After traveling around the sun 34 times, I’ve picked up a few inspiring sentences – Some “absolutes” that have shown me ways to save time, enjoy life and get more accomplished. These truths are self-evident: Following them and making decisions based on their principles has never let me down.
As we enter a new year, I invite you to choose one of the following maxims that really piques your interest, and to follow it as something like a “New Year’s Resolution.” – I personally guarantee you will have a better year.
I do not claim ownership of any of the following statements. I will make every attempt to attribute.
- A pinch saves a pound.
If you see something coming in 5 minutes – or 5 years – There’s usually something small you can do right now that will go a long way to reduce what you have to do later. Rework always feels like a waste of time. Maybe you can print something and fill it out so when you show up the next day you’re first in line. Maybe you have to spend a Saturday here and there learning a skill so you can eventually work somewhere with paid vacations. Life is full of opportunities to take the easy way out; if you refuse them, you will eventually find that you have created for yourself an existence of effortless economy and scale. - When it rains, it pours.
“Why do bad things always happen to me?” You ask yourself. Life has a funny way of rewarding bad behavior and punishing those who do what’s right. Accept this and understand that good and bad things tend to be wrapped up in other seemingly related good and bad things. Steel yourself for the third or fourth or tenth bad thing to happen this week. Find ways to make a positive out of two negatives. Build rapport with people who can help you when you need it. - 85% of success is just showing up.
Some people put their opinions, their superior thoughts and ideas ahead of what really matters – showing up. Always strive to be on time, prepared and accountable for expected tasks. Build a reputation for consistency and dependability, not superlative. When the chips are down, you’ll be known as someone to lean on. When someone showboats and blows it, you’ll be there to take their place. When they showboat and don’t blow it – Celebrate their effort and stay tuned. - You are your own worst critic.
When you check in with yourself, remember that others don’t spend as much time with you. Make eye contact with yourself in the mirror and be honest. Know that your shortcomings are part of being human and there is nothing wrong with that because life is short. If you think you aren’t “enough” for any reason, it can be easy to focus on that and let other parts of yourself deteriorate. If you focus on acceptance and growth where you find you aren’t “enough,” that effort is what others will notice and you will be surprised at their positive image of you. It will top yours. So, take it easy on yourself. - It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.
Teamwork is the backbone of any true success story. Individuals obsessed with being “right,” “best” or “first” who spend their time listening to others only to craft their response are those who find themselves making difficult decisions more often. They gain friends who want to take advantage of them and distance those who actually care. If you look around and find opportunities to help, you’re moving things forward. Let people find out about how you are “right / best / first” from anyone other than yourself. - The fire you burn twice as bright lasts half as long.
Sometimes you want to dip into your reserves and make a scene – I’m guilty of peeling out with rear-wheel-drive and a powerful V8 – But think about what that does: It burns more fuel, it wears out tires, it stresses belts and hoses – and it puts other drivers and pedestrians at risk. If I don’t end up spending more money repairing my car, I could end up losing my license or my life. This is a metaphor for how you have so many opportunities to keep things to yourself – to economize your holdings in order to control entropy. Think about anything you find yourself running out of too quickly, whether it’s favors or weekends; razors or batteries; gasoline or empathy. If it feels foolish, it is. - The way you do one thing is the way you do everything.
This is my favorite maxim because it has helped me align myself with people who enrich my life while neatly maligning myself with those who don’t. Pay attention to the things people say and the actions they take in situations. Listen. Think: “Was that a good thing to say? Was that a good action to take?” This individual has just now shown you that they will approach lots of other situations with a similar mindset. This is a powerful perspective to hold, and it can be self-policing. - You’re alive for a short time – and dead for a long time.
My grandfather always used to say this and it blew my mind. Hold a rock in your palm and imagine the eons of time before you were born – You were dead. You did not matter. Imagine after you are gone, how much time will go by before the sun either burns out or swallows the earth – It won’t be any time soon. You have a hundred years (maybe.) Reflect on that and accept the enormity of space and time. Identify what in your life you really want, then do whatever you can to make it happen. - Everything looks better in the morning.
The provenance of this quote is General Colin Powell. It’s great, because with it one can make something out of nothing – The issues and problems that develop during the day can leave you at night in bed awake, staring at the ceiling. You must accept that you are used up, and cannot see your problem in another way. Go to sleep, because when you wake up you will have the ability to identify a new perspective and find a new way forward. It might take weeks or even years, but this is a way to achieve real change on your terms. - Meat is murder.
I credit Moz with this saying, but I’m certain he didn’t think of it. Do you ever wonder how they come up with the prices of meats? Some animals are harder to feed or raise, some take longer to mature – yet, “mutton” is anything over a year old; for it to be “lamb” it must be less than a year old – In the end, the classic supply/demand curve is what ultimately determines how much you will pay. Whole turkeys can be had for around $17 – unless they’re on sale at $14. Ask: How is this turkey’s life worth $14, or $17? Dare yourself to watch one of the horrible films that show exactly what happens in a slaughterhouse. Ask yourself: Do I have what it takes to kill a lamb? Lamb used to be my favorite, but January ’22 will mark three years I have gone without meat. Like quitting anything, the first few months can be difficult, but if you stick with it you will find that the benefits of a plant-based diet well outweigh the drawbacks.
Happy new year!
Leon
Leon Ferri 