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Tag: courage

Want to leave a lasting impression? Do this.

People want to be snapped out of their reverie. They want something different, something new. They want the unexpected to happen.

And this is why most people’s faces are tucked into their devices, mindlessly scrolling. They are searching for meaning. They want to find something that makes them feel. Anything — A photo, a comment, a message, a piece of news that makes their pulse quicken and heart skip.

What if I told you that you could be that pulse-quickener? That this is where your strongest and biggest power lives: Your ability to be somebody’s unexpected.

You could be the moment that brightens someone’s day.

This doesn’t have to be a huge, grandiose gesture. You don’t need extra time or effort. A simple hello. A thoughtful email. A friendly phone call. A message of encouragement.

Here are five more tangible ideas:

  • Walk across the room and compliment a stranger.
  • Pick up your phone and call a distant friend.
  • Order and send lunch to a colleague.
  • Leave flowers in your office.
  • Hide a note for someone to find.

Though these small moments may feel risky, a place where you open yourself up to the world, a position of vulnerability, it is in those exact places where the unforgettable lies.

How do you want to be known?

A lot of people are searching.

We’re questioning the ways things are done and how they are run, the notion of work, the ways in which we live, and the relationships we invest our time in.

We’re actively searching for meaning, for what makes us happy and how we can have an impact — whether helping ourselves or helping others.

No matter where you are along this journey, I’d like to encourage you to “check in” every so often, to make sure your daily decisions are contributing to a life of joy and generosity.

Actively work to create moments and accomplishments you’re proud of, regardless of fame or fortune. Because in the end, your essence and your passion is how people will remember you.

What you leave behind matters most.

Modified from original post found here.

Guilt is worthless (mostly)

Guilt can be split into two faces: The kind that is paralyzing and negative, a harmful state that serves nothing and no one; and the kind that can help you fix what is broken.
The first kind, for obvious reasons, is worthless. This kind of guilt will trick you into thinking you are worthless. It robs you of your most present and precious moments and kills your confidence.
The second kind, however, can be a gift. This one can push you into unexpected growth. Instead of living in shame, this guilt prompts action. It can apologize for wrongdoings and set wheels into motion. New behaviors, evolved patterns, inspired creative projects.
Don’t fall victim to the first kind. If you find yourself wallowing in that direction, force yourself to turn the corner and see what good can come out of a tricky emotional experience.

Sweet and spicy

The most talented chefs have memorized which flavors keep diners coming back for more. These particular dishes aren’t ones that fall into strict “Spicy,” “Sour,” or “Sweet” categories. Instead, they combine elements of several flavor profiles and artfully merge them into one.

The best freelancers — and lovers — understand this balance, too.

Give a creative too much freedom without structure, and ideas will bounce wildly about the room. Set some boundaries, however, and that creative energy can be harnessed into productive results.

Similarly, too many restrictions placed on any partnership will end up in resentment and distance. Fire needs air to breathe. Your most passionate relationships will continue to burn if you give them the space to do so.

The best work and the most satisfying relationships evolve out of unique blends of hard and soft, sweet and spicy, routine and surprise. Find the combinations that work for you.

Strike while the iron is hot

Success is complicated. Failure can be easier to unpack (and accept); a boot stomping out a potential future. Success, however, leads into a winding, mystifying unknown. This is scary to many people and for good reason.
When things start to go right, how do you respond? Do you take credit or attribute some outside force — the right place at the right time, a lucky draw, someone else’s connections, a recommendation from a trusted peer.
Sure, sometimes you get lucky. But when fortune starts to favor you, don’t back down or shy away from success. Keep working hard, keep saying yes, keep finishing tough projects. And remember: You deserve your wins.

When there isn’t a spark

When your heart no longer flutters in your relationship, at work, or for a project, you have a decision:

1.) Walk away

2) Dig in

If you choose Option 1, take time to consider what went well about the experience. What aspects were enjoyable? What attracted you in the first place?

For Option 2, make sure there’s an upswing. How is the situation serving you and helping expand your skillset? What goals are you working toward?

Rekindling takes time and effort but can be just as rewarding as finding new passions.