2010 September
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
at 8:31am
It’s amazing the roller coaster ride this thing called Life is. Frank Sinatra had it right with his song, That’s Life … “You’re riding high in April, shot down in May. But I know I’m gonna change that tune, when I’m back on top in June.” In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins talks about the flywheel. It’s the idea that we need to relentlessly push this big heavy flywheel over and over again until the momentum of our efforts gets that sucker to spin on its own. And when it starts spinning fast enough, you can’t stop it!
I’m sure you have feelings now and then about what you do and where your life is heading when you think, “I’m never getting ahead!” You just have to figure it out. We all have doubts once in awhile … but you know what, I find the thing that picks me up is when I spend time with people who support what I’m doing. That gets me refueled to go out and keep at it. I’m always reminded that today is rarely what confuses us. It’s the past, trying to change things we cannot; and the future, trying to predict what’s coming.
There is not greatness in not ever overcoming adversity. Seek and you shall find—and remember: The harder you work, the luckier you’ll get!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Seek and you shall find. Ask and you will receive.
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
at 8:26am
These Wisdom on Wednesday articles truly are an archive of my professional and some of my personal life as well. It’s enjoyable for me to look back at past issues to bring myself back to where I was at the time. The first article was written in February 2004. By this February I will have written 364 articles. Pretty crazy, huh!? It’s funny because I had so many friends and family members question not so much my ability to write articles but my ability to consistently write articles.
Well, I’m still writing. Only one entry missed its Wednesday mark because of technical difficulties, but it got out on Thursday. Don’t give up. If you have a dream, don’t give up. Remember: You can alter your dream or bend the rules as you get older, but don’t let go. It reminds me of that Christmas special growing up. I think it was called, “Santa Clause Is Coming to Town.” There was a terrible snow wizard who crossed young Chris Kringle’s path. He turned out to be a good guy and he sang the song, “Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking across the floor. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking out the door.” The message is simple but clear. As an old Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
Remind yourself of the almighty weapon to any dream: patience. Just start. Start with one small action and do something little each and every day to bring you closer to your goal, until one day you wake up and you are living it! Put one foot in front of the other…
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Start walking!
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
at 8:15am
How many times have you seen a sign at a restaurant, read an article in a magazine, or met a person who just made you stop in your tracks and think, “Wow! I’ve never thought of it that way before”? I think we’ve all had these moments of clarity when we sort of reevaluate our lives and walk away feeling a little taller, a little wiser, and a lot more inspired.
Here’s a quote I ran across that might inspire you:
“The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”
~ William Arthur Ward
This quote just screams “Servant Leadership” to me: learning, growing, changing, overcoming challenges. Caring about, serving, and giving to others. That’s what it’s all about! I’m feeling inspired, how about you?
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Pay attention to all that inspires you this week—you’ll be surprised!
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
at 8:39am
Some of you may find this post to be a little trite or “typical” of just about any inspirational message that is out on the Internet. I guess I need to share it with you because it hit close to home with me and I was reminded about its importance. My family took a trip to our land in Tomahawk for one night over the Labor Day holiday, It was only one night, but oh, what a night. Danica and I have a dwelling there. We call it a “CA-Bagge” which means Cabin/Garage. We named it to poke a little fun at our garage converted partly into living quarters. It’s cozy and has running water but no bathroom. We have the outhouse for that! Of course, we dream someday of building a small cottage on the property. We dream our dreams and plot our plans.
That night, this past Saturday, I really just sat back and took in the scene. I took in the water our property looks out over. I took in the deck and reflected on the story of how it got there and the labor of love to install and complete it. I took in our cabin loft and the comfortable beds and furnace which add much comfort. I took in our kids playing on the property. Alex was shooting targets with his BB gun. The girls were playing “house.” Danica and I were having coffee on the deck.
It was cooler that day so we started a bonfire early. It was roaring by four o’clock. We sat around and talked until 8:30. That’s about when mom and the girls went up to bed. Alex and I stayed out for another two hours. The sky was a brilliant tapestry of stars. The Milky Way was clearly seen. We just sat and talked about whatever came to mind and we were happy.
I looked around at just how fortunate I am to have the family, the fun things in my life and the most precious thing of all … time. Time to spend with everything and everyone who matters to me. Not too many people think of time as a gift, but it truly is.
I would like to end this Wisdom with a quote from the movie Kung Fu Panda (did I mention I have kids?).
“Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift and that is why they call it the Present.”
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Enjoy your Present.
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
at 7:41am
A couple of weeks ago I wrote my Wisdom post on the root of happiness. I received some wonderful insights from several of our readers. I would like to dedicate this issue to the folks who took the time to offer their thoughts on the subject.
“What I have found is that happiness comes from within and then is reflected back to me in the appreciation and respect that I’m shown from the people around me. When I’m happy with what I am and what I’m experiencing right here, right now in this moment, I’m set up for happiness in this moment. And that tends to flow into the next moment. And the next. And the next. I find that the people who come into my life show me appreciation and respect because I appreciate and respect them. It is rare for me to encounter a rude person.
“Although I certainly experience challenges like most people do, I try to learn from them, let them go and move back toward what makes me feel happy. It’s a decision, an intention and a way of life. I don’t think happiness comes as a result of what happens; what happens comes as a result of happiness, or lack of it.”
Ann
“I just wanted to say I do enjoy your thoughts each Wednesday. I was going to add to your definition of happiness from today. I have found on my journey one of the big keys to ‘happiness’ is focusing on relationships. You can have a lot of money and fame and lots of toys, but if you don’t have great relationships you can be very unhappy. In the same way, I know people who don’t have lots of money and fame but who have great relationships and are super happy people.
“Keep up the great work,”
Marty
“See also www.octanner.com <http://www.octanner.com/>. They have coined the phrase ‘appreciatology’. I’ve run into them at HR seminars. Good stuff!
“Take care!!!”
Geri
Thank you, Ann, Marty and Geri for sharing additional insights and providing a resource to learn more. One thing is for sure: Appreciation is the one thing all of us want and all of us need to achieve happiness!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Give 5 people a genuine compliment and explain one or two things about them that you appreciate. Then be aware of not how they feel, but how that made you feel.
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