For many years, I operated under the illusion that I could make good decisions on the fly and was simultaneously frustrated that I wasn’t getting the results I was looking for. I never realized the two were connected.
Cue the virtual 2×4 across my forehead.
It easily ranks as one of my top 5 self truths. Let’s break this down.
First, we have to acknowledge that we don’t often make rational, logical decisions. Instead, our decisions are heavily (even primarily) influenced by the design of the question itself.
Disagree?
Here are some examples . . .
Last November, I stumbled upon an interesting analogy for life strategy – bumper bowling. I know what you’re thinking. It seems completely random and sort of ridiculous. Think about it this way . . .
When you get to the bowling alley, you can bowl “normally” or you can acknowledge your weaknesses and bowl with guardrails.
It’s likely to bruise your ego a bit, but I’ll bet your scorecard will improve. While you may not hit a strike every time, you’ll certainly be racking up points with every attempt.
I’ve learned that we can choose to live life that way too. And it’s pretty much the same trade: eat some humble pie and get significantly better results.
But there’s one really big key . . .
I’ve been restarting myself a lot lately.
First came the pruning last summer. Then the grind of winter, and a decision to start again in mid-January. Then a declaration of my personal new year on March 1 after a horrendous February. And finally a realization last week that I’d been living scared.
My writings here are a clear reflection of how my life is going.
Essentially, I’d work furiously for a while (usually two weeks to a month) and then burn out for an equal period of time. I decided that wasn’t healthy and spent the last six weeks figuring out an alternative. In seeking another option, I reviewed my annual plan, my book notes, my time logs, and my binder of inspirational articles.
The answer was in front of me all along.
Today, I woke up.
Thirty minutes before my alarm would have gone off at 5:20, I sat straight up in bed. I had instant clarity.
I’ve been living scared, and it’s cost me.
Some of you may be surprised at that statement.
I can fake it pretty well. Since I was 21, I’ve called myself an entrepreneur. I’ve started and owned over a dozen businesses. Some quite successful, some so-so, and several flops. And now I know exactly why: fear.
If we were running a 5K or marathon, we wouldn’t dream of stopping just inches before the finish line. We know that the rewards come with finishing, and there’s not much else that tops that surge of confidence and pride in ourselves.
So why don’t we carry that philosophy into our work? I’m guilty of it too.
When the finish line approaches on a consulting contract, we start to brainstorm ways to extend it, often sabotaging ourself or our colleagues.
Or, if we’re an employee, we cling to projects for the job security they seemingly provide. We’re not willing to automate them, cutting the needed hours in half. Or to create a checklist and train a more junior person to complete them.
Why?
Count me as a member of Team Tebow. I’m a fan, and I’ve certainly enjoyed the last few weeks of improbable victories.
He’s certainly made football more exciting and provided an excellent role model for living out the Christian faith. But there’s more we can learn from his example. And I think the lessons translate to more than the football field.
Here’s what Tim Tebow can teach us about business.
My good friend Chris Guillebeau released his latest manifesto Tuesday, and I rescheduled my blog calendar for the week to tell you about it.
One thought in particular got me at my core.
At an event, we often seek the “it” person to meet and connect with. We wait for the perfect opportunity to make an impression, always looking to climb to the next rung.
I can replay that scene in my mind over and over again. Maybe it was a great speaker, a community leader, or an up-and-coming business owner. I’ve done it dozens of times and would likely have taken that approach again. Even though it almost never produces any fruit.
Thinking back now, I can’t recall a single meaningful relationship that started this way.
So when Pastor Bil shared this thought today, it struck me as one of the most profound things I’ve ever heard.
In the United States today, most of us take at least a few moments to pause and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. We notice and mention the little things and the wonderful people in our lives. It makes for a beautiful day.
And it makes me wonder why I don’t adopt this attitude every day.
At our Life Group tonight, we recalled the message from Rudy Ruettiger at last week’s services. Although there were several highlights, we all agreed that the main gift he gave us was a walking definition of perseverance. Time and time again, he’d tenaciously focus on a goal until it was a reality. The same dedication that willed him on to the Notre Dame football field eventually took him to Hollywood, where his story would inspire Kobe Bryant and the next generation.
We stumbled upon a key distinction in our reading.
