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When obstacles arise you change your direction to reach your goal;
you do not change your decision to get there.” -Zig Ziglar
Halfway through the year and it’s time to triage some things.
Do you triage your career? Your business? Your life?
What’s working? What’s not working?
Why isn’t it working? Why is it working?
What can I do differently? Better?
The focal points continue to be —
Do more of what works. Do less of what doesn’t.
No, that’s not the same mission you see most people talk about. They’ll say, “Do more of what makes you happy.” Or, “Do more of what makes you awesome.” Or, “Do more of what you love.” Or this one, “Do less, not more.”
I don’t find those valuable…for lots of reasons. Happiness varies. Chasing happiness also is ridiculously selfish.
As for awesomeness, most of us aren’t awesome and I’m cool with that. Do we have to be awesome to be productive, helpful and serving? Can we have moments of awesomeness? Of course. It’s like all the talk about heroes. We’ve likely all got the ability to be heroic at times. That doesn’t make us heroes. I do lots of work in leadership. Acts of leadership can be done by anybody at any time. That doesn’t make them leaders.
I love my family. I love my faith. I’m going to always try to “do more” of those things. But again, the way most people talk about love, especially in the context of “do more of what you love” seems awfully selfish. Do more of what YOU love.
As for “do less, not more” — well, that’s just sheer laziness. Nope, I’m not attracted to the concept of doing less. I’m attracted to doing more. I just want to make sure I’m putting forth the effort I should in the areas that deserve or need my work.
I want to do more of what works. I want to increase activities that result in progress. And I want to reduce the stuff I do that has no, or limited, results. Some call it success. Or winning. However I choose to define it – and all depends on the context:
Business/Career – I want to do more of what creates customers, dazzles customers, increases lead generation, improves profits/income, etc.
Spiritual – I want to do more of what increases holiness and righteousness.
Health – I want to do more of what will improve and maintain fitness, energy, etc.
Family – I want to do more of what will improve my marriage, my effectiveness as a father/grandfather, etc.
Friends – I want to do more of what will make me a better friend.
Today’s show is about change, improvement, exploration, discovery and attempting to get out of the woods. Enjoy!
Mentioned in the show:
- Soar With Your Strengths by Donald O. Clifton & Paula Nelson
- The Element by Sir Ken Robinson
- Help me rebrand this podcast
- Andrew Warner is the host of my favorite podcast, Mixergy
- Effort Over Ability
- Grow Great
- Go Find Customers
- Zooming Out
