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This story in Rolling Stone caught my eye the other day. I began to wonder what happened to his career in music.

So many questions? Did he experience some tragedy that caused a sudden exit from work that must have been important to him?

I sat in silence for a few moments, refusing to Google his name. I still haven’t Googled it. I just embraced my questions and wonder.

What happened? How did he lose relevance in a space he once occupied? Was it by choice? Or circumstance?

Probably because the news story in Rolling Stone was music related, I began to think of Willis Alan Ramsey, a singer/songwriter who released his first (and so far, only album) in 1972. He was (and I suppose, still is) a strongly talented guy. I love his work. It’s 40 years later and like many of his fans, I’m waiting for the next record.

I may not approach the term “relevance” the way you think. You may expect me to riff about being familiar to millions, achieving notoriety and fame. I won’t. Because that’s not it – not for me. And likely not for you either.

We can be invisible to many and still be relevant. You’re likely in the same big boat with the rest of us. Feeling anonymous and unimportant. But you’re not. There are people who know you and love you. There are others who enjoy being around you – experiencing you. To them, you are relevant. Or you can be!

As the adage goes, “If it is to be, it’s up to me!”

You’ve heard about “the monkey’s dilemma.” It’s that story about the hunter who takes a jar with an opening slightly larger than a monkey’s hand. The hunter ties a rope around the neck of the jar using a knot, called a monkey’s knot. The hunter puts food in the glass jar, like rice, a banana slice or a peanut.

The monkey reaches his hand into the jar, grabs the food, making a fist with his hand. Presto! The monkey’s dilemma: he can’t get his hand out of the jar unless he drops the food. The neck of the jar isn’t wide enough. He could drop the food and easily get his hand out, but he refuses. The monkey has complete control to escape, but he won’t do it. Instead, he clinches his fist around the food until the hunter throws a net over him. He’s captured.

Watch today’s episode and you may see yourself in “the monkey’s dilemma.”

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Quite a long time ago, during a phone call with a client who kept resisting and pushing back every nudge toward improvement in business processes, I wrote this note in my notebook…

Yes, I asked the question of my client. And I kept asking. If memory serves me correctly, I had one more conversation, then parted ways because I realized I wouldn’t be able to help him. It was sad really because the potential for greater success was evident. At least to me! Unfortunately, he couldn’t see what I could see.

And he never made a commitment. I don’t know exactly what blocked his commitment. But I did point out one major cause that was apparent. It’s likely one major cause for all of us. I’ll share it with you in today’s video show.

What’s blocking your commitment?

I often ask myself this question. Sometimes I get what seems like a decent answer, but mostly, I get excuses. How is it with you?

P.S. Here’s the quote that historically has been attributed to Goethe, but that’s not likely true according to folks who claim to know. It’s believed to be a quote from William Hutchinson Murray, a Scottish mountain climber and writer. It’s been a longtime favorite of mine. When you read it, you’ll understand why.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”

I know you think everybody has “it” figured out, but you’re wrong! Everybody encounters times where they need to figure “it” out. Because things change. Circumstances change. Situations change.

Life isn’t static.

Sometimes we feel like we’re in the ocean and the waves are constantly tossing us about. If things are calm, experience has taught us that it won’t last long.

There are a number of effective steps we can take when we’re faced with challenges to “figure it out.” Today, let me give you just 5 of them. I have found these helpful. No, I’m not a ninja at these, but I do know they work. My inadequate use of them doesn’t mean they’re ineffective. It just means I’m a lot like you. Sometimes the resistance beats me.