) longer than you should have? Or have you left too soon?

• Do you easily give second chances?

• Are you more likely to be bored or content?

Test your wing-footedness

Understanding what drives you—inertia or restlessness—will help you get better at making career moves. If you are naturally restless, answer these questions when you feel like it's time for a change.

• Is someone you admire, fear, or want to impress pushing you toward making a change?

• What can you do to improve things if you stay?

• What have you done so far?

• What do you expect to change if you leave? How?

• Have you learned something new about the job, the career field, or yourself since you started?

• Do you need to enhance your mission, or get a new one entirely?

• How do you think you will feel about making a change when you are on your deathbed? Will you be proud of your boldness, or disappointed in your impulsiveness?

Test your cement-footedness

If you are usually held back by inertia, answer these questions when you are unsure about something.

• Is someone you admire, fear, or want to impress holding you back? Imagine that one year has passed.

• Where do you instinctively picture yourself?

• How will your life look one year from now if you stay on your current path? What might it look like if you make a change?

• What is the worst that could happen if you stay?

• What is the best case if you make a change? How can you minimize "risk" if you make a change?

• What qualities do you already have that prepare you for a change?

• Can you make a change that enhances your mission, instead of reevaluating your mission entirely?

• How do you think you will feel about staying when you are on your deathbed?

• Will you regret dragging your feet, or be grateful for your stability?

Q: What is the inertia spectrum? A: The inertia spectrum is a concept that helps individuals understand their tendency towards change and stability. Some individuals may have "winged shoes" and be naturally restless, while others may have "cement shoes" and be held back by inertia. Understanding where you fall on this spectrum can help you make better decisions about change.

What you should remember

• A message from Bruce Lee - “Empty your mind. You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water into a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water, my friend.”

• People shouldn't allow themselves to be trapped in a certain mindset. Instead, a person should be able to adapt to certain situations, grow, and change; that's how one can adopt the qualities of water. Flow, drip, crash, whatever the occasion requires.

• To finish the game, build in targets or time periods in between and decide from there.

Conclusion

Making the decision to change can be difficult, but by understanding your place on the inertia spectrum, evaluating the pros and cons, and connecting with your inner voice, you can make choices that align with your values and goals. Remember to follow your heart, but also listen to your mind. In the next chapter, we will explore more about the importance of balancing both for the best outcome.

Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT a key component to navigate change and make choices that align with your values and goals?

   A) Understanding your place on the inertia spectrum

   B) Making a list of the pros and cons

   C) Following your intuition and inner voice

   D) Watching TV for hours on end

   Explanation: The correct answer is D) Watching TV for hours on end. While it can be a form of relaxation, it is not a key component to navigate change and make choices that align with your values and goals. The other options, A) Understanding your place on the inertia spectrum, B) Making a list of the pros and cons, and C) Following your intuition and inner voice, are all key components.

2. Which of the following is an example of a personal value?

   A) Honesty

   B) Democracy

   C) Respect

   D) All of the above

   Explanation: The correct answer is A) Honesty. Honesty is an example of a personal value, which is a belief about right and wrong that is held by an individual. B) Democracy, C) Respect, and D) All of the above are all examples of cultural values, which are accepted by the societies in which we live.

3. What should you do if you are unsure about making a change?

   A) Take a leap of faith

   B) Ask for advice from others

   C) Evaluate the pros and cons of making a change

   D) Ignore your instincts

   Explanation: The correct answer is C) Evaluate the pros and cons of making a change. Evaluating the pros and cons can help you gain a better understanding of the situation and make an informed decision. A) Taking a leap of faith, B) Asking for advice from others, and D) Ignoring your instincts, are not recommended.

4. What should you do if you are naturally restless and considering a change?

   A) Stay put and do nothing

   B) Imagine yourself one year from now

   C) Ask for advice from others

   D) Take a leap of faith

   Explanation: The correct answer is B) Imagine yourself one year from now. This will help you understand how you may feel about the change in the long term. A) Staying put and doing nothing, C) asking for advice from others, and D) taking a leap of faith, are not the best options.

5. What should you do if you are naturally held back by inertia and considering a change?

   A) Take a leap of faith

   B) Imagine yourself one year from now

   C) Ask for advice from others

   D) Stay put and do nothing

   Explanation: The correct answer is B) Imagine yourself one year from now. This will help you understand how you may feel about the change in the long term. A) Taking a leap of faith, C) asking for advice from others, and D) staying put and doing nothing, are not the best options.

How can I apply this today?

1. Take some time to reflect on your own tendencies towards change and stability. Do you consider yourself to have "winged shoes" or "cement shoes"? How does this tendency manifest in your life?

2. Think of a current situation in your life where you are unsure about making a change. Use the key components discussed in the text to evaluate the pros and cons of making a change. Write them down and reflect on them.

3. Imagine yourself one year from now in the situation you are currently considering a change in. How do you think you will feel about your decision? Write it down and reflect on it.

4. Take one small step towards the change you are considering. It can be as small as having a conversation with someone, or researching more about it. Reflect on how it made you feel and how it aligns with your values and goals.

Food for thought

1. Is it possible to change your tendency towards change and stability? If so, how?

2. How can you balance listening to your intuition and also being practical and logical when making decisions?

3. How can you use the key components discussed in the text to navigate change in your personal relationships?

4. How can you apply the concepts discussed in the text in your daily life, not just in big decisions or changes?

5. How can you continue to reflect on your own tendencies and make the best decisions for yourself in the future?

Expand your understanding

1. "The Inertia Spectrum: How to Make the Right Career Move" by Tim Urban, Wait But Why (https://waitbutwhy.com/2017/05/inertia-spectrum.html)

2. "How to Overcome Inertia and Make Change Happen" by Ryan Holiday, Medium (https://medium.com/@ryanholiday/how-to-overcome-inertia-and-make-change-happen-5d5c731c19b2)

3. "The Power of Intuition: How to Harness It in Your Career" by Penelope Trunk, Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/penelopetrunk/2011/06/06/the-power-of-intuition-how-to-harness-it-in-your-career/?sh=3f2b2f8b2c1b)