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Daily Attitude Email 06 07 18

I am doing a great work and cannot come down. – Nehemiah 6:3

Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and was constantly asked to come down to work on other things.

His answer was always the same “I am doing great work and cannot come down.”

The point of the story is that he didn’t allow any distractions from his goal. He knew that rebuilding the wall would be a symbol to the people and lead to bigger and better things and that is should be his priority.

As you look at your goals and resolutions for this year, think about what/which one should be your priority.

Some things in life are worth focusing on to the exclusion of others.

Figure out what your great work is for this year and don’t lose focus on it.

Be tenacious in pursuing it.

Don’t let anything distract you.

Make it a great weekend.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 06 06 18

Why could this be happening for me? – Lori Harder

https://www.facebook.com/ImpactTheoryShow/videos/2021451581440084/

I was listening to this interview and when she said this, it really stood out.

She says something like “I adopted the attitude that struggle and challenges were there for me.”

As in, any challenge is there to serve us.

Instead of feeling frustrated and upset that life isn’t going our way, we can choose to look at each challenge as a lesson and growth opportunity.

I know this is easier said than done.

Life and our habits aren’t this easy.

But maybe it’s a good place to start.

What challenge are you facing right now that could use a renewed perspective?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 06 05 18

Love is not blind – it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. – Rabbi Julius Gordon

Getting close to our 16th wedding anniversary for me and Meaghan and this quote struck home.

Meaghan must really love me to be willing to see less in so many ways.

This quote applies to all of our relationships.

We can be easier on the waitress if we have love in our heart.

We can be a better teammate and coworker when love is our main priority.

We can choose to less of the faults of others by setting love as our default mode of operating.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 06 04 18

"You should never be proud of doing what’s right. You should just do what’s right." – Dean Smith, former University of North Carolina basketball coach

A long time ago I read a biography of Dean Smith. What has stuck with me from that book was that he had a few simple rules and stuck with them.

It seems to me that part of his success was built by having unwavering discipline on certain things but flexibility in others.

Think about your own life and what is most important.

Maybe you make a rule limiting the amount of work hours each week so you can spend more time with your family.

Maybe you make a rule around physical activity or diet.

Maybe you make a rule to never let a month go by without doing a budget.

Whatever your rules, stick with them. Pick just a few, but don’t let them slide.

If you are having a really hard time with discipline, pick just one. Make just one simple rule and stick to it. Just for a day to start. Then for two, then for a week. Just get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 05 30 18

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. – Saadi

Everyone stinks at first.

My favorite example of this is walking.

When a young child begins to walk, we cheer them on.

We help them and keep them safe, but we don’t discourage their progress by expecting them to get it right the first time.

We expect lots and lots of mistakes.

We encourage them to work through the failures and missteps.

We cheer them on when they take the first few tentative steps.

As you learn and grow, do the same for yourself.

Don’t expect perfection, encourage mistakes and next attempts. Celebrate the small victories.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 05 29 18

When I think of Memorial Day, I am reminded of the famous letter that Abraham Lincoln wrote to Mrs. Bixby (below).

I can’t see how it could be said better in so few words.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Dear Madam,–

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln