Wednesday, July 29, 2009

A GLORIOUS TRIP FOR LIFE

Ladders for sale - “Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.”

An ordinance in Dallas, Texas, forbids "walking about aimlessly, with no apparent purpose, lingering, hanging around, lagging behind, idly spending time, delaying, sauntering and moving slowly about." (PRESUMED IGNORANT, by Leland H. Gregory III).

Some of my best days were spent like that!

But then, I wonder how many of us live life with "no apparent purpose...lagging behind...idly spending time...delaying" and generally "walking about aimlessly"? In other words, does your life lack a clear direction, focus and purpose?

It is a mistake to think that moving fast is the same as actually going somewhere. And it is also an error to believe that doing many things is as good as doing the right thing. People who are the most satisfied with their lives actually go somewhere because they spend more time doing the right things.

News commentator Dan Rather had a vital question he asked himself several times a day. Largely because of this one question, he became one of America's leading journalists. Rather wrote the question on three slips of paper. He kept one in his billfold, one in his pocket, and one on his desk. The all-important question he constantly asked himself was this: "Is what you are doing now helping the broadcast?"

If the answer was yes, then he continued with his work, project or idea. If the answer was no, then he stopped what he was doing and put his efforts into something else. He discovered years ago that if he did not focus his time, he would end up in a job that under-utilized his potential.

What if you were to ask yourself such a question several times a day?

You might ask, "Is what I'm doing now helping me succeed?" Or, "Is what I'm doing now helping me reach an important goal?" Or, "Is what I'm doing now helping me grow?"

Write the question you choose on small slips of paper or on the back of a business card. Carry it with you. Post it on your desk. You might even affix it to a conspicuous spot inside your car.

Read it several times a day. That one question will focus you. Before you know it, you'll find yourself actually headed in the direction you want to go. And even if you never fully arrive, it will be a glorious trip!

From Lifesupport.

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1 comment:

Jessica said...

Dan's idea is rather ingenious. I go about my day in a slightly different way. I make a list of things i must complete by the end of the day, and keep checking this list every once in 3 hours so that stay on track.

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