Tag: MakeItGreat

Posted in Philosophy

The Goal: Average

Posted on by simplebender

Ask yourself if you would rather be called ‘Average’ or, ‘Average At All Things’?

No, seriously, ask yourself; and give the question a lot of thought.  They are different.  How you answer could dictate your outlook on your entire life and influence your assessment of everyone around you.

Be realistic as you ponder this.  Every day you strive to excel in so many things; your relationships, profession, education, arts, hobbies, and athletics.  You measure yourself against your peers and your competition.  Your supervisor and coach assess your performance and give you advice on how to improve.  Your peers and competition may not be so willing to help you excel.  Those with whom you are in a relationship; well, they shouldn’t be trying to change you, they should be accepting and enjoying (but that’s a topic for later).

Of course, you’re not ‘average’; that’s for someone else; the other folks not trying as hard as you to be the best.  And you’ll be damned if you’ll accept being average at all things; you work too hard.  Be realistic….

What does being ‘Average’ really mean?  Statistically, it’s a single measure which summarizes the general significance of a set of unequal values.  It means, if you honestly assess your relative level of performance, or expertise, you are going to be better than some and inferior to others.  Strive as you might, as they are too, there will always be those better and worse than you across the spectrum of your life activities.

If you’re ‘Average At All Things’ you acquiesce being, or striving to be, better than anyone at anything.  You accept mediocrity.  You will neglect some aspects and struggle in others.  Will you not strive to improve in those areas you can?  Will you take for granted your natural talent?

If your answer is yes; then enjoy the stagnation of mediocrity.  Forever forgoing the intoxication of victory and the power of re-commitment after failure.

As for me, I’m working and training just to be called ‘average’… but down-deep for ‘above average’.

Posted in Philosophy

Indecision is a Decision

Posted on by simplebender

Being indecisive is clearly a decision.  It’s a decision to abdicate your rights and obligations and let events, and/or others, decide for you.  It’s a decision to acknowledge you aren’t in control of yourself.

Maybe you are overwhelmed with too many options or opinions.  Maybe you don’t have a clear direction or have no dreams to catch.  Maybe you are paralyzed into inaction because you are over thinking and over analyzing the opportunity.

Regardless of your ‘maybe’; you’ve let go and now are a leaf adrift in the current of life’s river. Events are in control, and they don’t care about you.   You have no one to blame but yourself.  Unfortunately, you will probably, inappropriately, blame everyone else for the events which unfold.  The opportunities missed.  The challenges left for someone else.  The exhilaration of the try.  The excitement of the win, and the loss.  All gone, you are along for the ride.

The good news is, it’s never too late to change.  It is up to you, and only you.  So; do you want to decide to decide?  Know you will inevitably make mistakes, and that’s alright. Just don’t make the same mistake twice.  Or, do you want the uncontrolled alternative.  Either way you have no one to blame but yourself; you might as well step up and be in control.

 

Posted in Philosophy

Dreams are meant to be caught….

Posted on by simplebender

If, everyday you’re not doing something daunting; why bother.  Worthwhile dreams are supposed to be daunting.  They are also meant to be caught.  We should never stop dreaming and should never fear our dreams.  They propel us forward to achieve things greater than we would have expected.  No matter how audacious, dreams can be caught.  It just takes work.  Your dreams inspire you, they compel you, they drive you, they improve you.

Believe in your dreams with as much heart as you believe in yourself; because, they are one in the same.  Share your dreams; let others help and celebrate with you.  Dreams are not fantasies.  Fantasies are emotional illusions, mind mirages.  Dreams are our inspirations.  Goals are waypoints in pursuit of our dreams.  As long as we believe, strive, and achieve; dreams become real

Do something daunting today and every day.  Dream and achieve; then dream again… It will change your life.

Go Catch a Dream.

 

Posted in Philosophy

Path Closed….Make your own

Posted on by simplebender

pathclosed

Sometimes the smooth path you are on seems suddenly short, rough, and then closed.  That’s the time to ask yourself if you were on common sidewalk, and if so, is it time to set your own trail.

All too often we find ourselves on a shared sidewalk.  Our paths overlapping with others. Enjoying the camaraderie and support.  If you’re not focused, it’s easy to veer off your path and get locked onto the common one; and then, you’ve lost control.

Do you know where you are going, and more importantly why you’re going there?  Or, are you just following the crowd on the common sidewalk?  Each of us has a path to follow.  It is your path to choose.  Don’t abdicate and let others dictate your course.  If you do,  your lost and your destiny is theirs to choosing, not yours.

There will be times during which you feel your path is controlled.  How you respond and react is in your control. You can establish the way for your today and tomorrow.

If you know your ‘why’ your ‘how’ becomes clear, under your control; and not on someone else’s sidewalk.  When theirs is marked closed that’s simply a wonderful opportunity to make your own, and Make It Great.

 

#NeverFearTheDream  # PathClosedMakeYourown

Posted in Philosophy

Locked-In or Locked-Out

Posted on by simplebender

Locks are interesting.  Not the physical mechanical device but what they represent and our perception of intent and purpose.   Inherently, they protect, secure, and isolate.  If those functions focus on physical property, then they are performing as originally intended.  How often have you been locked out from a place you felt you should have free access?  How often has your mind locked you into physical limits? How many times have you locked in your emotions or options?  How many times have you locked your intellectual or creative boundaries.

All around us are metaphorical locks.  Limiters placed upon us by others.  Barriers and obstacles placed to impede us, limit us, and/or control us.  Those are locks you don’t control.  You don’t have the key, and maybe don’t know who does.  That doesn’t mean the lock will hold.

Locks have a function.  They shouldn’t be the instruments which limit and isolate you; you, as a person, as an athlete, as a creator, as a learning, caring, participating person.  It’s bad enough, there are those around us, even our friends and family, who want to put locks on us. It’s worse yet when we lock-up ourselves.

We know who controls those locks; but, do we have the courage to grab our own keys and start unlocking?  Are we strong enough to push through physical barriers when our mind says, ‘you’re done, push no harder’?  Are we smart enough to continue to learn and press our intellectual envelope? Are we confident enough in our bedrock beliefs to challenge them with counter beliefs?

If we are willing to do these things, will we do them with an open or locked mind and spirit?  If the locks aren’t open and removed, then it doesn’t matter how many outside locks continue to ‘limit us’.  We are the gate keeper and have placed the most important locks on ourselves.  We shouldn’t complain about the locks we don’t control until we’ve unlocked ourselves.

Focus on unlocking yourself.  Unlock your physical, intellectual, and emotional self without fear or indecision.  Challenge every aspect of yourself and free yourself of your own locks.

#NeverFearTheDream