GarthBox

Seeking out knowledge inherently puts our preconceptions to the side. It ignores the status quo we’ve lived up to this point.

Better yet, it’s a productive mindset to look at anything in front of us and think “There’s something to learn from this.”

One, because there is.

And two, because the alternative is the pessimistic view that there isn’t anything to learn or the ignorant view that if there is something to learn, it’s not valuable enough to discover it.

Stay Positive & Which View Will You Take?

Photo credit

The important moments aren’t at the end. They’re not the climax of a movie, either.

The important parts are all the moments that lead up to us caring about the climax or the ending.

The careful dialogue. The curated design. The surprise and delight of building momentum.

Those are the important moments.

Stay Positive & Which Moments Are You Focusing On?

Photo credit

Trick question.

There’s no chance of being too proactive unless it’s off target or off brand.

Otherwise being proactive either ensures momentum in the future or it creates mental resilience and acumen.

This goes for proactive communication, proactive rewards, proactive compliments, proactive labor, proactive planning and so on.

Stay Positive & Gung Ho

Photo credit

There’s a Zen Buddhism word of Shoshin, which means “beginner’s mind.” It refers to being open and eager to absorb new information and implies that we drop any expectation or preconceived ideas about something. It involves looking at something with fresh eyes. And it’s a fantastic way to approach a daily meditation.

But what about beginner’s heart? The emotional baggage we carry with us from yesterday or earlier today? What about the anger we might have for whatever reason? It’s curious to think what would happen if we went through the day with a beginner’s heart, too? Open and eager to show empathy, listen and care. Implying that we drop any preconceived emotions about something or someone. A clean emotional slate.

Stay Positive & Do You Have The Heart For It?

Photo credit

Leadership is partially sharing tactics and strategies. It’s partially training others to build their skills. It’s pointing them in the right direction and helping them out when stumble. All of that is leadership.

But what leaders really do, the core of it all, is that leaders get others to care. Care more. Care enough to be vulnerable, to overcome risks and chaos, to, in turn, lead others.

Stay Positive & Ever Notice The Best Leaders Are Surrounded By Those Who Care The Most?

Photo credit

That’s what all progress is: risky and chaotic.

If it’s neither of those or in the rare cases only one of them, it’s not progress, not forward movement, not using our imagination to its fullest extent.

If it doesn’t feel risky or chaotic then you’re bound to be surpassed by competition.

But when we embrace what feels risky and chaotic; if we enlist ourselves to make the leap despite the feeling of fear and assign ourselves to do our best to organize (and dance with!) the chaos, only then can we make change, an impact that matters, and meaningful progress.

Anything short of risky and chaotic is hiding.

Stay Positive & Ready To Get At It?

Photo credit

Cynicism and skepticism is done at the expense of a group.

So is selfishness and fear.

Far more productive to focus on what is an investment in the group.

Positivity, passion, selflessness, fun.

Note: Even when you don’t think your thoughts and emotions impact the group, they do.

Stay Positive & In It Together

Photo credit