Life Lesson

Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If” has always had a special place in my mind.

It reminds me to keep my head on when all around me are losing theirs.

What he doesn’t get into within the poem, is why. So, I’ll offer an explanation.

It’s not as selfish of an action as the poem makes it seem. There’s benefits you can experience by keeping your head on straight and not being frazzled, but there are more benefits to those around you when you do.

It’s because you bring the energy to every room you enter.

If you enter stressed, red-faced and concerned – people will gravitate toward feeling the same.

Same can be said for when you enter a room passionate, outgoing and excited.

If we learn anything from Rudyard’s poem, it’s that we can learn that deciding our emotion when going into a room is dance, but we can be the lead if we choose.

Stay Positive & Step 1, 2, Step 1, 2

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If we’re ever between the two, it’s not for long.

What matters is our ability to journey on both ends of the spectrum at the right time.

Admittedly, there’s no formula for when the right time is.

What we do know is if you stay in the weeds then your work will suffer.

Same can be said if you remain at the mountaintop with a 30,000 foot perspective.

We need to journey to both, regularly.

Stay Positive & Lace Up

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Let me tell you a story about a boy and a girl …

Let me tell you a story about a man who lost everything …

Let me tell you a story. It’s about a brand that gets it …

Let me tell you a story about a doctor who cares …

Stories are everything. They hook. They retain attention. They move people.

If you’re having trouble getting your work or ideas to resonate, try starting with a story.

You’ll quickly discover that you can’t tell a story without igniting empathy.

In yourself … and the listener.

Stay Positive & Tell More Stories

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Goats can be cute and baby goats, even cuter. They’re playful, you can bottle feed them and they love any time you’re around.

However, goat waste is still goat waste and no amount of ammonia or soapy water scrubs or fresh bales of hay will ever be enough to overcome it.

The baling of waste comes with the territory, though.

Same can be said for just about anything fun, important, meaningful or valuable in life.

Stay Positive & Remember What You Signed Up For

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There may be something you have to say, but how you say it is up to you.

There may be something you have to do, but how you go about it is up to you.

Even when it feels like it’s not your choice, part of it always will be.

Stay Positive & Earn Your Style Points

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I’ll bet on the thing you become known for, the legacy you leave, the actions you take that make the post impact aren’t the things that are flashy and you get attention for.

No doubt, it’s the action you take quietly, but consistently, with care and finesse and magic day in and day out.

Stay Positive & Keep Living Your Muse

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I’m all for putting a monetary value on our time and even more for putting it to things that one may never consider putting it to.

There’s value in not commuting so far to work.

There’s value in keeping the windows at the cafe clean every single day.

There’s value in how often we let others know we appreciate them.

There’s not always an immediate return and there’s definitely not a quantifiable one for all actions you could take.

But at some point, you have to ask what it’s worth to you to do something.

You’re better off getting in the habit sooner than later. It’ll make decisions easier and will remind you that there’s impact in all you do – even the tiniest of actions.

Stay Positive & It Makes All The Difference

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