Monthly Archives: October 2012

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How Far Are You Willing To Go?

We all want to do great works in the world. We want to make a difference that affects the lives around us. We want to be remembered.

My question is “How far are you willing to go?”

Taking The Plunge

Image by Jon Rawlinson

I know my normal answer. “Not far enough.”

I begin to step out and the doubts come flooding in.

  • What will others think of me?
  • What if I fail?
  • What if I look foolish?

All are valid concerns if I want to live a normal life. But I don’t. I want to live an extraordinary life. And I know you do as well.

If this is what we want, we must change our thoughts. We must be willing to go further.

“Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing.”
— Helen Keller  Read more...

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Progress Not Arrival

We set our goals and begin working towards them. Making progress and hopefully checking the goal off of our list.

But what happens when you never arrive at the end of the goal? Should you be happy with the progress not the arrival?

Cape Point Distance Sign

Image by Alan Green

I’ve set many goals for my life and find myself not completing the goal. Instead, going off the path and going towards another shiny object or giving up on the goal altogether.

It’s got me thinking “Is this such a bad thing?”

I’ll have to say it all depends on what the purpose of your goal was.

Was it to actually accomplish the goal? Or was it to make progress in your life? To improve yourself?

If it’s the latter, I’d wager to say that it’s not a bad thing.  Read more...

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Danger Must Be Known Before Fear Can Be Felt

One of the worst feelings we have is false fear.

We build ourselves into a frenzy of fear by claiming there’s a danger here and there. It’s everywhere to some people.

The fear only takes hold when we place a level of danger to an action.

Man rock climbing

Image By Alex Indingo

Some people fear leaving the house. Having children. Growing old. Being abandoned. Skydiving.

I face some of those fears. And I have others. Like public speaking. It terrifies me.

Why?

Because I’ve associated it with something dangerous. Failing. Stumbling over my words. Looking like a fool.

Yep. To me those are the dangers of public speaking.

But what happens if we took away the sense of danger? The fear begins to subside.

Without danger, the fear has no hold.  Read more...

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The Absolute Worst Question You Could Ever Ask

We’ve all been told that the only bad question is the one not asked.

That’s a lie. You know it. I know it. There is such a thing as a bad question.

Question Mark Man

Image by Marco Belluci

Just think about your last trip to the store. It may have gone something like this:

You enter through the automatic door. There’s a couple of sales associates chatting. And then you’re approached by a different sales associate.

He greets you by asking “Can I help you with anything today?”

Your instincts kick in and you answer, almost robotically, “No, I’m just browsing today.”

You’re able to answer with a yes or a no. No need to expound upon why you’re in the store.

The question gave you an easy out and you took it. Effectively ending the conversation.

“Can I help you?”  Read more...

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What To Do When You Hit A Brick Wall

We like to believe that we’re on the right path when things are going well. Doors are opening. And the path is clear.

When we come to a brick wall and hit it full speed, we like to think we’re doing something wrong.

But are we really doing something wrong?

Brick Wall

Image by Claus Rebler

Now, I’ve never run into a brick wall. At least that I can remember.

Though I have run into roadblocks in my life. Events and circumstances which caused me to think I was going in the wrong direction.

These experiences have taught me it’s not always the case. There will be times when we run smack-dab into a wall.

In an interview, the great skateboarder Tony Hawk recalled his first time on a skateboard.

Tony way 10 years old. His brother had a sick skateboard.  Read more...