I will admit that I am a sucker for a good quote. I don’t why I am that way but I would much rather read a profound truth in one simple quotation then digest endless lines of windbaggery.
Today I came across one that really made a lot of sense to me and I will later put it above my desk at work. Abraham Maslow wrote, “If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being then I warn you that you will be unhappy for the rest of your life.”
I think this speaks directly to why many of the people we come across seem so beat down by life. Through their actions and inactions, they have chosen to be less than they are capable of being. I don’t think they look at it in this way and because of that they are confused why life has seemingly kicked them in the gut.
Life presents us with many problems and it is up to us to figure out a way to solve and overcome them. When we are focused on becoming what we are capable of, it is much easier to avoid problems that take our focus away. We see them, solve them and move on.
I am going to spend my free time wisely today in order to help reach my maximum capabilities. As Henry Ford said, “It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” What are you going to do today to help you reach yours?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Always "On the Clock"
I think that we can all learn a great lesson from the situation that “Big” Ben Roethlisberger is going through right now. I’m not saying that I think we can learn how to handle accusations of sexual assault, so get that out of your head. The lesson that we can learn is to understand that we are always “on the clock” when it comes to our reputation and character.
My reputation and my character are two things that are mine and mine alone. Only I have to the power to add to them and only I have the power to tarnish them. Everything I do in life puts my reputation and character on the line and therefore, there is no time when I am not accountable for my actions. My action and inaction combine to show the world who I truly am. When I place myself in good situations and act appropriately my reputation and character benefit and when I place myself in bad situations and act inappropriately they suffer. Sometimes being in a bad situation is enough to damage my reputation and character, even if I did nothing wrong.
Roethlisberger made a very foolish decision by putting himself in a position where his reputation and character took a huge hit. Even if it turns out that he did nothing legally wrong—his reputation and character have suffered and will continue to suffer. Regardless that he is a professional athlete, this is a situation that none of us should put ourselves in.
We are always “on the clock” and our reputation and character is always on the line. It matters what we do, what we say, how we say it and the situations we put ourselves in. There are no “do overs” in life and once we put ourselves in a bad spot the best thing to do is own up to it and begin to rebuild our reputation and character. It takes years to build sound character and a good reputation and it takes only a second to ruin them.
How important is someone’s reputation and character to you? Would you trust someone that has repeatedly put themselves in bad situations, even if they do nothing wrong? Feel free to leave your opinions and your thoughts.
My reputation and my character are two things that are mine and mine alone. Only I have to the power to add to them and only I have the power to tarnish them. Everything I do in life puts my reputation and character on the line and therefore, there is no time when I am not accountable for my actions. My action and inaction combine to show the world who I truly am. When I place myself in good situations and act appropriately my reputation and character benefit and when I place myself in bad situations and act inappropriately they suffer. Sometimes being in a bad situation is enough to damage my reputation and character, even if I did nothing wrong.
Roethlisberger made a very foolish decision by putting himself in a position where his reputation and character took a huge hit. Even if it turns out that he did nothing legally wrong—his reputation and character have suffered and will continue to suffer. Regardless that he is a professional athlete, this is a situation that none of us should put ourselves in.
We are always “on the clock” and our reputation and character is always on the line. It matters what we do, what we say, how we say it and the situations we put ourselves in. There are no “do overs” in life and once we put ourselves in a bad spot the best thing to do is own up to it and begin to rebuild our reputation and character. It takes years to build sound character and a good reputation and it takes only a second to ruin them.
How important is someone’s reputation and character to you? Would you trust someone that has repeatedly put themselves in bad situations, even if they do nothing wrong? Feel free to leave your opinions and your thoughts.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Today Will Only Be As Good As You Make It
It seems to me that society is more inclined to focus on the negative aspects of life instead of the positive. I believe this is why so many people are down about things—they’ve focused so much of their energy on negative forces that they have subconsciously dragged themselves down to a negative place. This is a cycle of life that I have no interest in.
I’ve talked before about how awesome youthful enthusiasm is and I believe it applies here. A child can play with a cardboard box for hours—it becomes a clubhouse, a grocery store, a rocket ship etc…--it becomes exactly what they want it to become and it brings joy to their life. An adult should be doing the same thing in a way—take a situation, figure out how to make it a positive experience and in the end it becomes what they believe it to be. Tough situations can become great learning experiences if we desire them to be—a situation is as good or as bad as we think it is.
Today I am going to make every experience I have a positive learning experience. While at work, I will try to increase my job knowledge, efficiency and leadership; at home I will try to increase my capability of being a good husband and father; and during my alone time, I will try to become a better person through education and keeping my attitude positive. Today will only be as good as I make it...and I will make it great.
What will you do to make your day the best it can be?
I’ve talked before about how awesome youthful enthusiasm is and I believe it applies here. A child can play with a cardboard box for hours—it becomes a clubhouse, a grocery store, a rocket ship etc…--it becomes exactly what they want it to become and it brings joy to their life. An adult should be doing the same thing in a way—take a situation, figure out how to make it a positive experience and in the end it becomes what they believe it to be. Tough situations can become great learning experiences if we desire them to be—a situation is as good or as bad as we think it is.
Today I am going to make every experience I have a positive learning experience. While at work, I will try to increase my job knowledge, efficiency and leadership; at home I will try to increase my capability of being a good husband and father; and during my alone time, I will try to become a better person through education and keeping my attitude positive. Today will only be as good as I make it...and I will make it great.
What will you do to make your day the best it can be?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Have a Youthful Enthusiasm For Life
Today is a great day. Usually I am not a beacon of shining happiness and joy but I stand by my statement. I have much to be thankful for and I have been incredibly blessed and lucky to live the life I do. As a result of the life I have--today is a great day and my goal today is to make tomorrow even better.
I very much dislike people that exude a false sense of positivity and happiness. I can see through their lies a mile away and their words prove their hypocrisy. I don't necessarily think they are that way on purpose but I think its more of a result of not being able to distance themselves from the negative forces in life. I am done with the negative forces in my life--they don't help me and I don't want to be around them. From here on out, if anything or anyone is slowly sucking the life out of me, I'm going to hack it out of my life and throw it to the curb like garbage.
This is my first step--a desire for positive growth and an elimination of negative forces. It is my goal today to see only the positive things in life and work towards making them have more of a role in my day to day life.
My son's youthful enthusiasm for life is a positive thing that I need to incorporate into my daily life. I am going to start looking and living life like he does, enjoying the little things and not wasting one second worrying about things I can't control. What is something that positive that you can incorporate into yours? Feel free to comment and let me know.
I very much dislike people that exude a false sense of positivity and happiness. I can see through their lies a mile away and their words prove their hypocrisy. I don't necessarily think they are that way on purpose but I think its more of a result of not being able to distance themselves from the negative forces in life. I am done with the negative forces in my life--they don't help me and I don't want to be around them. From here on out, if anything or anyone is slowly sucking the life out of me, I'm going to hack it out of my life and throw it to the curb like garbage.
This is my first step--a desire for positive growth and an elimination of negative forces. It is my goal today to see only the positive things in life and work towards making them have more of a role in my day to day life.
My son's youthful enthusiasm for life is a positive thing that I need to incorporate into my daily life. I am going to start looking and living life like he does, enjoying the little things and not wasting one second worrying about things I can't control. What is something that positive that you can incorporate into yours? Feel free to comment and let me know.
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