All posts tagged Choices

  • Perception

    I’ve mentioned reframing before. It’s powerful, but difficult to keep in mind. Seth’s post is a timely reminder, though – bolding is mine:

    How much of your day is spent doing things you have to do (as opposed to the things you get to do.)? In my experience, as people become successful and happier (the subset that are both) I find that the percentage shifts. 

    You’d think that this happens because their success permits them to skip or delegate the have to tasks. And to some extent, this is true. But far more than that, these people redefine what they do all day. They view the tasks as opportunities instead of drudge work.

    I don’t buy into the notion that we can’t enjoy what we do all day. That any personal satisfaction achieved in the workplace should be met with self-depricating humour and subsequently buried. That each working week should be considered a battle toward Friday and a weekend of excess, at the cost of health. 

    When did this pervasive ideology take root?

    Rarely do I witness people – in any field of experience, professional or otherwise – take pride in what they do for a living. 

    I see it as a choice – mediocrity, or excellence. Doing enough to get by – the bare minimum – or excelling, extending, exceeding.

    I’m starting to remind myself of a character from Office Space, so I’ll give it a rest.

    It’s just one of those little rules you create for yourself, though. If only a few people notice the positive choices you make, there’s a good chance that those few are the ones who hold the keys to further opportunities.

    Perception is the key concept here. Have to do versus get to do.

  • Mediocrity versus excellence

    An excellent post on Schaefer’s Blog linked from The Art Of Manliness discusses a general lack of personal responsibility and accountability:

    This is why something needs to change – and instead of demanding it from everyone else it has to start with us. As Herbert Spencer aptly spoke, “The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.”

    After all, at the end of the day it’s about taking a coat when it looks like it’s chilly outside. You can choose not to, it’s true, but don’t whine when you get cold.  Life’s about choices.

    Mediocrity is easy. Excellence is hard. 

    I find inspiration everywhere. In the actions – the poor choices – of my fellows. 

    They constantly eat crap and wonder why they’re unhealthy? Inspiration to exercise more often and constantly evaluate what I eat.

    Their entire day ruined due to a crippling hangover from the night before? Inspiration to exercise self control and restrict what I drink.

    They spend considerable amounts of time enveloped within a virtual world while barely functioning in the real world? Inspiration to read, think, discuss, write, create.

    This thought process has become easier over time. “What could I be achieving right now?” is the question at the back of my mind. 

    The way I see it – we’re here for 80 years. Maybe less, maybe more. Best to make the most of it, right?

    Funny how the first connotation we tend to have with that phrase is partying, socialising, hedonism, affluence

    Life’s about choices. Since most people are happy with mediocrity, I choose excellence.