“Just saying yes because you can’t bear the short-term pain of saying no is not going to help you do the work.”Seth Godin “Rob, could you help me?” The person asking that question is a friend. Like many of us, my inclination is to always help friends and family. It is what I want to do. Helping another brings a level of internal satisfaction like nothing else. And, I like what my friend is doing. I am motivated to say yes. But my answer is “No." In the last 10-plus years, this answer is … [Read more...]
How to be Happy
“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come." Dalai Lama Ding! The alert from my phone communicates that I have just received a text message. Contrary to my normal practice of silencing all electronic interference while writing, I forgot to turn off my phone this morning. Now distracted, I proceed to read the message. “Good morning, sweet little … [Read more...]
Effort is How to Succeed
“Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” Denis Waitley The excited raised voices in the cockpit of The Great Gab-Sea communicate that one crew member has a fish on his line. From my view atop the flybridge, I can see Justin and the rod he is holding bent over the side of the boat. Our young angler is holding on for dear life. First mate Ben quickly moves to Justin’s aid … [Read more...]
A Family Approach to Success
“It is important for me to carve out time in my schedule to spend quality time with my family.” Belinda Johnson Andrew leans over and says to me just a few simple yet, powerful words. The conversation takes place in a gathering hosted by my sister, Janice. Present in the room are her three sons and their families from Colorado, South Carolina and Birmingham, Alabama. We are gathered in the living-dining room of the rented condo on the beach in Orange Beach, Alabama. Meeting seven young … [Read more...]
Caught in the Act
“We can be incredibly disconnected in this day and age with computers and cell phones.” Marcia Gay Harden, actress “What are you doing, Panpaw?” she asks with an obvious tone and look that reveals her complete disapproval. My granddaughter Caroline catches me looking at my Smartphone in the middle of our conversation. Family and friends are gathered in the salon of The Great Gab-Sea, now parked at the Pirates Cove dock. Earlier we had traveled from our home slip in Terry Cove past beautiful … [Read more...]
The Secret to Life
“The ONE THING shows up time and again in the lives of the successful because it’s a fundamental truth.” Gary W. Keller Answer these questions with complete honesty: What is left undone in your life right now? What is nagging at your very heart to get done? What is pleading with you not to forego another year? If you are not lacking in any of these vital aspects of life, I congratulate you because you would be considered as a universally rare individual. Almost all of us have something that … [Read more...]
Theme
“We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you don’t have a goal. My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared.” Mary Kay Ash How are you doing with your goals for this progressing new year? Did you set any goals? Are you working on objectives that mean the most to you? If your world is as busy as the rest of us, there is much to accomplish, yet possibly not enough time to finalize meaningful … [Read more...]
Leaning Pine
“Grandmas are moms with lots of practice.” Author unknown “In the next three cranks, one, two . . . and there he is,” I exclaim with glee and pride! The nice bend in my light action rod and reel is evidence that my prediction is exactly right. Archie and I are crappie fishing on Mitchell Lake, which is part of the Coosa River tributary in the State of Alabama. The ‘Leaning Pine’ is a special fishing spot named by my dad’s family. A large pine tree on the shore edge, that had fallen into the … [Read more...]
If I Just Had Five More Minutes
“I am definitely going to take a course on time management . . . just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.” Louis E. Boone Are you busy? Who isn’t in today’s world? Do you really have time to even read this article? It will take you less than five minutes. Still, it represents part of your day. How often within an average week are you confronted with a situation or decision where you wish you just had five more minutes to contemplate? ‘If, I just had five more minutes, I could … [Read more...]
Journaling
“I write in a journal daily. This extraordinary ritual has revolutionized my mindset, transformed my heart set, and generally influenced my life exponentially.” Robin S. Sharma, J.D. In a previous newsletter, I wrote about the importance of keystone habits to a successful life. According to Benjamin Hardy, author of Willpower Doesn’t Work, the best keystone habit is journaling. As someone who journals, I can personally confirm how it has made a huge difference in my life. Hardy identifies … [Read more...]
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