Talk about sabotaging your ability to succeed in running. You need every millimeter of lung capacity to run a marathon and this person (if they were the runner) was limiting their ability to be successful in such an event. It made me reflect on what actions or attitudes I have that are just as ridiculous if I want to be successful with a change.
What are you doing today that could potentially limit your ability to be succeed with a change? The sooner you stop it the better your chances of seeing the finish line.
]]>He went on to explain that he had an apple tree at his home that was not growing tasty apples. He said they were plentiful, but the taste was just not what he wanted. He continued by saying that his neighbor had an apple tree that produced the most wonderful apples. "Is there any way I can make my tree produce better apples?" was his question. My honest response was "No, your best course of action is to leave it (for the animals that like the apples and the tree) and focus your time on planting a new tree that will produce those tasty apples. He was not overly excited about that option since the tree was 25 years old and it will take a long time to grow a new tree that produces a significant number of delicious apples.
Change sometimes only requires that you tweak your environment to get the results you want. In other situations major pruning is needed for the change to become a reality. In cases like my friend with the older tree, however, the best solution is simply to start something new. Yes, it will take a while and the input is greater, but it is the only way to get the desired result-tasty apples growing in his back yard.
Remember the Chinese proverb which speaks to the urgency for planting trees or initiating change:
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.
]]>While we would see his "win" as a loss, Al said, "I won. I made alot of good friends for me and Smokin Al's." No question about Al's passion. On a deeper level, it shows how intentional Al was on seeing the Giants win-the blue ribbon he wanted for the day.
As you seek to make changes at work or in your personal life, how passionate are you about seeing the change happen? Are you so willing to see the results you want that you are willing to sacrifice your time, energy and yes, even money to see it become a reality. Sadly, most people aren't.
And before you say, "Well, I can't afford to lose $60,000 if the change doesn't work," you will need to read further into Al's story. Al stopped the guarantee to customers once he recognized the amount of money he would have to pay out if the Giants won. He knew his limits. In most cases successful change doesn't require that you sacrifice everything-but it will require something of you.
]]>This new item will still test your time management skills, but at least by clarifying your available resources you have let the other person know that you want to be part of a solution-if not all of it.
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Now let me ask you a question: "Which of these events turned out better... the ones where there was intent involved, or the ones you 'just let happen.'" The obvious answer is that in those instances where we had a plan and worked to execute it, things went more to our liking. Sure, there may have been some circumstances that were out of our control, but that would have been the case regardless of our choice of action.
Even if my goal (i.e. intent) is to relax, I have to be intent on creating the environment where I can best relax. If I don't, then the maximum benefit is not realized.
What are you allowing to be mediocre simply because you haven't taken the time to be intentional in planning for it to be excellent? If you need a guide to creating this environment, check out my Six P's To A Positively Perfect Day at http://www.jonesloflin.com/downloads/.
]]>For those of you 40 and under who are saying, "Who is Popeye?" let me help you out. The Popeye cartoon series was built around a scrawny sailor named Popeye and his girlfriend Olive Oil. Olive Oil was frequently in danger or being kidnapped by a bad guy. When Popeye could not take seeing Olive Oil in peril anymore (or became overwhelmed with jealousy), he would say, "I've had all I can stands, I can't stands no more!" He would then eat spinach, his muscles would pop out, and he would save his beloved Olive Oil. You can find out more about Popeye by clicking here.
As you look around your work area, examine your relationships or just feel the strain of an increasing waistline, what image stirs you to action? What motivates you to change? And if you are trying to motivate others to change, what will stir them to action? About what can you "stands no more?" (With apologies for the grammar to all English teachers).
]]>During a recession, charities have financial struggles like other organizations. As a result, they do a better job of getting their message out (being more intentional) to increase giving. From the giving side, people see the need closer to home with friends, family and coworkers, and will make a more concerted effort (be more intentional) to give to such organizations.
The increase in the purchase of cigarettes is a strong example of NOT being intentional. During a recession people are more stressed and choose different ways to cope. An extremely convenient (often the opposite to intentional) way to deal with these stresses is to increase smoking-or take up the habit again. A better choice would be exercise, building supportive relationships or seeking assistance, but all that takes work (a key requirement for being intentional).
Think about your choices today? Do they reflect a desire to improve yourself and possibly the lives of others, or are they simply the result of saying, "what's the easiest way to deal with this?" Remember, one choice improves your sense of purpose while the other is just a short term fix to a much longer term issue.
]]>Bill Weir, a reporter for the late night news program, Nightline, was asked to do an interview with Dr. David Agus, author of the new book, The End of Illness. His focus is how we can stop deadly diseases through smarter living. As part of the interview, Weir agreed to have a full CT Scan completed to determine his current level of health. Bill Weir looks physically fit, is very active and would seem to pass with flying colors....
I'll probably oversimplify things too much, but in short, Weir was found to have some lesions in his main artery to his heart and some other potential blockages. Dr. Agus' comment was "You know those people in seemingly great physical shape who go out on a normal run and just drop dead of a heart attack? You could very well have been one of those people." The good news was that with a change in diet and more closely monitoring his health, Weir can live a long, healthy life.
What shook me and caused me to get moving toward the treadmill was Weir's response. He said, "The first thing I thought of was my daughter and how this could have happened so quickly. I was living in a state of willful ignorance. I came here to do a story and wound up having my life changed."
Willful ignorance. Willingly allowing yourself to NOT take steps to evaluate your physical, mental, emotional or even financial situation. As I talk about so much in Getting the Blue Ribbon, a failure to be intentional about our choices leads to results we really don't want.
What measures could you start taking today to be more informed about your health, finances or even job performance or relationships? Willful ignorance may have gotten you this far, but remember, that same attitude almost cost Bill Weir his life. Maybe ignorance isn't bliss after all.
]]>If we choose a course of action and it turns out to be the right one, our instincts are rewarded. If, however, the chosen direction is revealed to be the wrong one, we lament our decision. However, at least if we made a choice, we now have the opportunity to make a different, more infomed choice based on new information. Without making the wrong choice, we would never have that knowledge.
So if you are paralyzing your own professional or personal success today because of a failure to choose, it's time to make a choice and see it through. The knowledge, insights and experience you gain, whether it is the right one or not, can be used to make a better choice next time-and get one step closer to winning. As Yogi Berra once said, When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
]]>Too often I think we make ourselves busy with tasks, but never stop to think about if we are creating something of value-REAL value. At the end of almost every task there should be a concrete result that comes from working on it. The result may be a completed form, a new widget or even a smile from the person who is the recipient of your efforts. If there is not a quick tangible result you can envision, why are you working on it?
In keeping with the spirit of apples and "orchard thinking," what will be the apple in your hand when you get done with your current tasks for the day? If you can't identify something concrete, maybe it is time to revisit your choice of tasks to undertake.
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