Monday 27 April 2009

PEAKS and VALLEYS

I have just finished reading a wonderful little story by Spencer Johnson MD called Peaks and Valleys. It has some amazing lessons in it for anyone and everyone. Below is a quick summary.

To Manage Your Good and Bad Times
MAKE REALITY YOUR FRIEND
Whether you are temporarily up on a Peak or down in a Valley, ask yourself: "What is the truth in this situation?"

To Get Out of a Valley Sooner
FIND AND USE THE GOOD HIDDEN IN A BAD TIME
Relax, knowing that Valleys end.
Do the opposite of what put you in the Valley.
Get outside of yourself: be of more service at work and more loving in life.
Avoid comparisons.
Uncover the good that is hidden in a bad time, and use it soon to your advantage.

To Stay on a Peak Longer
APPRECIATE AND MANAGE YOUR GOOD TIMES WISELY
Be humble and grateful.
Do more of what got you there.
Keep making things better.
Do more for others
Save resources for your upcoming Valleys

To Get to Your Next Peak
FOLLOW YOUR SENSIBLE VISION
Imagine yourself enjoying a better future in such specific, believable detail, that you soon enjoy doing what takes you there

To Help People
SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!!
Help people make good and bad times work for them, too.


Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the story.

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes. (Proust)

The essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it. (Confucius)

Peaks and Valleys are connected. The errors you make in today's go
od times create tomorrow's bad times. And the wise things you do in today's bad times create tomorrow's good times.

The secret is to truly appreciate and enjoy each time for what it is while you are living it.

Peaks are moments when you appreciate what you have. Valleys are moments when you long for what is missing.

The path out of the Valley appears when you choose to see things differently

You change your Valley into a Peak when you find and use the good that is hidden in the bad time


Between Peaks there are always Valleys. How you manage your Valley determines how soon you reach your next Peak.

If you do not learn in a Valley, you can become bitter. If you truly learn something valuable, you can become better.


A Plateau can be a time for you to Rest, Reflect and Renew.

The most common reason you leave a Peak too soon is arrogance masquerading as confidence. The most common reason you stay in a Valley too long is fear masquerading as comfort.

When you put your ego aside, you are more likely to leave a Valley sooner

The pain in a Valley can wake you up to a truth you have been
ignoring.

A personal Peak is a triumph over fear

It is never too soon to make good and bad times work for you.



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