Becoming a Game Changer

Looking back, my life seems like one big obstacle race, with me being the chief obstacle.

-       Jack Paar

The famous American inventor, Thomas Edison, once said: “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” When you think about it, each one of us has so much potential – so many gifts to bring to the world.

In terms of maximizing our potential, or not, Charles Schulz used the following analogy: “Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” It’s so easy to coast in life (pardon the pun!) and rest on our laurels. But when we do that we sell ourselves short. One of the things I’ve learned, especially over the last couple of decades, is that there is so much joy to be found in the constant pursuit of personal growth.

What gears in your life are “wanting wear?” (That reminds me of the words in Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.”) As a sidebar, the bicycle that I ride on occasion has about twenty-five gears or speeds. Without a doubt, if I’ve used five of those gears, that’s about the limit. I wonder - maybe there’s a message there for me!

Henry David Thoreau said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Why should we settle for mediocrity? There are so many opportunities available today to improve our lot in life, and to be of more service to others. Just imagine if you and I made a decision, every day, to go for the gusto and live a life without limits – in terms of the goals and dreams we aspire to achieve.

One of the goals I set back in January was to read fifty books this year. Yesterday (Sept. 20), I finished reading my twentieth book. Yes, I know, thirty books to read in just over three months seems like a daunting task. But I plan to do it.

By referencing one of my yearly goals, I wanted to make a point. That is, sometimes the things on the high shelf (please insert your “magnificent obsession” here) can only be reached by stretching beyond our comfort zone. (Relative to my point, American author and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, said, “If we want the things on the high shelf, we have to stand on the books we read.”)

If we really want to make a significant change in the quality of our life and we have arrived at the point when we say “enough is enough,” we can slip the boundaries of our self-imposed comfort zone? Then it’s a matter of narrowing our focus (i.e. clearly defining our purpose) and taking the steps needed to make a real difference.

Another famous author and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, says, “The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” It’s not a complicated thing to carve a path to achieving our overarching purpose in life. Yes, it will take an ongoing commitment to the task, combined with a steadfast belief in our abilities. But the payoff is worth it.

You could be already doing this, but, if not, who knows what the positive ripple effect would be if you decided to become a game changer in your own life? Why wait any longer to show the world what a difference you can make?

Curiosity about Life

Seek out those things that make your soul sing.

-       Source Unknown

Over the last few months, I’ve found myself on occasion spending a little time on the popular video uploading website, YouTube. It’s usually when I have some free time on the weekends that I search for a few inspirational videos from famous motivational speakers and authors. Tony Robbins and Bob Proctor are two industry leaders that immediately come to mind.

Speaking of motivational speakers, are you familiar with TED talks? If not, those are brief speeches (usually about 20 minutes in length) that are given by people from all walks of life who speak on a topic that is in some way remarkable. The slogan for TED talks is “ideas worth spreading.” And the ideas are just that. Any time I’ve watched a TED talk, it’s been a rewarding and educational experience.

As long as I can remember, I have always had a strong desire to seek out new ideas – new ways of looking at the world in which we live? Don’t you think we all owe it to ourselves to have an insatiable curiosity about life? It’s so easy to become distracted by the busyness of life and to neglect our own personal development.

Besides using YouTube to fan the flame of my personal learning network, I also enjoy watching the videos of a few of my favorite songs. There are six tunes in particular that I’ve paid attention to of late. In no set order, they are: “Good Life,” by One Republic; “”You’re gonna miss this,” by Trace Adkins; “Try and catch the wind”, by The Irish Descendants; “Somebody that I used to know,” by Gotye; “Peace Train,” by Cat Stevens; and “No Kathleen,” by Ron Hynes. It’s certainly an eclectic mix, isn’t it?

The above songs resonate with me on a couple of different levels. First of all, the two songs by Newfoundland and Labrador recording artists (The Irish Descendants and Ron Hynes) give me a sense of pride in the province of my birth. They also fill me with nostalgia and a desire to connect with my roots. The song by Trace Adkins invokes a similar sentiment.

Secondly, the two songs that have made it to the top of the hit charts in recent years (by One Republic and Gotye), as well as the classic tune by Cat Stevens, cause me to reflect on my own life experience. Yes, this could really be a good life (to paraphrase the lead vocalist from One Republic) – a life filled with inner peace – if we decide to revel in the awe and wonder surrounding us, and realize there is nothing to complain about.

Regarding the Gotye tune, when I hear that song I’m reminded once again that some of the people I meet just drift into my life for a brief period of time. Maybe they’re a co-worker or just a stranger with whom I’ve had a chance encounter. Being mindful of that, I want to place a high value on my dealings with those people and try to adhere to the wise words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”

 

The Power of Goals

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you.

                                                                                    -          Henry Ward Beecher

I’m always invigorated at the beginning of a new year. Beyond the proverbial new start, or clean slate, or whatever label we want to apply; this year holds a slighter higher level of excitement for me. In this first week of 2013, I’m busy writing down the goals I want to accomplish this year. Are you excited about your goals for 2013? Have you committed them to writing?

Apparently, there was a study done back in the 1950s at Yale University where a group of Yale graduates were asked by an interviewer if they had set goals for their future. In response, only 3% of the senior class said they had clearly written goals and plans to accomplish them. When these same graduates were interviewed many years later, the 3% with written goals had a net worth more than the other 97% of graduates combined.

One of my mentors, Jim Rohn, once said: “If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us.” That’s the beauty of setting goals and taking action steps to achieve them – it’s the strength of character we develop in their pursuit. In his teaching on goal setting, Mr. Rohn said that we need to set goals in a variety of areas. For example, goals related to the places we want to go, the people we want to meet, the things we want to do, and the skills we want to develop. He also said our goals become like a magnet. In other words, the bigger they are and the more we have, the stronger they will pull us forward in our efforts to achieve them.

This week I was reading a blog post by Chris Brogan called “My 3 Words for 2013:” chrisbrogan.com) For the last few years, and at this time of year, Chris has come up with three words that help him set a direction for his life and business. At the end of his post, Chris encouraged his readers to share their three words for 2013. That got me thinking. Here are my three words: carpe diem. (As you may know, the Latin phrase “carpe diem” is actually three words when translated – seize the day. I’ve allowed myself a little poetic license there!)

Orison S. Marden once said: “Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.” Maybe you’re already of that mindset, but if not, wouldn’t it be a great habit to develop this year? The philosopher Albert Camus understood this too when he said: “Real generosity toward the future consists in giving all to what is present.” Just imagine what kind of year you and I could have if we developed a laser like focus on the tasks at hand each and every day.

While I was writing this column, I checked my Twitter account and came across a very inspiring poem by one of my favorite authors, Robin Sharma. It’s called “The Project.” You can read Robin’s poem at this link: http://t.co/In0nPmTG. It sums up beautifully the point I’m trying to make in my humble thoughts above.

 

Leonard Quilty is a guidance counsellor with the Centre for Learning@Home in Okotoks, Alberta. He can be reached by e-mail at lquilty5@gmail.com, or visit his website at www.inspiredtoteach.com.