2012
2012 was to be about pushing myself outside my comfort zone. I’m not sure how much pushing I did myself, and how much I was actually pushed, but there were times, particularly at work, where I was beyond where I normally would be. I’m embracing it, and will try to take that with me from now on. I could be doing more though, much more.
I also started appreciating more doing. Less input, more output. Is it part of age or is it me maturing? Either way, the importance of productivity is becoming clearer to me. Not just something I hear, but something I feel.
I’ve had some revelations over the past few months. Speaking to a particular friend whose insight is always clear and invaluable, and speaking to our director at work who obviously does some things right and who has influence on my career, and also reading a particularly good post on life on a blog, I’ve really come to appreciate the following keys to life.
1. Life rewards those who do. Right or wrong, doing is better than not doing.
2. What everyone sees in you is the needs of theirs you fulfil. Whether it be your colleague, your boss, your spouse, or your friend, what you do for them will determine how they feel about you. Being nice is nothing. *Being* is nothing. You have to do. And what you do has to make the other person’s life better. (see link above)
3. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, your success depends on you and you alone. You don’t consistently win in competition by others failing, you win by being better than the rest.
4. The present is precious. (see previous two posts) That not only means time spent with loved ones or enjoying the moment, it is also the facilitator for all of the above.
Now, none of this is rocket science. These are things most of us hear at some point or another. But for whatever reason, these last few months they have really resonated with me. Not to take anything away from planning or thinking, but only action has consequence. Plan, do, review. I have also spoken about inertia quite a bit, but in 2012 it occurred to me that it can go both ways. Once the ball is moving, it’s harder to stop. Let’s try to get inertia working for me, rather than against me!
I also started appreciating more doing. Less input, more output. Is it part of age or is it me maturing? Either way, the importance of productivity is becoming clearer to me. Not just something I hear, but something I feel.
I’ve had some revelations over the past few months. Speaking to a particular friend whose insight is always clear and invaluable, and speaking to our director at work who obviously does some things right and who has influence on my career, and also reading a particularly good post on life on a blog, I’ve really come to appreciate the following keys to life.
1. Life rewards those who do. Right or wrong, doing is better than not doing.
2. What everyone sees in you is the needs of theirs you fulfil. Whether it be your colleague, your boss, your spouse, or your friend, what you do for them will determine how they feel about you. Being nice is nothing. *Being* is nothing. You have to do. And what you do has to make the other person’s life better. (see link above)
3. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, your success depends on you and you alone. You don’t consistently win in competition by others failing, you win by being better than the rest.
4. The present is precious. (see previous two posts) That not only means time spent with loved ones or enjoying the moment, it is also the facilitator for all of the above.
Now, none of this is rocket science. These are things most of us hear at some point or another. But for whatever reason, these last few months they have really resonated with me. Not to take anything away from planning or thinking, but only action has consequence. Plan, do, review. I have also spoken about inertia quite a bit, but in 2012 it occurred to me that it can go both ways. Once the ball is moving, it’s harder to stop. Let’s try to get inertia working for me, rather than against me!