The Fruits Of Our Labor

I don't know who makes the schedule but I must commend him/her on their placement of Labor Day!

Labor Day comes at a perfect time: The weather is changing, the kids are getting back to school, the tarp is pulled over the pool and beach chairs are put away. With the distractions of summer put aside, it's time to buckle down and get laser focused on professional success!

In my 20 years of professional existence, I've found that our success can suffer unnecessary diversions. The key is to allow oneself enough space to breath while keeping your eye on the prize.

When you sucked down the final poolside Corona, what questions came to mind:
1. Do You Like Your Job?
2. How Are You Spending Your Free Time?
3. Are You A Person of Value?
4. If You Could Do Anything, What Would That Be?

 

Would The Younger You Like You?
What did you want to be when you were in 4th grade: A Fireman? A Professional Athlete? An Astronaut? I bet the aforementioned prospects didn't come with any trepidation. You most likely looked at any profession with a sense of ambition and creative desire.

We all have points in our young lives when we learn tough life lessons; those times when infinite possibility is met with probability and statistical reality.

If a fourth grader asked you if she could become President of the United States what would you tell her?

Are you a person who fuels ambition or who uses probability to deter dreams. 

When Did You Give Up on Your Dream?
Do you remember the first time you compromised? Maybe it was a class you elected not to take.... or a sport you stopped playing.... or the girl you thought not to talk to for fear that she might be out of your league.

The inertia of motivation swings like a boomerang.

When you experience victory, you yearn for more.

When you give up, you forever open yourself up to that option.

  
What Would It Take to Change Everything? 
Are you completely fulfilling your potential? Do you work as hard as you can? Are you challenged to think differently every day? Do you listen to people who are less-experienced than you? Does your life have a direction beyond the work you do?

Don't wait until 2018 to make a resolution. Resolve every day to:
a. Work Harder
b. Be Creative
c. Try New Things
d. Find Alternative Resources

Wake up an hour earlier, exercise, take on new projects, look up available jobs in your field, ask about open positions in your organization, get to the office a little earlier, leave early to find a place to do your work in a different head space.

Create something every day.... even if it doesn't apply directly to your workload.

Strike up a conversation with a stranger, dump your deadbeat boyfriend, find a new hobby, buy a new book, listen to some new music, start exercising, get up from your desk, ask the girl at the coffee shop about her life (but only if there is not a line behind you).

The way companies control effort is by convincing you that you have no other options then use consequence to keep you in line.

Have options.

Find alternatives to help you consider whether or not you are willing to be controlled.

Life is profoundly easier when you don't have all your eggs in one basket. Decisions are easier to make when you don't have to compromise. Your possibilities are limitless when you don't put limits on yourself.

Don't Forget to Remember,

Dave