The Power of Words
Starting Each Day With A Little Thinking...
Extreme
Incrementalism is boring. It can be very effective but it just takes so darn long. That’s why when I’m faced with a challenge I prefer to look at the extreme solution. Rarely does it result in either a good or desired outcome. However, often it defines the boundaries clearly; and, in so doing allows a previously un-thought of approach to emerge.
Taking the extreme view, position, or action is often necessary if one desires to drive change. It should not be done lightly as working at the extremes is often fraught with risk. However, it is often the best way to push the boundaries and discover new and innovative things. Further, in today’s world, taking such risks is rarely that costly. Think about the last time you failed. Did your family go hungry? Did it really have a huge effect on your well-being? Does anyone else even remember? While we’ve progressed as a society to the point where our safety, security, and well-being is rarely jeopardized by failures, we’re still mired in the risk avoidance mindsets that protected us earlier in our evolutionary journey.
The implications of this are huge. Taking extreme risks today are rarely met with the same degree of consequences as in the past. The only thing stopping us from taking these risks is our pre-conceived thoughts on what failure will involve. Once we get over this fear of failure, taking risks – and in turn the corresponding rewards – come much easier.
With that in mind:
When was the last time you questioned your definition of extreme?
As always, thanks for the time.
A FAVOR TO REQUEST – If you enjoy reading these posts, please share with a friend or two. My goal is to help as many folks find ways to learn, grow and live more fully. Thanks
Defy
While we would like to think of ourselves as independent and willing to go against social norms, that is normally not the case. Stepping forward and defying these norms normally calls attention to us, makes us feel uneasy, and often leads to consequences. It’s much easier to simply go along and NOT defy authority.
It’s also a whole lot more boring and rarely results in discovering anything new! Perhaps the best quote to illustrate this is from Laurel Thatcher Ulrich that states that “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History”. She definitely knew her stuff!
There’s certainly a lot of risk in defying authority. But, as is the case most of the time, where there is risk there is reward.
With that in mind:
Are you willing to take the risk and defy conventional ways of thinking?
As always, thanks for the time.
A FAVOR TO REQUEST – If you enjoy reading these posts, please share with a friend or two. My goal is to help as many folks find ways to learn, grow and live more fully. Thanks
Bait
Anyone who has spent much time around me knows that I love to fish. Many of them actually think that I’m crazy for how much time I spend thinking about and planning for the activity. Much of the time is spent figuring out what bait to throw.
The process involves factoring in a huge number of environmental conditions to ascertain which lure is the most likely to produce the desired result. While there’s never a certainty, it’s often the case that choosing the right bait will greatly improve your probability of success. Conversely, the fish would be well served if he/she could recognize what is a bait and what’s forage. In fact, failure on their part to distinguish between an artificial bait and real forage has significant consequences for them.
Such is the case for each and every one of us. We’re constantly being exposed to “bait” that vies for our time and dollars. Much of it is exceedingly attractive and tempting. That’s by design. But just like the fish, we need to learn to recognize what’s real and what’s artificial. If we don’t, just like the fish, we’ll face real consequences.
With that in mind:
Are you going to take the bait?
As always, thanks for the time.
A FAVOR TO REQUEST – If you enjoy reading these posts, please share with a friend or two. My goal is to help as many folks find ways to learn, grow and live more fully. Thanks
Afford
Almost always when someone speaks of “not being able to afford that” there is a reference to one of two things: time or money. That’s why the topic of “afford” is so important – every time we speak of what we can or cannot afford, we demonstrate the relative value we put on time versus money.
Ultimately we all make trade-offs; and, in so doing, demonstrate what we value.
The question is will you make these trade-offs consciously or unconsciously.
With that in mind:
How much time can you afford to spend chasing money?
As always, thanks for the time.
A FAVOR TO REQUEST – If you enjoy reading these posts, please share with a friend or two. My goal is to help as many folks find ways to learn, grow and live more fully. Thanks
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