THE ALPHA PROTOCOL

 

Far too many people think that starting over means going back to the beginning and repeating everything they originally did while expecting different results than those that initiated the “re-do.”  While reviewing the actions or decisions that did not produce anticipated results is an admirable component of any “recovery” effort, perhaps more could be gained by focusing on was NOT ATTEMPTED OR CONSIDERED...what might have been LEFT OUT or OMITTED...then initiating different approaches starting from a new and fresh perspective to achieve improved results.  This method of continuous improvement in life – of establishing ongoing new beginnings to accomplish unexplainable results – can be defined as leveraging the “Alpha Protocol.”

 Alpha represents the beginning...the start...where we must launch our journey before we can hope or expect to reach an end – which would be called the Omega.  Before we can “undo” what has been “done” we must identify what (specifically) did we not like about the direction our journey was going.  Before we can start over, we must identify WHY we do not like where we are (even if we have not yet figured out what we must do differently to alter the direction of our travels) and WHAT we are willing to do to alter the course of our journey.  Did you begin your journey at the request of another – moving in the direction you were pointed using the tools, concepts and pre-conceived beliefs someone else provided – or did you consider where YOU wanted to go before walking down a path upon which (perhaps) nobody had ever wandered?  Did you begin your travels from a clearly defined Alpha then monitor progress towards an Omega OR did you do what felt good at the time and hoped to build upon that foundation to discover greatness?  While one can always improve and grow, if one is relatively comfortable with the “omega” they have landed upon there is no amount of discussion, collusion or convincing that will force the investment of energy needed to create a new “alpha.”

In order for your efforts to culminate in a logical conclusion – an answer in which you can believe and feel comfortable – you must consider where you wish to go, how you hope to get there and what you are willing to invest as you define what you are moving from and why you wish to leave it.  Full implementation of the Alpha Protocol requires that each identified new opportunity...every new path upon which we may travel...begins at a place from which we must move to accomplish anything.  We cannot seek safety or comfort “where we are” if we want to accomplish or enjoy those things that have not yet been achieved.  We must realize (and internalize) there are many paths leading from a starting point to a different destination – and that each stopping point is truly just a place to collect and gather strength prior to seeking the next opportunity not yet revealed.  Each fresh start becomes another new “alpha” from which the next steps originate rather than an “omega” that will stand as complete against the test of time.  If one is comfortable enough to endure the irritations within what they have or more comfortable living in the pain of lost opportunity than they might be in experiencing the potential suffering to which untested beginnings leading to not yet discovered destinations would expose them, then he or she should settle for the satisfaction that might be found in what is rather than living for what could be.  Alpha moments come and go in life – greatness enters the lives of those willing to let go of their bad omegas as they seek new opportunities.  Dissatisfaction, despondency and depression often descend upon those unable or unwilling to identify the need to move on...accepting the miserable life they might have rather than reaching out for something different – accepting all the blame for the way things are rather than opening their eyes (and hearts) to what might be.

When choosing to act by intentionally selecting a course of action after much study, review and discussion, allow your journey to reach a conclusion (even if the “end” is but a rest stop on the road to a final destination) before changing direction prior to allowing your decision to reach a logical conclusion.  There may be many “alpha moments” during the accomplishment of each objective – new beginnings from which opportunity blossoms.  There are truly few “omega moments” in our daily lives as each “end” is but a new beginning on the way to another temporary end (there are very few “finalities” in life – death and taxes being two – while each day dawns with a new beginning before concluding with a resting point allowing us to prepare for another fresh start).  Unless we choose to live our lives as they have always been - expecting (and being satisfied) to receive that which has always been provided - everything we do begins at a place which must necessarily be left behind if we hope to move forward in life. 

Those who accomplish much in life tend to live within their Alpha more frequently than they succumb to their Omega moments.  They see life as a series of new beginnings rather than ends – of fresh starts rather than conclusions.  While accomplishing much, they feel much has yet to be accomplished.  They find peace in the discovery of new moments in which they can live, breathe and grow rather than from resting upon the discoveries they may have made and finding satisfaction within the comfort that accomplishment can falsely provide.  Our omega moments often serve as resting points from which we can recharge, refocus and redirect our efforts before seeking another destination...recognizing them as new alphas from which different experiences blossom rather than as ends that might bring a new beginning to a halt...launching us to move courageously forward rather than being left behind in the safety of our unwanted realities.