“Dance like nobody’s watching.”
Good advice, in general. But, it can also be life-altering to behave as if everyone is, in fact, watching. In other words: Behave as if those you most deeply respect are paying close attention. Let’s break it down into a few steps:
1. Take your time to list people for whom you have the utmost respect
Everyone has acquaintances. Everyone has folks who once played an important role to them but, for one reason or another, have moved on. Who is currently an influential presence in your life? Whose opinion matters most to you? Are there friends or other loved ones who have set a motivating example for you? Write down the names of those you’d feel most shameful about disappointing. Keep them in mind as you move through these ensuing steps.
2. Recall a time when you let down any of the people on your list
We all screw up. It’s an inevitable part of the human condition. But you can learn from these episodes. For this step, focus on any time when your human fallibility caused someone you respect to feel hurt or let down. You may have experienced guilt or shame at the time. Perhaps you still do. Accepting that perfection is never the goal, you can still commit to being as mindful as possible to never let that happen again.
3. Act as if the people on your list are watching
It may be something mundane or something that feels more significant. All day long, you are performing tasks. All day long, you are living through experiences. How different would each of these moments be if you knew someone was filming them and sharing the video with the people you most respect? What changes would you make in how you lived?
Some of you are probably thinking that we shouldn’t be so worried about what other people think of us. I’ll push back a little and say that in any society, the perspectives of others must be factored in — to some degree. While it most certainly is crucial to create and adhere to our own moral compass, I’d posit that any of us would be more often motivated by the presence of a video camera than a moral compass.
4. Act as if this may be the last time you perform this act
There is a chance that something you did today will turn out to be the last time you ever perform that particular act. You didn’t know it at the time. But maybe one day, you’ll be able to recognize and reflect on this reality. Why not perform each act as if the people you most respect are watching? Why not perform each act with the awareness that you may never do it again?
Suddenly, you’ll be fully imposed into the present moment. Washing the dishes or replying to a comment on Facebook becomes sacred. Saying good night to a loved one is a veritable sacrament — because, after all, all such behaviors are finite.
To reiterate, the goal is not perfection. No one can always be at their best. That said, by consciously and consistently raising your standards, you set your personal bar higher and higher. Every act, every word, every moment can thus be recognized as the gift it has always been.
I like this idea, Mickey, thanks!
Wise advice. When I am pushing the boundaries of my thinking and writing, I often ask myself, is this defensible? Could I defend this to the people I love?
Also, I have long told people, you don't like to exercise? Close the door, turn on your favorite music and move with it. That is not only great exercise, it can build confidence. I you want to build strength and flexibility, add some wooden swords ;)