I'm convinced that everything has 3-4 fundamentals that create high performance when followed precisely. If we aren't getting the results we want with something then the fundamentals need to be executed more closely.
We become frustrated and neurotic if we believe anything else. The first place to look for improvement must be within us, otherwise we play the blame game, we place blame in places we have little or no control.
If we buy into the blame game we will believe we are executing the fundamentals and not getting results. If we're here then there is little hope for improvement and negativity and frustration will take the place of achieving what we want.
Here is the test to see if that's true...
Are there others somewhere achieving the results you want? If someone is, then the only possibility is that you can execute fundamentals better. Precision is key when it's a fundamental.
Spend a majority of your time working on improving at the engines of success---the fundamentals. Never succumb to the belief that there is no room for improvement. At the height of his game, Tiger Woods decided that he could get better but to do so he must completely change his swing. He developed a completely new swing and improved his game.
We are neurotic if we ever believe we are doing everything right but not getting results. All we can control in this world is our response to things. Respond well when you are lacking the success or results you want. Focus on your own improvement over anything else because that is what we can control and that is the fastest route to the destinations we desire.
6.12.2007
"Fundamentals"
6.11.2007
"The Balanced Life Myth"
The amount of time spent doesn't necessarily show priority. God says to work 6 days and take 1 day for rest. Does this mean God is saying work is the #1 priority? Obviously not but that is what people spend most of their time doing.
Our heart shows priority.....How we spend our leisure time shows priority and of course how we spend our money shows priority.
Balance is a funny thing...people are constantly seeking balance. I think often we have some vision in our head of what that would look like and we get frustrated that we aren't achieving that picture. Sometimes this battle with wanting balance can throw us off the best possible path for our lives. A path of great positive influence on our world...
Was Moses balanced as we would describe it?
Was Paul balanced?
Was Jesus Balanced as society might think of it?
Think of anyone that we have great admiration for and I think you will find that there were times their life was completely out of the balance we think is ideal.
I think of my greatest periods of time in life and in many cases they were the times I was the most out of balance. These were memorable because of the challenges, the forced growth upon myself, rigorous work schedules and out of it pure Joy because of who I was becoming, new levels of confidence, achievement and influence.
We must not waste time at work but also we don't want to waste time trying not to work when it's needed. Don't waste time feeling guilty about working when it's a time that's important to do so.
There will be times of great unbalance in our lives that forges new growth in us. I don't believe we can be pursuing our God given potential by always being balanced as we may picture it.
And if we are so caught up in what we don't have in our life we may miss out on all that God has given us in this moment.
So don't throw in the chips and give into a picture of total balance--We must keep charging and pursuing our potential--You know you are if you still have times of great unbalance because your charging towards something great and challenging.
