Category: Attitude

What We Believe

Gandhi said, “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”

What we believe is our foundation, and building on those beliefs can transform our life’s journey. This quote can help us explore and develop specific personal growth plans for our life.

For example, select something important to you. It should be an area in which you want to grow. It could be faith, friends, business, community, or a specific skill. Then spend time reflecting on these questions starting with your basic beliefs, and narrow your focus to the area you selected.

1. Beliefs: How can we explore the foundation of our beliefs? How can we strengthen our beliefs? What opposing beliefs exist in current culture? What defining facts are the basis for our beliefs?

2. Thoughts: When do I take time to transform beliefs into thoughts? How are my beliefs reflected in my thoughts? Are my thoughts productive? How could my thinking be more aligned with my beliefs?

3. Words: Can people see my beliefs in the words I speak? Do I speak in a constructive and supportive manner? How can I communicate my beliefs and thoughts so that I am more understood?

4. Actions: Am I living authentically? Where are my actions not a reflection of my words? What do I need to do to follow through more consistently?

5. Habits: Are my habits aligned with my beliefs? What habit should I develop to live according with my beliefs? What habit should I break that is not in alignment with my beliefs?

6. Values: Do I value what is important and in alignment with my beliefs every single day? What values in my life need developed or strengthened? What values am I living, but not fully understanding?

7. Destiny: Where are my beliefs taking me? What development will help me reach the destiny that I want? What short term desires are pulling me away from longer term success?

These are generic example questions. This exercise really grows in significance when you can ask yourself more relevant questions based on your specific situation and your experiences.

This process has helped me broaden my views, and then re-focus on how to grow. Ready to get started? What area of your life would you like to work on?

Living in the Moment

Do you really think that living in the past and letting it overshadow today is helping you? Do not stumble on the things that are behind you, nor fear that which lies ahead.

Carpe diem! Carpe diem is a shortened version of the original Latin phrase “Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero” meaning “seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.”

Carpe diem is commonly used to justify spontaneous behavior and to make the most of today, because one doesn’t know if they’ll live to see tomorrow. It is not saying “ignore the future”. Rather do as much as one can now because you won’t know how the future will unfold.

Carpe diem is a truth. You can only live in the moment. The future has not arrived, and the past is already gone. To make the most of the time you have you must live and act in this moment. But it does not mean you need to act  carelessly or recklessly.

Most meaningful projects take more than one day. The challenge is making the most of each day. Not by being spontaneous, but by being strategic. We still need to maintain some level of spontaneity for unplanned opportunity and fun. But significant projects will never be accomplished through procrastination.

Every action can affect the future. Every action can help reconcile the past. But every action can only be done now. When you think in those terms, hopefully you are encouraged to do more today. Be encouraged and take action now.

Evaluating Expertise and Character

No one characteristic defines success, but we should consider expertise and character. Some people find success through their expertise. Others find success by utilizing great character and relying on others for expertise. Which do you utilize best?

This is obviously not a right or wrong question. We need both character and expertise to succeed. You alone can’t be successful. It requires the help of other people. Even when it feels like you are working on a project by yourself, you are probably getting help from sources such as books, videos, research data, or online searches. Many times we forget to be thankful for all that help.

Our work is impacted by our character. Our character is embedded in what we do. It exists the results of the work, and also in how the results impact others. The things we value will be visible in our output and our actions.

When we take time to reflect on our successes or our challenges, the scale between expertise and character can give us new insight. What would improve your results over the next week? Should you invest more time in your character or your expertise?

Comfort and Safety?

I grew up without seat belts, air bags, and bicycle helmets. Cars did not have backup cameras and sensors. In my youth, we were anything but safe. I rode my bike on busy streets with no bike path. I talked with strangers. I drank water directly from the garden hose. I built many unsafe and unstable tree houses. My friends and I used to play war games. We did not have paint ball guns. We used BB guns, and I am amazed no one lost an eye.

The world has changed since then. We have a new level of safety and comfort. That is great, but our life’s purpose is not safety and comfort.

Life is not without risk. Each day we face struggles that change us, and challenge us. We long to be safe, secure, and comfortable. Yet, we grow because of risk. We don’t improve through comfort. We improve through the trials of our lives.

Let’s examine purpose. First eliminate safety. Then eliminate comfort. Then eliminate the pursuit of personal possessions. Now define purpose. Hopefully you have uncovered more important pursuits.

Think about our daily routines. We want comfort, safety, and possessions that make life livable. Those things can be a goal, but each day we will grow if we include the pursuit of a bigger purpose. Get uncomfortable. You will survive.