It could be said that an optimist sees the opportunity and the pessimist only the adversity.
Mindset ? Attitude? Perhaps, to some extent.
But it still and always will boil down to the choices one makes.
A different take on “what you see is what you get”. You can choose to see the challenges that lay before you through one set of eyes. Seeing only work. Time. Anxiety. Discomfort. Things that have to be overcome.
Or you can choose to see them as opportunities for effort. Commitment. Faith. Perseverance. Resources for the future. The valuable qualities you can obtain, practice and then work to perfect.
“You cannot consistently perform in a manner which is inconsistent with the way you see yourself.”
― Zig Ziglar
Close your eyes and visualize your individual performance this week. Picture everything about each day; as it unfolded, your role in it, how you “saw” yourself perform.
Then picture the outcome.
Make exercising this kind of vision intentional. A practice that is meant to create “deja vu”. Placing yourself vividly within the event even before it all played out.
By envisioning your future performance, you establish an indelible image; a benchmark of sorts.
By creating that pre-event expectation level and performance, you will help yourself stay “on script”. The reality of your effort and execution will rise to the level of that vision you hold of yourself.
What you picture for yourself affirms who “you” are now – and – foretells what you can choose to become. You can control the clarity and the image. And “how you see yourself” will touch every aspect of your life.
You are truly the person you choose to “see”.
The one that ultimately has to perform, achieve and succeed within the vision you created.
“I know of no such unquestionable badge and ensign of a sovereign mind as that of tenacity of purpose…”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
You will confront adversity.
At the moment, It may seem a substantial mass. And without exercising your due diligence, discernment and discipline, perceptions of this moment could become distorted.
Leadership is the lens through which these times must be viewed. And it is first and foremost, a choice. An instrument wholly guided from within. Sovereign to each and every one of you. Reflected by your tenacity of purpose.
So never grant rationalization the responsibility to determine the outcome of any situation.
Do not cede the treasured asset of risk for “status quo.”
Nor forsake an opportunity for excellence in exchange for a pedestrian existence.
Bold actions and big pictures demand committed, consistent effort. And dreams are meant to be hard and take too damn long. All are a part of this test.
To see if the mass of a moment will intimidate you into inertia.
But you can always choose to be an irresistible force, and move the immovable. Win the moment. Seize the day.
“Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear and doubt . “
– H.A. Dorfman
Too often, we tend to view self discipline as a control measure.
As a means of reining in growth, opportunity and ultimately – freedom.
But that cannot be further from the truth.
Self discipline consists entirely of achieving self mastery. Embracing a tack towards intention. To do the right thing no matter the circumstance. A trait gained when you refuse to give in.
Whether to doubt, fear, the unknown, just plain fatigue, self pity or having an off day.
Self discipline is the catalyst of a life well lived. Energizing the ability to stay on task and see things all the way through.
“To accomplish anything worthwhile, you must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice.”
― John Burroughs
Nothing in life that is worthwhile will come easy.
You have to work for those things that you truly want. Yet work cannot be narrowly defined as only an effort in a physical sense. Duty. Routine. Assignment. Work is also more so a mental, emotional and spiritual endeavor as well.
Achievement, excellence and success is never a matter of destiny, fate, timing or being in the right place at the right time. For that would mean that we live by chance and what is given rather than being guided by intention. To live solely by chance would negate the value and virtue of your effort and commitment. Your perseverance and sacrifice. And ultimately, your purpose.
In order to “be” or “become” – you first need to intend to “be” or “become”.
To be purposeful in your thoughts, words and deeds. To live with intention – and intentionally – is to be guided by purpose. There will always be a price to pay if you live with intention if you are purposeful in all that you do. You will have to “give up” and “surrender” in order to “go up” and become “victorious”. You will need to leave some – or maybe all of who and what you “are” behind – in order to get to where you want to go and who you wish to be.
To be what and who you want to become requires sacrifice.
And this is never an easy proposition.
Rest assured that the suffering you inevitably encounter along the way – whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual in nature – will only be temporary. You are simply giving up comfort for the moment, familiarity of the circumstance and the certain in your mind in order to press ahead, grow and become what you were intended to be.
...my temporary assignment. 