Who’s on Your Fridge by Peter Bregman
In fact, we seem to rarely miss an opportunity to be disappointed. We focus on what people are doing wrong, on their weaknesses and shortcomings. We gossip and complain. We get frustrated and passive aggressive. We find ourselves constantly surprised by the flaws of our colleagues: How could he/she/they do that?
What if, instead — or at least in addition — we chose not to miss an opportunity to be inspired? If we gossiped about things people did that energized us without fixating on the things that disappointed us? If we looked for sparks that ignited our enthusiasm and incited our goodwill? And if we allowed those sparks to light our fires of passion?
Yes, what if?
An Unforgettable Act of Kindness by Tess Marshall–It’s easy for me to come up with reasons why it isn’t my place to help or get involved. It’s that fear of doing it wrong or looking silly–vulnerability. I want to change that.
John Mayer 2011 Clinic – “Manage the Temptation to Publish Yourself” by Erice at Berklee Blogs quoting John Mayer
Anybody who tells you to have a fall back plan are people who had a fallback plan, didn’t follow their dreams, and don’t want you to either.
I like the guts behind this thought. Context also matters.
The Truth About Shipping by Seth Godin
The paradox of our time is that the instincts that kept us safe in the day of the saber tooth tiger and General Motors are precisely the instincts that will turn us into road kill in a faster than fast internet-fueled era.
I’m more and more convinced that companies that do not adopt more agile methods of product development, with more frequent, iterative releases, will be left behind.
Discipline is an illusion; Motivate yourself instead by Leo Babauta
If you think you don’t have discipline, you don’t need it. What you need is to commit to your goal or habit and fully motivate yourself.
I like the thought that discipline isn’t a brute force technique to success. It’s more about finding small ways to set yourself up for success. Most forced things don’t turn out very well anyway.
Five Recent Resonations is a periodic post with five pieces of media that resonated with me.
Image by Alexander Stielauvia flickr used under a Creative Commons license.
September 8, 2011 at 10:47 am
What struck me as I read your quotes was the thought of “regret”. Have I gone through life regretting that I did not take time for kindness, or what if I had taken more time to be more involved in the lives of my family, my friends and my neighbor. I recall the time I encouraged a niece to expand her horizons and visit a country in turmoil – that it would be an adventure of a lifetime. I regret that I did not seek more adventure, I regret that I did not spend more time with loved ones and look silly. The Book of Psalms says “”we are given 70 years upon the earth, in good health 80 years, and that “we are like green grass in the morning, but mowed down and withered before the evening shadows fall”. Our days are numbered and the wise response to life’s inevitable progress is to use the opportunities given to us to show kindness, devote time for others, and be bold in living our lives, which it seems to me will result in time not just passing by, but invested. When you read scripture there are 13 “One Another’s” – instructions saying that we should love, support, encourage, forgive – One Another. (I cannot recall the other nine). I think that if I had spent more of my time in this area I would have fewer regrets. I rambled a bit here, but I appreciate your collection of thoughts and encourage you to always consider going beyond the status quo. Socrates said “The unexamined life is not worth living”.
September 6, 2011 at 9:18 am
Hi John,
Thank you for your kind mention and support. I appreciate you. I love John Mayer’s quote and Leo’s of course! Is there any area where that man doesn’t have it together;)