Internal Scorecard

Don’t keep the definition of success or fulfillment outside you – based on what other people think.

You have to be the judge of whether you are doing well or thriving, and no one else.

Now certainly, in a great paradox, if many people think you are a scumbag, then you need to take that into consideration; it means you are not being a good human.  So what others think of you is an indicator of how you are doing, but not the definition.

YOU know what you are doing all the time.  Are you phony or are you real?  Who are you when nobody is looking?  Are you doing your best?  Are you doing what you were made to do?  Are you growing and getting better?  Are you living to your potential more and more each week?  Are you proud of you?

F.A.I.L. – First Attempt in Learning

You know why I am so good at what I do?  

I have failed at it and versions of it many times.  

I had to in order to get better.

So next time you screw it up, know that it’s part of getting better.  Learn and keep going.

(Oh yea, and I am still messing it up – and getting better!)

The only real risk

We think this is risky or that is risky.

But the only real risk is that we run out of time.

Useful Preceeds Important

If you are not useful, you are less important in the world.

If you are useful, especially very useful, you will be more important.

Can you produce results and solve problems well?

Make it happen!

Some people talk more than they do. 

Some people do, and do it well and get results.

Being a thought leader is ok, but far better – being a results leader.

Show us you can –

• solve problems
• get important things done
• make things happen
• bring out the best in others…

Results leaders will always be respected and in high demand.

The #1 obstacle to gratitude

Gratitude is an amazing thing.  If you are grateful for something, you will get more of it.  It works in ways large and small, with people and the world around you.  For example, if you do something small for someone and they show gratitude to you, and you more likely to do more for them?  If you do something for someone and they are not grateful, aren’t you less likely to help them again?

According to Robert Emmons, the #1 obstacle to gratitude is entitlement – the belief that the world (or someone) owes you something – and because you “deserve it” there is no reason to be grateful.

The remedy?  Humility.  The humble person appreciates the fact that life and what is in it is a gift.

Let us be humble, knowing it’s all a gift.

Why would you cheat YOURSELF?

Don’t cheat others.  Most good people know this.  It’s immoral, and wrong and leads to bad outcomes and habits of cheating others.

So why would you cheat yourself?  

Eating poorly, skipping that workout, not learning something useful today, not doing your best, compromising your standards, doing things you’ll regret…that is all cheating yourself.  And you are the one who knows it every time – and that damages your self-esteem.

If you know not to cheat others, why do you cheat yourself?

Make you proud.

The Alchemist

There is a great book I recommend.  I read it years ago. 

It’s called “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

It’s a story with lessons.  Check it out in hardcover or on audio.

Here is a passage – 

“Man’s only obligation is to fulfill his personal legend.”

Decisions shape your life

Clarity. 

Then commitment. 

When you make a firm and positive decision you put yourself in a powerful river of energy that moves the way you want to go.

What are examples of this in your life?

What decisions will shape your life from here?

Reframing your problem

I applied this recently – and it really helped me.

What is the top thing that is stressing you out?

You are probably in fault-finding mode about it.  Right?

Switch to benefit-finding mode instead.  What are three things you can appreciate about your current challenge?

It changed the way I was looking at the situation – and my positivity and energy came back to the surface.

What is the number one thing stressing you out?  Try it.