Years ago a friend of mine from Nepal told me a story about how to catch a monkey:
You cut the top off a coconut, you tie the coconut to a stake or a tree, you put some peanuts in the coconut and then you wait patiently. When a hungry (and greedy) little monkey comes along it will reach its hand into the coconut, it'll make a fist as it grabs the peanuts and then it will struggle to get free. The silly, greedy, little monkey will keep his hand clenched for a while because he really wants the peanuts in the coconut ... giving you ample time to run up and grab the monkey. I may not remember the story correctly, but I believe that once caught the monkey's name was changed to "dinner".
Are you like the monkey in the story? Are you hanging onto something that is dangerous, worthless or useless ... but is keeping you from moving on in life? Have you been hanging onto something or someone from your past in an unhealthy way.
Don't be like the monkey in the story. You need to understand that many times letting go of something will allow you to move on, to survive ... even to thrive! It may be a bad habit of yours, a flawed philosophy or an unhealthy relationship. Understand that bad habits can be replaced with good habits; flawed philosophies can be replaced with proven ones; and, bad relationships can be replaced with healthy ones (there are seven billion people in the world ... it's time to move on!)
The silly, greedy, little monkey became dinner ... don't be like the monkey!
Have a great day!
Monday, February 15, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
The Best Advice EVER!
I've gotten a lot of advice through the years ... I usually didn't realize how great it was until days (sometimes years) later!
And the very best advice I've ever received was "Don't ever offer anyone advice unless they asked you for advice!" I can't recall where that advice came from , but wow ... can you imagine having to wait for someone to ask for your opinion or advice before you gave it to them?
Through the years I've found that this goes just about 100% against my nature. I'm not saying that everything that comes out of my mouth is the best idea ever or is guaranteed to work. It's just that I've got a curious mind and I'm always trying to solve ("fix") problems, things or people.
I've heard that (generically speaking) this is a very much a guy problem. It seems women are naturally better at just being there and listening. While I am trying harder, it's not easy to change old habits or your innate nature. What I've finally come to realize though (as people complain about their circumstances to me) is that most just want to complain. They may say that they are just "venting", but I feel that they are actually looking for pity. Pity for them and pity for their circumstances. And when you offer them unsolicited advice ... (gasp!) ... they are sometimes offended! To many, having a possible solution means that they can no longer play the victim. There are some people that just don't like you taking away their victim card.
In any case, for 2016:
And the very best advice I've ever received was "Don't ever offer anyone advice unless they asked you for advice!" I can't recall where that advice came from , but wow ... can you imagine having to wait for someone to ask for your opinion or advice before you gave it to them?
Through the years I've found that this goes just about 100% against my nature. I'm not saying that everything that comes out of my mouth is the best idea ever or is guaranteed to work. It's just that I've got a curious mind and I'm always trying to solve ("fix") problems, things or people.
I've heard that (generically speaking) this is a very much a guy problem. It seems women are naturally better at just being there and listening. While I am trying harder, it's not easy to change old habits or your innate nature. What I've finally come to realize though (as people complain about their circumstances to me) is that most just want to complain. They may say that they are just "venting", but I feel that they are actually looking for pity. Pity for them and pity for their circumstances. And when you offer them unsolicited advice ... (gasp!) ... they are sometimes offended! To many, having a possible solution means that they can no longer play the victim. There are some people that just don't like you taking away their victim card.
In any case, for 2016:
- I will try (really, really hard) to be a good listener
- I will focus most of my advice on the guy in the mirror (sharing here for any/all that are interested)
- I will do my best to set healthy boundaries for my children
- I will strive to be a great example for everyone in my life
- And, I will lay in wait, with my ears wide open, listening for the words "I need your advice." Or, "can I get your opinion on something?"
Monday, February 1, 2016
Mentors and Inspirations
Do you have mentors and/or people who inspire you? If you profiled them would they be younger, older, stronger, healthier?
Not to long ago I had to participate in an exercise at work where we had to pick three mentors and explain why. Once everyone was done writing, several people were called on to share with the crowd who they picked and why. Some of their mentors were actually in the crowd. The "mentors" were humbly surprised. I thought that was cool.
Then I noticed that some of the mentors were actually younger than the people that were learning/looking up to them. Then I realized the mentors came from entirely different backgrounds, educations and professional paths than the people who selected them.
This changed my whole perspective on mentors and who I could find inspiration from. Previously, I had thought that a mentor had to meet a certain age or life experience level. Sixty? Seventy? Eighty? Someone who has started 4, 5, 6 companies?
Now I look to different age groups and different walks of life to find my inspiration, guidance, mentoring ... and you should too! For example, children are great at helping you increase your curiosity and creativeness. Children never stop asking questions and their creativeness is boundless. In their world pigs can fly and unicorns hide when adults are near.
If you want to increase your decisiveness look to someone who has flown experimental planes, served in combat or is a policeman/firefighter. Have you ever been the first person to fly a plane that's never been off the ground before? Many times things will go awry and you have to make a quick life saving decision. Having to make life saving decisions daily will sharpen your abilities!
If you want to improve your health find someone who is in much better shape than you and study their habits (what they eat, how they exercise, etc). I have a neighbor that is at least twenty years older than me and I think that he will outlive me. He's in great health and never stops moving!
Whatever area of your life you are looking to improve you can find mentors and inspirations all around you. And, you will find that they will be flattered and happy to help you in your pursuit! Even if you never meet your mentor, look for biographies, books and magazine articles on them and you will likely gain the inspiration and direction that you need. More mentor ideas listed below.
Have a great day!
Want to be ... Mentor:
Actor ... DiCaprio, Hanks, Nicholson
Actress ... Johansson, Jolie, Lawrence, Berry
Athlete ... Jordan, Woods, Manning, Brady, Federer, Dawes, Williams
Villain ... The Joker, Mussolini, Hitler,Scarlett Overkill
Hero/Saint ... Jesus, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela
Not to long ago I had to participate in an exercise at work where we had to pick three mentors and explain why. Once everyone was done writing, several people were called on to share with the crowd who they picked and why. Some of their mentors were actually in the crowd. The "mentors" were humbly surprised. I thought that was cool.
Then I noticed that some of the mentors were actually younger than the people that were learning/looking up to them. Then I realized the mentors came from entirely different backgrounds, educations and professional paths than the people who selected them.
This changed my whole perspective on mentors and who I could find inspiration from. Previously, I had thought that a mentor had to meet a certain age or life experience level. Sixty? Seventy? Eighty? Someone who has started 4, 5, 6 companies?
Now I look to different age groups and different walks of life to find my inspiration, guidance, mentoring ... and you should too! For example, children are great at helping you increase your curiosity and creativeness. Children never stop asking questions and their creativeness is boundless. In their world pigs can fly and unicorns hide when adults are near.
If you want to increase your decisiveness look to someone who has flown experimental planes, served in combat or is a policeman/firefighter. Have you ever been the first person to fly a plane that's never been off the ground before? Many times things will go awry and you have to make a quick life saving decision. Having to make life saving decisions daily will sharpen your abilities!
If you want to improve your health find someone who is in much better shape than you and study their habits (what they eat, how they exercise, etc). I have a neighbor that is at least twenty years older than me and I think that he will outlive me. He's in great health and never stops moving!
Whatever area of your life you are looking to improve you can find mentors and inspirations all around you. And, you will find that they will be flattered and happy to help you in your pursuit! Even if you never meet your mentor, look for biographies, books and magazine articles on them and you will likely gain the inspiration and direction that you need. More mentor ideas listed below.
Have a great day!
Want to be ... Mentor:
Actor ... DiCaprio, Hanks, Nicholson
Actress ... Johansson, Jolie, Lawrence, Berry
Athlete ... Jordan, Woods, Manning, Brady, Federer, Dawes, Williams
Villain ... The Joker, Mussolini, Hitler,Scarlett Overkill
Hero/Saint ... Jesus, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela
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