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?”
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Image from Unsplash by Gustavo Torres
Create a list of your favorite sports. Do you or have you played any of those mentioned here? Consider what it takes to perform optimally in each of them.
| Baseball | Bowling | Cricket | Football |
| Golf | Gymnastics | Hockey | Rugby |
| Soccer | Shuffleboard | Swimming | Tennis |
To what degree do you see the dance between effort and ease in these and other sports?
How are each of these qualities essential to play at a masterful level?
EXERCISE:
Where in your life is there too much effort or ease being applied?
How can you re-balance these qualities to perform even better moving forward?
Image from Unsplash by Product School
What are your thoughts about the statement You get what you expect? How do your own personal and professional results align with your expectations?
I am all about the power of positivity when and only when our efforts are consistent with our thinking.
In my observations and in lots of social science studies there seems to be a strong correlation between the harder we work, and the luckier we get.
EXERCISE:
How and where is it necessary to up your level of effort to match the expectations you have for yourself?
Where would raising your expectations and your level of effort be in order?
Image from Unsplash by Suzi Kim
What is your profession? How many hours do you typically work each week?
Consider the career of an accountant: seven days and over 80 hours a week is often the norm for many of these folks this time of year.
What about other professions such as those in the medical field during Covid and significant staff shortages?
Maybe you are a homemaker or caregiver with young children or aging parents who also needs to be a breadwinner. If any of these situations sounds familiar, you have likely reached and exceeded the point of diminishing returns.
EXERCISE:
What are the costs to you and others when you consistently go beyond your limits?
What new or different strategies can you employ when enough is more than enough?
Image from Unsplash by Nicholas Green
In how many areas of your life do you sit on the sidelines as a spectator?
Where in your personal or professional communities are you playing it safe, avoiding the bumps and bruises of the players on the field?
Whether it is in your career, a competitive sporting event, or even in a significant relationship, leaning in has its risks.
What potential rewards will never be realized if you are always keeping your distance?
EXERCISE:
Where is it time to lean into something of great importance or urgency?
How can you best prepare yourself for the possible hits you may receive in your efforts to reach some worthy objective?