Motivation

There are only three decisions you make in life – what you do; who you do it with; and where you do it. 

There are plenty of options to consider.  And they change constantly and increase exponentially.

Fortunately, there are fundamental guidelines to help understand the ’why’ and ‘how’ questions that arise as you decide what to do, where and with whom.

Earl Nightingale offers this perspective:

A wise, older man named Paul offered some advice to a younger man named Tim.  Paul’s advice presents the right mindset to have as you consider what to do, with whom and where.  He said: “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Run your best in the race of faith… Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, not to place their hope in wealth, which is uncertain, but in God, who provides us everything for our enjoyment..  Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others.  In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future.  And they will be able to win the life which is true life.”

The underlying wisdom of the message: Do the ‘right’ thing;  Don’t be too hung up or obsessed with (material) wealth; Be compassionate, respectful and generous toward your fellow man.  Implicit in the message is to live by example.

So as you consider these guidelines while you decide ‘what to do’ with life, it seems ‘what’ you do is not as important as ‘how’ you do what you do.  As Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said, “Every calling is great when greatly pursued.”

So what is there to do?  The rate of change in life requires continual re-adjusting.

A modern-day variation on Paul’s wisdom above is offered by James R. Fisher, Jr., who wrote: 

“In my years as a corporate executive and then consultant, I’ve learned this:  while technical systems change rapidly, the systems that govern our social behavior have evolved little in 2000 years.  And we get what we want out of life only by working with and through others.

To maintain that perspective in my life, I wrote down some rules that seem to flow from it.  Here they are: 

• To have a friend, you must be a friend, starting with yourself. 
• The greatest hunger a person has is to be needed.  Help create that feeling in others.
• The greatest virtue is kindness.  You can’t love everyone, but you can be kind to everyone.
• Don’t try to impress others.  Let them have the fun of impressing you.
• Be enthusiastic.  Nothing of consequence was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
• Be positive.  Positive people attract others, while negative people repel.
• You have greater impact on others by the way you listen than by the way you talk.
• Gossip cheapens the one who gossips more than the one gossiped about.
• Call a person by his or her name and use it often in conversation.
• Communicate cheerfulness.
• Differences are bound to occur and can be resolved if conflict is managed in a polite manner.
• If you are given to making fun of someone, be sure it is of yourself.
• Be genuinely interested in others.  Get them to talk about themselves.
• A smile doesn’t cost anything and pays big dividends.  Not only does it make you feel good, but it makes everyone else feel better too.
• Be the first to say, “Hello!  Good to see you.” 
• “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  The golden rule is where it all begins and ends.”

So, how will you decide?

“Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities – always see them for they’re always there.”- Norman Vincent Peale    

This, along with the James quote about Opportunities, tells you about Scott Scholz.  See the possibilities; consider new options alongside the proven ones.

Test the edges.  If you fall down or fall off, get up or get back on, and get it on again.  Your world will only get richer from the experiences.  Add to them.