Category: Thoughts

Goal Attainment

From Dad

Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for  is goals. Aristotle

(I stole the idea for the quote from Aunt Elizabeth.)

Aristotle is dead on. As humans we need to constantly be in the process of attaining something. It doesn’t have to be material, but we are a species that likes moving forward, attaining our goals. The problem is that we don’t always attain our goals. This leads to a dispiriting, self sustaining cycle of let downs and self doubt.

Sound familiar?

I don’t have the market cornered on goal attainment, but I do have a pretty good idea how to deal with it when you fall short.

When I play tennis I know I am going to win. Confidence. My goal is to beat my opponent. Within one or two points I know my chances. As the match progresses my goals shift depending on the circumstances.

Is this a cop out? Nope.

Realizing that a goal is unattainable isn’t giving up, but far from it. If you adjust your goal in the pursuit you still come out ahead.  Read more... (255 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

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Don’t Get Too Comfortable

Very, very safe.

Very, very comfortable.

Very, very boring.

You may find yourself trying to limit your exposure to new things after an experience like nursing school. It’s ok as it is a natural reaction. You get burned, you recoil, don’t touch the stove again.

In life you need to keep reaching out and trying new things. Why? Exposure. It lets you feel different experiences and highlights different perspectives.

Don’t go too crazy like I did, though.

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What did I want to be when I grew up?

From Dad

Situational dynamics is what I call it when you find yourself sorting through things as you go along. We all have plans and they are interrupted. Choosing a career or a life path is probably one of the biggest plans you’ll ever have to create.

For me my career choices have always been about situational dynamics. Getting married young, having kids early forced me into dynamics where making a living were paramount and my goals took the proverbial backseat.

Don’t get wrong. I’m good at what I do and it provides for us, but I am pretty sure it isn’t what I would have chosen to do. And there is the sadness. At this point I have no idea what I would choose to do as opposed to what I have to do.

Your sitting at a point in your life where the window of your future is wide open. You can easily walk through it to where you want to be.

Thinking you chose what you wanted and failing shouldn’t preclude you from re-examining you choices and maybe making different ones.  Read more... (264 words, 1 image, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

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Find Value in Everything You Do

From Mom and Dad

A common refrain you hear from people who think they are waging a constant war with themselves is that something always comes along.

It is true. Something always comes along.

When I used AOL IM at MCI/Worldcom/Verizon this was my icon:

Many people didn’t understand this and thought I was commenting on the relenting drudgery some folks find themselves dealing with in corporate America. Honestly, it is a commentary on that, but it is also my way of looking at things.

Sisyphus was a king condemned to roll a stone up a hill only to find it rolling back down for eternity.

Me? I look at things like this as an opportunity to always find value in what I am doing. Whether it is pushing the stone up the hill or chasing it down. Understanding the goal of getting it to the top is unattainable forces you to find the value in what you are doing.

This can be said for people who are wondering aimlessly or confused about the direction they have to choose. Going through the motions of life and not finding the value in their actions.  Read more... (216 words, 1 image, estimated 52 secs reading time)

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Beginnings Occur Whenever

From Mom and Dad

There is a propensity for people to wait until everything is just right before they start something new. Getting things in order, making sure you feel perfect, setting off on the right foot.

It never happens.

Well, very rarely.

Anything worth starting now.

You have a monumental history of beginnings. I’ve spoken about your starting off at 1lb 6 oz, but you have to realize this is where your journey started. And it has turned out exciting, thrilling and wonderful.

Interspersed on this journey are various beginnings you’ve chosen to take. Your moving on to your next one and we cannot wait to see you start.

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Adventurous Spirit Guides You

From Mom and Dad

We love the adventurous spirit you bring to life. Whether you’re up for trying something new, encouraging someone to join in or doing something at the spur of the moment, your spirit is infectious. It draw people to you and makes them want to participate.

Never lose that yearning to try new things and include people; it will serve you well.

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Inspiration comes from all over

From Mom and Dad

One of the many challenges in life is inspiration. Many people think that inspiration is something that comes out of no where, but it isn’t. Inspiration, the best inspiration, comes from deliberation, thought and reflection.

The fuel that drives our goals and endeavors is inspiration.

My Best Place

My inspiration has come from many things, but the times I find the greatest inspiration are when I am in the steam room or shower. The warmth and water allow me to withdraw into myself and think.

Inspiration Traps

The traps of inspiration come from external sources under the wrong circumstances. When you find inspiration in doing something for someone else watch yourself. It may feel good to do, but it is rarely the source of inspiration. What you are really doing is trying to make someone else feel better instead of yourself.

True inspiration, the soul touching stuff, is something that is life altering. It clarifies and sharpens your life.

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Failure isn’t a bad thing

From: Mom and Dad

Failure gets a bad rap. When I was young I didn’t understand the whole balance of the universe. It sounds cliche, but it is true. You cannot have good without evil. You cannot have success without failure.

The thing about failure is that it isn’t binary or black and white. There are varying degrees of failure and we feel it every day. Small failures, we shrug off. Large failures hit us hard, like Shannon jumping on your stomach when you aren’t ready.

Your Failure

You’ve experienced a failure in terms of school. You know this, but you don’t understand it. Yet. The goal was to graduate from a specific nursing school and start your career. Enamored with the idea of going to that school, you embraced it and worked to make it happen. It didn’t.

It isn’t.

It won’t.

At that school.

See, that’s the nature of failure. You can make it as specific or as broad as you want. The way people look at failure effects their ability to rebound greatly.

How do you look like it?  Read more... (555 words, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)

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