Monday, November 21, 2011

I.M. Pei or I.M. Me?

Build your foundation.
Every month, I choose a new quote or saying and put it on a whiteboard in plain view.  All who enter my place are greeted with words of wisdom from various sources.  This month (albeit a little late!) I decided to post this one, by Robin Sharma.  When I saw it in Sam Glenn's book, A Kick in the Rear to Get You in Gear, it sparked my interest and I knew it had to be my quote of the month.

Consider this: what in your past has happened that you feel still defines who you are?  Parents' or your own divorce, educational experiences or lack thereof, socio-economic status, being laid off, etc.  Who cares?  It happened and there is literally NO way to change the event (unless time-travel is real, in which case disregard this post!).  Instead of trying to change the event, focus on changing your mindset to achieve a better result for the future.  It is easy to crawl into bed and lay there bundled in your safety blankets in the fetal position after something bad happens.  Don't be ashamed, we've all done it, but the point is to ask ourselves why?  Does it really accomplish anything, or are we just wallowing in our own self pity? How many high-success-percentage decisions can you really make from your state of self-pity? Really, there's only one that works, and that's to get out from under the covers.  The world does not stop for you or anyone else, and if you're not moving with it, then it is passing you by every second.

If you're allowing yourself to look backwards at something you have no power over, are you exerting power over what you do have control over, or being consumed by something that doesn't matter?  You have control over two of the most powerful entities in this world, YOUR attitude, and YOUR effort.  Those are the building blocks that you use as an architect of your own future, they are all you have.  Everything else comes as a byproduct of those two things--they are the foundation to YOUR future and present. They must be reinforced every day with the steel of your will power.  Allowing your past (whether its 20 years or 20 seconds) to define those two things weakens the foundation of your present and future.  

Find your special reason, break free from the vices that bind you in your past, and create with your enthusiasm, effort, and attitude, a positive and worthwhile present and future.

AR

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