Courage

Thursday June 22, 2017 #897

“Courage is seeing your fear in a realistic perspective, defining it, considering alternatives, and choosing to function in spite of risks.”

~Dr. Leonard Zunin

We all have fears that get in the way of our most desired personal and professional outcomes.  Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of pain, even fear of success, just to name a few.  Those who achieve despite their fears show real courage – the ability to recognize their fears and yet move forward in spite of them.  Don’t ignore or deny your fears.  Use them to sharpen your skills and your intent and push through with tenacity.

The Courage to Move

Thursday June 25, 2015 #735

“It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.”

~Hugh Laurie

Fear and lack of confidence are the culprits that stop us from doing what we know we need to do.  “It’s not the right time.”  “I’m not good enough yet – maybe after I finish that course, get a little stronger”, etc.  Yes, it is hard to push forward when you’re afraid or not completely confident – but if you really want to move forward, you must have the courage to move.  Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid – it is simply the willingness to move through your fear.  Go for it!

The Secret of Success

Tuesday June 16, 2015 #732

“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”

~Benjamin Disraeli

How can you find success?

• Determine what success means to you. Not to anyone else, just you. Otherwise, any success achieved may feel hollow because it was someone else’s definition of success.  Update your definition regularly.
• Understand what you’ll need to succeed – skills, knowledge, experience, associations, etc.
• Take action repeatedly to gain what you need and to be where you’ll need to be when opportunities arise.
• Have the awareness to see it, the courage to go for it, and the tenacity to keep going for it again and again – because not every opportunity will bring you the success you desire, nor will any single success bring lifetime happiness

Risk Taking

Thursday April 9, 2015 #715

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

~Mark Zuckerberg

Most of us are taught at home, at school, and at work how to plan effectively to minimize and avoid risk.  This has been an ineffective way to prepare for today’s reality of exceptional speed and change, and frankly has never been a good strategy.  Change has always been a constant, and the difference today is the speed of that change.  What we must all develop is the capacity and courage to take frequent and appropriate risks.  The environment around us is changing so rapidly that we must move more quickly than may be comfortable and this requires taking risk.  We can and should prepare for our decisions regarding risk through developing intellectual curiosity, learning as much as possible and paying attention to what is happening around us.  The risks we take will be necessary and more likely to succeed.  Standing still and avoiding risk is not an option.  Prepare as best you can, but act, even if it is risky.

The Futility of Forcing Belief

Thursday March 12, 2015 #707

“To believe in your choice you don’t need to prove that other people’s choices are wrong.”

~Paulo Coelho

Social media and daily conversations are filled with people attempting to persuade others to accept their views and their vision of reality.  Often this leads to heated arguments and worse.  All this shows is people with weak character and insecurities which require them to “prove” they are right.  When you possess true character and courageous conviction, you have no need to convince anyone in your beliefs.  Stop trying to persuade others and calmly go about your life, secure in your core beliefs.

You’re Not Alone

Tuesday January 27, 2015 #697

“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.”

~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Like everyone, you will have moments where you feel like the world is conspiring against you, while comparing your situation to all those people who seem to have it so easy and always get what they want.  Perhaps you feel this way often, and even right now.  STOP.  Unless you are in a war or natural disaster, it is almost certain that you can take action to change your situation. And guess what?  You’re not alone – everyone goes through dark times of fear and loss.

For yourself, find the courage to act when faced with challenges.  And perhaps more importantly, when you meet someone who is being difficult, remember that they, like you, may simply be experiencing a dark moment.  Rather than reach a negative conclusion about them, take a moment to consider whether they just need a little help, and offer it.

Making Ideas Happen

Tuesday November 25, 2014 #681

“An idea is something you DO. Not something you have.”

~Hugh MacLeod

Generating new ideas is an energizing exercise whether by yourself or with a team committed to make improvements.  However, too often these ideas remain just that – ideas.  Until someone has the courage and capacity to bring an idea to life, nothing happens.  Don’t let a good idea die, whether it is yours or your team’s.  Be the one who takes action to breathe life into an idea that would otherwise remain dormant.  It could make all the difference.

Feeling Overwhelmed

Thursday September 25, 2014 #665

“Sometimes it can be tempting to be overwhelmed by the many things that seem to work against us. But how powerful, and how important it can be, if we don’t give in to this temptation.”

~Paula Kerger

We all experience a seeming lack of time, resources, support, and satisfaction.  And yet, in the same moment, the abundance of the universe surrounds us if we can only get beyond our perception of scarcity.  Those who experience their lives with the most joy are those who have the courage and persistence to push through obstacles that others shrink from, or possess the wisdom to know when to simply accept certain realities and choose a better path.  Don’t let challenges get you down.  Everyone has them.  Be one of those who choose not to be overwhelmed.

Passion vs. Desire

Tuesday August 26, 2014 #656

“The heart of human excellence often starts to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you, or gives you a sense of meaning, joy, or passion.”

~Terry Orlick

JAMmer JK asks, “About your post below….(JAM #651 Finding Your Purpose) the overall point is spot on.  Just wondering, how do you define ‘passion’ and what makes it different from ‘desire’.”

Good question on passion vs. desire.  First, I think both are linked to the first element:  purpose.  Passion is related to but greater than simple excitement because it is attached to a real and meaningful purpose.  As the passion builds a real desire grows within us and gives us the courage and strength to take the actions necessary to keep our passion alive and achieve our purpose.  I hope you have identified your purpose!

Doing it!

Thursday July 31, 2014 #649

“Decision and determination are the engineer and fireman of our train to opportunity and success.” ~Burt Lawlor

If you find you are drifting or even failing, it is likely that you are unable or unwilling to choose what to do next or lack the courage to do what you know you must do.  There are a million things you could do, but the only thing that matters will be what you decide you will do and the determination and persistence you will bring to the doing.