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Volume 1, Number 4
07-08-98

TIM'S FUNDAMENTAL FIVE REASONS TO STOP TOLERATING

Tolerations are the irritations, daily frustrations and predictable annoyances of everyday life. They are the things that we put up with, that hold us back, that cause us grief, that waste our time and energy, and that are often totally unnecessary. Over the ages human beings have developed a large capacity to tolerate. From an evolutionary perspective, this has been good for the survival of our species; however, it is not very good for the quality of modern day life. This Tim's Fundamental Five list was written to encourage you to identify and eliminate as many tolerations as possible, and to set systems in place to avoid accruing tolerations in the future.

1. Tolerating Steals Your Energy.
   To be healthy and to maintain a high quality of life requires a lot of energy. There are two ways to increase the amount of available energy. The first is to engage in practices and activities that recharge our emotional, physical and spiritual batteries (see the past edition of Salubrations on extreme self-care). The other is to plug up unnecessary energy leaks. Whether it's simple things like the faulty volume control on your car radio or major things like an important relationship that isn't working, the things that we put up with are a constant drain on our energy.
   
   
2. Tolerating Is A Time Thief.
   This constant drain of energy is costly. In the simplest scenario we will need to spend a lot more time engaging in activities that restore our energy levels. That's time taken away from the pursuit of our tasks and goals. What is more likely to happen though, is that we will push harder to accomplish and achieve without having the requisite reserves of time and energy. Inevitably more mistakes are made, producing poorer quality outcomes, and requiring many repeat efforts. What a waste of precious time!
   
   
3. Tolerating Blocks Progress.
   Tolerations are like marbles and on the highway of life. One will hardly be noticed, but accumulate enough of them and they will surely impede your progress! Missed opportunities, the lack of fulfillment from current activities, poor health and reduced quality of life are included in the price of tolerating too much, too often. Tolerating keeps you from being yourself and thwarts personal growth and spiritual development.
   
   
4. Tolerations Will Bug You (pun fully intended!).
   Tolerations are just like ants, roaches, or termites. When you see one or two, there are inevitably scores more just out of view. One toleration begets several others. They are also seductive; that is, we usually get some benefit by putting up with these irritations and aggravations. Take the L.A. commuter who lives in fear of being the next victim of road rage. (Note that tolerations are often born of fear, anxiety, and unmet needs.) She has been putting up with a faulty volume control on her car stereo for months. The volume fluctuates wildly and cuts in and out frequently, drawing verbal outbursts and fist poundings on the dash to "remedy" the situation. When she gets to work she is frustrated, irritable, and tired even before she starts her work day. But what the heck, it distracted her from her fear of driving in L.A.'s unrelenting rush hour traffic, right? Except now she tolerates less than acceptable treatment from her boss because she knows that she has not been performing at her peak. And now when she gets home to her husband and family she tolerates ______. Get the picture? What if she fixed the car stereo and distracted herself with books-on-tape or soundtracks from her favorite musicals, or with learn-a-language tapes, etc.? What ripple effects would arriving at work calm, centered, and energetic have on her quality of life? Humm.
   
   
5. Zapping Tolerations: Just get started and it will be easy to keep the ball rolling.
   No need to go after the biggest things right off the bat. Start small and enjoy the immediate gains. As you eliminate small tolerations you will become aware of others that are now no longer providing benefit. Let go of those next and enjoy even bigger gains. Before you know it, you will be looking to tackle the really big challenges. This because you will have gained both skill and confidence, and because you will be seduced (in a healthy way) to go for the BIGGEST gains. That is a game worth playing!
   Whether you want healthier relationships, to start a new career, to turn around an existing business, or to build a whole new life, start strengthening your foundation first by becoming toleration-free.

Coach's Suggestion:
Start by making an inventory of major (unstable job), intermediate (insufficient cash reserves) and minor (worn wiper blades) tolerations. Begin to ZAP your tolerations now on a set schedule (e.g. one per week). Remember, start small and make it fun. Don't add to your burden by trying to do to many of these at once (unless you take a day or so off specifically for this purpose) or by placing these items on your do-or-die list (you know, the things you are not going to get done anyhow, but for which you will feel really guilty over not completing). Let the satisfaction of zapping some minor tolerations pull you towards addressing the bigger items (as opposed to pushing yourself to go for the big challenges first). If you get stuck or detoured, feel free to take advantage of a free consultation (see Special Announcement below).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Tim Cline is a success coach. He works with clients who are ready to go after the things they REALLY want out of life. Tim helps his clients to plan, implement and complete the actions needed to optimize their health, attain success, establish balance, and enjoy a true sense of fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. Tim coaches individuals and groups around the country via telephone. His services also include motivational speaking, workshops, seminars, and retreats. An experienced scientist, health educator, therapist, consultant, athlete, and skills training specialist, Tim has worked with small business, corporate, government, medical, pharmaceutical, academic, pastoral and community service concerns. He is well qualified to coach anyone who is interested in being healthy and having an extraordinary life.

Copyright 1998 by T. R. Cline. All rights reserved