You Still Had Enough Time, But…

So, that guy didn't get his sales presentation done, but he built a massive castle in Minecraft? Don't be too quick to judge!

Accomplishing things requires…

putting in the time…

to use the necessary tools…

in the correct way…

such that everything comes together as the final product.

It is possible that the "thing" didn't get done, not because the person decided to waste their time on a Minecraft castle but rather because their environment lacked the necessary tools… Or perhaps they did not have the necessary skills.

Don't be too quick to blame how they used their time. Perhaps there is another reason!   

Don't Expect The Problem To Adapt To You

There is a disease in our society. No, I'm not talking about COVID.

I'm talking about the proclivity to find excuses instead of solutions. It is pervasive in the culture of now, this early 21st Century first-world way of doing things.

Here's the thing. There comes a time when people have to step up and face the problems without expecting the problem adapt to their limitations and weaknesses. There comes a time when WE have to change how WE do things in order to overcome the problem.

(Maybe I am talking about COVID? Masks? Social distancing?)

Stop expecting the problem to adapt. In the larger scope of life… nah… the problems won't cater to our wishes.

Stop Looking For Excuses

Getting everything done on time… is hard. Sometimes.

People who tend to not get things done also tend to have a zillion reasons why. They frequently spend big chunks of time explaining all the reasons (excuses) for not fulfilling their responsibilities.

Why?

Just do it. 

Stop looking for excuses for why you didn't do things and start looking for solutions to get them done.

You Had Enough Time

Oh, you had enough time.

You had the same about of time as you always have had. You had the same about of time as everyone else.

You just used your time to do different things.

Instead of doing whatever it is that "you didn't have enough time" to do, you used your time on other things.

Maybe you have priorities, and something that was of highest importance demanded you use your time there. The thing you didn't do might have been less important.

But many times, it is the thing that is unpleasant, no matter how important that gets left undone. 

You have a certain amount of time, each day, every day. Look at your priorities and make sure the important things are being allotted the time needed.

Neither Too Young Nor Too Old

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? SURE YOU CAN!

You are never too old to learn something new. And you are never too old to find a new dream or set new goals.

And you are never too young to start doing the same thing!

No matter how old you are or how young you are, you can look around yourself and think of things you'd like to do. Things you'd like to improve. Things you'd like to make different.

Start now. Set some goals and make a plan.

You are neither too young nor too old!

Do Happy For The People Around You

Maybe you are having a bad day. You don't have to share that with everyone around you. Not everyone you meet is part of your support network. Don't let the bad things going on inside you spill out onto the random people you meet in the course of going through the day.

In other words, do happy for the people around you. Your smile and friendly demeanor might lift up the strangers you meet, just a little.

Certainly, if you are hurting, you need to be able to be real and genuine around people who care about you!

But just because you're having a bad day is no reason to take it out on the cashier! You can treat them with a little of what you'd like to be treated with.

Sociological Masks: Keep Toxic People at Bay

We've all become accustomed to using a mask to keep the toxic viruses out of our lives? What can you do about keeping toxic people from ruining your toxic attitudes?

COVID19 has accustomed many people into wearing masks designed to keep out a virus that can kill your body.

Yet, at the same time, many people regularly expose themselves to toxic personalities. Without any protection.

What are you doing to keep your self mentally healthy when people around you are polluting your environment with their toxic behaviors?

What They Think You’re Doing

It doesn't matter what you are doing. It matters what people think you are doing.

The dark underbelly of this truth is that people can fake it. They can get by quite well if they just look like they are doing what they are supposed to do.

I want to flip this idea!

If someone is doing EVERYTHING they are supposed to be doing and doing it WELL, it also doesn't matter. Unless someone knows about it.

If you work with someone who is doing a good job, who is doing a little more than necessary, who is going the extra step… find a way of making that known!

Send them an email thanking them for helping you and CC your supervisor. Mention how helpful they are in passing to the boss.

Let their good work become known! The person in charge will be glad to know something good is going on, the colleague will benefit from the goodwill, and you will know you have done a good thing.

Set Your Sights Low

If you do nothing long enough, nothing will get done. If you don't go any where, you'll end up nowhere.

Nothing is very easy. Planning and executing is hard. But…

There is an old saying which says that if you aim for nothing, that's what you'll hit. It is very true.

If you want more than what you have, you need to make a plan. You need to make changes. You need to execute that plan and set out on the path away from mediocrity.

All That Shines Isn't…

I was told recently that they way I said something—something that was utterly ridiculous—made it sound real. My bold claim came off in such a way that the absurdity of it was obscured.

This is a very scary lesson.

The face-value of information can be obfuscated by the presentation. A shiny package of news, ideas, and data can create the illusion of correctness and authority.

Don't be fooled! Dig deeper. Ask questions. Look at what's not said, not reported.

Don't get caught up by the way it comes across. Find out what is real and what is not.

About That Virtual Classroom

The year 2020 ushered in many changes to how people live their lives. Among those was the rapid increase in using distance communication systems in business and education.

Within the business community, systems like (and predating) WebEx and GoToMeeting have had a place for over a decade, with Google Meets and other platforms making inroads.

Distance learning within education is not new, either, but…

But… With 2020, an enormous shift to distance learning occurred. And not everyone made the shift willingly. Many were compelled by COVID19 to make that shift.

While the shift to virtual meetings and classrooms has been difficult for many people to embrace, for others, it was a natural shift. Many of the students have grown up watching livestreams for their favorite games and other pass-times. They are accustomed to the feel of them, to how they worked.

Probably far more so than their teachers!

Students of the 21st Century may not LIKE virtual learning. But, they are more than able to navigate it and use it effectively.


#virtualClassroom #education #teacher #teacherlife #teacher2020

Pickles Are Too Close To True

I made a video recently calming that there was no such thing as cumber farms. That their existence was only part of a conspiracy.

I went on to say that anyone who refuted my claim was part of the conspiracy.

That turns out to be very scary. Because accusing someone of something raises suspicion. Though in the USA people are innocent until proven guilty, it is impossible to prove something doesn't exist.

You can't prove you are NOT part of the cucumber conspiracy. The best you can do is say you've never been proven guilty of being part of it. That doesn't mean you're NOT.

It only means that you have never been caught doing anything that proves you are.

And those who wish to believe you are can hold on to their suspicions.

This… This is scary.

You Are Not What You Do

Who do you think you are? Well, you are not what you do?

What you do for a living does not determine who you are. It does not directly reflect your character, your heart.

HOW you do whatever it is does.

No matter what your job is, how you go about doing it is a direct reflection on your character. Do you do it with integrity? Do you do it honestly? Do you put in your best effort? Do you do it while showing kindness and regard to those you encounter?

It is not what you do that defines your character. It is how you do it.

Do Not Wait For Luck

Do not wait for luck.

Do not sit back and wait for good fortune to come to you. It probably won't.

If you have a dream… a goal… something you want to accomplish with your life, set yourself to the task. Take a step. Then another one.

Success is far more often the result of luck than some random act of chance. Success is far more likely to follow behind effort and hard work than it is to come along all on its own, out of no where.

Do not wait for luck.

Make your own path to your dreams.

Water The Grass You Want Green

If you want your grass to grow, you probably need to water it. The grass you water will be the grass that grows.

What areas of you life do you want to see made better? This is the grass you need to water.

And the water that makes it grow is the time, energy, and resources you put in. If there is something you want improved, you have to put in the effort to improve it.

Decide what it is you really want. Then water the grass you want green.

Stop Telling People They Are Fine

Being nice is one thing. Encouraging bad behavior is totally something different.

As an act of kindness, people often tell others not to worry about what other say. They tell them, "Don't worry! You're fine just the way you are!"

This is just not true. Some people are mean. Some people are lazy. Some people look down on others. They are NOT fine, just the way they are.

Many people act in ways that hurt others or leave them isolated and alone. They need to change!

Telling people that they are fine, just the way they are, gives them an excuse to stay stuck in bad ways of acting.

Maybe they need to change.

It Was Only A Dream

People live their lives in a constant tension between what is and what could be. For many, this tension leaves a wide gap between their reality and their dreams.

Don't be fooled by their smiles, their facade of acceptance.

Common in many circles is to ask, "How are you doing?"

Commonly, the answer is "Oh, just fine!"

Keep your mind open to the possibility that things are not just fine. That they may be far less than fine.

Maybe you can do something to help them span the gap.

Look around you. Who needs to be encouraged?

Follow The Money

If you, want to understand the news, follow the money.

The people who work on news teams don't do so without pay. The cameras and studios… cost money!

News agencies depend on something in order to get the money to pay for their expenses. In most cases, that money comes from the commercials they sell.


Even the not-for-profit news agencies have to protect their funding. They dare not offend the people paying their bills.

News is a business. They have to sell their programming to the people who buy the commercials, and to do that, they create drama and controversy so that their audience continues to be interested.

So, behind the news team, the production team, and everyone else is the sales team. They keep a pulse on the commercial buyers and make sure programming keeps them happy.

Pickles Are Not Funny

It's easy to win an argument if every opposing point of view is proven to be false information, fake news, or part of a plot to prove you wrong.

You can use this technique to win every debate!

First, make a claim.

Then, back that up with some "evidence." It can be sketchy or only half reliable.

Next, state the "fact" that nay evidence or facts different from your point of view is part of a conspiracy to prove the opposing point of view. Anything that disputes your claim is fake, false, or intentionally misleading.

The scary thing… This his how discussions go in 2020.

Decisions Have Consequences

Decisions do not happen in a vacuum. Every decision has consequences.

Every word spoken, every dollar spent, every hour passed lead to consequences. At the very least, you cannot go back and undo what has been done.

People and circumstances will react and change based on the things you decide.

Whatever you do, whenever you decide something, there are consequences that follow. You need to be making sure that the decisions you are making are leading you toward the outcomes you'd like to have.

Before you act, think about the potential consequences of whatever it is you're thinking about doing.

Whats Important To You?

What's important to you?

I can tell. The things that are important to you are the things that you devote your time, energy, and resources to. If you spend all your time and money working on your… whatever. If so, THAT'S what's important to you.

You can't say something is important to you if you don't invest time and energy there. Well… you can SAY it. But it won't be true.

If something is important to you, you will remember it. You will invest yourself in it. It will appear as an prominent part of your day.

So… what IS important to you?

Public Persona

 What you see is only what you see.

If you knew the whole story—whatever that is—there would likely be a lot of things not showing up on YouTube, Instagram, or whatever social media you are looking at. It is easy to point the camera in only one direction and not reveal all the clutter and chaos that would be seen if you looked the other way.

Many people who are putting things out for others to consume intentionally created a message of some sort. The use the platforms to advance that message, be it one of being funny or one of being angry at… something.

As you consume social media, make you to keep in mind that the camera only shows a small part of the whole reality.

There's probably a lot more going on off-camera!

Encourage Others and Watch Them Grow

Many people go to great lengths to share things with others that might help them out. It's nice when the helped person shows that the gesture was useful.

But that doesn't always happen.

If you are a person who has benefited from the actions or words of another person, take a moment and let them know. It will mean a lot.

As a person who tries to share experiences and insights, when someone goes to the effort to let me know that I helped, it really means a lot to me. I'd like to encourage everyone to tel others when they have helped you.

Let the people around you know when they have helped you!

A few words of encouragement go a long way!

Finding Your Life Mission

How do you find your life mission? It's a quest!

Finding your mission isn't something you can sit down and do over a cup of coffee. Not unless you've poured a lot of time into thinking about it before you hit the brew button!

If a life mission is defined as that thing, that idea, those practices and standards under which is organized all of the things you spend time and resources on, then developing a life mission begins when finding a deep, clear understanding of your personal beliefs and values.

Knowing what you believe to be important and knowing what has real value to you if a first vital step in setting a mission that will guide all you do.

Many people follow organized systems of belief. If that is the case, then start there. What, according to what you believe, is the purpose of the created person?

That purpose must be part of the foundation on which your personal mission is built.

Where Are You Going?

If you don't have a direction for your life, goals, and missions, then you might be wandering around in circles, never getting to anything significant.

How Are You Using Your Voice?

You have a voice. It is what you say and what you do.

How are you using it?

Whoever you are, whatever you do, you probably are coming in contact with people, either face-to-face or through social media or other Internet means. What do your words and actions say to them?

Are you using your "voice" to lift them up? To spread positivity? Are you encouraging people and helping them become better versions of themselves?

Use your words and actions in a way that makes life a little better for people around you.

Stand Your Ground

Being able to adapt is a great way of enhancing your chance at success. Being flexible in how you do things can help you work with others. Things don't always have to be done YOUR way.

But…

There is another side to this. If you are always the one giving in and changing to fit what you do into the ways other people want to see it done might be tiring. You might ultimately find yourself just worn down by always being the one who gives in.

In a good situation, there should be some give and take. Sometimes, YOUR way should be accommodated.

Being cooperative and flexible are good, when working with others, but sometimes you need to stand your ground and not bet pushed around.

Sticks And Stones

Don't fool yourself!

Sticks and Stones may break your bones. BUT, words CAN hurt!

Humanity is created to be in community with others. As part of that, we are meant to sense how others are reacting to us so that we can be better parts of the community.

As such, we DO react to other people's interaction with us. So, when someone intentionally says or does things that are cruel and uncaring… it hurts.

Implicit in criticism is the idea that we did not meet the expectations of—even if it is just one person—our community. That leads to (insert long psychological discussion here) us feeling hurt.

There's no doubt. Words CAN hurt, so don't pretend they don't. Let people know when they are hurting you, and if they care about you, they will stop.

And DON'T use your words in a way that could hurt others!

The Undesirable Path

Help! I'm lost!

Ever feel like you are on a path that might not be leading you to where you want to go? You don't have to stay there.

Just because you don't see any options ahead, doesn't mean there are none. It's possible that they are there, but you can't see them.

When you feel like you are stuck, don't panic. Take a moment and look around. Find someone who cares about you—a parent, teacher, coach, minister, aunt, uncle, friend—and ask for help.

It might be that they know of a different path you can take. A path you cannot see by yourself.

You don't have to go it alone. It's fine to ask for help.

Control The Message

With your words and your actions, you—every day—proclaim a message to the world.

You can't always control who hears the message. Your circumstances put you in the presence of people, and usually, who they are depends on factors outside your influence.

But whoever you are around… coworkers, customers, students, teammates… Make sure you are living in ways and saying words that put out the message you want your life to have.

You may not be able to control who it is that "hears" you. But, you can control the message the hear.

Your life and words are yours to use. Use them to make the world better.

What Are They Doing?

Do you ever look at someone and wonder what they are doing? What are they thinking!

Out of nowhere, someone does something that you just don't understand. Surely, there must be something wrong with them!

But…

Is it possible that the person doing that unexplainable thing knows something you don't or has different priorities than you do? Perhaps the reason you don't understand what they are doing is because you don't understand things from their point of view!

Maybe you are just being judgmental!

Don't do that.

Using Your Platform

Do you want to live in a way that you are making things around you better?

Maybe you answer "yes" to this, but you don't think you have any way of doing this. Maybe you think you need to have some large social media audience if you want to make a difference.

You don't.

Everyone has the platform of being a human in the world. In that world are other humans. Your realm of influence might only be the people in your office or the customers who come to your cash register, but—THAT IS a platform you can use to touch the lives of THOSE people.

Use the opportunities you have to make a difference in the lives of people you meet.

You have a platform through which you can voice and act out your ideas. Are you using it?

Maturity Gets You Past NOW and On To The FUTURE

One part of being mature is having the ability to look into the future, identify what needs to be done, then staring in the present to see that it is. But it's hard.

It's easy to ignore the hard, unpleasant things now and just do what is fun and easy.

But mature thinkers know better. They think about things to come and set out to usher them in with preparation, no matter how unpleasant or undesirable the situation.

What SHOULD you be doing?

Success Sometimes Requires Tenacity

Do you ever look at something and think it's just too hard? Do you ever want to give up?

Sometimes, to be successful, you have to be tenacious. Tenacity is the practice of facing difficult circumstances and not giving up. It means working through the difficult situations without giving up.

The struggles are real. Sometimes you just have to try, try, try, until you overcome them.

The path is not always easy. Sometimes, it takes a lot of hard work to get to the end!

Can you push through?

Conducting Energy (Not Science!)

Do you energize other people?

In science, the property of conductivity relates to how a substance can transfer energy—heat or electricity. Some things conduct energy better than others.

But, what about as a trait of a person? What if there was some measure of how well one person can pass energy and enthusiasm to other?

Think about it! Do you know people who, by their very nature, make others want to do more? Want to be more? Want to live their lives better? What if we said these people are human conductors?

How about you! How does how you live affect others? Do you give energy? Do you lift people up?

Try to act in ways that help people do more, be more, live better!

Flexibility: A Key Part Of Success

It's very possible that you, if you do anything, have found a process that works. You get what you want from the process.

But if the circumstances change, what then? How can you get the outcome you want if everything you have come to expect changes?

In physical science, the characteristic of flexibility is the ability of a substance to bend without breaking. A wire can alter its shape to fit the available space and course of a conduit, for instance.

Developing flexibility as a person—as a manager, teacher, or anyone working in a situation were changes have to be made—is vital. It is very difficult to be successful if you cannot adapt to a changing environment.


When the circumstances change, your process might have to change, too. Flexibility is key to getting the expected outcomes from the process under different conditions. 

Create Happiness

There are many, many people around us every day. Does it ever seem like everyone around you is unhappy? That they are discontent about everything?

People respond to their perception of the environment with various degrees of being happy and unhappy. Everyone is different, and reacts differently to what's going on.

However, if you are part of the environment, then you can play a part in their state of mind. How you live affects others. You can live in a way that changes the environment. Changes how people perceive the things going on around them.

If you want to be around happy people, create the environment wherein being happy is a possibility!

Cognitive Malleability - A vital skill in an ever-changing world

Malleability is a physical property related to how a substance changes due to pressure. Cognitive malleability is the capacity to change how you think about things, how you might operate, when facing external pressures of the world.

Being able to change how you think is a huge asset in a world where things are constantly changing. The every-shifting demands of the world must be dealt with by using different ways of thinking.

Being un-malleable in thinking results in being unable to respond when circumstances demand it.

When the pressure rises, do you bend or break?

Adaptability

Adaptability is a trait that allows a singer thing to operate effectively in multiple situations.  Being addable means that something that works in one situation can ALSO work in other situations.

Everyone is foamier with different adapters for cords and things like that. If the charging cable doesn't fit, perhaps there is an adapter!

Adaptability is also a great trait for people.

An adaptable person can apply the skills and techniques that work in one situation in a different situation. Being adaptable is a trait that will help you become successful in a lot of different situations.

Adapt what works to places where it needs to work!

Other People's Expectations and YOUR Success

Success is personal. Except when it isn't.

Your goals sometimes depend on other people's expectations. When you want something controlled by others, then meeting expectations becomes your goal.

If your goals and personal expectations include something like getting a paycheck, then in order to be successful at that, you have to meet the expectations of the person offering to pay you.

The same is true about grades, licenses, or credentials. When YOUR goals for yourself include things like that, then the demands and expectations of someone else becomes, de facto, part of your goal.

Very rare it is that someone can entirely ignore external expectations.

What Is Success?

If you are going to be happy, it is YOUR goals and expectations that need to be met. Success is personal. Except when it isn't.

Success is can be defined as having the outcome of whatever you are doing meet or exceed the goals and expectations. When you do this, then you can say you are successful.

However, sometimes, people will put expectations on you. People will set goals that you feel compelled to met.

What happens if you work really hard at meeting someone else's goal? There is a real possibility that doing so will not result in the kind of satisfaction expected. Meeting someone else's goals doesn't always lead to happiness.

Make sure you are working to meet YOUR goals and to fulfill YOUR expectations.