Simple Pushes: Creating Balance in an Unbalanced World

by Tom Nagel

Simple Pushes presents a method for finding balance in life. Beginning with an exercise of determining whether you push or pull on the steering wheel of your car, you can become aware of your unconscious habit of pushing or pulling in life. Pushing and pulling are not inherently good or bad; one not better than the other. Sometimes it is appropriate to push while other times pulling is better. People whose habit is pushing act without considering the circumstances or the impact of their actions upon others. People whose tendency is pulling think and feel too much instead of acting. These chronic habits lead to imbalance and create barriers to leading a fulfilled life. This booklet contains information for gaining insight into why you do what you do and why others do what they do. It then gives examples of how to use simple pushes to achieve balance. This book is a short and simple read yet may lead to profound changes in your life. Simple does not mean easy. The key to Simple Pushes is follow through.

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2012

Reviews

[Akhil Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book found here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-store...

My fav quotes:
- A martial art teacher told me that it is easier to train an aggressive person to be nice than to train a nice person to be more aggressive.
- When I ask the question, “Do you push or pull on the steering wheel?” and your response is “I drive with my hands in neutral,” I point out that when your hands are hanging on the steering wheel, they are actually pulling towards you. You need to push slightly forward to keep your hands from falling back. This can be a metaphor for life in that it is important to push slightly more than pull to move forward in life.
- Pushers have a difficult time comprehending why pullers won’t do what is obvious. Many self-help books and articles are written by pushers and read by pullers. However, pullers need more than information. Without being aware of their habit to pull, pullers will not practice or take actions to do what the writers suggest
- Pings may come in the form of asking a question or making a statement.
o I need more information.
o Can you be more specific?
o I cannot read your mind.
o What are you asking for?
o Your request is unreasonable to me.
o I will consider it.
o You need to back off.
o Take a deep breath.
o No.
o Yes.
- Simple pushes can take the form of eating less and exercising more. Reading the ingredients on a food label, so you know what you are eating, is a simple push. Saving money can be a simple push. Journaling and writing can be simple pushes. Stretching and even flossing your teeth each day can be simple pushes

[Yuen Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple book from a neighbour who just picked up riding ... in Tom’s view, we have natural tendency to be puller or pusher (this book is predominantly written for the pullers). Simple, short (38 pages), wise and zen.

First the awareness of your inert in inclination, then the desire to change/balance (“how bad do you want to do it), making changes in small steps ( “pings” in asking a question or making a statement) and keep trying.

You have probably heard most of this before. I think the puller and pusher View is refreshing.

[Susan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effective in making me think differently. I am clearly a puller that is too kind and hates confrontation. But I do love teaching riding therapeutic riding lessons, writing articles on riding, getting better at talking, moving & taking actions.

Now I will try to apply thoughts on pulling and pushing to riding.

Reread 2/24/21: Still thought provoking as now I think that I may be a better balance of pushing and pulling. When I read the activities list, I do items in both. I am still not a fan of confrontation, but I am making strides in getting better and standing my ground, saying what I feel needs to be said and moving on.

I will continue to work on pushing on my reins, instead of pulling.