Laying a Foundation, Firmly

There are certain professions in this world where people are just "asking for trouble." Leadership or executive, in general, is not going to make everyone happy and going to have criticism thrown their way. Officiating in events, whether it is sports or otherwise, is not going to make people happy all the time. Politicians are going to hear a ton of criticism. Just about any profession that will encounter some type of evaluation from others is simply setting you up for a challenge.

However, there are those in those professions that feed off of criticisms. There is some type of a rush that they get from having the responsibility in their hands and wanting to move forward with decisions. This is not a psychopathic type of a rush, but a sense of enjoyment that comes to them. I was one of those that felt a rush when it came to umpiring. I started to enjoy the "boos" that came from the crowd. Part of that is just a "part of the game." Generally, when it came from the crowd, it was simply a selfish "we didn't get the right call" kind of boo. Especially, when it came to balls and strikes. Most of the time the crowd was wrong. Their vantage point is way off from being right there.

Being able to be successful is to use those situations and still be able to perform the job well. That brings us to this week's quote...

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him. ~ David Brinkley

When you have bricks coming your way, it can have a tendency to hit you in the head a few times. Once you get hit in the proverbial head a few times, then you start to duck. Once you start to duck, you realize those are necessary bricks, so you start to catch them. When you catch them, you then start to lay them down for success.

Bricks can help create a foundation. Use the bricks that come your way to help create a good foundation for your week, your career, your mission, your passions, and your life. The bricks are sure to come...deal with them in the right manner!

Now it's your turn...what bricks have taught you lessons? What were you doing when you were receiving those bricks? How have you been able to achieve a sense of success with bricks being thrown your way?

A Small Difference

I recently saw a saying (of which I cannot remember) that highlighted the difference something small can make a large difference. If you notice the picture, it is such a small mistake, but the mistake makes such an "egg all over your face" difference. Now, everyone will see this mistake and talk about it for years to come. There is such a difference in just rearranging some letters.

People utilize their lives much the same way. They can be so close to doing something extraordinary that they stop themselves just short. I have heard illustrations that highlighted this point. Someone may have been traveling in the dark and given up just short of finding safety, for instance. They didn't realize they were where they wanted to be because they couldn't see it. However, if they would have simply kept going, they would have found their goal.

The above paragraph is one reason there are times I push through to get to the end. I know I will feel better to get to point B! I need some motivation to move me. How about you? Have you pushed through when you wanted to quit? Have you quit simply because you didn't see the point? These thoughts bring us to this week's quote...

Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential. ~ John Maxwell

Over the past several years there have been shows on television which have given people opportunities to "make it." One of the more popular types of shows is centered around singing. First, we had American Idol. That stage has brought people into positions to have a recording contract that may have not otherwise made it.

Prior to auditioning for the show, they may have had a really simple job. They were simple people living simple lives. As they progressed, they became simple people with "living the dream" life.

You have a dream. You may have more than one dream. What do you need to do to break through the membrane to go from unsuccessful to successful? Remember, the difference in people to do so is not much, it matters in your desire. Where is your desire?

Are you ready to do something greater? Look for it and use those passionate desires to reach your potential!

Now it's your turn...what areas does this hold true for you?