On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant. I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.
Something to consider. In our technological age, the things we use regularly require software upgrades to run better and more efficiently. This is true of phones, applications, printers, and more. The updates are meant to deal with current issues, add features, and create more streamlined use. I would argue that if this is so important to our technology, the same premise should apply to us as humans.
The people I admire most are always evolving. They don’t change who they are, their principles or values (their hardware) but regularly adjust their processes, approaches, habits, and more (their software). As we identify weaknesses, it makes sense that we create an approach to address them. Likewise, when we are strong in an area it helps to further refine it so that we can better use it to our advantage. Change for the sake of change is irrelevant, but upgrading and improving how we do things is a crucial aspect of being the best version of ourselves.
Something that resonated with me. I was listening to one of my regular podcasts during which the hosts answered questions from listeners. One listener asked if they had any advice on how to begin in the podcasting space. One of the hosts remarked that he receives this question often and that people are often looking for super technical tips on equipment, etc. Instead, he tells people “Be passionate about what you do and then actually begin doing it.” I loved that advice for two reasons.
First, without passion you can never endure challenging times. Those are when we define ourselves as people and within all our endeavors. Passion is often the best medicine to help us keep going when things become difficult. Second, starting to do something may sound simple but is critical. Too often, we spend all our time and bandwidth thinking about how we’ll do something and when the right time will be to begin. We do that so much that we often forget to start. Once we do get underway, we can begin identifying specific challenges and gaining experience to help us forge a path forward. The clock of success does not start ticking until we get out there and start experiencing ups and downs for us to learn from.
Something I remembered recently. In February, I ran a 100-mile race. As I finished my fourth loop there was a woman next to me that turned and remarked how amazing it was we’d finished the race. I laughed and told her that I still had twenty miles yet to go. I continued onward for my final lap, and about 5 minutes later I felt a hand on my shoulder. That woman finished her race and then took the time to catch back up with me and offer me encouragement. She told me I was tough, that I would make it, and gave me a nice pep talk. I don’t know who she was, but it meant a lot that she took the time to do that. My belief is that she probably spoke words to me that she would have found valuable in the same situation.
In life, we often have opportunities to serve both these roles. Sometimes, we are the broken ones in need of help. In these instances, a word from a loved one or even a stranger can make all the difference in our resolve. At other times, we are the ones that can provide those words. Usually when we give those words to others, it is because we remember being in those same shoes. It makes us more empathetic and willing to help. There are times when you will need encouragement and others when you will bless others with your encouragement, embrace both.
A phrase I do not like. “Everything in moderation” is a phrase we are all familiar with. Personally, it is one I don’t like. In my experience, moderation is usually code for minimizing what we should be doing while overdoing what we shouldn’t. It’s the perfect way to express that we are not committed to doing what is necessary to go to a higher level.
If you were to speak to any successful person they will use words like drive, commitment, discipline, hard work, consistency, and more. None of those relate to moderation. Conversely, if you speak to someone that is not as successful, they may use words like occasionally, sometimes, trying, hopefully, and others. Those things are associated with moderation and being average. If it’s worth doing, it is worth doing to the best of your ability. Moderation has no role in achievement.
Some quotes I love.
“Life is a grindstone. It can polish you or pulverize you depending on how you position yourself.” – Les Brown
“Consistency is what transforms average into excellence.”
“If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining.” – Marcus Aurelius
“I can’t tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.”
“Success won’t come from some big step you take in the future. Success starts with small steps today.” – Craig Groeschel