Be yourself, everyone else is taken
Be the source of inspiration for those who are struggling.
Be the source of joy for those who are feeling overwhelmed.
Be the source of wisdom for those who don’t know what to do next.
Be the source of energy when everyone else is flat.
According to Jon Gordon, when you are grateful, you will find more things to be grateful for.
I would add that when you are optimistic, you will find more things to be optimistic about.
When you start looking for opportunities, you will identify them everywhere.
When you focus on making progress towards your goals, you will get closer to them.
Our thought processes are important.
Yes, there’s just one of you.
You have limited influence.
You have a limited set of skills.
You won’t be able to impact everyone you meet.
It seems sometimes as though you’re a very small cog in a very big wheel.
Can you do it?
Can you do it again?
Can you do it every day?
Can you do it with a smile?
When we say that we’re busy, we’re generally using code for something else.
We’re either telling people that we are unable to prioritise.
Or we’re saying that we’re disorganised and inefficient.
Or we’re giving the impression that we’re unable to cope with the pressure.
Do you give yourself a morning pep talk?
Do you tell yourself that today is going to be awesome?
Do you remind yourself that you can make a positive difference?
Are you conscious of your attitude and body language?
This week, I saw a lady walking proudly with her dog in a pram.
The dog looked very regal, sitting up straight as he observed the world from his carriage, but it was a strange sight.
There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with him.
He had four legs, he just wasn’t using them.
I wonder if he went back to his little doggy friends and talked about the walk he went on, that wasn’t really a walk at all.
Some people have to wear high visibility clothing at work so that they don’t get run over by a truck or a forklift.
It keeps them safe.
Some people like to be highly visible at work because they yearn for recognition, for attention, for status.
It feeds their confidence.
A recipe isn’t a meal.
An itinerary isn’t a holiday.
An innovative concept isn’t a business.
A PowerPoint slide isn’t a speech.
A design isn’t a house.
Life will kick you in the guts.
Often.
Hard.
Multiple times and with ferocity.
If you‘re not ready for it, you’ll be brought to your knees.
