The One Unmotivational Secret For Success: Common Sense

Sound judgment in practical matters can solve most problems.

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

I am always amused and intrigued by those of my peers that like to claim that all problems are simply the product of negative thinking; “These are either truly extraordinary people or superficial thinkers with no sense of empathy or compassion for others.”

I have been a student and teacher in the human potential, personal development and self-help movements for over forty-five years. One thing I have learned is that all the motivation, inspiration, information, and grace will not save you if you lack plain old common sense.

I imagine that if one can live in the state that Zen teachers call “Beginner’s Mind*”, then there really are no problems, there is only, what “Is”! For those with a deep authentic faith in God, there are also no problems. One can simply say “it is God’s will” or “it is Karma” or “it is all grace” and just live with whatever happens, even if it self-destruction resulting from willful-ignorance.

Of course, many of us do not fit into any of these categories. We may even aspire to do so but the reality (or the illusion) of our…