by David B. Bohl

Have you gotten caught up in “doing” instead of “being?”

It’s easy to “do” in modern-day America, where we’re constantly bombarded with messages urging us to run out and buy the latest sexy sports car or super-duty truck, or to deck out our spouses or ourselves with the finest diamonds and Rolexes.

But as they say, money can’t buy happiness (although it CAN alleviate a lot of misery). If you want true freedom, you should take the steps to free yourself of the psychological baggage you’ve built up about doing versus being.

Your key to true freedom lies in recognizing when you are placing your sense of self-esteem and self-worth in doing as opposed to being. For example, if the first thing you tell people about yourself is that you:

• Racked up $1 million in sales in the first quarter of 2006
• Own a Ferrari
• Belong to Meadow Lake Country Club
• Ran a sub-4-hour marathon last year
• Are married to that hot blonde over by the hors d’oeuvres table

… then you are defining yourself in terms of doing instead of being.
On the other hand, if you tell people first and foremost that you:

• Are a father of two
• Are trying to lead a spiritual life
• Enjoy spending time with your family

…then you’ve defined yourself in terms of being.

What do you look like when you focus on being instead of doing? You are fully awake, alive, aware, and in awe of all that’s inside of you and around you. You are clear about your presence and what you want. Your energy, creativity, and vision emerges and you lead a purposeful and more fulfilled life.

Advantages Of Being Over Doing

When you shift your focus over onto being instead of doing, you:

• Have a better understanding of yourself and who you are.
• Identify yourself as you want to be, not as how others see you or what you own.
• Focus on who you really are rather than who you hang out with, where you live, what you wear, drive, own, or collect, or where you vacation.
• Are happier and more satisfied with life–and that’s a GOOD feeling!
• Find others more cooperative, since you’re not practicing subtle one-ups-manship on them anymore.
• Feel more confident and have less stress and anxiety–no more ulcers.
• Make decisions easier.
• Are more efficient and less prone to procrastination.
• Are more creative and inspired.
• Have integrity.
• Have more meaningful relationships with people in your life.
• Have more time for what’s important to you.