You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2013.
When everything’s going well and you’re tempted to get ahead of yourself… Stay focused!
When you’re struggling to achieve your goals… Stay focused!
When you feel invincible and unbreakable… Stay focused!
When you feel discouraged and disconsolate… Stay focused!
When you wonder why you bother trying when no-one else around you is… Stay focused!
When you have a wide array of options available to you… Stay focused!
When it comes to your goals, you’re either aspiring and working towards something, or you’re hoping that your life randomly turns out OK.
You’re either making it happen or letting it happen.
When it comes to your career, you’re either developing yourself and building your capabilities, or you’re complaining because you hate your job and are waiting for someone to rescue you from it.
You’re either making it happen or letting it happen.
When it comes to your health, you’re either watching what you eat and exercising regularly, or you’re blaming your genetics and hoping that the statistics regarding diabetes, heart disease or other illnesses don’t apply to you.
We don’t need more people who are going to give a half-hearted effort.
We don’t need more cynics or critics.
We don’t need more people who’s get up and go has got up and left.
We don’t need more individuals who are only enthusiastic for things that don’t matter.
We don’t need more people who give up at the first sign of difficulty.
Late last year, I announced that Karen and I were launching our resume writing and career services business on a full-time basis.
It was a massive decision for us and one that we didn’t take lightly, but we haven’t looked back since.
It hasn’t always been easy and we’re not where we want to be yet, but it has been an enormously fulfilling journey so far.
Whilst our business had been operating for two and a half years before we went full-time, we have been on a steady learning curve in 2013, so here are seven lessons that I’ve learned:
Do you want your children to cry when you deny them sugar-laden snacks, cake and cola?
Or when they struggle with childhood obesity, juvenile diabetes or issues with their body shape?
Do you want your children to cry when you make them do their homework and reading (even during school holidays)?
Or do you want them to cry when they don’t know the answers in class, are embarrassed that they haven’t handed in their project or can’t find a reasonable job in the future?
Do you want your children to cry when you follow through on consequences for their poor behaviour?
This week is International Refugee Week. This is my response.
You look different to me.
You sound different to me.
You have different customs.
Your response to the existence of God is different to mine.
You have different ideas about family and work.
Some of our differences are so extreme that I suspect we will never agree.
And that’s OK.
Sometimes it feels as though we are living in an old mansion.
You know the type, those ancient, dusty, Gothic buildings with large oak doors and cracked antiques on the mantelpiece.
We like the old mansion, but are a little bit afraid of it.
There are undiscovered sections of the house and doors that we are forbidden to enter.
We don’t quite know why we shouldn’t go through these doors, but everyone else seems to think that it’s a bad idea to try, so we don’t.
We just exist in this old dusty mansion.
Hamsters on a wheel
As a dad, one of the more common statements that I make to my kids is, “…it’s what separates us from the animals!”
For example, “Hayden, use a knife and fork, it’s what separates us from the animals.”
Or perhaps, “Madison, use your inside voice, it’s what separates us from the animals.”
Or even, “Logan, don’t tease your sister, it’s what separates us from the animals.”
(Seriously, don’t judge me until you’ve tried it.)
Anyway, for some obscure reason, I was considering the differences between hamsters and people the other day and came up with the following aspects. Please note this is not an exhaustive list and doesn’t include references to body hair: Read the rest of this entry »
Each and every day, you have an opportunity and obligation:
- To do your best work.
- To create a better future for yourself and your family.
- To encourage those around you.
- To be bold and take risks.
- To take steps towards reaching your goals.
- To live with joy. Read the rest of this entry »
