Author: Mark S. Brown

Right, Wrong, Legal, Illegal

Life would be easier if there was no grey area between legal and illegal or between right and wrong. But if you are like me, you can find yourself in situations that are difficult.

I know the difference between right and wrong, and the difference between legal and illegal. But what if following the law injures another person? What if doing what you believe is right, breaks the law? In these cases, you can find a vicious debate.

I am driven more by moral values than I am by the laws written by other people. I also recognize that being morally right does not allow me to judge others. In today’s culture, we are experiencing conflict about gun control, abortion, gender, euthanasia, immigration, global consumption and growth.

This topic has been on my mind since I read a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. She said, “When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?” I can also restate that from another perspective as, “When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than accept it as a cost of our greed?”

Moral dilemmas have existed throughout history. To me it is important how I act, and how I respond. Yet, I can only make a difference if I understand the issues. Listening to one or even both sides of the argument by itself does not help. Both sides will claim to be right.

Is it right or wrong, legal or illegal? Because in today’s culture every voice can be heard, it has made finding the truth more difficult. But if we listen to Eleanor, preventing human misery may help us start. How do you deal with all the conflict that invades your daily life?

A Celebration of Generosity

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan

The word today in this quote made me pause and think about my efforts in helping others. My business is about helping others, and I also volunteer with several local organizations. Yet it made me reflect on the value I have for generosity.

The first thought that comes to most of our minds is money. But generosity is much more. It is as simple as taking the time to provide a service to another person. Life would be very boring if we were not driven to help others. Helping a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a neighbor is what can give our life significance on a daily basis.

Most of my service time is spent with groups organized through the church, but I also spend time mentoring others. Many professionals provide  some pro bono work, and I decided i would like to do the same. I have never thought of coaching in terms of a generosity I can provide.  Going forward a portion of my coaching hours each month will be provided on a pro bono basis.

I have provided sample coaching sessions in the past to potential clients, but I am excited that this venture will be different. This will not be an introduction to coaching, but ongoing coaching. I plan to offer selected individuals at a minimum three months of coaching. I would like to use 10% of my monthly work hours in this fashion.

Interested? Stay tuned to this newsletter (or register if you are not already registered) for more information in the next week or two. I am ready to celebrate my ability to help others, what can you do to be more generous on a daily basis?

A Good Mentor Gives Feedback

“Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It’s the only way we grow.” – George Lucas

We benefit from a mentor by learning from their experience. However, a great mentor will go beyond that basic premise and provide specific feedback for improvement and growth.

A mentoring relationship that is well developed breaks down the barriers to open dialogue. High levels of success are achievable when you and your mentor embrace the following in your relationship.

1. Be humble. We like to impress people with our knowledge and experience. A great mentoring relationship is not based on pride, but on humility.

2. Be authentic. We tend to exaggerate important moments in our lives. We live them several times in our memories, and they tend to take on even more importance. A great mentoring relationship defines the reality of challenges and goals. It allows discussion of unaltered truth.

3. Be realistic. We desire immediate results from our efforts. A great mentoring relationship will balance short term and long term gains. When we achieve short term improvements while working on longer term benefits, we will have exceptional results that last.

Developing a relationship that is productive takes time. Time is what allows trust and respect to grow. Finding a great mentor is a challenge worth the effort.

Don’t Let Perfection Get in the Way

Perfection is defined as reaching the highest attainable standard. In my experience we are sometimes stalled by focusing on perfection. If you have ever delayed taking action because you are afraid that you are not ready or something is not good enough, then you understand how perfection can get in the way of progress. Here are some thoughts on perfection.

1. Don’t confuse perfection and excellence. Excellence requires great results, not perfect results. Release yourself from perfection and create  excellence.

2. Action provides the process to change a vision of perfection into something tangible. Any form of perfection, or even excellence, only resides within our mind until we take action. Ideas need to be turned into results which can only happen with action..

3. Mistakes drive improvement. We improve through practice. We learn from mistakes. We can only get better by making the mistakes that provide insight into advancement.

“Perfection belongs to narrated events, not to those we live.” said Primo Levi. Life is messy. Only in our minds can perfection exist, and I don’t want to let it get in my way.