B y Ke i t h a n d G i l ly P u g s l e y ( T h e L i f e M e c h a n i c s )

D O - I T - Y O U R S E L F L I F E

M E C H A N I C S : A W O R K S H O P M A N U A L F O R

L I V I N G

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Copyright © Keith and Gilly Pugsley (2015)

The right of Keith and Gilly Pugsley to be identified as author of this work has

been asserted by them in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright,

Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission

of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may

be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781784552367 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781784552381 (Hardback)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2015)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Printed and bound in Great Britain

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Acknowledgements

With sincerest thanks and acknowledgement to all our clients whose

successes, achievements and contributions made the conception and

development of Life Mechanics™ and the production of this book,

possible. Many of you are mentioned in this book, but you will only

recognise yourself by your wonderful achievements. Your names have

been changed to protect the successful.

May we wish you all continued success, achievement, contentment,

fulfilment and happy motoring in your own very unique Life Machines.

Keith and Gilly Pugsley, Life Mechanics

June, 2015

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Foreword

The Life Mechanics motto is:

“Live well, laugh often, love much”

But we did not invent those magical words. They were written by Elisabeth-

Ann (“Bessie”) Anderson Stanley 1879-1952, the author of the poem

“Success”, which is often incorrectly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson or

Robert Louis Stevenson. Her poem was written in 1904 for a contest held in

Brown Book Magazine by George Livingstone Richards Company of Boston

Mass. Bessie of Lincoln, Kansas, submitted the words in the form of an essay

rather than as a poem. The competition was to answer the question “What is

success?” in 100 words or less. Mrs. Stanley won the first prize of $250 for her

offering which, in exactly 100 words, sums up what constitutes “Success”.

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and

loved much;

Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent

men and the love of little children;

Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to

express it;

Who has left the World better than he found it, whether an

improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;

Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the

best he had;

Whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”

Bessie Anderson Stanley, 1904. The First Life Mechanic

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements 3

Foreword 5

Part One: Introduction 11

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO LIFE MECHANICS: WHAT THIS MANUAL IS ALL ABOUT 12

Do You Need This Workshop Manual? 14

Is Your Life in Balance? 14

1.2 HOW TO USE THIS WORKSHOP MANUAL 16

1.3 PARTS IDENTIFICATION 18

Part Two: Design and Build your own Life Machine: Diagnostics and Major Overhaul

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2. DESIGN AND BUILD YOUR OWN LIFE MACHINE: DIAGNOSTICS AND MAJOR

OVERHAUL 24

2.1 The PHYSICAL bodywork, chassis and suspension 26

2.2 The INTELLECTUAL onboard computer 29

2.3 The EMOTIONAL temperature gauge 32

2.4 The BEHAVIOURAL driving seat and Rear View Mirror 36

The Behavioural Swot Analyser 39

Behavioural Rear View Mirror 41

2.5 The DOMICILIARY interior and upholstery 44

Exercise: My Ideal Home 45

2.6 The MATERIAL glove compartment 49

2.7 The OCCUPATIONAL engine 52

Exercise: Prepare your own ideal occupation Job Description 55

Exercise: Prepare your own Person Specification 55

2.8 The RECREATIONAL radio 59

2.9 The RELATIONSHIP gearbox 62

First Gear Relationships 62

Second Gear Relationships 63

Third Gear Relationships 63

Fourth Gear Relationships 64

Fifth Gear Relationships 64

Reverse Gear 65

Exercise: Dismantle and inspect your own Relationship Gearbox 65

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2.10 The FINANCIAL fuel tank 71

Exercise: The Cost of Living Equation 73

2.11 The EXPERIENTIAL accelerator 77

2.12 The ALTRUISTIC passenger seat 81

2.13 The CREATIVE battery 85

2.14 The SPIRITUAL windscreen and headlights 89

Exercise: Writing your Life Will 91

Part Three: Setting Goals for Maintenance and Repair 94

3.1 LIFEMAPPING: DRAW YOUR OWN LIFE MAP 95

Mind Mapping 95

Life Mapping: a short guide 95

3.2 GOAL SETTING AND ADJUSTMENT 99

3.2.1 The Priority Ratchet 100

Priority ratchet template 102

3.2.2 The Smartgoal Satnav 103

3.2.3 The Ready Willing and Able Litmus Test 106

R. W. A. Litmus Template 107

Part Four: Planning Action and Support 108

4. PLANNING GOAL ACTION 109

4.1 The Patent Resource Accumulator 110

4.2 The Planning Condenser 112

Part Five: Fine Tuning with the COGROSE Mechanism 113

5. THE COGROSE MECHANISM 114

5.1 The Seven Components of the COGROSE Mechanism 115

The Options Generator 119

The Adjustable Six Point Plan 122

5.2 Some helpful Guidelines for assisted COGROSE discussions 123

5.3 The COGROSE Mechanism in action 124

Part Six: The Life Mechanic’s Toolbox 128

6. TEN ESSENTIAL TOOLS IN THE LIFE MECHANIC’S TOOLBOX 129

6.1 Self-Esteem Pump and Pressure Gauge 130

Self-Esteem Pressure Gauge 131

Self Esteem Pump 132

Tree of Achievement 134

6.2 Hard-Soft Focus Inspection Lamp 135

Exercise: Red, Metal, Organic 136

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Exercise: Focusing the Senses 137

Exercise: The Focus Turbocharger 137

6.3 Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) Generator 139

Exercise: Look for the Best in Others 139

Exercise: Play the Glad Game 140

Exercise: the Positive Mental Attitude Generator 141

6.4 The Active Listening Device 143

Giving and Receiving a “Good Listening” 143

Listen to Your “Self” 147

Exercise: Try listening to Your “Self” 149

6.5 The Time Management Chronometer 151

6.5.1 The Life Log: Managing Red Time 155

6.5.2 Agenda Days: Maximising Green Time 157

6.5.3 The Task Calendar: Organising Blue Time 159

6.5.4 Time Ticks: Eradicating Yellow Time 161

6.5.5 “Me” Time 162

Exercise: “Me Time” Exercises 163

6.6 The Self-Talk Modulator 164

The “Stop!” setting 166

The Positive Conversion setting 167

The Affirmation setting 167

The Auto Suggestion setting 170

The Inner Coach setting 172

6.7 The Comfort Zone Expander 175

What is a Comfort Zone? 175

10 things about Comfort Zones you never knew! 176

Exercise: How big is your Comfort Zone? 176

Exercise: Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 178

6.8 The Self Knowledge Indicators 180

6.8.1 THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES INDICATOR 181

6.8.2 THE VALUES INDICATOR 184

6.8.3 THE PERSONALITY INDICATOR 190

Fifteen Personality Types 190

6.9 The Be Prepared Circuit Tester 199

Operating Instructions for the Be Prepared Circuit Tester 200

List of Life Changing Events (LCEs) 202

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6.10 THE DO IT! IGNITION AND MOBILISER KIT 205

6.10.1 THE DO IT! STARTING HANDLE 206

6.10.2 THE DO IT! JUMP LEADS 207

6.10.3 THE DO IT! GENTLE PUSH 208

6.10.4 THE DO IT! STOUT TOW ROPE 209

APPENDIX 211

SERVICE SCHEDULES, SAFETY AND TIMING INSPECTIONS 212

WEEKLY, or before a long journey or important event 213

MONTHLY review of Priority Ratchet and SMART Goals 213

SIX MONTHLY safety inspection (MOT) 214

SIX MONTHLY timing balance check 218

ANNUAL Review of Life Machine Performance 222

THREE YEARLY Overhaul of the Life Machine and Life Map review 222

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Part One: Introduction

1.1 Introduction to Life Mechanics: What this Manual

is all about

Do you need this Workshop Manual?

Is your Life in Balance?

1.2 How to use this Workshop Manual

1.3 Parts Identification

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1.1 INTRODUCTION TO LIFE MECHANICS: WHAT THIS MANUAL IS ALL ABOUT

Have you ever heard people complain that their whole life is rubbish? That

their existence has no purpose? That they’re in a dead end job, perhaps a dead

end life? Maybe they’re in a relationship that’s going nowhere, or they’re just

plain bored. Life is “passing them by”, and what’s it all about anyway?

Often the life we’re living really isn’t up to snuff, and we’re not particularly

happy, but can’t quite put our finger on why. We may have enough to eat, sure,

a roof over our heads, even a reasonable income. Some of us have all,

materially, we could wish for, and more. But something’s still missing.

Stop anyone in the street and ask them “What one thing in your life, if you

could change it right now, would make your whole existence happy, purposeful,

fulfilling and simply wonderful?” Chances are, they won’t have a clue. Because

they’ve never thought about it. And because the question is too vague and

unfocused. And too big.

If you turn the question into “What would you do if you won the national

lottery?” there’s a chance that some might have an unmoulded wish list they can

reel off, almost to please you. But it’s likely to consist of vague dreams and

unformed aspirations. The lottery, and the fact that the chances of winning it

are slim to non-existent, is almost an excuse for not putting any real effort or

thought into improving their life condition.

The Life Mechanic sees life as a machine made up of a number of

interconnected and interrelated components. If they’re all working well and

complement each other effectively, the Life Machine runs smoothly and

comfortably. But if one or more components malfunctions, or simply falls out

of synch with its neighbours, then the Life Machine can appear to give a pretty

rough ride. If this happens the experienced Life Mechanic can often go straight

to the problem and with the judicious application of the tools at his or her

disposal, put matters right. Sometimes the Life Machine will have to be

dismantled into its component parts so that the malfunction can be identified,

diagnosed and corrected. If the workings of the Life Machine and the

interaction of its various parts can be understood, the exercise of fault diagnosis

and correction becomes manageable, digestible. Even enjoyable!

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It’s rather like your car. If it isn’t performing too well, and you can’t fix the

problem yourself, you might take it to a garage mechanic. The mechanic will

listen to the symptoms you describe, look the car over, perhaps listen to the

engine, and maybe give it a test drive. Eventually, if you’ve got a good

mechanic, he’ll diagnose the problem and fix or replace the part. Your Life

Machine is similar. If you know what’s wrong with it, you can take some steps

to fix it. If you don’t, you first have to diagnose the problem, and then, if you

can, fix it. Sometimes you might need professional help. If you’ve got a

problem with the gearbox, for instance, it’s not much point pumping up the

tyres!

As professional Life Mechanics, our business is fixing people’s lives.

Sometimes the issue can be really quite minor, and once diagnosed a little fine

tuning is all that is necessary. Sometimes a major overhaul is called for.

Sometimes a Life Machine needs to be completely dismantled and rebuilt from

scratch. Whatever’s necessary, the principles are the same.

We’ve been operating as Life Mechanics for ten years now, from our

workshops in Devon. The procedures, exercises and tools you will find in this

manual have been used to effect change in the lives of hundreds of clients, some

of whose success stories you will read about. Some of the stories are of

personal successes of the authors themselves, but they were all guided by the

procedures and the tools we now offer to you.

This Workshop Manual is designed for the Do-It-Yourself enthusiast. It

provides easy to follow instructions, plans and diagrams, to enable you to fix

those aspects of your Life Machine that are not running as smoothly as you’d

like. If you find on inspection that your Life Machine is in need of a more

radical overhaul, or even a completely fresh approach to design and rebuild is

required, again this Workshop Manual will show you the way. It’s adaptable to

all makes and models.

And even if your Life Machine is firing on all cylinders right now, regular

planned maintenance and inspection of the moving parts will keep it in top

running order. You will find service schedules in the Appendix, and a

comprehensive Life Mechanic’s toolkit to assist you to become an

accomplished and resourceful DIY Life Mechanic.

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Do You Need This Workshop Manual?

If you’re standing in a bookshop or at a library shelf right now, or browsing the

internet, trying to make up your mind whether this Workshop Manual is for

you, hesitate no more. Do the following simple test:

Is Your Life in Balance?

Below is a simple eight spoke Wheel of Life or Lifegauge, the sort frequently

used by Life Coaches to take a snapshot of where their client is right now:

The gauge represents eight major areas, or components, of your life. On a scale

of 1 to 10, rate your satisfaction with your life in each area.

1= There’s not much in this area to be happy with at all.

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5= the situation is just about tolerable, but things could be so much better in this

area.

10 = PERFECT LIFE in this area. Couldn’t be better. I’ve reached my ideal.

Now, look at the balance in your life. Which areas need some attention? Are

you sacrificing happiness in important areas of your life on the altar of

perfection in others?

You should be aiming for 8+ in all areas. A score of less than 7 indicates a

serious imbalance, and you should get out the spanners. This Workshop

Manual will show you the way.

Now, you decide. Is this Workshop Manual for you?

oooOooo

Congratulations on your investment in this book. Now read on to find out how

it can change your life, and the lives of those around you, for the better.

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1.2 HOW TO USE THIS WORKSHOP MANUAL

Life Mechanics is based on the concept that your life is like a machine. The

Life Machine may be dismantled into its component parts, and these parts may

be inspected and then reconditioned or replaced where they have, for one reason

or another, ceased to function satisfactorily. The DIY Life Mechanic focuses on

each component, and where necessary its constituent parts, and takes action

with a view to correcting imbalance. The actions to be taken are translated into

formal Goals, and the Life Mechanic then prepares plans for action where

necessary (some simple Goals need no further formal planning). When all

necessary plans and resources are in place, the Life Machine as reassembled can

be test driven. The Life Mechanic takes his or her place in the driving seat (the

Behavioural Driving Seat) and motors off on the route to goal achievement, and

life fulfilment.

The process outlined in this manual is, therefore,

Dismantle Life Machine into component parts

Identify the condition of each component by asking focusing questions,

or sometimes by carrying out focusing exercises

Set Goals for repair or replacement

Make plans for repair or replacement

Reassemble

Test drive

Complete Overhaul or Running Repairs?

However well your Life Machine is running just now, we recommend you to

start with a complete diagnostic overhaul. Part Two of this Manual is designed

to introduce those new to Life Mechanics with the complete redesign and

rebuild of a typical Life Machine. If you’re unsure of how your life is running,

and what adjustments could be made, try following the instructions and

dismantle it into its constituent parts. Then examine and diagnose these

individually, using the diagnostic questions and exercises relevant to each

component. Following the overhaul guide in Part Two, you can set goals to

make the balancing adjustments. Part Three gives instructions on how to draw

your own Lifemap, and the Smartgoal Satnav will help you devise Goals for

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structural and strategic repairs to your Life Machine. Use the Priority Ratchet

for setting priorities and timings for your repairs.

Part Four will help with longer term or detailed planning for Life Machine

design. The Patent Resource Accumulator and Planning Condenser will be

found helpful for planning action and support.

If you are quite sure what’s not running to your satisfaction, you may go

straight to the relevant sections of the Manual that deal with the defective

components, for guidance on their strategic repair.

Fine Tuning

Refer to Part Five, Fine Tuning, for the COGROSE MECHANISM to effect

strategic repairs and fine adjustments to your Life Machine, or any of its

components.

The Life Mechanics Toolbox

You will find the Ten Essential Tools for the DIY Life Mechanic in the toolbox

in Part Six. Practise using these tools daily. They should become

indispensable, and eventually habitual for the experienced and successful Life

Mechanic.

Ongoing Maintenance

To maintain your Life Machine in good running order, servicing at regular

intervals is recommended. Service Schedules for planned preventative

maintenance appear in the Appendix, where you will also find formats for

annual Safety (MOT) and Timing Inspections.

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1.3 PARTS IDENTIFICATION

Your Life Machine is made up of a number of components which, if they are all

working together well and in harmony, make for a smooth, trouble-free and

comfortable ride. Learn to recognise these components in your own Life

Machine, and in the Life Machines of others. There are 14 major components

in most standard models. Though their relative weight and dimensions vary,

and over time you may recognise further important distinct components in your

particular model, it’s important that you get to recognise the 14 basic

components, and just what constitutes each in your particular and very unique

Life Machine.

1.3.1 PHYSICAL bodyshell, chassis and suspension

The Physical Bodyshell or bodywork and chassis of the Life Machine includes

your general health and wellbeing, physical fitness and mobility. Weight, body

mass index and considerations of body image are included, as are how you feel

about your physical persona on a day to day basis. Your overall musculature,

posture and appearance should be important to you, as may peripherals such as

hair, skin texture, teeth, nails. And how long you wish to live. Though beauty

may be only skin deep, yet it is the Bodyshell that holds the Life Machine

together. Keeping it in good condition for as long as possible must be a

priority.

1.3.2 INTELLECTUAL on-board computer

Characterised as the on board computer, the Intellectual component stores all

the programmes for skills, abilities and competencies that you will need for a

productive and fulfilling life. The powers of thinking, analysis, memory and

acquisition of knowledge are found in this powerful computer, as are the formal

qualifications, academic, professional or practical, necessary for you to perform

in your chosen vocation. And the no less important skills and abilities picked

up by practise and the experience of living all have their space within.

1.3.3 EMOTIONAL temperature gauge

The temperature gauge of the Life Machine measures your emotional balance,

ambient temperament and mood swings. Most would value warm feelings of

high self-esteem, confidence, happiness, occasional euphoria, hopefulness,

anticipation and fulfilment. Episodic cool feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety,

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dread, foreboding and helplessness may be inevitable, but they need to be

identified and minimised or at least evened out so that the Life Machine runs

averagely somewhere between “normal” and “hot” on the gauge.

1.3.4 BEHAVIOURAL driving seat

It’s important when you’re driving your Life Machine to be adopting the correct

posture in a comfortable seat. The Behavioural Driving Seat concerns your

habitual behaviours, good or bad, how you interrelate and interact with others,

your natural strengths and how they can be increased, and your weaknesses, and

their reduction. You need to feel comfortable and supported by your

Behavioural Driving Seat, and keep your eye on the Behavioural Rear View

Mirror from time to time.

1.3.5 DOMICILIARY interior and upholstery

The interior upholstery and fittings of your Life Machine will affect in no small

way how comfortable you are when travelling. The Domestic, or Domiciliary

Interior and Upholstery is represented by the castle, mansion, house, flat,

lodgings or other abode in which you live and spend an appreciable amount of

your time. The country in which you live, the immediate locality, and the

building itself, its size, style, nature, internal décor and general ambiance all

contribute to your happiness, well-being and comfort.

1.3.6 MATERIAL glove compartment

Some Life Machines are dominated by accessories and material possessions.

Some not so. The Material Glove Compartment contains the major possessions

of your life, space for those possessions you still wish to obtain and those you

aspire to. They may be possessions of utility, or purely of ornament. They may

be items which only have sentimental value, but which you still wish to make

room for in your Life Machine’s Glove Compartment. The Life Mechanic tries

to keep the Glove Compartment tidy and organised, and free of any items that

no longer have value, utility or ornament in the Life Machine.

1.3.7 OCCUPATIONAL engine

This is the engine of the Life Machine, the major component that makes the

whole machine work and move forward. It may be your job, your career or

calling, your profession or your business. If you are retired from or have no

need for gainful employment in any of these spheres, your Occupational Engine

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concerns itself with how you spend the longest and most constructive part of

your waking hours. The Engine is itself made up of a number of components

which need to function and interrelate if the Life Machine is to proceed in any

meaningful way. These components include the tasks we carry out, the people

we work for or with, those we are responsible for. The environment of the

workplace is important, as may be the level of wages or salary, working

conditions, terms of employment and overall job satisfaction.

1.3.8 RECREATIONAL radio

Represented by the radio or other in-car entertainment of the Life Machine, this

component is concerned with what you do for pure fun, entertainment,

recreation or relaxation. It covers active or passive pursuits, participation in

sports and exercise regimes, reading, involvement in sedentary or more active

hobbies and interests, and anything else you might “tune in to” purely because

it’s there and you want to.

1.3.9 RELATIONSHIP gearbox

Deft operation of the five speed Relationship Gearbox in your Life Machine

helps you slip seamlessly between the various relationships with which you

need to engage throughout your life, be they social, business, family or with

your spouse/partner. 1st Gear relationships are of the most peripheral type,

those within 2nd Gear needing a little rapport. 3rd Gear relationships are with

friends and closer family, and perhaps in the early stages of romantic liaisons.

4th Gear relationships will be with very close friends and family, and longer

term developed love matches. There will normally be only one or perhaps two

relationships in the life span of the average 5th Gear. And of course there’s a

reverse gear for the relationships from which you need to retreat.

1.3.10 EXPERIENTIAL accelerator

Pressure applied to the Experiential Accelerator will speed you through the

experiences of life you wish to enjoy. Many of these experiences will occur

quite naturally. Some are quite unavoidable. The Accelerator will help you

achieve those experiences which you will find life enriching. For it is the

experiences you have that make you the person you are. The places you’ve

been. The things you’ve seen, heard, tasted, touched or smelled. The people

you’ve met and the things you’ve done. Pressure on the Accelerator will help