Everyone Has a Message

Good Morning...

I hope...from the deepest part of my being...that you had a successful week...of chasing your dreams and making them real!

We often chase many things that we believe that we have a right to chase...

Do not make the mistake of Don Quixote...and take time for reality checks periodically...look to others outside yourself to help you ascertain what is real...because our perceptions are automatically skewed by our internal drives...

This takes us to an interesting place in our thoughts...

What do we have a right to chase?

As I think about it...a person only has a right to those things...which he can defend...

Although I would like to chase down that rabbit hole...I will avoid the temptation...but let it suffice that I can reduce this right to a point to where "all we have is life...all else is a benefit and a gift!"  Even those guaranteed by the Constitution..."Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..."

Think deeply about it...A person only has a right to that which they can defend...

What can you truly defend?

AND...

What do you really have a right (obligation) to chase?

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Another thought for you...

Every person is unique in make-up (genetics) and experience...

It is that combination of nature and nurture...sets the stage for some interesting conclusions...

Every person may have a specific role to play in the drama!

Even on the most basic (natural) platform...our role is to contribute to the future success of our species...

Passing on our genes...a most basic drive...and on a higher level...passing on our experience and learnings!  Sometimes...I think that the two and intertwined...this is an entirely different subject that we'll hit some other day!

We have come to a point that we do understand that our role is to create an endowment for our future generations...some genetic message and perhaps some intellectual message also...which were the result of our unique combination of experiences...

Our genetic code and our intellectual code!

That means that you actually have TWO messages to pass on to your (ours) future generations...

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Our next thoughts serve only to enforce our role in this drama...

To paraphrase a quote that I recently read...and paraphrased across the social network world...

"Those things that we have done for ourselves...die with us...those things that we do for others...live beyond us..."

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Let's contemplate our naturally driven uniqueness

Question:  Just how unique are you?

You have probably watched DNA experts testify on the probability of a genetic match and heard the statement that the Genetic uniqueness is 1 in 16 billion...today I heard a DNA expert testify 1 in 50 billion!  Whatever the numbers...it means that every individual is more unique than the total number of human beings that has ever lived or probably ever will live!

This understanding of DNA shows how unique you genetically are!  You are alone in your uniqueness among all human beings that have ever lived or ever will live!  My mind is boggled by this and this alone!

I have to say it again!

Your genetics actually makes you unique from everything that has ever existed...since life began...every virus...YES EVERYTHING...and those that will live...you are absolutely unique...

OK...I have rode this horse to death...but what a cool thing to ponder!

The message is...You are VERY unique!

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Now let's go even further into how unique you are...

There is something making us even more unique...what?

It is our intellectual experience...

Our experiences from the time of conception is only ours and paralleled by no other person...or living thing for that matter!  AGAIN...any organism that has ever lived...is living or will live...

If we are naturally unique and complex...and are inherently driven to pass our genetic uniqueness into the future...why shouldn't we also have a drive to pass our intellectual uniqueness (messages) into the future? 

A message containing your learnings from your experiences are just as unique and complex...

Isn't that a cool thoght to ponder?

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Now let's start thinking about that message...

For those who have been following me...you know that I have been promoting a simplistic understanding of your journey...

Your Signature...what are the habits that you are known for?

Your Legend...what mark have you made?

Your Mission...what is the concise description of your journey and goal?

Your Meaning...What is your one sentence description?

The fact of the matter is...I still believe that these are components leading to success...each with a specific purpose...they should be short...concise and accurately understood by anyone with whom they are shared...

This message is different...

The message that I am describing is different...

It potentially contains a plethora of your life's experiences and the learnings associated with them...good and bad...

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Our message is complex...it is as complex as our DNA!

The cool thing about this series of thoughts and the things that we are obligated to pass into the future...is that the DNA part is already forwarded to the future...if you have fulfilled that part of your special purpose!

I think everyone has at one time or another everyone has seen a drawing of a DNA "spiral chain."  Our intellectual chain is similar, but instead of 46 rungs of complex genes...your experience message has 4 rungs but the details contained therein are just as complex as an individual genetic rung!

Even though an effort as large as the human genome project would be needed to fully understand the details of your intellectual message, it can be briefly described...in a way that we all can understand it!

An intellectual message ladder has only 4 rungs...they are...

1 - Praise for our unique opportunity and role in the drama...

2 - Remorse for having fallen short on a continual basis

3 - Appreciation for what you have learned and can share

4 - Your lessons learned and the message that the future needs to heed!

If you haven't caught it...the first 4 letters spell out the word PRAY!

You do not have to be a fanatic...or a spiritual person to pray...

To PRAY...simply means to connect one's heart and mind...to the point that it elicits a change in your actions and behaviors...(your actions)...

It may be time that you consider looking deeply into yourself and clearly determining the message your unique message...

Enough said about this for now!

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A fundamental component of our society has eroded...through well meaning but narrow thinking individuals.  In an effort to be non-discriminatory, unbiased and unoffensive, they have convinced us that to PRAY is forcing the beliefs and behaviors of a minority on others who do not wish to participate in "rituals" that may run contrary to their own belief system.  It is interesting that they have fallen prey to that which they are attacking...they are guilty of doing that which they abhor...

I contend that to PRAY is not an opinion or ritual of a specific segment of our society...but an obligation of humanity on the whole!  This is especially true when you use my definition...which is to connect your emotions and intellect and affect your behaviors...POSITIVELY!

I take this position by moving from a narrow definition that defines praying as a ritualistic behavior...to an exercise of connecting and directing one's genetics, emotions and intellect towards one purpose and action...

It is "action" that sends an enduring message to future generations and makes them better for your having been here!our

To pray is not to focus on a mental or spiritual exercise...but to affect your behavior and your actions...
So my advice is...

Pray not for yourself...but for others sake!

Why?

Let's think about that thought I posted...and use its message to create an auxillary statement...

If you pray for yourself...it dies with you...if you pray for others...it lives into the future...

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Time for some amusement...
I am not a proponent of time travel!  I do not believe that the past or the future has the substance that is contained in the present...

In fact by intellectual definition...if one was able to travel back or forward...it is still their present...so I believe that time is an illusion...huh?

Time is a rationalized continuum...but that linearity is only a rationalization...there is no substance in the past or the future...the only substance is the present...and from my perspective...there is only the present!

Enough of that intellectualizing!

To PRAY in my prescribed manner...is to send a message into the future...it is an investment and our attempt to make the world a better place...

It may also call us to account for everything that we are and do!  In the present!

OK...Let's cut to the chase...
What is your message?

How well have you crafted it?

This week's advice is not to forget to PRAY...

You owe it to our future generations...and like the old saying...

"Be careful what you PRAY for...it may send the wrong message!"

You have a right to chase only that which you can defend...alone or together...

Hasppy Birthday America...you have made the list of things that we can defend longer than it would be if we tried to do it alone...

Enough Said!

Using your position...to your advantage...is STEALING...

Good Morning!

I bet you think that I forgot about this week's update!

No Way!

I actually got focused on some required deliverables that were needed to keep iTalentCafe on track for delivery!

It is really shaping up and I am so excited!

Building a system like this from the ground up is an interesting proposition!  Much of it is transformational...

Would you expect anything else from me?

I am hoping that you can share in its success...either in support of the effort...or use of the website...or as a part of the transformational team!

Enough said on this...more coming...help me make it happen!

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This is so cool!

This past week I was driving the kids around and as we were driving...a police officer passed us...

His rate of travel was probably twice ours!

No lights...he was just driving fast...

Rachel asked if I was driving at the speed limit....which I was...

Then she commented that the officer was breaking the law!

I said...she was right...but who was going to give him a ticket?

I barely finished saying that and she said...You know dad...That is stealing!

That got me thinking!

She was right!

When a person uses their position to their advantage...they are stealing!

We seldom notice it...we have grown calloused to that behavior...

Our society has become oblivious to self-serving behavior to the extent that they are blinded to its existence...

A rule is a rule...if it is meant for some...it should be meant for all!

I have been a recipient of that behavior...and you probably have too!

Being held to a higher standard...or

Having been given blame for something that you didn't deserve!

I have seen leaders...not step up and take responsibility for their own inadequacies....or poor performance and discipline or fire undeserving people...

They do this in an attempt to save their own position...

The only redeeming thing is that their inadequacies catch up with them...and they are seen for what and who they really are...

The sad thing is that most corporations seldom go back and make things better for the mistake...as a result...there are a many innocent victims!

Stealing takes on many different shapes and forms...

These unscrupulous people steal the livelihoods from many people...

Whether it is something as simple as speeding...or extra time off because you are the boss...or stealing extra employment time by shifting blame...it is wrong...

Some may argue that position has its perks...

I disagree...a person's higher position comes with a demand for higher responsibility and integrity...

RACHEL...thanks for the reminder and the great life lesson!

Enough said for now!

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The New Brass Ring - Update

My next book...The New Brass Ring:  Process Improvement for the 21st Century is approaching release.  I got word this week that the book is in cover design (the final step).  It seemed like forever to get there!

For those who are not aware...this book debuts my DMADD methodology.  I am hoping that it is pegged with the NBR label...You can help me with that...

Also...when it is released...please ask for it at your libraries and whenever you are traveling...please stop in at the book stores and news stands...at the airports...my vision is to have them available there...

Finally...please buy a copy of the NBR.  You will not be disappointed!  It is both entertaining and informative...or at least my reviewers think so!

Process Improvement is ripe for change...the conditions and the environment is also demanding a different strategy to address organizational issues...

We can not win the war on poor efficiency or effectiveness with a static strategy...

In the "Art of War" it is said that victory comes to the army that is able to adjust with the ever changing tides of the enemy's movements...

Effective leadership requires one to be adaptive...A static set of tactics (the same old methods...because they worked in the past) will only lead to frustration and failure...

All colds and flus look the same...but the fact of the matter is...they are caused by different virus'!  Once you have had a specific virus...the body's immunity system creates antibodies that keeps you from ever getting that strain of virus again...however colds and flus are an annual and semi-annual event for most of us...

That is because the virus has changed!  Even though the symptoms look the same!

Organizational issues are somewhat the same!

The symptoms may appear the same...but the causes are entirely different!

Just as the practice of preventive medicine includes ever changing vaccines...PI needs to create new and adaptive tactics to address these issues!

NBR is one of those new vaccines!

It is time for us to begin spreading the word!

I want this book to become a best seller...

You can help me by buying the book...if you are so inclined...and also by telling your friends about it!

Enough said!

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This magical thinking stuff...it doesn't work!

We want to believe that our existence is significantly deeper than we perceive...

We want to find deeper meaning and exert more control...

The fact of the matter is...it is not deep...and we have no control beyond our contribution to the causes and then we have to live with the effects and impacts...

I have wrote a lot on "getting real" about our existence and real impacts!

We are not important to anyone but ourselves...and in reality the only one who really cares about what happens to us is...

...Us!

Do not be deceived by these snake-oil salesmen who are selling Secrets...and  mystical secrets to success...

I agree that part of the equation is related to attitude...but that is just the foundation to success...

Wishing and dreaming is only the first step (the map)...proper attitude over the long haul is the fuel to success...but the vehicle is still and always be HARD work!

One of the immutable laws of success is "return on investment!"

You are not guaranteed greater value or a larger return on investment...or a profit...on what you give...

The most important question  that you have to answer for yourself is...

What am I Willing to pay for what I am getting?

If you are dreaming of (envisioning) getting something for nothing...or even getting more for a little investment...you are deceiving yourself...

Success requires hard work and sacrifice...

Enough said!

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My last thought for today is an explanation of what I really meant by a statement made on Twitter and linked to Facebook...

It said, "No eulogy is require for someone who simply does their duty..."

This was meant to be rather thought provoking...but it elicited no reactions at all!

The fact of the matter is...few if any people ever achieve their real potential...which I infer is their duty...(their responsibility)...

People work to create a eulogy...an epitaph...

But who can claim that they have reached AND exceeded their full potential?

Again....let's get real about what we are doing for (or perhaps to) this world and the people around us...

I would challenge you to leave every day better for your having been there...in every instance and interaction...

We all need to strive to be significantly more altruistic!

We need to realize that anything that we do for ourselves disappears when we die...only those things that we do for others exists beyond our exiting this world!

If it is lasting meaning that you strive for...you are best served by focusing less on what you do for yourself and more on what you do for others...

Like the speeding officer...any effort like that is stealing!

AND...I would bet that you (as do I) abhor thieves!

Call them out and at the same time...avoid this larceny at all costs!

Enough said...AGAIN!

Have a great weekend!

Pura Vida!





 

Let's Get Real...

Good Morning...

Mt PC is still in the shop...so I am doing the best that I can...writing this on my Blackberry...

I am learning to do the best with what I have...without regrets...

Thank you for understanding...it is quite a challenge...

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I hope that this week you:

- Achieved what you set out to do...or...
- Got one step closer to what you wanted...or...
- Realized that what you desired was not worth the effort....AND...you changed your direction!

There is that old cliche..."winners never quit and quitters never win"

As I think about it...there may be times that quitting is winning!

That is especially true when you are pursuing the wrong things (goals)...or those aspirations that are truly unrealistic...

The reality is that one must be realistic about their pursuits...in order to achieve them...

I recently posted a thought on Face book...

"Unless you have received a posthomous award for your efforts...you have never even approached giving 100%..."

We have become unrealistic about performance and the amount of effort invested in our pursuits...both of ourselves...and of others...

How many times have you said or heard...he or she gave 110% to this job or project?

Let's "Get real!"

How much are we really giving in pursuit of our goals...

Ignorant or deceived people believe that they have given more than 100% or that their friends or subordinates have done the same...

Few have given level of efforts approaching 100%.  Those few are the heroes of legends...not those who are standing and breathing around you!

These are the people who have made the supreme sacrifice (died) to achieve what they believed in...

Oh...I know...it is just a figure of speech...

But sayings like these things are viral...

If we start using them...we soon begin to believe them...

and it is those beliefs that move us further from the truth...

let's do a back of the envelope calculation...

suppose that you work 12 hours/day...5 days per week...(that is a lot of work)

In total...that is 60 hours/week

There are 168 hours in a 7 day week...

Given those two figures your career investment is about 36%.  This a quite a distance from 110% isn't it?

110% is not real or possible! 

Stop using that cliche!

Even 100% is not real unless you died in the effort...

I would love to see a sentence in a performance evaluation that says..."X" has gone above and beyond expectations giving a full 38% to the effort!  Sounds silly doesn't it...but it is real!

If you are reading this blog...you have never given 100% to anything that you have attempted...

That actually is a good thing...I am glad that you are still alive!

Yet true success...depends upon being realistic both about your goals and the effort used to achieve your goals...

What are you willing to invest in your goals...

I have "ranted" enough!

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I was channel surfing the other evening and happened upon one of my favorite "classic" movies...

Forrest Gump

One of my favorite lines in the movie is

"Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are getting until you bite into one..."

A great thought...it is profound and elegant in its simplicity...

As I reflect on this...I think a bit more needs to be added...

Every chocolate in "the box" is delicious...but some do not appeal to individual tastes...

Some people are very "picky" and will only eat a select few chocolates...while others will devour the entire box...

Hidden within this observation is the fact that contentment comes from either finding and eating only the chocolates that appeal to your tastes...or learning to appreciate every chocolate that you bite into...

I seek the latter!

Although I would prefer to eat only what suits my tastes...

Satisfaction comes from learning to appreciate every chocolate that we are given...

...Life is more complete for those who are content with whatever life hands them...

...while knowing that there are always more treats to be had...

Enough Said!

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Today's update may seem a bit fatalistic...

It is not meant to be...

It comes from my realization that I need to be simultaneously content with what I have received...and in pursuit of the right things in the future...

I disagree with the statement that we do not know what the future holds...

The laws of "cause/effect" are immutable...the future (the effect) will be exactly what it is going to be...based upon the sum total of the "causes"

These causes have been amassed from one's past and combined with present decision and situations...

Some things coming are unavoidable...some can be averted...

The beauty is that can "water down" the unavoidable negativity of some of the effects...by the correct decisions and action...TODAY...

We can shift the tides...by choice...

Life is not fatalistic...it is dynamic...

It is meant to be enjoyed...

We can enjoy it if we simply get real and stop deluding ourselves...

Have a great weekend!

My thumbs are tired...

PURA VIDA!

If you chase one thing...

Good Morning...

I can't help myself!  My PC is dead...and I initially thought that this was an opportunity to take a hiatus from writing on my blogs...

As you can see...I found a way to get back out here...via my Blackberry...and give you some thoughts!

I hope that this past week you found yourself making or guiding the right decisions...

It is interesting how demanding decision-making is!

It calls for the ability to identify the right things to address...

AND...the right things to do...

WITH the right people engaged...

In fact...decision making requires all of the "5 Rights" that I talk about...in order to be effective...

Not only in your organizational life...but also in your personal life...

Decisions made with less than all 5 of the "rights" will consistently fall short of the intended results...

Seek out each of the 5...and before you decide or guide...make sure that you have addresses each...

ENOUGH SAID...for now...

Early in my youth...I recognized that there was a difference between knowledge and wisdom...

I passionately wanted to be smart...and recognized as smart!

I do not think that there are many people that do not want to be smart!

"Smart" is only part of the equation however...

I do not remember the details...but I do remember the outcome and the effect that it had on me...

To show someone (Whom I admired) that I was smart...

I presented a wonderful plan for fixing a bad situation...

Their response was...

"That will definitely fix that...but if you do that...it will also hurt X, Y and Z!"

I do not think that you want to do that...do you?"

I was taken back!

My plan would have fixed the situation...but at a cost of X, Y and Z!

I was narrowly focused on the result...my knowledge (smarts) actually could have caused more harm than good!

This was the moment that I saw the difference between Knowledge and Wisdom!

From that point onward...O sought out and watched "wise" people...

I attempted to emulate them...

I spent more time watching how they thought...than what they thought about...

I observed individuals who were experientially wise...

and those who were intellectually wise...

I also found a few who were naturally wise...

It was the process and the discipline that set them apart from the majority...

I one simply set of words I could differentiate them from the hoard!

"Global impact thinking"

They thought through each situation and not only looked at the results related to a specific action...but it impact on its world...

Wisdom seldom seeks recognition...in fact it seeks acceptance...

Wisdom can not be effective without it being accepted...

I could go on for hours on this subject...but the crux is that wisdom can be systematized!

You do not have to wait to be 80 years old to get to a place in your life to be wise!

If there is one thing that you should chase...it should be wisdom!

Enough said!

Great leaders are wise...not smart!

Smart people can be easily hired...used and fired...

Wise people are an asset...

I actually could carry this logic out to a point that if a leaders does not possess wisdom...then they too should be given walking papers...

The cool thing is that wisdom is not subjective...it is measurable!

A wisdom measurement system can be based upon my 5 Rights!

It would be cool to create a wisdom based WQ in the same vein as Intelligence has it IQ!

It also may be quickly rejected because the majority would score dismally low on the scale!

Then again...if we clearly define the judgement (measurement) criteria...perhaps people will then strive for the right things!

Use this to your benefit...

Show that you possess great leadership skills and ability...and most of all...

That you possess WISDOM...

Enough Said!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Above all things...seek wisdom!

Pura Vida!

Special Edition - Done and Finished are not the Same Words

Good Morning...

As is a tradition (most of the time) I am submitting a special edition of the Weekend Update...in remembrance of the long holiday weekend!

As is important we should we should recognize the significance of why we went so far as to establish this day as important for us to divert our attention from the other important things in life...

Memorial day was not formally (legally) established until 1971...yet its celebration is over 100 years old!

It was originally established by a Confederate leader (A general I believe) to assist in the reunification of the United States after the succession attempt of the southern states...(now that is politically correct huh?)

It honored the solders on all side who fought the gallant fight...with commitment to the ideals that they believed were important to the liberty and freedom of their cause...

It did not honor the ideals (it does not make value judgements on what was fought for, but the personal characteristics...of those who fought...

In actuality...it goes beyond soldiers...but for everyone who commits to a cause and works diligently and persistently towards and end that they believe will benefit a larger good...

It honors selfless action...

It honors those who know that when they are "done" with what they have set out to do...they are only partway on their journey (it is not finished)!

"Done" with what you are out to do is a narrow and often self-serving perspective...

When you are done...it most often means that you have received what you needed from an activity...

This is like saying..."I am done eating..."  You have obtained the food you wanted...but there is more to your effort than fulfilling a hunger...

"Finished" includes ensuring that:

1- Whatever you do lasts (The eating example is kind of out)
2- Your activity has had minimum negative impact on the world, on a whole...
3- That your activity has made as much positive contribution to the world, on a whole...

When you eat and cook...you are done when you have finished consuming what you prepared for your meal...

You are "done" eating...but have you "finished" your activity?

Did you ensure that everything that you used to prepare the food is cleaned-up...how about the area?

This part of the activity is not done when all of the pots and pans...plates and silverware is in the dishwasher...it is finished when the utensils are clean and put in their proper places...

Have you asked everyone around you if they were hungry (needed food) and that your activity could help them?

Did you throw away any of the food you prepared?

The "done" perspective serves yourself...the "finished" perspective serves your world...

The "done perspective is immature...the "finished" perspective is mature...

Enough Said!

Memorial Day is a day to honor the personal characteristic of finished...an adult behavior that we should all strive to model on a daily basis...

Although apparent in our armed forces heroes and unsung (and faceless) heroes...

It is a day to recognize all of those who possess the rare leadership trait and ability to differentiate between the common and self-serving world of "done" and the lasting and unique beauty of "finished!"

We need to strive towards activities that are more than done...they are finished...

When we have grasped the difference...we too can count among those who are recognized on this day!

Happy Memorial Day!

Pura Vida!



 

The Real Secret to Success

Good Morning!

Many of you remember my 20 must read books.  Many of them are classics!

One that is a classic in its own right...yet considered a somewhat cheesy book is "The Greatest Salesman in the World"

It is quite old and probably out of print...but it sold millions in its day!

I was thinking about that book the other day and realized that "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction" is nothing more than a simplistic version of a concept written about (in fictional form) years ago!

I was captivated by the book and the concept years ago!

I made its lessons (found in short scrolls) part of how I acted...

I followed the fictional prescription to the letter and even exceeded it...

And in many ways...it worked...as it promised!

If you have never read this book...do so...you can not help but learn something!

The first line of one of the "scrolls" starts with the phrase..."I will greet this day with love in my heart..."

That attitude and subsequent behavior will make all of the difference in your life...

If you start your day with love...it shows in your face and all of your actions...

It changes people's attitude and behaviors toward you...

'''GREET the day with love in your heart..."

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What goes around...comes around...

Another principal found within the law of attraction...

The fact of the matter is...if you are not getting what you need...you earned it!

It is a rare situation in which one's condition was not brought about by their actions...

It could be the result of a single act...or a series of acts...or a domino effect (that appears totally unrelated)...but the fact of the matter is...you get what you gave!

Even act whether a kind act or one of malice is an investment in your future!  Each one...in their own way will come back to haunt you...

If I have a choice...I choose to be haunted by good spirits!

There will sad times...will those who you made laugh in the past gather around you to cheer you up?

Is there anyone?

There will be lonely times...will you have friends that you can depend upon like they did?

Is there anyone?

There will be times that you are sick...will those who you comforted be there to comfort you?

Is there anyone there?

There will be times that you hunger and thirst...will those who you fed and sacrificed for return your favor?

Is there anyone?

As you think about what you do and who you do it to...remember that your actions are investments...

They will come back to you...many times in measures unimagined!

What goes around...comes around...

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It has been an interesting week...

I can truly say that I achieved a significant and meaningful success each and every day...

Can you say the same?

Did you stop and take time to appreciate that success?

Did that success motivate you to loftier goals and personal performance?

They should...

You can do all of the hoping and dreaming in the world...

Over time the dreams will fade to a point that they match reality...

and then you can claim success...and be happy...right?

Not me!  I choose to keep my dreams vivid and strive to make them real before they fade...

Dreams, goals and aspirations change...they all ultimately fade...

They are precious gifts...treat them that way...

Nurture them...as if they have a fatal disease...they do...

But it is our purpose in life to tend to them and give them a life!

We have the ability to give them life...or provide the mortal wound...

Which do you choose?

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Small thoughts today...with potentially huge consequences...

Have a great weekend...

Pura Vida!

 

Winners and Losers-The Harsh Reality

Good Morning!

There are days that are full of success...

There are days full of set-backs...

There are days that you just want to quit...

Things do not always go the way you want...

I am not telling you anything you don't already know...

I have those days...and I know that you do too!

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Lori was reading one of my blogs the other day...and her comment was that she "heard this all before..."

In a way it cut me to the core...in another way it pointed out that I am persistent in trying to get a few basic lessons ingrained before we move to the next level...

Although I try to share insights that help you move to the next level...I also want to ensure that those absolutely critical character elements are so embedded in your being that you can not help but succeed!

Success is less about knowing everything and more about using what you know absolutely consistently...

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I have always liked the line..."There are two types of people in this world..."

There are an infinite number of possibilities that can follow that lead in...

Categorization is an interesting tool...and part of the very nature of humans...

We tend to categorize, in an effort to simplify the perceived complexity of life...

AND IT WORKS!  From my perspective...it has been the ability to characterize that has kept the human race on this planet for as long as it has...

We seek epiphanies of the utterly obvious (I know you have heard that before)...

So....

...There are two types of people in this world...Winners and Losers...

...There are two type of people in this world...Successful and Unsuccessful...

As I think about this...there may be four...sub-categories perhaps...(I love this...it is starting to get a bit "cloudy")

1-There are those who try and win...

2-There are those who try and fail...but go down trying...

3-There are those who try and quit...

4-There are those who never try at all...

Where do we draw the line that drops those four sub-categories into the successful and unsuccessful categories?

Some people may draw the line after the first sub-category...claiming that the only people who are successful are those who achieve their goals...(The "Secret" people sell this)

There are others who draw the line after the second sub-category...claiming that it is better to have tried and failed than not to ever have tried at all...(I may agree with this...let's see)

There are others that may drawn the line after the third sub-category...claiming that all that matters is trying...and that quitting has nothing to do with a person's integrity and character...(I disagree)

And lastly, there are those who would draw the line after the forth...claiming that there "is no spoon!"  meaning that effort is an illusion...(If there is no such thing as effort...why live?)

The more I think about this...the more I believe that there is a line...

My supporting axiom is "you win some or you learn something...in either case...you were successful..."

I know...you have heard that one before too!...(consistent aren't I?)

That draws a distinct line after the second sub-category...these are the winners...the successful ones...

AND...there are winners...the ones who tried their best...but did not cross the finish line ahead of the hoard...
In a big way...life is how you perceive it and work...as long as you go down trying...

Quit or stop...and you have automatically and by conscious decision put yourself in the realm of losers...

Many will argue that oftentimes that quitting is the rational thing to do...

That old Kenny Rogers song about "The Gambler"

"...You got to know when to hold-up...know when to fold-up...know when to walk away and know when to run..."

I disagree...

Heroes and legends are not made by quitters...

Quitting is an immature response...that of a two year old...

It shows intellectual and emotional immaturity!

Quitting includes more than simply stopping your activity completely...

I learned long ago...that any activity should either leave the world better...or at least unscathed!

I was taught..."Don't leave a mess for others to clean up...literally or figuratively"

Leaving things undone is the behavior of a two-year old!

If you open it...close it...

If you take it out...put it away...

Leaving the world in a worse condition and expecting someone else to pick-up after you...is no different than a two-year old running from one activity to another and leaving a trail of clutter...or really no more mature than requiring a diaper change...

These behaviors communicate...

Laziness
Selfishness
Immaturity
Irresponsibility

Not good messages about a character is it?

This behavior is self-centered...I got out of it what I wanted...

It leaves trash in parks and on the highways...poisons in our streams...polluted air...

Activities are not complete until there remains no more work to be done from it...

Many complete their activities but few actually finish them...

The true colors of people can be seen even in the smallest of activities...they eat and leave dishes...

Walk in the door and drop cloths...or leave the door open...

If your presence causes work for someone else...your existence is immature and you are in that group...

You are like a two-year old!

This is harsh but true...

Adulthood and maturity is about existing in such a way that you contribute...not drain...on others and the earth at large...

If you are a drain on resources and others...then you are only "the kind of person a mother will love"...and at some point...even she will get tired of changing your diapers and picking up the messes you leave!

Where am I going?

It is less about where you draw the line between success and failure...

It is about redefining success...

Success is not all about getting what you want...and walking away...

It is more about getting what you want AND NOT leaving a mess for someone else to clean-up...

That mess takes on many forms...real or figurative...

Success is not true real...unless it is finished...

"Finished" means that nothing more has to be done to bring things back to equilibrium...which is what the world seeks...

Think about it...It may take on the form of forgiveness...

The mess you made in some other's life in your pursuit of happiness...your goals...

As a result of our changed view...there is a shift in the number of  sub-category 1 "successful" people.

Leave a mess and you have stopped too soon...which means that you quit!

That is the harsh reality...you may think yourself sucessful...just because you got what you wanted...or needed...but you quit short...see it for what it is...

Make each day count...REALLY COUNT!

Learn to contribute...

Learn to be really successful...

GROW UP!

Learn how to really put closure on everything you do...think beyond what you can get...

Leaders know how to finish...really finish...they are craftsmen of action...

We all have our moments...but do not let your moments be a burden on other or the world!

That is not leadership...

Enough Said!

Have a great weekend...

A single thought...that you have probably heard from me before...but from my perspective...one that can not go without saying...OFTEN!

Pura Vida!