Tag Archives: effort

No matter how good you shaved today

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“No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.”

—Reed Markham, University Professor & Author

Image from Unsplash by Supply

Today’s quote encapsulates a fundamental truth about life and personal growth.

It reminds us that excellence is not a one-time achievement, but a continuous process.

Just like shaving, our personal and professional development requires daily attention and effort. We can’t just rest on our laurels or past accomplishments. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth.

It’s not about perfection but about showing up every day, embracing the attributes of consistency and persistence. By adopting this mindset, we can cultivate lasting habits and achieve sustainable success in all areas of our lives.

EXERCISE:

Replace the word shaved in the following sentence:

No matter how good you __________ today, you have to do it again tomorrow to have the life you want.

I have never seen ordinary effort lead to extraordinary results

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“I have never seen ordinary effort lead to extraordinary results.”

—Alexander Wang, American fashion designer

Image from Unsplash by Fedor

Did you know that the Beatles developed their musical skills through intense and grueling work, particularly during their time in Hamburg, Germany?

Their extraordinary commitment to improvement involved several strategies, including:

  • Extensive practice: Playing for eight hours straight helped them develop confidence and greater technical skills.
  • Their rigorous work ethic often demanded that they play eight days a week.😊
  • Instead of playing the same sets over and over, the Hamburg performances required them to innovate and expand their musical repertoire making them more versatile and creative performers.
  • The band faced multiple rejections and were turned down by at least five record labels before finally getting a contract with EMI in June of 1962.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your world have you expected ordinary efforts to produce extraordinary results?

How can you apply more than a few hard days nights to have more extraordinary results come together for you?

You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoes

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“You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoes.”

—Marion Blakely, President and CEO for the Rolls Royce of America

Image from Unsplash by Khadeeja Yasser

Where are you trying to make your mark on the world?

Just like one of those rubber stamps that have begun to run out of ink, our ongoing efforts to accomplish things of note are often too light to leave the lasting imprint we want.

Where are you tip-toeing around in your life, reluctant to take a firm stand on what you value and believe? How have these modest efforts made only minimal impressions that are easily washed away with time?

EXERCISE:

Whether it’s through great force or repeated actions over time, what will it take for you to make the dents in the universe you deeply desire?

The bond of our common humanity is stronger

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“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness or our fears and prejudices.”

—Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States

Image from whitehouse.gov

Jimmy Carter is known for his commitment and efforts to enhance human rights at home and throughout the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his diplomacy and promoting peace through the Carter Center.

At the age of 100, his life stands as a powerful legacy of extraordinary contributions to global welfare, inspiring others to engage in a wide range of humanitarian work.

EXERCISE:

In what ways does your attitude and efforts support the bonds of our common humanity? How do and can you partner with others in your communities to create a more peaceful and unified world for everyone?

Friday Review: Effort

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Friday Review: Effort

Where do you put your strongest efforts in life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“People can’t jump on your bandwagon if it’s parked in the garage.”

 

 

 

“What is the least I can teach you that would be the most valuable?”

 

 

 

“Do my expectations match the level of effort I’m giving?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Effort only releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”

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“Effort only releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”

—Napoleon Hill, 20th Century American self-help author

Image from Unsplash by Scott Graham

My son Dan is very smart. In school he always got top grades with very little effort. As his dad, I always encouraged him to apply himself fully to realize even more of his potential.

One morning during his freshman year in college I tried getting him up early for an exam he had that day. Unfortunately, he dismissed my unwanted coaching as nagging, indicating that he already had a solid “A”.

The following year he transferred from Oakland University to the University of Michigan where he was no longer the sharpest tool in the shed. Seemingly overnight “B’s” replaced “A’s” and his ego took quite a hit.

With this rude awakening he then applied himself with considerable resolve to receive what he said was the best “A” he ever earned.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the most rewarding moments of your life? How often do you notice the correlation between your tenacity to never give up and the sweet satisfaction of realizing more of your potential?

“In the long term, you can’t get better results than your consistency.”

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“In the long term, you can’t get better results than your consistency.”

—Shane Parrish, author of Clear Thinking

Image from Unsplash by Jacob Rice

During the summer Olympics I joyfully watched with amazement the levels of excellence everywhere.

Two athletes that stood out for me were Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky.

One of the highlights for me was watching Katie swim the 1,500 meters, which she won by 10 seconds over the silver medalist. Katie now owns the twenty fastest times ever recorded and has swum over 23,000 miles in her lifetime, which is almost the circumference of the earth!

EXERCISE:

Where in your life have you been the most consistent in your efforts?

How has your dedication and stick-to-it-ness served you well and supported your success over the years?

Where might some added consistency serve you best in the days and years ahead?

Beautiful things come together a stitch at a time

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Beautiful things come together a stitch at a time. Pace your efforts and watch the tapestry of your life unfold.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Barbara Krysztofiak

Where do you find yourself rushing through your days, or adding a level of urgency to areas of life that are clearly unimportant?

Where did all this striving to keep up or get ahead originate?

Where do the concepts of peer pressure — or the fear of missing out — have you trying to pack twenty pounds of potatoes into a ten-pound bag?

Years ago, my wife belonged to a needle craft club where she created various works of art a stitch at a time.

Sometimes a two-hour session would result in only a few square inches of her evolving masterpiece. Years later, these pieces have become increasingly meaningful because of how her meticulous efforts led to a one-and-only creation.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world would a slower pace help you seek, find, and stitch together a more beautiful and meaningful life?

“We often work harder in our dreams than in our life.”

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“We often work harder in our dreams than in our life.”

—Mark Nepo, poet, teacher, and storyteller

Image from Unsplash by Hans Reniers

Although I don’t usually remember my dreams beyond the first minute or two after waking, I often find myself day-dreaming throughout the day.

When I watch others doing great things on TV or in my personal and professional communities, I often project myself into their efforts.

This form of wishful thinking and level of achievement is purely a mental exercise, and rarely if ever shows up in actual performance.

EXERCISE:

Where do you work harder in your dreams than in your life?

Where in your world is it time to give it your all and break a sweat?

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

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“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

—Anne Frank, celebrated diarist

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Today’s quote is one of my favorites.

It is all too easy these days to be discouraged by the troubling issues facing the world, given our instant access to current events. If it bleeds it leads has never been more prominent in our society.

There is, however, an abundance of good news out there if we look for it — or better yet, if we create it.

Although we can be overwhelmed and daunted by many challenges, we can also channel our inner Anne Frank as we rise each day to improve our part of this precious world.

Changing up your news feed habits may also be worth a go!

EXERCISE:

Where are you waiting and holding back on your best efforts to improve the world?

What are some steps you can and will take now and throughout 2024 to make your life and that of others more wonderful?