AUDIBLE “READY”

Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity is  “To keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.” We often hear that we need to make plans and follow them and we all can agree that this is sound advice.  But let’s expand on that sound advice:

Make plans, but be ready to CHANGE in case what you are doing isn’t working.

The key ingredients are FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY.

If you’re a football fan you see flexibility and adaptability in action in almost every game.  The quarterback steps to the line with a play (plan) shared earlier with his teammates in the huddle.  Then, as he looks over the opposing team’s defense and he sees their formation, he knows the planned play will not work.  He quickly changes plans and calls an audible, a new play.  He responds to the changing environment by viewing his surroundings, opponents and potential challenges.

We should all have an audible “ready” when we’re considering our surroundings and challenges, swiftly altering the present plan if necessary.

I had a rewarding job 11 years ago, but the fulfillment was waning.  Out of the blue I was asked if I wanted to be a coauthor on a book project called FISH!  I was skeptical at first.  I never coauthored a book and it would be a new and different challenge for me.  After much soul-searching I took the leap and did something completely different than ever before.   Since then FISH! Sold over five million copies, I coauthored five more books and I’m working on two more as I write this.  I get to travel the world sharing my message that work can be enjoyable, productive and fulfilling.  Now that’s change for the better

What areas of your professional or personal life do you need to be ready to change when opportunities and circumstances are presented to you?

DETERMINED SOUL

One of my favorite quotes is, “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent, hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” It’s by poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox.  This sums up nicely what people’s commitment to their work, family and career should look like.

This determination helps us succeed in everything we do and is necessary for a long, rewarding, fulfilling and fun life.

Like in the story Three Feet From Gold where the miner is digging for gold and hits a vane of some small amount of gold and continues to dig for the mother lode.  After a while he gets frustrated and sells the mine as a failed venture.  The miner who purchased the mine continues to dig but in a different direction and within three feet discovers the mother lode.  How many times have we been three feet from the mother lode only to give up too soon?

Many times we enter into new careers, jobs or relationships without this level of commitment and the results can be disastrous.  We must understand that life is a journey and we must make the effort and commitment it demands to make it the best life it can be.

What are you doing to make sure nothing is standing in your way?