never fear the event
Sep 2nd
“Never Fear the Event.”
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson
So.
I am using a quote from a guy who probably was one of the best at seeking out ‘events’ rather than fear or avoid them.
Therefore it becomes difficult to use this occasion to discuss worrying about things that will never happen and fear of what could be.
Instead this is all about the ‘impending event’ and fearing it.
In Nelson’s case it was huge cannons shooting big iron balls at him with the intent of taking his head off (and whoda thunk it would actually be a mini ball that would get him in the end).
But. You know what?
He took that bullet that killed him standing in full admiral dress uniform on the main deck in full view of his men and all his enemy to see. Leading. Did he feel “fear?” Sure.
I am sure somewhere inside him he had to feel something. But the event took precedent.
Fear, dread and worry are odd things. But very real odd things.
And because I am writing about ‘the event’ they affect the event. Or maybe better said they affect your performance at the event.
They become important to talk about for in the moment of the event should lie peace and a certain contentment if we accept the moment as it is (and you actually want to do your best at the event).
But fear saps peace. And worse it saps energy.
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” Leo F. Buscaglia
I will change this quote for my needs and say “it only saps today of its energy.”
The constant litany of everything that should have been done, everything that needs to be done, everything you wish you had time to have done … and done it better … sap energy that could be invested in the event.
And many of the things I just listed are driven of fear of the event.
Now. I am not suggesting not being prepared or thinking through what needs to be done or anything like that.
But events are meant to be commanded not feared.
And the difference between approaching an event looking at both of these is significantly different.
I am sure we all have encountered that familiar tightening in your gut as you not only near the event but sometimes just even thinking about the damn thing.
Deep breaths don’t do shit.
Convincing yourself that everything will be okay doesn’t do shit.
And building the perfect plan CERTAINLY doesn’t do shit. (because inevitably it will all go to shit and you will fester and worry about that)
Let me tell you the conclusion of what will occur AFTER the event with worries:
“None of it happened (what I feared or worried about).”
“Some of what I feared happened.” (but it the world didn’t stop spinning)
Oh.
“Look at all the time I wasted.” (fearing the event)
The anxiety and fear associated with the event is a big fat frickin’ waste of time.
Imagining how everything was going to turn out badly was a waste of energy. (and the people who suggest that doing such things made everyone better prepared are wrong … unequivocally wrong)
Some guy who had a crappy education and ended up on CNN or something like that said: “I’d been so focused on my doubts, on replaying that tape of me at my worst, that I’d forgotten who was truly helping me become the best I could be.”
Dude.
You got it (the issue). And you got it (what you wanted).
Ok.
Yeah. I purposefully selected probably one of the best naval commanders of all time to make this point.
You can fear the event or you can command the event.
Boldness, or commanding the moment, does have a certain power to it. I won’t call it magic but rather energy.
And that makes fearing what is actually something that is inevitable (the event) is just plain silly. And just a plain waste of energy.
I don’t care if it’s a presentation, a speaking event, your driver’s test, an interview or even a frickin’ date.
They are inevitable events.
Seek to command. Do not enter into the event in fear. Stand on the deck amongst the bullets in full uniform and take what will come.
But.
Command. Do not fear the event.
Command the event.
respect the burden
Sep 2nd
“respect the burden” – Napoleon Bonaparte
Ah.
So, yes, I wrote this in combination with Nelson’s ‘don’t fear the event.’
Two charismatic leaders who didn’t fear the event and respected the burden that came along with being a leader (and managing the event to the extent they could).
Before I get to the ‘burden’ it is interesting to note both of these excellent leaders of men were excellent delegaters. Excellent delegaters.
Nelson? Huge advocate of independent command. He was always clear on his expectations (‘when in doubt put yourself as close to the enemy as possible’) but delegated responsibility to individual commanders on how to do so.
Napoleon? Huge advocate of independent command. He was a ‘reactor’ to the situation. Gave his general’s direction and independence to act depending on the situation (he just chose excellent commanders).
They respected the burden.
They understand the burden. And they understood the aspects of the burden.
Being a leader carries with it huge responsibility. Not only are you constantly under a microscope but while under the microscope you are carrying the burdens of leadership.
But I find it interesting that the great leaders rarely invest a lot of energy discussing ‘burden’ but rather responsibility to others.
“A leader is a dealer in hope.” Napoleon
Part of the burden is giving hope in the face of fear.
Encouraging action when there is a temptation to freeze.
Part of it is ‘showing the way’ or at least showing ‘what could be.’
And be believable.
And.
Part of the burden is decisions. Or ‘guiding independent actions.’
“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”- Napoleon
There is a burden to make decisions … and to permit others to make decisions.
Part of the burden is understanding the importance of communication in leadership.
Included in that is the understanding of a responsibility for peoples actions even though you have delegated the actions.
“An order that can be misunderstood will be understood.” Napoleon.
Part of the burden is understanding the depth and breadth of the leadership responsibility. Understanding it does not rest solely in one decision or a great decision but rather the great and the many and the ongoing. It is a burden to be a leader because the weight remains regardless. Maybe the best example I have seen of this was on West Wing where the president character’s most common phrase spoken was “what’s next.”
Part of the burden is always knowing that what’s next is just as important as what just was.
Resting is rarely an option for leaders.
“Greatness be nothing unless it be lasting.” Napoleon
And lastly.
Part of the burden is understanding the role they play with some humility.
“A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.” – Napoleon
The heights of leadership is rare air coupled with a burden of many aspects.
The greatest accept the burden.
And even better?
They not only understand all aspects of the burden but accept the burdens with grace and character and intelligence and some characteristic of charisma.
So.
Don’t fear the event.
Respect the burden.
Great management lessons.
For life and business.
enlightened college football conflict analysis
Sep 2nd
Opening weekend in college football. My look at the top 25 and some other stuff and my enlightened expert analysis.
First.
Because I have been very very consistent on this issue I need to comment on BYU going independent (I have always believed the Mormons should just have an all-star team and beat the crap out of everyone). Oh. I also believe an all star team would constantly receive NCAA violations for too many tickets allocated for the wives section so maybe that is a vote against that idea.
Anyway. Awesome. The Mormon team can now be free to do what Dean Smith of UNC used to do. Promise incoming players they would schedule games where they were from or their families were. BYU can now travel the world to play maybe in Africa, Latin America or even Easter Island. Now THAT is a recruiting ploy (the bastards).
Second.
No Notre Dame in the top 25 so I don’t get to make any Charlie Weiss jokes or talk about jimmy c’losin’ or Knute spinning in his grave over their win loss record. But. Suffice it to say my prediction is they will be better than last year. Yeah. I know. I really stuck my neck out on that one.
Third.
The top 25. A quick look at the games enlightened conflict style.
No. 1 Alabama vs. San Jose State
Alabama plays ‘san’s Mark Ingram. No way Jose! Oh. Saban is still stuck on sport center set playing ginga with Mack Brown. Doesn’t matter. Bama fraternity parties will have more drunks then in the stands by the end of the 3rd quarter.
No. 2 Ohio State vs. Marshall
I still don’t think Pryor is a great quarterback. But. He is absolutely a thundering herd as he rolls down the field. He is kind of a Tebow-lite player. I didn’t like Tebow either. Doesn’t matter. Buckeyes won’t look as good as everyone wants them to look. Everyone will start questioning how good they are. But. They will win. And Tressell will sport a brand new argyle sweater vest which will wow the boys from West Virginia.
No. 3 Florida vs. Miami (OH)
Don’t misread. This ain’t THE Miami. How Florida is number 3 is beyond me. Talented? Yes. Number 3? You gotta be nuts. Yeah. Gator country celebrates this week. Florida. Enjoy it while you can. By the end of the season you ain’t number 3.
No. 4 Texas vs. Rice
Longhorns eat rice. Makes for leaner beef. No mad cows here.
No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 6 Virginia Tech
Broncos leave the smurf turf to try and make a point they belong in college football instead of high school football. The Hokies are young and inexperienced and the crowd will be drunk. They will play lights out in the first half. Then Boise will remind themselves that if they lose they end up playing a bunch of games on silly looking turf in -5 degree weather and no one will care … and they win.
No. 7 TCU vs. No. 22 Oregon State
Whoever scheduled a game between Horned Frogs and Beavers should be given a raise. Purple and obnoxious beaver orange and black and random colors appear on the field will be offensive to the eye. The score? Who cares. Every fashion designer in the world will find inspiration in this game. Dammit. But beavers are bigger than frogs I believe.
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. Utah State
Oklahoma starts their run at another BCS bowl loss. They are better than everyone thinks they are. Doesn’t mean they won’t lose another bowl game but today they start showing everyone how good they are.
No. 9 Nebraska vs. Western Kentucky
This is awesome. This is probably the closest most Nebraska boys will ever get to Kentucky. The only hope for the Kentucky team is that all the Nebraska boys will be staring at their cheerleaders thinking “wow, that’s what girls are supposed to look like” and forget to play. Well. Won’t happen. But don’t be surprised if some second team Nebraska boys transfer to a southeast college afterwards.
No. 10 Iowa vs. Eastern Illinois
Nobody probably remembers but last year Iowa sucked in their first game and almost lost to some high school team in northern Iowa. Won’t happen this year. They will focus. That just means they will suck in their second game this year.
No. 11 Oregon vs. New Mexico
Well. having been in New Mexico I will first point out green and ducks are a rarity. So. The Lobos will come out and not only be befuddled by whatever wacky uniforms the Ducks are wearing but also spend at least a half researching this new color they are seeing as well as “what the fuck is a duck and do they only get that big in Oregon?” By then the game will be done and Nike will be happy and the Lobos can go home and talk about rain and this new amazing color called green and ‘have you ever seen that big a fucking duck?”
No. 12 Wisconsin vs. UNLV
So. Wisconsin chooses to go to Vegas to start the season. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Badgers are good but the cheese boys are just gonna be getting in from the tables and the strip clubs and this game is gonna be closer than everyone thinks. Plus. Let me go on record. Wisconsin suspends at least three players after this weekend.
No. 13 Miami (Fla.) vs. Florida A&M
Being 13 is nuts (they should be higher). Miami is pissed. The rattlers get crushed. And watch Miami (as long as they stay pissed) start their run up into the top 10.
No. 14 Penn State vs. Youngstown State
Joe Paterno forgets to bring his Depends. Keeps leaving the sidelines. No one notices. Penn state is already focused on next game. It doesn’t matter. Its games like this that make you wonder why college football just doesn’t have a preseason game before really having games count.
No. 15 Pittsburgh at No. 24 Utah
This will be an awesome game even if you don’t care about Mormons, Indians, wildlife or anything outside of SEC football. I have no clue who will win. But I will watch this one.
No. 16 LSU vs. No. 18 North Carolina
Another awesome game. Everyone seems to be picking LSU but I actually believe UNC will suck it up and win this one. Now. UNC will end up losing some bonehead games later on in the season and underachieve but this one? Yeah. I think they make Miles throw his hat on the ground in frustration.
No. 17 Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina State
Well. Just having been in Atlanta I think that the rambling wreck fans will have other things to do than attend this game. I think it is Pot Festival weekend. The engineers (fans) all go off and get stoned, go to the Varsity and pig out and wander into the stadium after the game is done to see that Tech won and then go off and eat pizza and do whatever engineers do for fun.
No. 19 Arkansas vs. Tennessee Tech
Ryan Mallett is awesome. He will look even awesomer against Tennessee Tech. If he stays in the game long enough he is gonna put up better numbers than a Texas Tech quarterback. I will say it here and now. Mallett is gonna be an awesome pro quarterback if he stays healthy.
No. 20 Florida State vs. Samford
At first I thought it was Stanford and I was going to call this the IQ versus no IQ game. Nuts. Missed opportunity. Regardless. Seminoles can save whatever IQ they may have for another game. In fact. Maybe they should use this opportunity to go to some classes and skip the game because they would win anyway.
No. 21 Georgia vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
I am assuming Georgia scheduled this game thinking somehow it would prepare them for the ‘real’ Louisiana game. Whatever. UGA has the best looking girls in the top 25. Hands down. That’s all that really matters.
No. 23 Auburn vs. Arkansas State
So. Here’s a random fact. Auburn is the only team in the SEC to retain their entire coaching staff from last year (USA Today). Huh? Who cares? This is one of these stupid games that will tell us absolutely nothing about how good any team is. I hope it is 100 degrees and 90% humidity and everyone is miserable. Because if you tune into his game you will be miserable. The fans may as well share in your pain.
No. 24 West Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina
WTF. Who schedules these games? Ok. I admit. I liked the Mountaineers offense with Rodriguez and I do think they have a cool logo. Sorry. That’s all I got for this game. If West Virginia loses this game they should go to Chile and utilize their mining skills and get those miners out and stay there until December doing that.
that one person
Aug 31st

“you can only tell who you are, if you have that one person to tell you.”
I would imagine the picture and saying is directed toward something romantic.
But.
Think of this as a mentor. Or in the business world. And maybe even life in general … but I will talk business.
We all, no matter how good or bad we are, just don’t know who “we are” in our business lives when we begin. As a matter of fact I would guess that at each transition point in our business lives we don’t know exactly who “we are.”
And then one day you know.
And it’s not a light bulb going off.
And it’s not an epiphany.
And it’s not something that occurs by looking in the mirror.
Its words.
Not anything you can read but words you hear.
A mentor, someone you truly respect, says something.
We all need these words at some point in our lives. We would be silly to not think so.
Words are powerful. Words empower.
Oh.
And words are a responsibility.
I got copied on an email today from a friend who was introducing me to a contact for my wacky global education initiative idea.
She called me a mentor.
It gave me pause.
Being a mentor is a responsibility. On many levels it is a responsibility but when I saw the quote above I … well … paused a little. And thought.
As you mentor people choose your words wisely. For they can be road signs at crossroads in people’s lives.
Yeah. I know this now. And it is easy for me to type this now.
But. As I think of the hundreds of people I may have impacted as a manager, and sometimes as a mentor at the same time, I wonder if I truly recognized the responsibility all the time.
What I am sure of is I was blessed with incredible business, and I would imagine life, mentors throughout my life. Some made huge impacts and some made incremental but significant small moment impact.
Polly Goodrich-Reese
David Strauss (who I called coach)
I had 4 at one time in one place, all extremely different; all with one thought … make me the best person I could be: Charlie Calise, Steve Price, Beth Mack, Pat Madden
Jeff White
(there are others but the list could get long … as I said … I was very fortunate in the mentor department)
We all have at least one mentor in our lives. Or, let’s say I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have at least one.
And then at some point I would imagine I became a mentor to some people.
And I hope I did as well with that responsibility as the ones I had.
But. What I did learn.
All those people I listed above never wasted words. But they also told me things. And I would have never figured out who ‘I was’ without them telling me.
I guess the business point of this post is when you are a manager you can make an impact in many ways. But words.
Oh those little words.
Little words with big impact.
Weigh them carefully.
Because you may be “that one person to tell you” for someone and you want to get it right.
Because getting it wrong … is … well … anyway … just avoid it.
owning a contradiction
Aug 31st
Ah.
Contradictions. My favorite topic (certainly in business).
I guess the idea from a literature rules standpoint is a combination of an oxymoron and figurative literature (if you want to track using other people’s words).
Regardless.
I personally love the idea of ‘owning a contradiction’ because it is a descriptive phrase that invokes people to hold two opposing concepts concurrently.
And more importantly?
It is a smart idea. And I don’t care who you are you like smart ideas. Ideas that make you think.
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
Anyway.
I can’t believe it has taken me so long to write about contradictions. And owning a contradiction.
Patient quickness.
Make haste slowly.
That kind of stuff.
Literally I imagine we are simply discussing oxymorons.
But.
I will get back to that (because I am curious and looked up all that stuff).
Owning a Contradiction is excellent for when you are talking about brand positioning and company’s value propositions and what people think about an organization (or product or service).
It becomes something that may seem counter intuitive and make people cock their heads a little bit and think “how do they do that?”.
From an organization value proposition standpoint (what is it we do best – with a skew toward functional) owning a contradiction is kind of the holy grail.
In particular you love to zero in on some aspect of more for less.
(Think of that as the holy grail value proposition sweet spot).
What do I mean?
That’s like …
More happiness-satisfaction less worry.
Get more Services at less cost.
More nutrition in least (smallest) portion.
Do more with less (plus/minus relationship).
Do most with least amount of money/budget.
Large global resources attention to small details.
Just saw an Accenture ad … “who say you can’t be big and nimble?”
Stuff like that.
If you can build an organizational culture and innovations and attitudinal structure with something like that at the core you are golden.
Now and for the future.
Anyway.
Whenever I bring up owning a contradiction at first blush everyone loves the idea.
The challenge is when people want to “understand it.”
So.
Inevitably you get the smart(ass) question … ‘are you talking about an oxymoron or a paradox’?
(yikes. Here is where I need to search dictionaries for help)
Oxymoron or Paradox. Here are the two definitions.
An oxymoron as “a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in ‘cruel kindness’ or ‘to make haste slowly’.”
(c’mon … who uses ‘locution’ in a sentence … jerks)
A paradox is defined as “a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth”.
Uh oh.
That didn’t help me. Is one a figure of a speech and one a sentence? Geez.
‘Self contradictory but in reality expresses a possible truth.’
Now. That sounds good.
Unfortunately if I research oxymoron I get more of what I am talking about with owning a contradiction despite the fact the explanation for a paradox seems … well … righter.
(figures it couldn’t be easy, huh?)
The Oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image (okay. They just used oxymoron and paradox together … they are frickin’ killin me) in the reader or listener’s mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole.
Some typical oxymorons are:
- a living death
- sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind
- a deafening silence
- bitter sweet
- The Sounds of Silence (song title)
- make haste slowly
- conspicuous by his absence
Ok. It gets worse (trying to understand what it is supposed to be) when you look at these.
The following seem more like paradoxes to me, but they all are from a book called “Oxymoronica” by Dr. Mardy Grothe.
I can resist everything but temptation.
Oscar Wilde
Don’t be too clever for an audience. Make it obvious. Make the subtleties obvious also.
Billy Wilder
Just be truthful – If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.
Barbara Stanwyck
Please all, and you will please none.
Aesop – 6th century BC
Nothing is permanent, except change.
Heraclitus – 4th century BC
Regardless
Owning a contradiction (to me) is not only smart but it articulates something in a way that it actually becomes a figure of Speech (which also has a literal definition by the way)
Uh oh. Another definition. Figure of speech?
A figure is worth a thousand words (A picture is worth a thousand words)
Figurative language:
One meaning of “figure” is drawing” or “image” or “picture”. Figurative language creates figures (pictures) in the mind of the reader or listener. These pictures help convey the meaning faster and more vividly than words alone.
We use figures of speech in “figurative language” to add color and interest, and to awaken the imagination. Figurative language is everywhere, from classical works like Shakespeare or the Bible, to everyday speech, pop music and television commercials. It makes the reader or listener use their imagination and understand much more than the plain words.
Anyway.
I come back to “expresses a possible truth.”
Owning a contradiction (when you aren’t making it up and it is something of value) is figurative, a paradox and most importantly is communicating the possibility of a truth.
Something meaningful but contradictory … all to the benefit of whoever you are communicating to.
In a way it is quite possible I like contradictions because they aggressively and interestingly attack people’s ignorance.
They make you think of things that may not seem possible but become an interesting ‘truth’ (and we learn something).
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.
Confucius – 6th century BC
Anyway.
I know I embody a contradiction in the work place.
Lunch bucket intellectual is my contradiction. Bring a blue collar work ethic day in and day out but relentless intellectual curiosity to seek insights and ‘truth.’
I guess I am also a generalist specialist. But. We will get back to that.
But.
I didn’t write this because of me.
It is because I am across a real contradiction that intrigued me.
So I was looking at a software company who really didn’t have marketing strategy at it corporate culture core (as if any technology software company does, huh?) and as I was cruising through some information and it hit me … they were generalist specialists (specialists in software innovations and tool development yet generalist in industries – their customers are a potpourri of industries and services and product deliverers)..
It was interesting to me.
Maybe because I am almost positive they don’t see themselves that way.
Maybe because I am a generalist specialist.
And maybe it is interesting because I really enjoy trying to get organizations like that to understand the potential of such a positioning for them.
Anyway.
Not sure I will ever get to tell them but if I do you can bet I will be talking about “generalist specialist.”
Bottom line?
Any time you can own a contradiction you are more interesting … as a product, as a business or even as a person.
this I am today, that I will be tomorrow
Aug 29th
Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and the movements and changes in the world around him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, ‘This I am today; that I will be tomorrow.’ The wish, however, must be implemented by deeds.” Louis Lamour
So.
I have written about self esteem and self image and living life.
Until now I have never found a quote that summarizes a belief I have always had lurking in the back of my head.
Louis Lamour is best known for his western writing (The Sacketts being the longest series).
“Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be.”
How awesome is that?
(pretty awesome)
It is absolutely true that a lot of what may hold us back from our dreams, or maybe more importantly, being whatever it is we want to be isn’t our fault (or in our control). It would be foolish to not recognize that.
But.
The days when nothing seems to go right. The days where dreams seemed to have vanished. The days where ‘not drowning’ is the focus instead of ‘swimming.’ All those days are gonna happen. To all of us.
And it is on these days where it becomes really really easy to focus on excuses.
But.
We do have power to shape our tomorrows.
Even if circumstances make things difficult improving things is NOT impossible. Sometimes a little ingenuity is required. Sometimes you almost have to trick circumstances.
And what a statement. What a fucking beautifully written statement:
“That I am today; that I will be tomorrow.”
Absolutely most people underestimate what they can do today.
Absolutely most people over estimate what they can do tomorrow.
But it still comes down to two things: action and objectives.
What I am tomorrow depends on what I do today.
My actions today make me who I am tomorrow. (you get it)
This is all about first step baby. First step.
You constantly hear “I’ll do it tomorrow”. And when it doesn’t happen tomorrow, it becomes the next tomorrow and the next and …. well … you get it.(and I will explain why under objectives)
But.
While you hear that what is actually the truth.
What do people really do? (and you just may not always see it)
Here is the truth behind actions and this thought. Yup. The truth.
People who decide mentally to “do something” actually … well … do something. They do take action. They do begin to “shape the clay of their life to become what they want to be.”
Then what is the problem?
Objectives. Meeting the sometimes farcical expectations in the mind.
So.
Let me take a minute on ‘objectives.’
When writing about this quote I happened across this kid (university student) named Scott H Young who wrote something on this topic.
Now.
I will admit. He lost me somewhere in the middle but regardless he comes up with a nifty concept called “velocity based thinking (or goal setting).” Here you go. I didn’t want to steal his idea but rather simply share it. This isn’t the entire thinking just a highlight to make a point:
How is it possible to balance living in each moment and the concept of personal growth and improvement? Doesn’t personal development imply a certain dissatisfaction with where you are in life? At the very least, doesn’t an obsession with personal growth indicate that you are constantly living in the future, rather than enjoying each moment? How can we remove this apparent dichotomy and get the improvement we desire along with satisfaction now? In other words, how can we live for today and still strive for tomorrow?
The old position based paradigm told us to focus on where we are in life. If we have a big house, a nice family and are in good health, then we can be happy. If we are poor, miserable and alone then we are depressed. Pretty simple. In this paradigm, our main focus is on our current position.
Some take this position based thinking to a slightly higher level when they don’t think about where they are but where they are going. Instead these people draw their level of happiness from the position they feel they will be in the future. Although this is an improvement, the cost of being unsatisfied with today is simply too high a price to pay for this paradigm.
There is an alternative paradigm, however. This is a velocity based paradigm. In this paradigm, where you are doesn’t matter. It doesn’t even matter where you are going to end up. From this perspective, our focus not where we are going, but rather, the rate we are getting there. This perspective tells us that being homeless or a millionaire makes no difference. It is only the rate at which they are improving that distinguishes them.
The major distinction between a velocity based goal and a position based one is mostly in how you view the goal. Positional goals are usually viewed as a means to achieve something. If I set a goal to lose x pounds in three months, then what I am pursuing is the goal itself. Velocity based goals take a completely different approach. The purpose of a velocity based goal is to serve to direct, focus and amplify the growth you are experiencing right now.
Imagine life is like climbing an infinitely large cliff side. Positional thinking tells you to try and get as high up the cliff as you can. Positional goals are used to reach new plateaus on the cliff. Velocity based thinking tells us that getting really high up on the cliff is irrelevant given its infinite nature. Instead velocity based thinking tells us that the true experience of life has to come from the rate at which we are climbing the cliff. Sitting at one notch of the cliff for too long is boring and unsatisfying regardless of your height. Velocity based goals in this sense are not used to reach the plateaus themselves, these goals are used to encourage, push and measure the rate at which you are climbing.
The key difference between positional goals and velocity based goals is simple. If you fail to achieve a positional goal, this is usually very demotivating. This is often why so many new goal setters fail to continue with the practice. The pain of failing to achieve when you’ve tried your best is often too great. Velocity based goals remove this problem entirely. Because the goal was simply a servant of directing and pushing your own growth, as long as you know you were trying your best (maximum velocity possible) then the goal was successful regardless of whether you underestimated the deadline necessary.
A velocity based paradigm is actually far more effective in improving our position.
The reason is actually rather simple. Positional based thinking is built on the notion of competition. As a result, we strive to make leaps ahead in our position based on where we are compared to others. If we are on the top then we slow down, for what is the point of trying really hard when you are already in the lead? If we are on the bottom, negativity and pessimism often cripple our growth. Position based thinkers tend to only achieve a maximum velocity when they feel they need to increase their position, yet that positional increase is achievable. Velocity based thinking doesn’t have this weakness. People who truly live this ideal are at a maximal velocity all of the time. Being at the top or bottom holds no distinction to these people. Rich or poor, strong or weak, healthy or ill these people are always traveling at a speed which is the most they can possibly achieve.
What I like about his velocity thing? It isn’t about frickin’ milestones and moving up the ladder and crap like that. It is about movement. And movement at your own pace. Not in competition but rather just with a goal of improving personal being. Judging yourself against … well … yourself I guess.
And with that I get to complete the circle on this quote and thought.
“That I am today; that I will be tomorrow.”
The only really important word Louis uses throughout this thought is “I.”
It’s not about competition.
It’s not about goals and objectives.
It is about I. And what “I” wants.
That said.
Go your own speed. Fuck what anyone says.
Sure. Becoming who you want to be “tomorrow” takes lots and lots of work. But. Go your own velocity.
Anyhow.
I thought I would share this quote.
Because I like the way it gives the truth instead of some pithy inspirationally flippant quote.
choosing the right word
Aug 29th
“Where the emotion has found its thought and the thought has found the words.”
Robert Frost
I love this quote for a number of reasons.
Let me focus on two.
First is I do love words and I truly envy people who know how to take a seemingly mixed bag of words and put them together in a way that makes people laugh or cry or just “feel something.”
Second is something practical. I tell people in business that more great ideas, more great thoughts, have died because they have not been articulated well then anything other reason in the world (more than even process or scared people).
Great thoughts are meaningless if no one can understand them.
The most powerful thoughts and ideas in the world have typically been captured in some words that have clearly communicated the thought behind it and evoked some sort of emotion.
In the end.
You have to find the words or the best thought you have ever had will die.
That is almost a postulate in life.
So.
With all that said and with full understanding that I will never be able to use words a well as Robert Frost (or maybe even Jack Frost) I have this book I keep with me everywhere I go.
Choose the Right Word by S. I. Hayakawa.
A friend just reminded me of how great that book is for those of us who challenge ourselves to use the right, or best, words whenever we can. It is the bible of wordsmanship.
























