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 that resonated with me. In sports, motivational videos, and biographies, I often hear people refer to themselves in ways that help describe their actions or traits. I cannot tell you how often I’ve heard someone call themselves a lion, hunter, or warrior for example. While I relate to many of these, I heard one this week that I feel encapsulated me best, “a dripping faucet.” While this may not sound exciting, I love it.
A dripping faucet is consistent, relentless, and unwavering. It does the same thing repeatedly, and with the same effort, regardless of circumstances surrounding it. When viewed in the short term, it seems harmless and unassuming. However, over time that steady drip can cause severe damage. I certainly do not view myself as special, but I have achieved a good amount simply by being someone that works hard each day and refuses to quit. It’s cool to be called a lion, but trust me, being a dripping faucet can get you far in life.
Something I believe. I heard Les Brown use a phrase this week, “seriously, not serious.” He utilized the term in reference to those that go through life with diminished purpose and lack of urgency. I began thinking about how often I encounter those that are “seriously not serious,” and it is extremely often.
Personally, I feel if someone is serious about anything they will be taking consistent action to produce a new and better result. Trying hard in a relationship, exercise/nutrition plan, job, or anything else for a few days or weeks is nice, but if it’s only sporadic it’s not serious. When you become “seriously serious,” you begin doing whatever necessary to gain the result you desire and will not cease until you attain it. That seriousness may cause you to alter an approach, enlist more help, acquire additional skills/knowledge, etc.; but you will do it to succeed. If you find yourself in a situation where you are always wishing to do or have something but are no closer to it now than you ever were; I would argue that it’s time to get serious and change that.
Something I recommend. Whether in business, a race, or in life, it helps to have a “why.” This is a deep-seeded reason you carry to achieve something that you are likely to rely upon when the going gets particularly rough. For me, my “why” is always people. In fact, I have seven such people that I consider my “council of why” because they are that vital to me. They are my wife, my four children, my sister who passed away in 2022 and my brother-in-law that died suddenly in 2020.
Any decision that I am considering, I mentally bring to one or more of those seven people. Would they be proud of what I did? Would it benefit them or set an example that would eventually? I recommend that you give thought to who in your life may be on your own “council.” Then, if it’s a major decision, whether to pursue something, or even just a reason not to quit, consider those folks when you are deciding how to proceed. My seven member “council of why” gives me more strength than I can describe and powers me in a way that you cannot imagine. It can be that way for you as well!
Something I respected. I mentioned recently that I’m coaching a group of 4–6-year-olds in flag football and that we were accidentally placed into a league of only 8-year-olds. We have only a fraction of the size, speed, and skill of our opponents so the games can be rough at times. I always let the opposing coach know our situation prior to the game so they can decide how they want to manage it. Sadly, many of the coaches show zero empathy that they are playing preschoolers and think they’re Vince Lombardi. As someone that has coached for 8 years, I accept this but do not respect it.
However, this past weekend we went against a team that had two classy coaches. I heard them explain to their team how young we were and that they should be respectful toward us. They didn’t let us win, but competed in such a manner that our players were not dis-spirited and could gain confidence. I respected that they prioritized players on both sides having an enjoyable experience, rather than their team simply running up the score. They set a notable example as coaches and men, and I told them so. I believe that often the greatest show of power is not burying someone with your might, but instead being confident enough to show restraint and have grace for others.
Some quotes I Love.
“Worry is a prayer for something you don’t want.” – Sharon Gannon
“The most dangerous thing about junk food isn’t the junk; it’s that we call it food.” – Dr. Eric Berg
“Discontent is the first necessity of progress.” – Thomas Edison