Why Most People Don’t Finish What They Start…A Lesson From Burning Man
How many people do you know want to write a book?
Seems like that’s a fairly common dream for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. Now consider: how many of those same people actually finish what they start?
This is a very common thing, whether we’re talking about writing a book or the businesses you were going to start; any of the things you’ve said that you’re going to get involved in. There’s all this passion at one point, then after a bit of time that passion tends to fizzle out.
We can talk about procrastination. We can talk about commitment. We can talk about taking bite-sized, manageable steps towards a goal. We can talk and talk and talk about these things, but that’s not the big problem.
At the heart of this problem is doubt. Almost everybody doing anything feels the same way. They say, “I’m starting a new business. I wonder if it’s going to work. What if nobody wants it? I’ve spent so much time and money. I really hope this works out.”
So what do you do?
First, you feel the fear and do it anyway. Act in spite of doubt and anxiety. You get on out there and you start to write, or develop your idea, or sign up for courses if you need information to grow and improve. You say, “I’m not going to let this take me out. I’m going to do the best I can. I’m going to enjoy it the best I can.”
But second and most importantly, you detach from your intended outcome.
What?! What the hell are you talking about, Harv? How do we meet our goals and stay on track without being attached to what actually happens?
Let me try to explain this through a story…actually it’s a yearly event that takes place out here in the desert near Reno called Burning Man, where about 65,000 to 70,000 people from all walks of life come together in their own kind of alternative community.
The most interesting thing about it all, though, is that they do a lot of spectacular artwork. Huge pieces; things that are 30 or 40 feet high. People have worked on these pieces for a full year. I’m talking pieces that could probably be sold for $5 million, easily.
Do you know what they do with it all at the end of the event? They burn it!
Why? Because it’s not about the result. It’s about the process of loving what you do. You enjoy the process of creating the art and then allow it to be enjoyed for the time it was meant to be enjoyed.
They burn it to basically make certain that they’re not attached to any outcomes or any results from it in the future. It was only the process they were interested in. It was the beauty and creativity of painting, creating or doing.
If we were not attached to our outcomes, there would be no fear, period. You’re only fearful that you’re not going to have your desired outcome. What if there was no outcome to have? What would you be afraid of? Nothing.
You can have an intention to create $1 million this year, but you don’t have to be attached to it. “But don’t you have to commit to it?” Yes, of course, but it doesn’t mean you have to be attached.
Commitment and attachment are different. Attachment is an emotional element. Commitment is a process.
I want you to create an intention and have a vision for your life, but I don’t want you to be attached to anything because attachment creates suffering. Buddha said it, and everyone who has quoted Buddha talks about it:
“The number one cause of my suffering is believing that I have to get what I want in order to be happy.”
Read that again…“The number one cause of my suffering is believing that I have to get what I want in order to be happy.”
True or true?
Here’s the problem. If you have to get what you want in order to be happy, there’s going to be a lot of times you don’t get exactly what you want. You’ll always be suffering.
Many people don’t finish what they start simply because they’re too attached to the outcome. By all means do what you have to do to reach your goals, but enjoy the process more than worry about whether or not you’re going to reach them. Let go of that attachment.
You don’t have to be attached to your intentions, results or commitments. You don’t have to be attached to anything. Watch how much happier and successful you become.
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