Above the Line Thinking
In this case, the grass is indeed greener on the other side. By choosing to live above the line, we embrace 100% responsibility. It’s a simple yet powerful belief that we create everything that happens in our life.
Successful people have this “crazy” belief – you are the cause of all effects in your life.
That statement can cause people to push back or react with emotional intensity – again whatever you choose, when you live above the line, it’s your own creating.
Here’s the thing – perhaps this whole idea of living at cause isn’t true. Perhaps some things are out of our control.
Even in that case, the only question you should care about is this: Does believing in this theory empower me?
Does believing in above the line thinking improve the quality of my life?
Even if you don’t believe it’s true yet, act as if it is. Pretend. In coaching and Meta Dynamics™ we call this the “as if” frame.
We act as if until it is. Your beliefs are only possibility filters and determine what we allow ourselves to experience in our lives.
In short, all beliefs are hallucinations – so why not make up the ones that serve us the best?
People who go through life on the effect side of the equation can produce “reasons” (aka excuses). They can tell you why they were not successful. “My ex-wife held me back…” or “My parents never supported me…”
As a result, they are always angry, and hold resentment against these people. They believe they are victims who have no choice.
And maybe it is all true.
But here’s the thing: You can be either right or happy.
What’s your preference?
The only thing preventing you from achieving what you want are the beliefs you form and the stories you tell yourself.
People who go through life on the cause side of equation have results that speak. You embrace ownership and responsibility, which gives you the maximum power to create the life you want.
Here is the above and below the line infographic: