A “Chi River” or a “Chi Goal” Person – Which are YOU?
The New Year is a great time to reflect on your Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development, and to start thinking about your training for the upcoming New Year.
And one of the most important questions you can ask yourself during this reflection is, “Am I a Chi River person, or am I a Chi Goal person?”
This question cuts right to the heart of what it means to be a self-motivated, independent-minded Chi student.
And having this “self-knowledge” can help you proceed with confidence on the path to better health, stress relief, and Chi Development .
Self-Motivated, Independent-Minded
Before we explore what it means to be a a self-motivated, independent-mind Chi student, let me start by saying the obvious: the VAST MAJORITY of Chi students are neither self-motivated nor independent-minded.
Many students require external motivation to keep them interested in Tai Chi and Qigong, and to keep them practicing. For example, many can learn only in a class format, because they require the external discipline. Having to keep up with a weekly class keeps their home practice on track. Without the weekly class, their home practice eventually falls by the wayside.
Others may require a “guru” or “master” on whom they are dependent to set their training goals or their practice schedule. Left on their own, without this guru to follow, their self-practice would quickly fall apart. Or without some sort of persistent direction, they would flit from program to program, or from teacher to teacher, but never really work towards a strong, independent Chi practice.
As we noted, a majority of students fall into this category. But our focus here is on the remaining two categories of students – “Chi River” students and “Chi Goal” students.
Rivers and Goals
The two terms “river person” and “goal person” come from Earl Nightingale.
Earl Nightingale was a well-known motivational speaker many years ago. He was the first person to ever earn a gold record for sales of a spoken word recording, back in 1956. I highly recommend that 1956 recording, “The Strangest Secret”, plus a follow-up he did before he passed away in 1989 called The Strangest Secret for Succeeding in the World Today (click here).
By the way, I receive no compensation for promoting these recordings, but I’m glad to do it. This is one of the most important motivational works ever created. If you are serious about being successful, no matter what field of interest you are pursuing, you should run, not walk, to get those recordings.
Anyway, Earl Nightingale talked about “goal people” and “river people” as two models of success.
Chi Goal People
As a model for success, goal people are those who work best by having a definite goal and a plan on how to reach it. Goal people need to lay out a clear set of measurable goals for what they want to do. Since they can become easily distracted, they need a lot of external structure and discipline to succeed.
Note that this is different from the first category of people we mentioned above – those who require external “motivation”. Goal people are self-motivated, and they don’t need motivation from outside themselves. But they do need external “structures” to help support their self-motivation and accomplish what they set out to do.
For Chi Goal people, these external structures include writing down their objectives for their Chi development, setting up timetables and deadlines for what they want to learn, and working through them methodically. They need to get in the habit of having a regular time or regular schedule to train and practice.
Even if it’s just ten or fifteen minutes – they have to do it every day. What’s important is the regularity. This helps keep them focused and on track to accomplishing their goals.
When they do lose focus though, it’s easy for Chi Goal people to turn things around. They just need to put the external structures back in place. They merely need to pull out those goals and timetables, and re-commit to using them.
Their success comes through organizing their practice approach, and through a regular schedule. Being consistent is the key.
Chi River People
On the other hand, Chi River people do it differently. They don’t need much in the way of external structure, and they aren’t necessarily methodical. They just mostly “wade” in to the river of Chi and “immerse” themselves in their learning and practice.
Unlike the Chi Goal person, a Chi River person may not have a clearly laid out training schedule or measurable goals. But they are successful because they are so involved in their Chi practice, they can’t imagine NOT pursuing it every day. Their structure is “internal” to how they think and work in Chi Development.
Sometimes people confuse “Chi River people” with the “flitters” we mentioned in the first group above. After all, both types of people have little in the way of external structure. But the flitter moves quickly from one Chi program or teacher to another, and never seems to accomplish much or commit to anything.
So don’t confuse the River person’s lack of structure for a lack of commitment. For Chi River people, their practice and commitment to Chi Development comes naturally. And unlike the flitter who never last more than a few weeks or months without external motivation, the dedication of Chi River people often last years or decades.
Now, you might think that being a “Chi River person” would be easier than being a “Chi Goal person”. And when it comes to actually practicing, it is. But for Chi River people, while they are easily drawn to practice, actual success and accomplishment in Chi Development usually comes a little more haphazardly for them. Chi River people seem to have more ups-and-downs in their accomplishments, rather than the “smoother” journey that persistent Chi Goal people have.
So Which Are You?
Before you can decide whether you are a Chi River or Chi Goal Person, the first question to ask yourself is, “Am I an independent-minded, self-motivated Chi student?”
For example, can you practice on your own without the discipline of having to keep up with a class? Or can you determine your own path to Chi Development without the constant attention of a master to keep you on track?
Don’t be surprised, especially if you are a beginner, if the answers to these questions are “No”. But just be honest with yourself. If you need external motivators right now, that’s OK. Most people do. And many of us actually STARTED OUT that way before making the transition to being independent and self-motivated.
However, once you make that transition, you’ll need to ask yourself the second question: “Am I a Chi River person, or a Chi Goal person?”
Now of course, no one is PURELY a Chi River person or PURELY a Chi Goal person. But we all have our tendencies. So a big step forward in your training is for you to decide if you are more of a Chi Goal person or more of a Chi River person.
In our online program, we accommodate both Chi River and Chi Goal people.
For the Chi Goal person, our Getting Started Guide has tips for setting up training schedules, and for working methodically through the course. I can’t count the number of “Chi Goal” people who have thanked me for the Getting Started Guide. They said it made all the difference in succeeding with our course.
The Chi River people, on the other hand, appreciate the open approach we take to training. They can wade into the program, and spend more time on the areas that interest them, without having to keep to a weekly schedule like they would in a regular class.
That’s one of the reasons we chose an online format for our courses – the flexibility it allows for us to work with both types of independent-minded, self-motivated students. We enjoy working with both Chi River people and Chi Goal people.
So as we start the New Year, begin to explore your own path to independent Chi Development. Look and think about how you like to approach training. Are you a Chi River person, who needs no external structures? Or do you work best when you have a plan, like most Chi Goal people?
Once you know which you are, you can then work towards your Chi Development with confidence, knowing you are on the path that is right for YOU!
Happy New Year.
Best wishes,
Al
Thanks Al,
I really appreciate this information.
These are new terms to me ‘goal’ and ‘river’ people.
I easily identified myself as a primarily a Chi river person who sometimes needs a deadline (external structure) to manage to complete something.
Daily structure – eg. rise at 7 am, practice upon rising, breakfast at 8 am, etc. etc. – is anathema to me – a surefire prescription for failure – failure that is in maintaining the routine.
After years of feeling like frustrated because I cannot do the regular daily routine for anything, let alone my Qigong/TaiChi practice, I finally feel – WOW, I’M A RIVER PERSON AND IT’S AN OKAY WAY TO BE.
It is so good to now have words that recognize and describe what my process is and that it is as valid as the what seems to me the more common methodical and systematic approach which is often presented as the best or even the only way in much of the motivational literature I have read.
Perfect timing for this info for me.
Thanks Al.
Jackie
PS I’m off to mail Level 2 Video 2 of the ChiFusion certification course – personal deadline was Christmas and I made it!
Jackie
28 Dec 11 at 9:19 pm
Hi Al,
I enjoyed your article on a “Chi Goal” v “Chi River” person.I guess I am a Chi River person who enjoys developing my Chi daily and my Internal Breathing which is already helping me.The other factor is my meditation which I do every day.I suffered two Strokes in my life but Tai Chi/Qigong is really helping me in a big way especially my mobility,my Strength on my weaker side and my mind and feelings are so much better.I will be practicing my Tai Chi/Qigong every day of my life.Thank you for your thoughts.Jeff
Jeffrey
31 Dec 11 at 2:34 pm
Al,
Thanks for all you are doing and have done to promote Chi health and development. This article is helpful in understanding that it is “ok” to not be strictly “goal” oriented. So much has been written, especially at this time of year, about how we should all have our goals written down: daily, monthly, yearly, five year plan, etc. I have “fallen” into that trap before and find it more unsettling than anything else. It is just not me! I definitely fall into the “river” category and I echo Jackie’s words of thanks for validating that it is OKAY to be that way.
Many Blessings in the New Year,
John
John Chapman
31 Dec 11 at 2:42 pm
Hi Al, I am a chilean instructor.
Thanks, for all your received messages this year, especially the latter, as we really clarifies that this beautiful useful recommendations discipline of tai chi. I practice for 19 years and taught for 8, has helped me enough to read your experiences on this path of life. I have been blessed to be able to teach both children and adults, including seniors, in all the initial spark I discover something beautiful, but as you say, not everyone understands or live the change that tai chi can be done in their lives, is required courage to change habits and accept that fills us with more simple pleasures in life.
I wish also a good year and you continue to have success with teaching the way of tai chi.
Alejandra
31 Dec 11 at 4:14 pm
Hi Al!
Like most of the other posters I’m a river, I think we are so grateful to be validated that we are moved to comment. In my second decade of practice, I’ve been teaching tai chi for 8 years and teach 2 different styles. I’ll admit that I don’t practice every day but I think about tai chi all the time, and often find myself in a restroom working on a single move (they are always close and generally have mirrors!) When I do practice I’m fully engaged but don’t do a full form repeatedly – rather work on small sections until I’m satisfied, at least for that day, in the results. I started the course with goals in mind, but have since going through it once have become a picker rather than a regular. I appreciate what you have done to present your material in different ways – this has made me a much better teacher! Happy New Year to all the goalers and the rivers!
Mary
31 Dec 11 at 5:41 pm
Hi!! Al.., happy new year to you, hope the year of the DRAGON change our life situation for GOOD. tnx for this lesson and i know that ” i am a chi river person” andf i would like to learn more about this character…, tnx again.., more power.., till next lesson….
anita
1 Jan 12 at 1:15 am
Hi Al,
Thank you for your information about Chi River and Chi Goal. When I am considering to myself, just now I always need your guidance and instructions, to get me involve in my training. That is why I choose as a Chi Goal person until I reach the result, to heal myself and to get more internal chi in obtaining the immunity from all kind of diseases.
Thank you and best regards
Arya Warsitha
Arya Warsitha
1 Jan 12 at 10:51 am
My person is both a chi-river, as a chi-goal-type,
but mostly I sail by method, regularity, simple techniques,
to be in love with boringness and fall in love each practicing, wroking till your internal self responds thankful to you, That’s the Dao for me…
Ivor Kleveringa
1 Jan 12 at 12:42 pm
Thanks Al for all you do and your persoal kindness.
I am a chi river person and plan to swim a lot during the year of the Dragon. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Homer Nottingham
1 Jan 12 at 1:35 pm
Hi!! Al.., happy new year to you. Thanks, for all your received messages this year. If is posible to you repeat to my wife and me all the tai chi information, I lost your e-mails and it is very important to us. Thank you.
Armando
2 Jan 12 at 1:07 am
Hi Al,
I am also a chi river person. Take a class twice a week, but practice by myself every day, so I do not forget the forms that I have learned and be able to take them to perfection within my posibilities.
Agustín
3 Jan 12 at 12:23 am
Gung Hay Fatt Choi Al,
I like the two different meanings to Chi Gung practician work outs as one chi river or chi goal person. That would help people to understand what sort of student their are, were that chi gung is a mind redevelopment achievement within each person, to grow stronger within mind, body and spirit. No matter who you are, if you are Chi river or Chi Goal person. You will find yourself to the zenith, within your path. as long your happy and it’s working for you, that matters. Enjoy your Chi Gung and Lift Your Head Raise Your Spirit Always within your chi Gung Training. God Bless you all
Sijo Garry
Sijo Garry
5 Jan 12 at 2:02 pm
Hello Al,
Thank you for this article! I am very new to Tai Chi. I joined a class with an awesome guru, but didn’t make the class but one time. The guru gave us a video of the class though and I have been practicing from that at my convenience. I had felt as if I was failing somewhat by not practicing at the same time every day or even every day. When I do practice, I am totally focused for a couple hours and usually concentrate on one area until I have it perfected. I really love and enjoy it.
I guess this practice would make me a river person. I always have been a “go with the flow type person” lol
Thank you
Chrystal
Chrystal
12 Jan 12 at 9:25 pm
I am a goal person which i am happy with. My problem with regular practice is that I cannot stay with one methodology. That is why I started Chifusion two years ago for a couple of months and now I am back starting all over.
dave23
14 Jan 12 at 7:36 pm
Hi Al,
Happy New Year to you and to all fellow ChiFusion students.
I am more of a Chi goal person. I need to have some structure to practising and studying. And I think without your tips for getting started I would have struggled when I first started.
But I also recognise some Chi River tendencies in me as well.
Thank you
Lea
Lea
15 Jan 12 at 9:18 am
Yeah nice post Al,
Another great way of looking at this sort of “modelling” is that there are 4 types of people in the world:
~ Unconscious incompetant – people who don’t know how to achieve and don’t know they don’t know
~ Conscious incompetentant – people who know that they don’t know, they are aware of their failings.
~ Conscious competant – people who know what to do to achieve but they must consciously apply themselves to achieve (i.e. your “Chi Goal person”)
~ Unconscious competant – people who have success so ingrained into them that they just go about their normal activities and achieve success (i.e. your “Chi River person”).
Thanks for your wisdom Al.
Stuart
Stuart Shaw
27 Jan 12 at 2:07 am
Thanks a lot, of this important and interesting article.
I´m a chi river person!
Emre Inal
2 Feb 12 at 4:24 pm