Pearls don’t lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it. – Chinese proverb
As I get older, this one seems more and more true.
Anything of value requires work.
The work of self-discipline.
The work of building good habits.
The work of stopping bad habits.
The work of putting others before yourself.
It isn’t easy, and that’s why it’s worth it.
Let’s get to work!
Make it a great day.
Jake
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14
I f I (JCD) were to draw a caricature of an adult experiencing a lifelong crisis of confidence, I would depict a bowed, weary traveler. Over his shoulder, I would place the end of a mile‐long chain attached to tons of garbage. Inscribed on each piece of junk would be the details of some humiliation–a failure, a rejection, an embarrassment from the past. The traveler could let go of the chain, but he is convinced that he must drag that heavy load throughout life.
The above came from email list I am on.
I really liked this mental picture as a reminder that we can let go of all the junk holding us back.
We really don’t have to beat ourselves up over all the dumb stuff we’ve done in the past.
We really don’t have to beat ourselves up over the weight we’ve gained.
We really don’t have to beat ourselves up over the money we’ve wasted.
We should do something about all of those things. Move forward. With reckless abandon and confidence.
Make it a great day.
Jake
If you would be loved, love, and be loveable. – Benjamin Franklin
Simple, straightforward advice from Mr. Franklin on this one.
We all desired to be loved.
In order to be loved we should love others.
In order to be loved we should endeavor to become loveable.
Start working in this direction. Today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
A favorite move at the Davis house is “Night at the Museum”. In it they tell the Sacajawea story.
They talked about all the hardships and the enormous scope of their journey.
I think if we could ask someone like that from history what they were thinking about as they completed their epic journey or surmounted impossible odds the answer would interesting in its simplicity.
They would probably say things like:
I said I was going to do it, so I just didn’t quit.
Going forward just seemed better than quitting.
I didn’t really think about it at the time, we were having so much fun.
It seemed like something worth trying.
What they say maybe betrays part of what can hold us back from time to time. We make things too complicated. We try to climb the whole mountain in one day. We quit.
Whatever is on your goal list for this year, make a simple commitment today. Take the next step. However small that might be. However imperfect it feels. Just keep going.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Friday after Halloween deserves a Halloween song.
Hope everyone had a great Halloween.
Make it a great day.
Jake
When we work for a bigger purpose, we find an endless supply of happiness at work. — Jon Gordon
I liked how he said “bigger” in front of purpose in this quote.
It’s easy to get stuck on finding our one purpose and the biggest reason we are here. There’s a lifetime of work for most of us on that one.
But a bigger purpose is pretty easy.
Instead of working for a paycheck we can be working for the team or serving the clients.
Instead of working out we can be losing some weight or getting more energy.
Instead of making lunches for the kids we can be packing up some love.
Find a way to add some more purpose into the mundane today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Today at Mavidea we’re have a lunch and learn and discussing the QBQ.
The book is about asking better questions that lead to personal accountability and action oriented thinking.
My favorite is “How can I help?”
So many of life’s little issues and problems could be solved by asking this one simple question.
Today I encourage all of you to find someone or some situation where you can honestly and sincerely ask this simple question.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
In order to find, we must look.
We must actively work towards finding what we desire for our lives.
It doesn’t just come to us.
We must find the relevant information.
We must ask others who might know where it is.
What are you looking for?
Make it a great day.
Jake
“Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.”
It’s funny to me that Monday is the day of the week that is supposed to be the worst day. Seems to me that it should be the best day of the week.
It’s the start of a new week. A clean slate.
Everything is in front of you. Anything is possible.
Think of this week as a trial run. Think of it as a week full of possibilities and new beginnings.
What is the one thing you would like to get done?
Get on it.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Made to love.
Simple, great thought for the day and weekend ahead.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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