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 I believe is important. One of the things I tell myself each day is to “play with fire”, meaning do everything with a high level of energy and purpose. In my experience, far too many people go about their days with low energy, just going through the motions. This is not fun for them or those they interact with.
I believe that if you’re going to do something, you want to give it all the energy you can. This leads to better focus and success. It also positively influences other people, events, and results in positive changes within your life. I am not suggesting you behave in a manner that is not authentic, but you should take steps to ensure that you are going through each day with as much vitality and intention as possible.
An interesting observation. “Give 100%” is a saying we all hear often. Many people say they are giving one hundred percent, but I do not believe this is always (or even frequently) the case. The easiest way for me to tell the truth of someone’s effort is by observing patterns.
When I encounter someone that wants to tell me how much effort they’ve put in and how there’s nothing else they could/should be doing differently, these are never the people giving all they have. People like this usually want you to agree that they’ve exhausted all their options and praise them for what they’ve done. Not surprisingly, they often blame circumstances or luck for their lack of results and never themselves.
Conversely, the most successful people I have ever met always feel they can give more. They do not look for a pat on the back for their efforts, take personal responsibility for all outcomes good or bad, and always seek improvement. In my life, I have fallen into both categories at times, but my goal for years now has been to only behave as the second group does, taking full responsibility and always seeking to give more.
Something I admire. I’ve had recent conversations with friends that recently tried to accomplish some amazing things and failed. Some were in business, some physical, but all were lofty goals that came up short. Though these people didn’t “succeed” how they expected, I greatly admire them.
We live in a world where it is common for people to play small, take no risks, and then criticize others for taking a shot and failing. I do not understand that way of thinking. I would much rather have the guts to go after a big goal than play it safe and not try. A failure can become fuel for future endeavors so there is never a reason not to try. Never be afraid to go out on your shield, only be afraid to tuck it between your legs.
Reminder of a great lesson. I listened to our pastor speak the other day and he mentioned what starts off working will often cease to do so after a period of time. At that point, you must change if you wish to have success going forward. This is true in business, marriages, sports, physical endeavors, and much more.
Adaptability is a trait we should strive for because nothing remains the same forever. As things stop working as they once did or as we’d like, we are faced with two choices. First, we can complain and/or reminisce how things once were and decide it’s unfair that we’re not still obtaining the same results. The second choice is that we acknowledge change is necessary, and then adjust. It’s a simple choice but one that is often surprisingly difficult.
Some quotes I love.
“Generally, when a leader struggles, the root cause behind the problem is that the leader has leaned too far in one direction and steered off course.” – Jocko Willink
“Never let people who choose the path of least resistance steer you away from your chosen path of most resistance.” – David Goggins
“Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it.”
“A child without discipline is a child without love.” – Mr. Rogers
“Discipline is not about being abusive; it’s about setting firm rules and boundaries and then enforcing them.” – Joe De Sana
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