God gives the nuts, but he does not crack them. – Franz Kafka

Thought this would be a good reminder to start the 4th quarter.

We need to do the work.

God takes care of the miracle part – but we need to do our part for the miracle to occur.

Get to work.

Take the next small step.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1282594747212647

What a great little story.

I love the mental picture of God doing something similar for all of us as we go about our day. Watching over us. Hoping for the best for us. Standing guard for us.

But I think the most impactful part of his little speech about this was the idea that God calls us to do this for others in our lives.

We may not have as dramatic of a situation as a wife who is blind.

But somebody in our life needs someone looking out for them. Praying for them. Rooting for them. Watching out for trouble.

You can’t do this for everybody, but you can do it for somebody.

And it will make a difference. Even if they never notice. Even if they fight you along the way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Major in the majors. Too many people major in minor things. – Jim Rohn (paraphrased)

I try to think about this quote often.

It’s too easy to get sucked into spending major time on minor things.

To let our life get chipped away at with little trivialities that distract and comfort us.

What makes the list of majors in your life?

What is on the minor list that gets too much time and attention?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. – Winston Churchill

An important step in moving towards growth and progress is admitting that there is room for growth.

To admit that we have something to learn.

Maybe to even admit that someone knows more than we do.

Humility is one of those habits of character that allow for so much good to flow in to our lives.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/Gs069dndIYk?si=im8xX9hJKUmty3R0

I’m sure I’ve sent this song out for almost every September since I’ve been sending these emails.

It’s a great song and the video really puts it over the top.

Enjoy!

Make it a great day.

Jake

Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves — to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterday by our today. – Stewart B. Johnson

It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap. Comparing ourselves to others on social media or the neighbor down the street.

We can spend our lives trying to outpace others.

Instead, maybe we focus on outpacing ourselves.

Focus on being the best version of ourselves.

For others. For service. For love.

Not for stuff or likes or shares.

Make it a great day.

Jake

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Maybe I need to put this on a post it or somewhere where it’s the first thing I see in the morning.

I like the mental picture of the sun rising and with it comes new strength and new thoughts.

It’s easy to start the day with negativity.

To pick up our phones and see emails or the news or our social feeds and feel like we’ve already lost the day.

Instead we can choose new strength and new thoughts.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Bob Goff is known for his fun and whimsical personality. He famously put his personal cell phone number in the back of a NYT bestselling book, and he expects and answers calls. He makes himself available.

He also says he plans his calendar nine months and one day in advance, no further, in case he is to be become a grandfather. His purpose is to be available.

Busyness is no way to measure a life. Busy is a thief. It’s a phantom measure of worth and success and it will never get as much done as availability will. Remain available. Learn to say no, and measure your life by the things you get to say yes to.

Quoted from: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/better-ways-to-measure-your-life/

I really liked this excerpt from this blog post.

It’s all too easy to buy into the lie that busyness is a badge of honor and something to be proud of. It’s not true. Don’t believe it.

We really don’t have that many levers when we look to control and manage our lives, but we do get to choose how we manage our time.

The article talks about availability – I’ve also heard it called margin or breathing room.

There’s a lot of great stuff waiting for some breathing room in your life so it can makes it way in.

The holidays are a great reminder of this – slow down and enjoy them.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday was 15 years since the first daily attitude email was sent.

I have no idea how many emails have been sent, but it’s been a lot.

As I reflect, I’m mostly just thankful that everyone still lets me send these every day.

That I have hopefully been helpful to a few of you over all those years.

That I get to work with all of you and that a few people have signed up to get these emails every day even though you don’t work with me.

Thank you for reading.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/MQNRKX8GwPo?si=IbbP4qWS_QIQxop1

This song is part of the band show for Annie and her classmates this year.

It’s pretty cool to watch the band progress each year. From the initial preview night to the end of the season is night and day.

It’s been a great reminder that practice and effort pay off.

If you work hard at something – you get better.

You don’t have to be stuck where you are. Things can and will get better – if you work at it.

Make it a great day.

Jake