Interference
You want X. Your goal is X. What is interfering with you accomplishing your goal? Honestly, is it in you, or outside of you? What if you took your foot off the brake and removed it? How? When?
You are an emotional computer
Years ago I read a book called "The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightingale. He explained the "strangest secret" was that we become what we think about most of the time. He wasn't the first to discover or even describe this idea. It's in the Bible and many other places. "As…
The big story you bought into
Consider your life and the circumstances around it and who you are as a result is all a big story that you believed and bought into and accepted as real. Human beings are the only species that can change that - if they decide to.
Cameras and Microphones
Your brain is a processor, but it needs inputs to process. For this, it has cameras (eyes) and microphones (ears) to gather information to work with. What is the quality of the information you are taking in? What are you watching/looking at/reading/ listening to? Don't abuse yourself by putting low…
Build You
The source of a great life and experience for you will always be what's inside you. What you know, how you understand and process events, emotions and others, and your confidence and enthusiasm for your own future. Knowledge, emotions, confidence. Build the inside you. The outside you depends on it.
Time or money?
When buying things, time and money trade-off against each other. If you are low on money, take the time to find deals. If you are low on time, stop looking for deals and just buy things online. If you have time, stretch money. If you have money, buy time.
Done is better than perfect.
Completing things is better than laboring over them far past the point of diminishing returns for time invested. Besides, often you aren't really sure what perfect is, and by calling something done, you'll learn faster for the next time. Perfection is an ideal to push towards in more or less…
College? How old fashioned!
Once in a while I write about something that may strike a nerve with some. If I am wrong, tell me in the comments. The world has changed so much and the pace of change is getting faster. Things that were staples of life and that many made their living…
Don't Quit!
So long as you are moving toward a worthy goal in an area that matches your native abilities and interest, perseverance is a quality you're going to need to move closer to your potential. In fact, the greater the goal, the longer it will take, and the more you're going…
Borrow a brain
Reding or listening to a good interview/podcast lets you use someone else's brain for a while - and take advantage of all the years of experience it took for them to learn what they know and think that way. People who borrow brains get smarter faster and accomplish more.
"I am not a runner (or a _________)"
You don't run because you are not a runner you say. But you are not a runner because you don't run. That is a choice. If you run, you are now a runner. If you do ___X____, you are now an X'er. What do you want to be? What would…
Only singing one song?
If you play a guitar with only one string, you can only play one song. If you are tired of doing the same thing, or bored, or feel there is something more to experience - learn how to do something new. New Year, new you - if you learn new…
Broken dreams or just not your preference?
Many of us say we have been broken by something that happened or did not happen. But if we look at it again, many of those things were simply preferences. We'd rather have had this happen or not happen, but we will be ok that it didn't or did not. …
The Great Barrington Declaration
I haven't talked about COVID at all at Think Daily, simply because I am not an expert on the subject, not to mention it has become a chunk in the political soup. But today I will refer you to something I found quite interesting. It's called the Great Barrington Declaration…
Is the Media making your life worse?
"Future generations will look back at TV as the lead in the water pipes that slowly drove the Roman's mad." - Kurt Vonnegut Is the media reporting news or causing a lot of it? If you didn't tune in would you know all the bad things going on? Do you…
Feeding A.D.D.
Do your kids have so much stimulation that they can't focus? Multiple devices? TV and video games at the same time? Trying to do remote schoolwork with a phone by their side? Toys everywhere? Entertainment all the time? Do you have all this? The human brain was not made for…
Be your own change agent
"Improvement" means change. Change is about moving from where we are to where we aren't. Better to change yourself than have an outside force make you do it, kicking and screaming. What are you going to change about you?
Stop doing things to make room for the new you
What's most important now? A full life leaves no room for something new, unless you STOP doing some things. What will you stop doing to make room for a new and powerful activity/habit this year that will take you decisively toward your goals?
Can you focus your attention for long?
Can you point your focus and attention where you want or do you find your mind swinging from one thought to another like a drunken monkey swinging from vine to vine? Controlling our minds is an essential component to living our greatest lives and becoming our best selves. You simply…
Interference
You want X.
Your goal is X.
What is interfering with you accomplishing your goal?
Honestly, is it in you, or outside of you?
What if you took your foot off the brake and removed it?
How? When?
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"Earned"
Earned – the only true reward.
Amen to that.
Earned. Not deserved.
Earned is a great word. I’m so sick of hearing “deserve”, or “entitled”. I also don’t like the phrase “you owe it to yourself”. These are all selfish attributes. Earned means that you did something for someone else first before you get anything for yourself. That’s the way it’s supposed to work.
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You are an emotional computer
Years ago I read a book called “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale. He explained the “strangest secret” was that we become what we think about most of the time. He wasn’t the first to discover or even describe this idea. It’s in the Bible and many other places. “As we thinketh, so shall we become.”
It’s true. In fact that is how we learn. We go to school or read a book and we are presented with information and ideas, and we believe them. If we study to be an engineer, we will begin to think like an engineer and find ourselves doing what engineers do, because we have paid attention to that subject for a lot of our time.
Over these last 11 years, I have talked a lot about what we pay attention to on Think Daily. It’s important to understand how we work, so we can create our best life on purpose.
What if you spent a lot of time at a place where people you were there to listen to or people you respected peppered you with ideas of how society ought to be? What if you watched a given news station that gave you what opinions you ought to have – every day. What if they told you how society was unjust in a given way and gave examples over and over again?
We become what we think about. And we think about what we put into our cameras and microphones (eyes and ears). Most of us are running someone else’s program and we’ve become the product – consumers…voters…
Understanding what is happening here is the first step to taking charge of your own programming. If you do take charge of what you do and do not pay attention to, you can become anything you want. You create your own experience on this earth.
God gave you the hardware. The software you run is up to you.
I needed this today! Thank you!
Really enjoyed this! Thank you! =)
Refreshing vision..
Amen to that. Thanks for the book recommendation. Be blessed today.
Thank you Larry for your always inspirational daily blogs, always has me thinking.
Big shout out to Jamie Hammer for helping me cancel our hotel reservations for Jamaica!!! After being on the phone for an hour and a half, I decided to go to the “GO TO” person for Contractor Nation!! Thanks again Jamie!!
This is definitely needed in today’s society. It’s easy to fall into the trap of having someone else think for you and change your ideologies.
We are our own programmers.
Thanks, Larry I find myself flipping off the news more these days because of the rhetoric… and thinking about my own priorities.
Very good Larry, well put.
& AMEN!
A fantastic way to look at this, the idea of changing programming doesn’t sound as intimidating as changing the way I think about things!
Thanks again Larry for your words of wisdom! There are some super powers in our country right now that are capitalizing on that very truth to push their world view on other people. It is critical that we analyze what we think periodically to see if we have been adversely influenced into believing a lie! Unfortunately most schools these days teach people what to think instead of how to think. Thank God I was home-schooled!
GOD HELP US!
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The big story you bought into
Consider your life and the circumstances around it and who you are as a result is all a big story that you believed and bought into and accepted as real.
Human beings are the only species that can change that – if they decide to.
Great way to look at it!
It’s our story, and we’re the writers!
Change is hard but not impossible!
Love to read these inspirational comments! Thanks for your daily thoughts!
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Cameras and Microphones
Your brain is a processor, but it needs inputs to process. For this, it has cameras (eyes) and microphones (ears) to gather information to work with.
What is the quality of the information you are taking in? What are you watching/looking at/reading/ listening to?
Don’t abuse yourself by putting low quality in.
This is good stuff 👊
Love this one!!
A great reminder. It’s not easy for me to step back from media and social media. It’s a slow process!
I’m trying to cut out all the “noise” I normally flood my senses with, and this year I want to use my time listening to podcasts and reading books that help me better myself. The opportunity to better myself is there, if I choose to take it!
This is really good!
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Build You
The source of a great life and experience for you will always be what’s inside you. What you know, how you understand and process events, emotions and others, and your confidence and enthusiasm for your own future.
Knowledge, emotions, confidence.
Build the inside you. The outside you depends on it.
One of the things I do each morning when I get out of bed is I get on my knees and pray and as I pray I say thank you for my children and I visualize each of them smiling!
Larry,
Thanks for the Poster and the compliment. Also congrats on the 202 mph. That’s rolling..
Hope you are well and Godspeed brother.
You need to write another book on the Baja where u ran out of fuel. Was a great read on your daily writings.
I also missed that fuel point and had to go back.
Jeff Benrud 715x
Yes indeed, self-improvement is an inside job. It’s the best work anyone can do for themselves.
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Time or money?
When buying things, time and money trade-off against each other. If you are low on money, take the time to find deals. If you are low on time, stop looking for deals and just buy things online.
If you have time, stretch money. If you have money, buy time.
FELICITATIONS
I’m grateful for my mother. A tremendously important influence in my life.
Also am grateful for your book recommendations. Just finished “The Rational Optimist.” A very insightful read. It is worth noting that the 21st century will be a magnificent time to be alive. Dare to be an optimist!
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Done is better than perfect.
Completing things is better than laboring over them far past the point of diminishing returns for time invested.
Besides, often you aren’t really sure what perfect is, and by calling something done, you’ll learn faster for the next time.
Perfection is an ideal to push towards in more or less measure, not a requirement that slows and frustrates.
Larry – I am grateful for Think Daily x 2! Love your spirit and your thoughts. Have a great day!
Grateful for the new year, and each and every day. Absolutely agree that done is better than perfect. Excellence, not perfection is something I strive for. Perfect is good – and a target – but generally not required to move things in the right direction. The pursuit of perfection can be a holy grail that is actually an impediment to progress. I’m grateful for you publishing Think Daily as well.
That statement is so true. People call me a perfectionist because of the finished product that I`ve labored over for some time. I just tell them the job or (car) is done & done to the best of my ability. They are more than pleased & I`m done & on to the next wit satisfaction. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. I feell everyone has their own opinion on it. When Its DONE ,I feel great & can move on. Yes I probably get BETTER with every job & I strive to but, I don`t notice it as others may. When I read their testimonials it does make me feel proud though. My point is if I had to have everything perfect in my work ,I would probably be less productive because where does it end? Like you had said ,simply say the job is done!
Today I am great full for my team at Quebec Basement Systems , Contractor Nation and Supportworks that all the people involved in making my day so enjoyable!!!!
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College? How old fashioned!
Once in a while I write about something that may strike a nerve with some. If I am wrong, tell me in the comments.
The world has changed so much and the pace of change is getting faster. Things that were staples of life and that many made their living from, are gone, replaced by what technology has enabled. You know like CD’s, cameras, stores, malls, mail, much commercial real estate, gas powered cars – all gone, or on their way out.
Like it or not, it’s happening.
COVID 19 has colleges giving students classes online. My youngest daughter, the first person in my family to ever go to college, sits in her dorm room and takes one or maybe two classes a day – listening to someone talk on a screen for an hour with no ability to ask any questions. Most of the day she is free. She will graduate this year, $180,000 having been spent on her education over four years. I hope she can get a good job.
My other two children (two and four years older) did not go to college and are waaaaay ahead of the average kid their age from LEARNING on their own while DOING THINGS and TRYING STUFF. They spent little on their education, (books, online learning, what they WANT to learn). No debt.
Haven’t they proven that with the right books and an internet connection you can learn anything? Aren’t they the tools they use to teach you in college anyway? Do you need to go to college for advanced learning?
For some things like being a doctor, or attorney you do. And, college can be a wonderful social experience for some, and a springboard for some students eager to soak up everything there is to offer at such an institution.
But the narrative about college as the path to success is folly. What a relief for low-income parents who worry about how they will send their kids to college.
The availability of college loans is only welfare for colleges who raise their prices (because the students have money to spend now and they can raise their prices) and build fancy buildings (that we now know we don’t really need for learning most things).
Never let schooling get in the way of your education.
(Sorry everyone! I don’t mean to offend anyone. The world is changing…)
Fire away with the orange comment button!
Agreed 100% I’ve always felt this way
great comment on society today, I was extremely proud when my son decided to go into HVAC, He is in a 2 yr tech program, but it is still hands on. Jeff.
spot on – i believe if vocational education combined with cooperate internships and apprenticeships for the majority of professions other than doctors/lawyers/accounts, etc. This is reality – college is an “experience” but for the most part its a money pit… for those who want to succeed in life- they will if they want to and can do so in many different ways.
Never let schooling get in the way of your education. Love it!👍🏼
I did not have the opportunity to go to college, but once I
Figured out what I wanted to do In life, I could be specific in what I needed to learn to get better in my chosen profession. at one time I had to take challenge exams equal to a Associates degree before I could continue with some career tracks. I was able to do this with wife and kid (s). It is doable. I did mine before the internet. Now there is no excuse, IF you have the drive and self control. ~ #Mildude
100% agree. I went to college, it was almost 100% a social experience I somewhat squandered the academic, which is there for the right people but not all. Then law school I crushed because I had a passion and still do for being a lawyer. But i pressured none of my sons to go to college. In fact I made it a point to say I only want you to be happy and find something you love to do and do your best at it. College is overrated to the extent it is sold to everyone as the only way to go.
Well said, I agree with everything except, “The availability of college loans is only welfare for colleges”, maybe I am misunderstanding your point here, but college loans need to be paid back and if one goes to college they need to actually work to excell in ones chosen course of study. Welfare on the other hand…. no work required and does not have to be paid back.
I couldn’t agree more with what you stated about college. I have many friends who put their kids through college who once graduated now have huge debt.
Apprenticeship Programs RULE!
Agreed. Check out Ex-U.S. Secretary of Education William J Bennet’s 2013 book “Is College Wort It” for a more technical understanding of precisely what Larry is talking about. Having recently graduated 4 children from Ivy League to State University, I can say with no reservation that the college “value received” is at an all-time low. Be prepared for your kids to be immersed/indoctrinated in the politically correct far-left agenda as well. Very sad in my opinion
If you do choose college, never EVER pay big money for an undergraduate degree. Figure out how to get a degree for less than $10k/year (yes, it can be done). Once junior has knocked the skin off the ball with great grades and accomplishments, THEN consider spending the daddy war-bucks for a masters degree.
Would totally agree. Still paying back student loans and I’m 32. I wish I knew then what I know now; how much I was actually going to have to pay back, the interest rates, etc…these companies don’t care about you at all.
Most colleges are completely over priced and the same education can be received for much less somewhere else. I do think that you should get some college or at least education in personal finance. That’s by far the most important thing. How to manage your own money. No one ever taught me that or how important it would be. They should have those classes in high school.
This topic really kills me.
So true and right what you said. I have been thinking this for years. Just didn’t want to believe it myself. Thank you for sharing this.
Totally agree. Anything that you learn in college you can probably learn in the first few months of training at most jobs. Seems like a huge investment with little return. Most of my family wants my three boys to go to college, I am not sold. Learning out in the field and trial and error is how you remember things not by boring lectures and books. For me, the best way to learn is read something that is in line with your goals and implement in the real world ASAP. I’m sure college is beneficial in a lot of ways but is it really worth the financial burden?
Agree 100%. I have seen this first hand with myself and others that I work with. We all chose to go through a 4 year apprenticeship learning a trade, come out debt free, and ahead of allot of other people our age who went to college and cant find a good paying job while trying to pay off their loans.
Spot on! Not everyone is cut out for college! I also did not go to college and today am a VP of a Regional Bank doing what I love. So many employers require that college degree, in order to interview someone, and in the process are losing out on those with a wealth of “life experience”.
Well said!
I went to college and don’t regret my decision , however I do believe I could have accomplished the same success in life if I went straight to work. The one thing that I would not have is the friendships that span 40 years and are strong to this day.
I totally agree. All you said about being farther ahead by learning and doing stuff in the school of life rather in college I’ve found to be true for me. Especially financially! Thanks for posting this!
I don’t think you will receive much opposition on this subject in this publication. I follow think daily mostly for the pure common sense rationality. Common sense is no where to be found in the colleges in these times (so I have heard from friends who have kids in 4 year colleges)
I TOTALLY AGRREE !
Well said. Heck, I graduated high school 1975. Even back then there was a question on “return in investment” of going to college vs not. In a way, remote learning has reinforced the ability to learn ohtside a classroom…something that will serve one well for the balance of their lives.
I agree 100%….
I totally agree! Not everyone needs college, but colleges need everyone! However, everyone needs to educate and be a life long learner.
Well Said !!!! Larry you inspire me as well as EDUCATE Me !!!! with Every post of yours . Keep BEING Real as well as Honest. !!!!
Before coming to work at TBF of WNY I had worked in the Residence Halls at 3 different colleges for a total of almost 10 years.
I have to say that there are many people who are pushed into college as the next step after high school without people really looking at if it would be a good fit for them as a next step in life. Some are not ready for college academically or emotionally, some are not ready for the workload that college will bring, and many are entering college for a major that doesn’t need formal training (as you pointed out) and which going to college for will leave them heavily in debt in the future. The folly comes that many people don’t know what to do so they jump into college because all that they know is to go to school, and many high schools push their students to go to college instead of exploring other (and better) options for them.
Larry, you have finally lost it all together…..not!
I sent my 17 year old daughter off to collage this year knowing that their were better learning options. Collage from the old perspective as the key to success is obsolete. I won’t remake all of your points except to agree with them. I can’t imagine the student who graduates with 100-200k in debt, 90% of whom will end up with 50-75k jobs at best. How does that math work from a business/accounting point of view.
My 200K (after the 80k scholarship:) will buy my daughter 4 years worth of growing up on her own, friendships that will last her lifetime. She will learn (mostly from experiences) and mature in a safe environment.
On second thought maybe I should have purchased that 8 renter house on campus and sent her down there to manage it and work at the pizza place.
Thanks, Larry, how many institutes of higher education, that have “Business Schools”‘ cannot operate within budget and constantly ask for more $ from the students and taxpayers…..
I have been thinking that and living that out I have done very well with high school and trade school education nothing like learning on the job just be the best at what ever you do and you will do very well.
I agree 100%, what is learned in the working world is much often used than what is learned in a classroom.
I spent every dime I made for four years on tuition to send our son to college to give him the best chance at a better start at life than we did. There’s no way he would have the career he has if it wasn’t for the commitment we made to make sure he had every opportunity to thrive in the business world.
100%! I think America and the world are seeing that being on a college campus is not the end all be all. My hope is that trade schools will see an increase in enrollment and that all the students that are taking college classes and having jobs will realize that you will get paid for hands on learning jobs while in trade school. (I may be incorrect with that statement, but I believe that most apprenticeships the jobs are paying and then they go to school after work hours.) I hope more light is also shed on community colleges that offer the same if not better level of academics at the 4 year universities.
I could not agree more. I spent 5-years in college to become a teacher after changing my major a couple of times, only to get into the HVAC field in the summer because I couldn’t raise a family on a teachers salary. After only a short time in the field I became a comfort consultant and by the year 2000 I was selling nearly $2 million every year in residential replacements….life was good. Now I manage a HVAC operation and every chance I get, speaking at career days, etc., I talk about what you just stated in this article. By the way, I particularly took interest in your recent article “Would you like to work on my team”. Make it a GREAT day!
Amen! My grandson graduated from high school this year and is not attending college. He is bright and hard working and I advised him to always keep his mind open to new adventures. I am also trying to educate him on investing and the advantages of starting to build a portfolio.
Do not ever apologize for not going to college and yet you are successful!
I was homeschooled from the 5th grade on, took some correspondence college (before internet learning was available), but quit to start working. I didn’t consider that a smart move at first. Now however, financially I am at the same level as several of my peers who spent years in collage. What experience I have in my career, I do not believe would have been possible with out “hands on” training that I received by doing the work. What I truly value though is my relationships with friends and especially family. The ability to attain and maintain those relationships does not require a degree.
I will add rocket scientists to those who should get a college education! Ha
If you want to get beyond you have to go beyond!
Dead on. Also today the University experience can do real damage.
Unfortunately, many employers require a college degree as a requirement for employment. They don’t care what field it is in- you just have to have it. I do believe that higher education helps one develop critical thinking skills, but one can develop this on your own if you are so inclined to take advantage of reading and learning in ways other than formal education.
I have always had this view on collage, I went to a tech high school back in the day and they didn’t really push collage back then. I did take a few community collage courses but nothing really formal. One course I ended up taking was “Entrepreneurial Studies” it was a decent class. However I always kind of thought it ironic that they had a class you pay for to be an entrepreneur. I have learned much more running my own businesses for the last 18 years there is no substitute for learning by doing in my opinion.
I totally agree! I won’t be pushing my three to go to college.
Larry, encourage that young lady to subscribe to “Think Daily,” an inspirational blog which reinforces personal action: Be, Do, Go!
I agree with your post. Collegians and parents need to be reminded that having a degree entitles you to nothing. Careers are earned.
My perspective exactly. Not that Colleg in itself is bad it just has little or no ROI for most students.
I completely agree. I owned my first home before my friends had finished college. One of my kids went to an elite college and came home an in-debt, entitled Marxist with a communications degree.
I did go to college and earned 2 degrees. That was many years ago. I also have a brother who is a retired professor at a university. Sometimes I discount my experience…. too much. I think you are more correct than not. For technical subjects college is a must… but education today is still living in the age of the first industrial revolution. wrote learning, assembly lines etc. it is a field ripe for disruption with many better models for learning that are far more productive that work with the students interests, motivations, abilities and individual progress.
The most important thing I got from school was not what to think… but how to think… learning how to apply the scientific process, how to utilize evidence based reasoning, how to think creatively, etc. There are many positives to colleges… but watch and see… it will soon be disrupted by better models.
I skipped college because I had no idea what I wanted to do for a living, and I didn’t want to spend the money without a specific direction in mind. By the time most people my age were graduating, I had worked at over 30 different jobs, and had a much better idea of what I wanted to do for a living, and what I liked and didn’t like about the employers I had worked for. Turns out, I didn’t want to work for anyone and I may have been 4 years behind on figuring that out if I had gone.
With the move to online learning sparked by the pandemic I totally agree with you that students are getting a cut rate product for their hard earned debt. The true education that should come out of College is not available on line. You learn to work on projects together managing different schedules, different skills and create leadership skills to get through the process. As well, College teaches you to manage multiple projects within a time crunch that forces you to prioritize what is more important and will yield the best over all results. Learning to work well with others also comes with the interaction and you do not get that from on line. College can be great to build the abilities but on line College is not worth the price.
Mike Rowe agrees with you!
I agree with all of this. Why can’t we teach kids what they are gifted in early on and save them a lot of money and waisted time playing drinking games. I was the first in my family to get a degree “I learned more on my first job in one month than I did in the 5 years it took me to get that piece of paper of which I have subsequently lost the last time I moved ha”
Its a sheep or shepherd statement really. You sir are a shepherd. Having met and worked for you. I believe someone who sees the bigger picture, makes a plan and takes actions to protect themselves and their growing flock, does not necessarily need college. I have two enrolled now and its working for one of them. Unfortunately not everyone has the will (its not about ability or opportunity) to be a leader in their own life much less lead others. College became just another business a few decades ago. The way we are marketed to and taught is to be sheep, followers…the world is changing. Thank you for promoting leadership by being a leader. Thank you for saying what needs to be said.
I tell my teenage boys that whatever it is that you decide to do in life, always do it to the absolute best of your ability. Strive to be the best at what you do and you will succeed. It doesn’t matter if you choose to be an electrician, a plumber, an auto mechanic or a construction worker. Be the best at what you do, people will notice and you’ll have more work than you know what to do with. Take care of your customers and they in turn will take care of you. Always do what’s right, even when nobody is watching.
Larry, if you would have wrote this ten years ago I would have disagreed with you but I’ve learned a lot since then and now agree with you 100%.
if this subject would have came up 5 years ago I would have thought you were crazy but my mind completely agree with you. I tell my teenage
Back in the Philippines where I am originally from, people who can’t afford to go to college either work after finishing high school or apply for scholarship. We don’t have student loan program there. If you are poor, after finishing high school, that is it. Go and get a job that will bring food on your table.
In my situation, I grew up not having parents. I have experienced starving all the time at an early young age. I thought my life would be miserable and useless, added with belittling from my relatives and said that I would never succeed in life.
Thankfully, a Christian Institution from Norway came to the Philippines searching for some poor youth who would like to go to college. I applied and passed but the budget for scholarship was not enough for me to get the course I wanted so I chose the course that did not have high tuition, Education. I graduated with Honors, had experience teaching for 3 years and had an opportunity to work abroad as a teacher. But I felt like that was not really for me although I love kids. I prayed to God to direct me to the right path that would make me feel fulfilled, successful and accomplished. God has His own reasons for everything beyond our control. Now, I am happily married and working that to me is the best company for me to work with because of I have a very nice boss who always has words of wisdom to share and who is willing to help and give you the opportunities to grow, Jim Mclaughlin. I see myself years from now learning, growing, and succeeding more in this company.
To me, the best thing to remember is put God first in everything and He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Larry,
Agreed. College is not for everyone and it certainly is a waste of money if the student does not want to be there. It is awful they don’t have an avenue for your daughter to ask questions during her online learning experience.
My college was a family farm of hard work, take pride in all you do and do what you say you’re going to do. I do college classes as needed to learn Spanish, hobbies and staying on the forefront of the computer skills required for my profession. Before the pandemic I joined a vocational theology school and I can’t get enough of those classes. By the way, we get to ask questions to the professor.
Mike Lowe of ‘Dirty Jobs’ is correct in saying we have to make work cool again. As you know there is a shortage of tradesmen since there are SOME young adults that simply don’t want to get their hands dirty. I didn’t understand the values my parents were teaching me at the time, however, when people say I am lucky in my profession, I respond with NO, I never gave up and worked hard for my accomplishments.
Drive fast and take chances…
Your right about the pace of change, but compared to China we are still in slow motion. College is not for everyone, but for late bloomers it second chance to get formal education. For entrepreneurs maybe not necessary, but still helps with analytical and research skills. Community colleges are less expensive and most can transfer to other more prestige’s colleges. No one questions where you start its where you finish that’s important.
I agree, I started thinking I needed an engineering degree to earn a decent living. I got into sales and made more without spending a ton of dough.
Sir,
You made my day with that diagnosis.
We meet and work with the high school juniors in a local community college program in NC inviting them to join in our ride along program in the summer and then take online tech school mixed in with their senior year classrs at high school.
It has been awesome so far with multiple takers, and some that became employees.
I have one son in the business that went to a 4 yr institution. He and his younger brother who did not work together and are taking on line classes to try to pass the NC state H3 examination.
In another view, my youngest brother is a 4 yr grad in Mechanical Engineering. I never made it past 1 yr of a 4 yr college but did get an diploma at a tech school for electronics. The two of us made a great team over the years ( 30) and I believe we would not have been able to grow with plan and stability without his ” project” background.
I think up to the early to mid 80s that the hands on education that 4 yr institutions had got us to where we are now in this nation. Along with the back breaking labor of those that did not go to college.
I do not know what lies ahead for my grandchildren, but my sons will be fine. Their paths mimic mine and my younger brother. D personality and C personality.
Thank you for all you do. Your daily thoughts are distributed thru our management team by email.
Larry, you are soooo right. College is not fit everyone. I hate to say this but feel at times colleges are big businesses. Like you said if becoming a doctor or lawyer certainly a college experience is warranted. I believe we need just as many good tradesmen learning good trades. It’s a shame to see these kids graduating with huge debts to only get low paying jobs out of college holding degrees. Our world is changing and Covid certainly is showing us all what can be done being connected. Great piece you wrote Larry
Larry, you are soooo right. College is not for everyone. I hate to say this but feel at times colleges are big businesses. Like you said if becoming a doctor or lawyer certainly a college experience is warranted. I believe we need just as many good tradesmen learning good trades. It’s a shame to see these kids graduating with huge debts to only get low paying jobs out of college holding degrees. Our world is changing and Covid certainly is showing us all what can be done being connected at home. Great piece you wrote Larry
And this is the argument I have with my spouse. I’m sure it is other parents as well. She went to university I did not. We need more kids in the trades. Some careers pay more by not going to college. College or universities are not the definitive answer for a great career.
Larry, you are absolutely right. Thanks for speaking up and speaking the truth! College in many ways is dangerous for students because it teachings what to think instead of how to think. What they teach is often contrary to reality and sets people up for failure in real life.
100% agree ~ no formal college for me. I’ve been attending the “college of life” since the age of 18, taking quizes and being tested very day. So far…so good. Hopefully one day I’ll graduate 🙂
I agree I went to college and don’t work in my field. I encouraged our son and daughter to work at least 5 years before deciding on a college and both are managers one at team mobile one at sherwin williams and there only in there mid 20ies.
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Don't Quit!
So long as you are moving toward a worthy goal in an area that matches your native abilities and interest, perseverance is a quality you’re going to need to move closer to your potential.
In fact, the greater the goal, the longer it will take, and the more you’re going to need to stick to it in times of difficulty or confusion when you want to quit.
This is something I know well. Not quitting is my thing. I just don’t quit. And because I don’t quit, I get better and better – outlasting my competition long after they lost interest or are gone for whatever reason.
All you have to do to not quit is to keep going.
“Quitters never win and winners never quit”
Yea!! Jen O’Brien, love her!!
Brendan Fogarty’s key phase is, “I Never Quit”!! Great minds think alike Larry
Sometimes I think it’s sheer bull-headed stubbornness that kept us from quitting when times were really, really rough. Sometimes I think it was faith that God wouldn’t possibly put us through the soup without having a fabulous banquet in our future. In hindsight it was probably a 50/50 calculation…but there is a great return in grit and prayer—our company is proof of that.
The motto from our Irish ancestors is, “Paddy never lays down.”
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Borrow a brain
Reding or listening to a good interview/podcast lets you use someone else’s brain for a while – and take advantage of all the years of experience it took for them to learn what they know and think that way.
People who borrow brains get smarter faster and accomplish more.
Great encouragement! I love listening to audiobooks. I am starting one next week from John Maxwell about intentional living. I love my job with Basement Systems of Indiana! I love the inspiration and encouragement the company feeds us. Happy Friday!!!
From yesterdays Scram-Let answer – ” only the mediocre are always at their best”
Thanks for the book recommendation, I purchased it. Please keep recommending books. Thank you
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"I am not a runner (or a _________)"
You don’t run because you are not a runner you say.
But you are not a runner because you don’t run. That is a choice.
If you run, you are now a runner.
If you do ___X____, you are now an X’er.
What do you want to be? What would be cool? Start doing it, and you are it.
Hooray Lori – Basement Systems of Indiana!
Love this… so simple..
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Only singing one song?
If you play a guitar with only one string, you can only play one song.
If you are tired of doing the same thing, or bored, or feel there is something more to experience – learn how to do something new.
New Year, new you – if you learn new things.
Keep it up Mike Lane.
I am grateful for Mike Lane as well!
We are thankful for you Larry!!
Wishing you and yours the very best in 2021!!
Great stuff!
I am so happy that mike lane is part of My life and I also appreciate him thank you Michael for everything
Happy New Year Larry!
Many more to come.🙂
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Broken dreams or just not your preference?
Many of us say we have been broken by something that happened or did not happen. But if we look at it again, many of those things were simply preferences. We’d rather have had this happen or not happen, but we will be ok that it didn’t or did not.
In fact, if we think on it even more, we can see that it was our preference based on what we knew at the time. Now that we’ve had to look at other options, we have found a new preference over the old one.
There is no failure or accidents. It simply a path we thought we could predict, but that was our error – thinking we could predict it. When what happens doesn’t match what we expected, see the expectations as the folly, not what happened as the disaster.
Embrace the fork in your road.
Larry, Happy New Year to you and all the great people in your companies!
Best
Mike
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The Great Barrington Declaration
I haven’t talked about COVID at all at Think Daily, simply because I am not an expert on the subject, not to mention it has become a chunk in the political soup.
But today I will refer you to something I found quite interesting. It’s called the Great Barrington Declaration and you can find it at gbdeclaration.org. Over 800,000 people have signed it, and you can too.
Check it out. gbdeclaration.org.
Happy New Year All from Chicagoland !
Today I’m grateful for SOE and the better understanding of the way my mind works and thinks. I see way Larry says ”shoot the arrow” first thing each day. Wish I understood his ways of thinking 30 yrs ago !
Wow! Great Barrington…very powerful thoughts and facts. I’ve been thinking this myself for a while now. But…I’m not one to “sit back” and wait. Some powerful professors and schools backing this (not political backed)
Thank you for sharing this.
Happy New Year Larry!
Happy New Year. Interesting read! Thank you for sharing that information.
When will the politicians that started this, believe the word “COVID ” means cold/flue virus…it comes yearly, and there is no vaccine (that’s why it comes yearly) the automobile kills more people daily!!!!!
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Is the Media making your life worse?
“Future generations will look back at TV as the lead in the water pipes that slowly drove the Roman’s mad.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Is the media reporting news or causing a lot of it?
If you didn’t tune in would you know all the bad things going on?
Do you feel worse when paying attention to the media?
The only thing stopping you from turning it off is that your primitive brain is wired to pay attention to bad news as a means of survival – and the media knows that. This is no longer necessary for you.
Do you want to feel better and live a better, less stressful, less biased life?
Off button.
Happy healthy New Year. I’m never watching 2020 again.
Thanks Larry for a very informative year
Happy New Year! All the Best in 2021…
This is the constant message I keep telling my friends and family. Stop the poison already! Change to a music station and see how your mood changes. I personally like edifying podcasts. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to everyone! Welcome 2021!
I agree with this to a degree. I only challenge the thought that news is all bad. That all media lies and we should not arm ourselves with knowledge. We as Americans have gotten fat and lazy on consuming things that are easy and not good for us. I think if you are watching any news channel you are probably watching someones opinion or bias. If you are reading the news it is more likely to be based on facts and not opinions. People not trusting the news is dangerous. In business that would be like not trusting the P&L, if you dont know whats going on you cant adjust and make changes to get back in the profit or see market trends that will effect your business. Looking for quality media sources is the key, just like looking at KPIs that matter to your business health. Ignoring talk radio, social media and tv talk shows is probably a good idea, but ignoring news is not a long term strategy I suggest. I see people relying on Facebook posts for information, looking at what media you are consuming is more the problem I think. Garbage in and garbage out. Knowing what you can control is the second discipline, is this something you can control or change? If its out of your hands than dont worry and dont stress. I feel like dumbing people down will not help solve issues but create other ones. I am optimistic that 2021 will be better and only voice an opinion to look at what media you consume and how you let it effect you. Control the garbage and control your life! Happy new years!
I’ve been following your advice on this for years now. I feel much better and more in control of my life. Great Advice Larry–as always!
I agree. Television, movies, and radio all mislead you by making you think that the story is about you, keeping you intrigued. Pick up a book!
Amen!
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Feeding A.D.D.
Do your kids have so much stimulation that they can’t focus? Multiple devices? TV and video games at the same time? Trying to do remote schoolwork with a phone by their side? Toys everywhere? Entertainment all the time? Do you have all this?
The human brain was not made for this. What are we doing to ourselves and our kids?
Can we take advantage of technology in a smarter way?
Good morning! As a mom of 4 I couldn’t agree with this more. We limit screen time to an hour a day (besides school work ) but I feel like I can do even more. They may hate me now for it, but one day I hope they will thank me.
I am grateful for you as well, and your daily inspirations. May you continue to be blessed
I am grateful to you and everything you and your team at Basement Systems have done for us over the past 17 years. Have a Happy New Year and many more. Thanks again. Congratulations on your speed record. Adrenaline is a great thing.
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Be your own change agent
“Improvement” means change.
Change is about moving from where we are to where we aren’t.
Better to change yourself than have an outside force make you do it, kicking and screaming.
What are you going to change about you?
We appreciate the shout out !!
Hi Larry – Almost sounds like a New Year’s resolution. I haven’t made one of those in a while!
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Stop doing things to make room for the new you
What’s most important now?
A full life leaves no room for something new, unless you STOP doing some things.
What will you stop doing to make room for a new and powerful activity/habit this year that will take you decisively toward your goals?
Can you focus your attention for long?
Can you point your focus and attention where you want or do you find your mind swinging from one thought to another like a drunken monkey swinging from vine to vine?
Controlling our minds is an essential component to living our greatest lives and becoming our best selves.
You simply must be able to focus for some time.
What are the distractions? Place? People? Devices? Background? Can you remove them for some period each day when you want to focus and go deep?
Long time subscriber, longer time friend
I believe I have been a subscriber from the beginning! Time moves by so swiftly, but time growing and learning with friends is time well spent.
This is so true. Even in my close relationships when visiting the cell phone is right there clamoring, dinging, buzzing, singing for our attention. People fall away from the conversation and the head drops to the tyranny of the plethora of distractions. Goal 2021, renewing my focus in meaningful healthier places.
Good morning Larry, I am not sure how many years I have been reading your blog but I love it, and it sure makes me feel like we are friends. Did you say hi to your knee? Merry Christmas!!!
Good morning Larry. I’m not sure how long I’ve been a subscriber, but it has been a while. I was an early adopter. Definitely agree with your perspective on great long term relationships. Relationships are intentional and the best ones are worth nurturing!
Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
Yes right around 10 year Subscriber
Yes a fellow Local, Dallas Motocross racer in the 80’s still love the sport enjoy your Baja 1000 stories!
Participate in local Texas, DFW area, road courses organized, performance driving schools in my Boss 302 Mustang
Also a recreational license private pilot
Congratulations at the Bonneville salt Flats 200 club!
Your daily comments are like a bottle a fine wine they are getting better over time
Keep your daily comments coming!
look forward to reading them in 2021
What is on your bucket list in 2021 after the Baja 200 club?
Merry Christmas Larry. Lesley and I want to thank you for your friendship and support for all the years we have been a dealer and for all the years in the future that we will continue being a dealer.
Larry – I’ve been a faithful follower of Think Daily since the subscriber base was less than 1500 which has to be around 10 years
Thanks for keeping it up – Merry Christmas
Dear Larry — Charlie and I have been with you almost from the start. We loved our personal tour of your headquarters and I was honored to represent your book with my DSM Agency. Hard to believe I retired about five years ago, but both of us still cherish your Daily Thoughts. Happy Holidays, Doris with Charlie
I have been a follower since you did a keynote speech at the Valley Chamber’s Trade Show at Sacred Heart University in 2009…..have also recommended my students at Gateway Community College in the Entrepreneurship program to subscribe to your blog that is filled with wisdom and encouragement
I’ve been a member for over ten years and look forward to the articles daily
Hi Larry,
I have been reading your blogs for 11 years. How do I know? I save lots of them and look back on when I need a mental boost. Your light shines bright on so many… Bravo to you Larry. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. LML
Have a good holiday
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Hi Larry,
Thanks for the many years of wisdom.
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a year ahead with a fully recovered knee and lots of bike rides.
Cheers, Phil.
Merry Christmas old friend!!
I am thankful for Think Daily!
I too am grateful foe the Constitution. It is an amazing document. I am reacquainting myself with it with a reading of it and some essays of the founders under the structure of a Hillsdale College course. It is intriguing.
Me, too! Our founding fathers had incredible wisdom!
Thank you for the fantastic training event on Gutter Shutter Larry. It was extremely helpful and thorough. Hope your knee is healing well sir.
It’s easy to lose track of your personal goals, balancing and time management is key.