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The best way to change the world is in concentric circles

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“The best way to change the world is in concentric circles; start with yourself and work your way out from there.”

—James Clear, author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Pablò

Whenever I think of concentric circles I see an archery target.

As a kid, I had the terrific opportunity to go to Camp Indian Lake in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania every summer.

Archery was a skill we all had the chance to experience. Drawing the bow and setting our sights on the bullseye was always the goal, and no one ever got hurt.

Today, the thought of giving a bunch of 10-year-olds bows and arrows seems pretty crazy!

As an adult, playing darts fits nicely in this concentric circle concept, where the spokes and areas beyond the bullseye come into play.

EXERCISE:

How can you change the world by applying this concentric circle idea to yourself and the world around you?

If you’re not willing to do a wholesale 24/7,100% swap with who that person is

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“If you’re not willing to do a wholesale 24/7,100% swap with who that person is, then there is no point in being jealous.”

—Naval Ravikant, Indian-American entrepreneur and investor

Image from Unsplash by PCM

What did you want to be when you were a kid? Who were your heroes, and how often did you imagine being them?

What about these days?

How often do your thoughts detour to trading places with the rich and famous? If you were to find a magic lamp, how would you use those wishes to swap out your life for some alternative picture of perfect?

Where do you currently feel the pangs of envy and jealousy?

Who are the people you actually know that seem to have it all? How do you feel around them when your habit of making comparisons kicks in?

EXERCISE:

Take a closer look at your life.

If possible, dig below the surface of your initial superlative assessments of others.

Perhaps they may actually be a bit jealous of you.

FRIDAY REVIEW: PREJUDICE

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FRIDAY REVIEW: PREJUDICE

How do you view prejudice in your life and the world around you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.”

 

 

 

“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”

 

 

 

“Dogs bark at those they do not know.”

 

 

 

The chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished

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“The chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished.”

—Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of Wired magazine

Image from Unsplash by Esther Ann

Regardless of your age, how do you stay young at heart?

The other day I was feeling my age and didn’t like it very much.

I’m reading Arthur Brooks new book From Strength to Strength, and I’ve reached the chapters where he describes the overwhelming evidence of how we decline from our peak capabilities far sooner than we care to admit.

Putting our heads down and striving even harder is usually not the answer and often compounds our frustrations.

There is considerable evidence that life satisfaction for many people tends to increase once they shift their attention from personal success to a life of significance where they pour their skills and wisdom into others.

Doing this type of work as a coach for many years keeps my moments of astonishment coming and, on most days, puts pep in my steps.

EXERCISE:

What are the activities that astonish you with excitement and wonder?

How and where can you engage in more of these to remain forever young?

Friday Review: Ambition

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Friday Review: Ambition

How well-defined are your ambitions? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

 

 

 

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

 

 

“We are capable of greater things than we realize.”

 

 

 

 

I am the me I choose to be

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“I am the me I choose to be.”

—Sidney Pottier, first black male to win the Best Actor Academy Award

Image from Unsplash by Pierre Bamin

Today’s quote seems like a modern version of Shakespeare’s famous line, To thine own self be true.

To what degree are you the “thee” you choose to be?

With all the pushing and pulling on us by outside forces, many of us have exchanged followers and likes for a bit of our souls.

Being a chameleon and constantly trying to please others almost always moves us away from our authentic selves.

In what ways have you or others close to you given away the power to choose and lost your way?

EXERCISE:

On what issues is it time to more courageously choose your most genuine self to receive the only essential “like” worth pursuing?

A penny will hide the biggest star in the universe

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“A penny will hide the biggest star in the universe if you hold it close enough to your eye.”

—Samuel Grafton, 20th Century American Journalist

Image from Unsplash by Daniil Kuželev

We all experience hyper-focus from time to time. Some top priority grabs our complete attention and the rest of the world just disappears.

What are the benefits and costs to you personally and professionally in such situations? What is one such priority that comes to mind today or in the recent past where this was an opportunity or an issue?

EXERCISE:

Where in your life is keeping things too close blocking your view of other stars that need your attention?

FRIDAY REVIEW: POTENTIAL

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FRIDAY REVIEW: POTENTIAL

Who in your communities has the most potential? Which among them would name you to their list? Here are a few potential-related posts you may have missed.

 

“There’s no such thing as overachievers; there are only under-estimators.”

 

 

 

“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”

 

 

 

 

“The challenges that we face test us and help reveal our true potential.”

 

 

 

 

“Love, like the ocean, continues beyond the horizon. And life, like the sun, shines where we cannot see.”

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“Love, like the ocean, continues beyond the horizon. And life, like the sun, shines where we cannot see.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Aaron Doucett

A friend and client named Doug sent me today’s quote in a condolence card upon the passing of my father, Marvin, in early March.

Since my dad’s passing after a remarkable 94 years, I have noticed many significant signs that it was only his body that died. His spirit and soul are still very present beyond the horizon we can see with our mortal capacities.

As I was preparing my breakfast the day after Dad died, I looked out the window and saw a cardinal.

I’ve been told that when God sends a cardinal, it’s a visitor from heaven. Cardinals appear when loved ones are near. When you keep seeing a certain type of bird, it is usually a heaven-sent messenger of love for you. `

EXERCISE:

Take some time today to reflect on some of the important people in your life who have passed away. Note examples of how they continue to shine and show their love in your life.

Please reply to this post if you wish to share your own perspective and experiences.

“Don’t be afraid of shitty first drafts.”

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“Don’t be afraid of shitty first drafts.”

—Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird

Image from Unsplash by Thought Catalog

Bird by Bird is considered by many the bible of writing guides. It has sold non-stop since it was published in the 1990s. Today’s quote is a poignant nugget of Anne Lamott’s wisdom, gleaned from her many years of trial and error to give voice to her calling to write well.

The subtitle, Instructions on Writing and Life, points to the iterative nature of both. Capturing one’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings in words and deeds can often be pretty messy, especially during the early stages.

EXERCISE:

Where are you afraid that your initial drafts on some worthy goal or project are pretty awful?

How can and will you continue to develop second, third, and perhaps many more drafts, to fully express yourself throughout the rest of your life?