Last week I did my regular gig on Channel Ten here in Australia and the hosts (David and Kim) and I spoke about the concept of toughening up and what that means practically. I thought the information might be relevant and helpful for some of you. Or perhaps someone you know. Or both. Anyway, take a peek at the segment and see what you think – it runs for about six minutes. As always, love your feedback. See you on the morrow. You can check out the video here. (You’ll just need to wait a sec for it to load up). 
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Really enjoyed this Craig – I nodded my head through the whole thing. I particularly liked the last bit about the girl who was dealing with her anger, it was very relevant for me. I’ve spent a lot of time feeling angry with people who have hurt me and let me down – and yes, maybe I’m entitled to feel that way, but that doesn’t solve the problem or make me feel better – in fact until the penny dropped it had made things far worse than they originally were. Since then I am trying more and more to be solutions-focused!! Love your work as always
You said four little words, “We complicate the simple”. That summed it up for me. We are capable of doing anything we want, but make excuses, look for an easier way, or take our time thinking about the pros and cons. If we all just got out there and did it{what we are meant to be doing or what we want to do} without overanalysing {something I do a lot…} or procrastinating {I’m an expert!} it’d be a whole lot better.
I often sprout the KISS principle to the people I work with but at times forget to use it myself. Note to self…start practicing what you preach! {stupid!}.
Have a rockin’ day
Hi Craig,
Yesterday you asked me some questions and i went searching and found some answers, not all, but some.
To your question, 5 things Im proud of:
My ability to have empathy with people
Saving up to buy my own car
raising my three children mostly by myself
being a good listener
Surviving on my own with the kids where younger with no help
the other things are a work in progress but Im working on them.
By the way, loved the video and it spoke to me especially the bit about going around in circles.
Gail
Lots of very interesting and true stuff – thanks, Craig. But I do have one friend whose life is a disaster zone and I can’t say anything because a) I’m really just being critical and b) I don’t think it would help. But it’s awful to watch as they seem to be sinking.
Would love you to write a piece about the relationship between anger and illness. I struggle with this too.
Coming to you from London, England.
First time I’ve come across Craig, but it all makes sense. My issue is tapping into my ‘greatness’. I’ve been underperforming and underachieving my full potential almost all my life. It is quite hard to ‘snap out of it’, mentally.
I feel I need a manufactured ‘life or death’ situation to help me out of this rut. If Craig is listening, I’d love some tips on that.
More of this please..
Hey Craig – another great post!
Please, please – I need some advise about my home based business. Do you know anyone that can give me some direction and clarity as to what the heck to do? I respect your outlook on life and I certainly need to ‘Toughen Up’. Maybe with all these wonderful like minded people there is someone that can help me?
I have been studying personal development and spirituality and all the awesome stuff about life. I wish I had given my business the same amount of attention…
Funnily enough, my new outlook on life is not helping pay the bills
Thanks a trillion
Jaine
Hi Craig,
Some clever chap once told me
“It’s hard because you are making it hard”.
I have a little sticker on my printer that reminds me if I dare forget and it has changed my outlook, my reactions and my life.
People who seem to have it all together aren’t super heroes, they have just learnt that fear is a crappy excuse for living half a life. Often the things we fear in our heads are not as strong as we have painted them to be and once faced we wonder what all the fuss was about.
Gail, I wish you could learn how to motivate yourself the way you motivate those around you. You have encouraged me and listened to my craziness many times without judging me harshly. Face it, you’re a stand up lady, stop trying to find fault where none resides. Don’t make me come over there.
Big hugs,
Jo
Thanks for posting the video Craig. Some particular points really hit me:
1) We hate discomfort- I think everyone who talks about the comfort zone should *really* be talking about the “discomfort zone”. Because as you said, that’s where we grow. But I think a lot of us are not mentally prepared for or aware that that discomfort zone is to be expected, handled, and even desired. Tony Robbins argues that it is pain that can really get us to change; and it makes sense, doesn’t it, that pain will push us to sit in that discomfort zone because what lies outside it is much more hurtful. It makes me wonder what 100-cig-man had pushing him to want to work out…a desire for love?…pain from getting flak for being heavy?
2) I liked how you reminded everyone that everyone’s got more potential than they use. I’m sure you’ve heard the Marianne Williamson quote; it’s one of my favorites. It starts out: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
3) Finally, I like how you pointed out how catastrophic anger can be to our health. I think one of the most underattended topics is forgiveness, and what it means and who it’s for. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or accepting, and it’s for our own sakes.
Keep up the great work!
And guess what- in kung fu the other day my 20-year-old guy classmate said as I sped up our sparring drill, “I can’t believe how good you’ve gotten!” And I didn’t even know how to make a fist to punch someone when I started at the end of last August.
P.S. For Jaine- check out the blog by Christine Kane.
“I feel I need a manufactured ‘life or death’ situation to help me out of this rut.”
–> No you don’t Danny. Don’t wish that upon yourself at all. But I know what you’re saying. We spend way too much time thinking about what to do. If we just created calm in our mind we might actually produce ‘amazing’ in our life. [amazing how a bit of quiet time can result in a new perspective on pre-existing 'issues.']
Still waiting for the launch of Team Amazing, Craig. Or do you want me to package it up beside a baked cheesecake on your desk? Our theme song will be ‘The Climb’ – because achieving amazing is about the journey like you said in your interview, not the destination.
Really loved your comment, AmericanGirl – particularly the quote in point 2. Am gonna write that one in my journal every day. Thanks!
Hi Team
Thanks for all your comments. A little busy for personal replies today – sorry but I’ve read them all!
Group Hug
Michael makes the simple complicated
And yes great points about forgiveness American Girl, its for self and it does not mean we let the other person off, that’s what has taken me a long time to figure out and accept.
Thanks again Craig.
Hi Craig
I really enjoy listening to you, be it on the tv or on SEN. I have been known to do an extra lap around the block so that I can hear the end of your radio spot.
cheers
Don
Grey on Black so Craig! Black to the core… Say it as it is.. Nice ….
When are you coming to Sydney!
Hey Craig and all..
I’ve just read a great article in the Reader’s Digest about “newfeeling” and I think it fits in really well with this discussion.
Have a look here… (hope you don’t mind, Craig !!)
http://www.readersdigest.com.au/life/national-newfeeling-day-2009/article150299.html
{{HUG}}
Tina
Hi Craig, After viewing your interview on 9am, could you please tell me how, as a mother, I can (quote) “be honest”, tell the “truth”, the “reality” (about an ongoing weight issue), to my daughter, despite saying, (quote) “I love you, I care about you, I support you, but…” , without it being interpreted as a negative comment on how/who she is now. This has been churning me up for years!