The following is a quote that describes my pursuits-every day:
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." – Theodore Roosevelt
The relevance still remains. Good to look back to look forward. Wrote the following post about 2 1/2 years ago:
Talked to my attorney this morning over breakfast (no problems, he's a friend too). We got to talking about security inside of corporate America. I, of course, said security in corporate America is pure fantasy. No bitterness hear, just the facts ma'am.
As we talked, I went out of my way to mention that corporate America is pretty young from a historical point of view. Why is that important? The winds of change blow harder on youth.
The main point here is to alert you to what I believe are some dangers (keep in-mind danger is a relative term) ahead for corporate America:
The flight of talented men and women to entrepreneur ventures. I personally see this as a good thing. I like the idea of small and nimble organizations increasing. Besides, anytime you increase the odds against bureaucracy, the world is a better place.
The harvest from the bad seeds of poor leadership. Some organizations have failed in this area for so long that poor leadership is part of the culture. And we know how powerful culture is.
Apathetic employees who spend extended (10+ years) inside of the same organization. Apathy works well when things are going swimmingly, not so well when the tough times come.
Age demographics.
Prosperity. It was once said that Rome was never conquered, because it committed suicide.
HR departments that have no true say in the corporation's future, but are asked to babysit/discipline employees (managers and staff) who are doing their own thing.
Workers that have no vision. Without vision, an organization will crumble slowly over time.
Each of the seven dangers are solvable. But the greater issue is do we have the courage to solve?
I was at a retreat this past weekend. It was great. The teacher/workshop leader was fabulous. One thing that hit me deeply was when a couple of table-mates told me, rather prophetically, that my vision would lead to further influenicng of the world I run in. It was good to hear that.
This post is not about me, except when I misbehave. And misbehavior is the point. This post is about the self-centered influencers out there. You know who I'm talking about. But if you don't, the following is a short list of descriptions:
Evasive in conversation
No eye contact
Clique prone
Two or three faces
Deeply insecure
The self-centered influencer has influence beyond position and they tend to be very needy. These folks really should be in a cube far away from any being who needs connection.
So what happened? How'd they get to be this way? I don't have all the answers, but here are my thoughts:
The influencer never grew up. Those who should have held them accountable early on abdicated the responsibility or found no time to make the tough decisions.
The pursuit to grow skills outpaced the pursuit to grow character.
The organizations (workplace, church, association, home) to which the influencer called home, enabled in the name of fear, money and/or productivity.
The influencer ignored the path of legacy. In other words, if we knew what we were leaving behind we'd be in awe with humility added.
The influencer believed the lies told by their own inner-voice.
It's been some time, but I felt now would be appropriate. Losing, winning, missing all seem to have their place when a loved one passes. In my case my dad almost two years removed.
I've made some heroic attempts at understanding my relationship with a man named Charles. Not sure I'll ever fully get it, but Sting's song Ghost Story is an ironic portrait of my relationship with my dad. Kismet. I thought I would share here as I make my way through a long journey.
I watch the Western sky The sun is sinking The geese are flying South It sets me thinking
I did not miss you much I did not suffer What did not kill me Just made me tougher
I feel the winter come His icy sinews Now in the fire light The case continues
Another night in court The same old trial The same old questions asked The same denial
The shadows closely run Like jury members I look for answers in The fire's embers
Why was I missing then That whole December I give my usual line: I don't remember
Another winter comes His icy fingers creep Into these bones of mine These memories never sleep
And all these differences A cloak I borrow We kept our distances Why should it follow I must have loved you
What is the force that binds the stars I wore this mask to hide my scars What is the power that pulls the tide I never could find a place to hide
What moves the Earth around the sun What could I do but run and run and run Afraid to love, afraid to fail A mast without a sail
The moon's a fingernail and slowly sinking Another day begins and now I'm thinking That this indifference was my invention When everything I did sought your attention
You were my compass star You were my measure You were a pirate's map A buried treasure
If this was all correct The last thing I'd expect The prosecution rests It's time that I confess: I must have loved you
Just returned from a great time away on the East Coast of the United States. It was the longest holiday my family and I have ever taken and it is the main reason I've been silent from blogging.
I've been reading Simon Sinek's book, Start with Why and I took it along with me on my sabbatical. The book is great, but more importantly it has ignited some discoveries that before were question marks in my Epic Living journey.
When I started Epic Living, when I wrote the book, when I truly committed to entrepreneurship as the portal for my mission, I couldn't (still can't) explain my motivations for doing my work other than; "I have to do this" or "God placed this in my heart to come out." Crazy or not, that's pretty much how things unfolded-still do.
In Sinek's book, the essential question is "why?" I have answered that question in head, but more importantly in my heart. Maybe you already know this.
Epic Living is about helping people find and keep breakthroughs in the following facets:
The Spiritual
The Mental and Emotional
The Physical
The Financial
The activities that are impacted range from career, physical health, personal finances, leadership/personal development, and more. To be sure, this story has not been fully unfolded. In the coming days and months this will happen.
Had someone tell me last week that your authentic swing is found in the "letting it flow" zone. Don't know why that analogy struck like it did, but Neal's got a good grasp on things.
Today I'm talking with a business partner and friend about the courage it takes to pursue dreams, and the courage to hold onto them when the head-winds come. This is hard work.
What I find ironic and tragic about where we're at-America specifically-is most people view dreams as some outrageous risk. In other words, something that only fools and gamblers engage in.
What if our dreams are directions to living out what was poured into us? What if the Matrix is just trying to get us off course, so we will wake up to a life of regret?
There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest security and safety is found in our dreams-the authentic variety.
Do you believe this? If it is, what are you doing about it?
