Stopping is so much easier!

It's become quite obvious to me that stopping is easier than starting.  Even more obvious is that stopping is a million times easier than continuing!  I've started many times in life (this blog being just one example); and I've started over many times too!  The reason to start something over is either because that something is important to me or because I think it should be important and is worthy of trying again.

Since I am have no problem starting "things" and I have no problem re-starting "things", it's logical that where I fall down is in the area of continuing.  Perhaps we all fall short in this area?

No doubt that in my case it's because I lose focus on my "why" ... or worse, maybe I wasn't as passionate or as interested in "it" as I thought I was?  Maybe my "why" wasn't BIG enough to push away all the other distractions in life?

For 2019, I am making my primary goal to be honest with myself about my "why's" (a.k.a. my level of passion).  As a secondary goal I am going to focus on creating a cadence and building momentum so that I can create the good habit of continuing.  This coming year will be the year that I will continue towards my goals with purpose ... and if I stop doing something it too will be with purpose.

Happy New Year and God Bless!

Dead weight or ballast?

Your friends, associates, spouses ... are they "dead weight" or are they "ballast?"

There's a difference between dead weight or excess baggage and ballast.

We all need ballast, just like a ship does.

But there's no place in our lives for dead weight.  Dead weight slows you down.  Dead weight keeps you from performing at your peak.  Dead weight wears you out.  When you face headwinds in life that dead weight will bring you to a dead stop ... maybe even make you go backwards.  Maybe it will send you in the wrong direction, down the wrong path.

I love this quote and I think I've used it before, Mark Mero said "your friends are like an elevator, they can bring you down or they can bring you up."  So very true!

The ones that bring you down (physically, spiritually, etc) are "dead weight"... jettison them!  Be polite ... but don't spend too much time with them.  You will develop their habits, mannerisms and vocabulary. 

Take some time, step back and take a look at your friends ... do you really want to be like them?  Separate your friends/associates into two categories ... the "dead weight" category and the "ballast" category.

The ones that bring you up belong in the "ballast" category ... they're not perfect.  But they can help you set the right course, sail straight, they bring you up.  They don't always have all the right answers ... but they care and they won't steer you wrong.

To quote a corny phrase, the ones in your "ballast" category will be "the wind beneath your wings."  They will lift you up.  They will help you focus.  They will help you "be all that you can be."

Have a great and blessed day!