OK, why am I making this hard? I'm formally recommitting to posting. I'm particuarly inspired by "Seth's Blog" (Seth Godin). Short and to the point. Sound bites that make a clear, simple point. So future posts seem easy when viewed in that light. I also love the idea of sharing other people's posts that inspire me. I had the great fortune of being interviewed recently for someone else's blog, so my post today is a link to that interview. Thank you Karen Reynolds, Acupuncturist!
http://www.karen-reynolds.com/
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
My colleague, Lindon Crow, wrote a fabulous article I wanted to share with my blog readers. Enjoy!
"Whenever I see Bruce Springsteen do anything, he empties the tank...every time.
He empties that tank for his family,
He empties that tank for his art,
He empties that tank for his audience,
He empties that tank for his country."
Jon Stewart honoring Bruce Springsteen.
Empty the Tank
I'm not sure if I can imagine a more honorable thing being said about a human being in just a few lines. It says nothing about his success; it says nothing in any way about the outcomes. It simply defines the character of a man and leaves the results to be judged by others.
The results we produce in our lives have importance to us and probably many others. Much of what we hope for is a product of what we accomplish. I care very much about the outcome of my efforts...but I've also learned that in the end I cannot control that outcome. What I'm left with is what's inside of me. What I bring to the game. It is my integrity, my commitment, my imagination, my sense of humor, my will and my love. For me, that's what it means to "empty the tank." I love that thought.
I love going to bed at night with an empty tank. I love heading home from leading a class with an empty tank. I have loved laying my young children down to sleep as my tank goes dry. One of the great feelings in my life is that moment when the final point goes down, and I know that I left nothing and my tank is empty. I pray that when I take my last breath--I will be leaving with my tank empty. It's the way I choose to live my life.
In addition I have always found that my tank refills. It's replenished, because while the outcome is uncontrollable, emptying my tank is my choice, and it's a choice that is fulfilling. It's just another wonderful irony of life. . . empty your tank to be fulfilled.
I believe that this is a good year to empty your tank as well. Each time you pick up the phone for business or pleasure give it your all. If there is a cause worthy of your time, empty your tank. If you're competing in a sport, pour out your energy full force. Each time you hold your loved one in your arms empty your heart.
Your primary reason for choosing to empty your tank is not based on the results you will get. Results often lead to inevitable disappointment. The core of this commitment comes from knowing that you will have already won regardless of the results. The experience of an extraordinary life is not in what happens but in the type of effort put into making things happen.
In 2010 "Empty the Tank" -- whenever you do anything, every time.
Lindon Crow
Co-founder and President
Productive Learning & Leisure LLC
"Whenever I see Bruce Springsteen do anything, he empties the tank...every time.
He empties that tank for his family,
He empties that tank for his art,
He empties that tank for his audience,
He empties that tank for his country."
Jon Stewart honoring Bruce Springsteen.
Empty the Tank
I'm not sure if I can imagine a more honorable thing being said about a human being in just a few lines. It says nothing about his success; it says nothing in any way about the outcomes. It simply defines the character of a man and leaves the results to be judged by others.
The results we produce in our lives have importance to us and probably many others. Much of what we hope for is a product of what we accomplish. I care very much about the outcome of my efforts...but I've also learned that in the end I cannot control that outcome. What I'm left with is what's inside of me. What I bring to the game. It is my integrity, my commitment, my imagination, my sense of humor, my will and my love. For me, that's what it means to "empty the tank." I love that thought.
I love going to bed at night with an empty tank. I love heading home from leading a class with an empty tank. I have loved laying my young children down to sleep as my tank goes dry. One of the great feelings in my life is that moment when the final point goes down, and I know that I left nothing and my tank is empty. I pray that when I take my last breath--I will be leaving with my tank empty. It's the way I choose to live my life.
In addition I have always found that my tank refills. It's replenished, because while the outcome is uncontrollable, emptying my tank is my choice, and it's a choice that is fulfilling. It's just another wonderful irony of life. . . empty your tank to be fulfilled.
I believe that this is a good year to empty your tank as well. Each time you pick up the phone for business or pleasure give it your all. If there is a cause worthy of your time, empty your tank. If you're competing in a sport, pour out your energy full force. Each time you hold your loved one in your arms empty your heart.
Your primary reason for choosing to empty your tank is not based on the results you will get. Results often lead to inevitable disappointment. The core of this commitment comes from knowing that you will have already won regardless of the results. The experience of an extraordinary life is not in what happens but in the type of effort put into making things happen.
In 2010 "Empty the Tank" -- whenever you do anything, every time.
Lindon Crow
Co-founder and President
Productive Learning & Leisure LLC
Saturday, September 19, 2009
And so here it is, the link to an article I submitted for publication, and sure enough, it was accepted:
http://thecommunityvoice.com/archive_article.php?id=325&articleType=news
No only accepted, they want more like this one on an ongoing basis. So this one (on "efficiency") came to me when I saw the topic because I think people often mis-assess problems and consequently come up with a solution that does them no good. That certainly applies to "getting organized". So writing on that topic was pretty easy. Now I'm told, "send us anything on business". Nothing. No ideas. Kinda like they teach us in referral marketing: ask for "anybody" or "somebody" and no one comes to mind. Name a specific person and I can tell you right away if I know that person and now we're getting somewhere. So I'm going to ask for help (Leaders Ask For Help!!) and post on my social networking sites a request for topic ideas. Hmmm. Let's see how that goes.
http://thecommunityvoice.com/archive_article.php?id=325&articleType=news
No only accepted, they want more like this one on an ongoing basis. So this one (on "efficiency") came to me when I saw the topic because I think people often mis-assess problems and consequently come up with a solution that does them no good. That certainly applies to "getting organized". So writing on that topic was pretty easy. Now I'm told, "send us anything on business". Nothing. No ideas. Kinda like they teach us in referral marketing: ask for "anybody" or "somebody" and no one comes to mind. Name a specific person and I can tell you right away if I know that person and now we're getting somewhere. So I'm going to ask for help (Leaders Ask For Help!!) and post on my social networking sites a request for topic ideas. Hmmm. Let's see how that goes.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Let's Get Started
It's been about 6 weeks since I was given the challenge to start to blog. Not for you, the reader who may stumble upon this, but for me. I was completing a 5 day intensive workshop called "Leadership and Authority" and it became clear that I was not telling a very compelling story to myself about myself as a leader - a requirement to be a good leader! "Blog about it" was my challenge. Done. Check that off the list. No, I know that the ongoing narrative I'm creating here is really what the assignment was about. So I've started it, which I have a feeling was really the hardest part. Following my own train of thought as this evolves could prove interesting, and hopefully enlightening as well. I did just recently have an article I wrote published, so if I can figure out some way to connect that to being a leader (sure, I know I can) maybe that will me my next post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
