... leave this world better than when you found it.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

I came across this quote the other day - 

Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.

Wilferd A Peterson

I will tell you up front I am a romantic when it comes to motivational quotes; they teach, inspire and remind us that we are not alone in what we do... literally or figuratively.

Getting back to the words of Mr. Peterson, he offers a nice laundry list for finding success and offers two very valuable messages. 

The people you associate with will influence and shape you... don't underestimate the impact. 

"The dreamers, the believers, the courageous"... we are reminded of the qualities we should surround ourselves with as we look for our own success. Conversely though, we should remember the impact when "walking with" those who are of the ilk to embrace sloth, ignorance or corruption of character... generally speaking, success does not follow them, or at the very most, is "fleeting". Our social structure is one of our greatest teachers and our desire to fit in, to emulate and be accepted is so influential it will impact how you see the world, the inflection in your voice, and how you do what you do. Do not underestimate how you are influenced by the people you associate with.

Those who dream to reach for the stars will take us there and those who see it as a flight of fancy, will surely show us how to stay on the ground. Individuality and "free will" is ultimately yours, but make no mistake those people around you heavily influence who and what you are... so choose well. And remember, the universe demands balance; as much as you are being influenced, you are also an influencer.

So ask yourself, "Am I dreaming for the stars?" And with that, remember you are helping others do the same.

You have been given this cosmic opportunity to make a difference. 

Our "success" as a species has been an iterative process - Person after person, generation after generation all striving to make a difference; all building upon themselves over countless generations, culminating in our current every day occurrences ... exploring our solar system, real time global communication, manipulating the building blocks of life, or understanding why we should plant two trees for every one we cut down - A continually growing list of what we can accomplish.

In total, they say 108 Billion people have lived on the earth since we "got involved" about 50,000 years ago* and all of them, with intent or not, have influenced where we find ourselves today. There are of course always the historical notables, sometimes simply because of good PR but the fact of the matter is, whether we go down in the history books or not, we as individuals can make a very conscious, impactful difference.

And if you listen to Wilferd A Peterson, you can make a difference that in it's humblest way leaves the world better than when you found it. 

Find your passion and bring the world along! A good definition of leadership, don't you think?

gpe 

* apologies to the creationists.

A man who carries a cat by the tail...

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way".

I read this the other day and smiled at the imagery it conjured up, as well as how it re-enforced Mark Twain as a master of the analogy. I will say up front I have not literally carried a cat by the tail, but I would envision something like this... 

A piercing cat cry, followed with screams and hisses of recognition, as the cat finds itself in a very unnatural vertical position facing the ground. Ears folded back and sharp incisors snapping, the cat brings it's claws to bear, violently lunging and contouring its sleek body up to defy gravity. The poor soul, who thought this was a good idea, tries to hold on to the tail, stay balanced and is forever compensating to avoid the angry cat's weaponry. And remember, the cat is being carried, so this is all happening on the move.

Reflecting on this somewhat comical and unsettling image, I can't help but think of it in the context of the challenging situations, problems and opportunities we can be faced with. Mark Twain is good that way, offering a full spectrum analogy.

Sometimes you just shouldn't carry a cat by the tail: I am a big believer of growing, changing and exploring new things, but sometimes it makes sense to leave well enough alone; particularly if you are not prepared for, or don't have a clear picture of what you will get from "carrying the cat"... other than expended energy, acquiring telltale scars, and haunting memories.

Sometimes you just have to carry a cat by the tail: Some say experience is the only real teacher and the only way to truly learn how to "carry a cat by the tail"... is to do it.

• You will learn how not to let go when the going gets difficult (or painful)
• You will learn new skills to deal with new situations. 
• You will learn how to adapt and manage ever changing dynamics.
• There is knowledge and development that only comes with what is inherently difficult.
• With some things, you can only learn from your mistakes.

Sometimes you have to carry a cat by the tail so one day you will be able to carry a "Tiger" by the tail: The premise of carrying a cat by the tail is that it is difficult by nature and by working through this difficulty; lessons, skills and knowledge come your way. With overcoming the challenges of carrying a cat, it prepares you for the time when you may need (or want) to carry a "Tiger" by the tail. And I will suggest they are magnitudes more difficult.

There is something about the image of carrying a cat by the tail that is simply a painful endeavour; something most people would not entertain. On the other hand, those who take on the metaphorical challenge of "carrying a cat by the tail", endure the struggle and the pain, will have learned unique and important skills that will serve them well in the future. So when challenging problems and situations present themselves, grab them and hold on.

Please note, I am not suggesting you literally carry a cat by the tail... it is just cruel, and I would suggest you will lose the battle, with a trip to the doctor in your future.

gpe 

Wanna know how you are doing?

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here

"OMG! It's going to hell in a hand basket, it's over... it's done! I will save you the trouble and throw myself under the bus... a complete failure!" Dramatic maybe, but have you ever taken this kind of perspective with something?  Wait before you answer...

You then look to another point of view, and although somewhat similar to yours, it tends to be different; more often than not doesn't involve a bus, you are on the right track, you are better off than you thought, and there's just more work ahead of you (granted, maybe a lot more).

If ever there was a truism, it is this - People will look at "situations" differently... and with that said, never assume the way you look at the situation is correct. "Situations" in this context can be anything... a problem, an opportunity, a team's performance, an individual (you)... name it. If you want to understand, improve, harness or deal with a situation effectively, you need to see it for what it is - To do this effectively, you need different points of view to get a true picture; increase your chances for success. It is at the heart of all effective planning and execution.

And there it is, the answer to "wanting to know how you are doing?" - Get other people's point of view regarding you and your situation... the more objective and tangible the point of view, the better. Expanding on this a little, here are some thoughts:

• If you have a strong sense of worth (ego) and a strong need to be "right", you have to "check this at the door". It will impede your ability to listen, let alone understand another point of view. If you find yourself getting defensive or outright dismissive, that is a sure sign you have work to do.
• Remember the question "how you are doing" has to be relative to something... ensure what that is has been clearly defined and there is context to the question.
• Getting a point of view from someone that thinks like you isn't very helpful and is just an elaborate exercise in self-validation. You need a point of view from someone with different ways of thinking, life perspective, credibility and experience.
• You need more than just one different point of view, which allows you to develop themes and ultimately a clearer picture of the situation. This creates a valid perspective of how you are doing.
• Depending on the situation, this can be an emotional question; we are human after all. Knowing this, think of "a point of view" as a constructive, intellectual exercise that helps develop clarity and understanding. If you are being asked for your point of view, do it with respect and appreciation that it can be a "big deal".
• If you are a people leader, you should be offering your constructive point of view before the question even gets asked.
• It never hurts to get mentors and set up an informal advisory council.

Ultimately, we are trying to scratch at the reality of a situation so we can develop the appropriate understanding and a plan of action moving forward. There is no doubt that different points of view will help you understand a situation clearer. But I would suggest there is something even more important, and that is, "asking the question in the first place".

With that, "How am I doing?"

gpe