Navigating abundance is its own challenge.
We have an abundance of information. Be fiercely disciplined and shut out most. Tune into voices of value – most voices of “entertainment” and “news” are not voices of value.
We have an abundance of options. Say no to almost everything, and yes to what will take you closer to your goals and toward the person you want to be. Do not worry about what you missed. Be present.
We have an abundance of food and food options. Eat well and not too much.
We are all wealthy in historic terms. Will you rest because you can? Take it easy because you can afford to? Or will you strive to solve problems for others and rise to your potential by giving your gift?
Love this.
Larry, thank you for giving your talent: a daily dose of inspiration all year long. Years ago I found this related quote, “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. –Anais Nin”
Outstanding perspective, Larry – and a great challenge to end this year on and to take renewed into the new year! Information overload, the opportunity to over-indulge in whatever our temptation/vice/diversion is – food, drink, luxury, entertainment, even good intentions – and the propensity, or habit, to rest when we’re not tired (definition of laziness) are all ‘first- world’ challenges that can easily take our lives out of balance or off course if we’re not consciously guarding ourselves against them.
As you shared in an earlier post this year, in order to say ‘yes’ to one thing (your personal or professional imperative), you have to say ‘no’ to a LOT of other things; some of them seemingly harmless if viewed in a limited perspective. For me, this is a CONSTANT struggle, as I am often easily distracted by the ‘good’ when I should be focused on the ‘better’ – it’s also something I have to continually work on with my Team as well. There are so many GOOD things that we could do, or invest in, or get caught up in, but what’s our IMPERATIVE? (Something I’m working through for the new year at this very moment.)
This is GREAT connective post on that topic, along with my post on being Intentional. Being Intentional and knowing what – or who – to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to go hand-in-hand. This is good reminder to re-focus on what that means and how to apply it hour-by-hour in the coming year. (I find that, if one is not disciplined to the continual, intentional evaluation of ‘yes’ or ‘no, it can get away from you fast if you try to go day-by-day for too long.)
Thanks again for another great post!! And for the wisdom, insight, and transparency you share with your readers and leaders each day!
Here’s hoping that you are well rewarded for your investment in others in both your enterprise and in your personal life in the coming year! ?
Do you have any advice for a 20 year old (or 50) on how to determine which information to shut out and which voices of value to tune into? Obviously, news and entertainment are not a path toward goal achievement. But when you come across a seemingly good source, is there a quick test you can use to determine if the source is credible or a charlatan?
Hi Tanner – GREAT to hear from you!! Just your accomplishments that I’m aware of in your business and racing endeavors are IMPRESSIVE – World Class even!
Well done in Baja AGAIN!!
Mad respect, so this is just coming right from the heart…
Forgive me if I’m being presumptuous in addressing your question, but I’m assuming you would have asked this straight to your dad if not directed to me.
If Iam in error in answering, I apologize ahead of time.
This is a very important yet complexly layered topic to address… Charlatans are often hard to distinguish ‘by design’; that’s how they make their bones – come in hard and fast, don’t allow time for their mark to think and evaluate, and get out before nothing they’re doing makes sense long-term and folks start to figure them out.
I think your dad and others of his quality would tell you that the best way to guard your heart is to know it… know YOUR values, YOUR goals, YOUR imperatives, YOUR objectives, and the lines you WILL and WON’T cross to achieve them. Be stable and grounded in yourself, and your understanding of yourself, first and then it’s hard(er) for others to fool you – or make you their fool. So many Bible verses come to mind…
If it’s coming too fast, you don’t understand how it matches your objectives (you have to be ‘schooled on it’ so to speak when it should be in your wheelhouse), and/or you have questions as to motives/motivations of this person trying to get your buy in, then definitely ask questions and be patient to wait for answers that are congruent with your instincts and your understanding of yourself. Try to determine through RELIABLE sources of this is an otherwise altruistic, or at least inherently honest, person in their other dealings – or if they stand to gain an unbalanced advantage in their association with, or influence of, you (e.g., using your name or position to gain influence elsewhere).
Even then, it’s HARD, because you’re in the business and habit of being honest, and predators are not… which is often why the prey miss the signs – because they’re just not used to thinking that way in their day-to-day lives. It just doesn’t occur to them that folks routinely operate this way. (My 80+ year old mother in law was the victim of one of those IRS I-tunes scams a few years back because it was inconceivable to her that something so well- orchestrated was a scam – she belived in what came in the mail and she just didn’t think in the vein of high-level deception…)
Big topic, my man… I hope this helps START the conversation, as this is definitely NOT the end-all be-all answer to your concern, and there is a LOT wisdom represented in the members of this blog.
Take Care! I enjoyed hearing from you! Hopefully we’ll talk more over time ?
PS Gotta throw this in – my dirt ride is a tuned 2021 Husky FE350 – such a beast!
BRAAAPPPP!!! ?