The Dragontree

As Briana and I give more of our attention to the upcoming launch of our book, The Well Life, I’m reminded of the supreme value of planning. Given my background in Chinese Medicine, planning makes me think of the liver. The liver is called “the general” among the community of our organs, and like an army general, the liver is thought to govern our capacity to plan and strategize. The liver is considered to have a close relationship with the eyes (in fact, one of the signs of liver disease is yellowing of the eyes); this is considered symbolic of the vision that’s essential for planning: being able to see or visualize your destination.

The destination might be you as a peaceful, happy person; you in a healthy, energetic body; you sharing your gifts on a tremendous scale; or you surrounded by close, loving relationships. Although most people would agree these are highly enticing goals, some of us still need help getting on board with the planning that will bring them to life. It didn’t come naturally to me, but luckily, I married someone who’s a very skillful planner and I’ve learned a lot.

Here’s an excerpt from our book on the subject:

“The most critical factor in planning effectively is doing it. If you’re not a planner by nature—Peter isn’t—there’s no getting around this, but we’ll teach you how to make it easier.

If you don’t write down your plans, you’re putting yourself through needless difficulty. You probably experience some confusion, because it’s hard to see the plan when it’s entirely in your mind. You may feel anxious or overwhelmed, because you’re constantly engaged in mental tracking, and perhaps fear that you’re missing something. And you’ve probably had your share of disappointment, because mental plans don’t often work out the way you want them to. Writing out your plans will enable you to escape these unpleasant situations.

Here are some of the things planning can do for you:

• Writing down a plan makes it real. It’s one thing to have a thought; it’s another thing to write out a plan. Like drawing up blueprints before building a house, making a plan forces you to see the entire structure before you even begin. It hugely improves your chances of ending up with a house, rather than, say, a sculpture made of bricks, pipes, and wire. Planning is an investment of time and energy into your future, whether that future is tomorrow or ten years from now, and it nearly always pays off.
• Planning asserts your position as the creator of your life. You aren’t just a spectator. The drafting pencil is in your hands. You’re a maker. A visionary. Planning is an act of affirming this role. Taking the time to plan is also an act of honoring your soul, your purpose, your potential, and your loved ones. Especially if there are others who depend on you, making plans is one of the most caring and respectful things you can do for them.

• Planning generates momentum. The diagram above shows the difference between the molecules in an ordinary piece of iron (on the left) versus those within a piece of iron that has been magnetized. At first, the molecules are arranged in a haphazard way, but as the metal is magnetized, this coaxes all its molecules to become oriented in the same direction. Creating and abiding by a plan has a similar effect, by orienting our thoughts, actions, agreements, and environment in the same direction. The “magnetism” that results creates momentum that attracts circumstances and resources to facilitate the process.

• Planning not only allows you to do big things effectively, it’s hugely important in managing a life with many moving parts in a balanced way. When you embrace planning and you do it with clarity and consciousness, it makes life simpler. The structure leads the way. If you have any resistance to planning, we have a mantra for you: “My plan is the clear path to the life of my dreams.”

Your plan is the structure that enables the integration of sweetness and space in your life, so it’s a precious thing. And it gets easier the more you do it.”

Later in this chapter we explain our methodology for effective planning, and then we share many ways to turn your plan into a reality. We really, truly hope that you will read the book, try it out, and join us in creating a more healthy, happy, and conscious world.

With love,

Dr. Peter Borten