Purpose precedes productivity. Before you pour yourself into a bunch of hard work, form a coherent concept of what you want and get clear on why it matters to you. As Simon Sinek says “start with why.”
Category: Broaden Your Horizons
Knowing What to Do Is Secondary
Knowing what to do isn’t necessarily a better situation to be in. It could be a symptom that you’re too comfortable with the familiar, that you’ve organized your life around routines and relationships that don’t challenge you anymore. And if that’s the case, perhaps you’re better off seeking a situation where you don’t know what to do.
You’re Always Ready to Begin Where You Are
Readiness is never absolute. At every moment, you’re always ready for some things and completely unready for others. But you always have a level of readiness that you can act on.
What’s Next?
When our sense of possibility is diminished, we compensate by placing blind faith in our negative assumptions or by convincing ourselves that we need to make positive ones. Instead of placing blind faith in your negative assumptions or forcing yourself to believe positive assumptions, try making zero assumptions.
An Honest Pessimist Is as Good as an Honest Optimist
It’s easy to dismiss all talk of negative things as “being pessimistic”, but even the optimist has to acknowledge negative truths in order to express his or her dedication to making the world a better place. After all, why seek to make the world better unless you believe there are ways in which it falls short?
The Gift That Keeps Giving
Generosity isn’t just about showing up for today. It’s about living in a way that increases your chances of showing up in the future. One of the best gifts you can give to the world is a version of yourself that never stops growing.
Where Would You Rather Spend Your Time?
When the people around you are getting lost in drama, ask yourself “Is my investment in this drama more rewarding to me than what I can learn, what I can create, what I can enjoy, and who I can love in this moment?”
Creating & Consuming Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
In your quest for knowledge, I suggest being a student of the game and a player of the game. As a player of the game, you constantly challenge yourself to make things happen. As a student of the game, you constantly challenge yourself to be inspired by what others are making happen.
Purpose & Process
Sometimes the goal of learning is to master a specific technique, language, or protocol. Sometimes the goal is to simply get to a desired destination in way that feels comfortable and convenient for the traveler.
How to Become a Self-Help Rock Star
Today I would like to say something about the value of enthusiasm and optimism, but the chances are high that you’ve already heard a million quotes about the virtues of whistling while you work or the value of doing everyday chores with a sense of pride. Instead of giving you another quote about this topic, I’ll share an important distinction: Inspirational philosophy versus Inspired practice.