Category: motivation

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motivation

Start with What is Right

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Compromise is a fact of life. The question isn’t whether we must compromise but when and how much. That is why it is essential to start with what is right in the beginning instead of starting with what is acceptable.

"Start with What is Right" Franz Kafka. Quote accessed at https://brainyquote.com
www.brainyquote.com/s/a_1d2f2

If we start from the mindset of, “This is good enough,” what happens when things don’t go as planned and it’s not good enough? Or if we aim low, sure, we may hit the target, but could it have been better?

When we are in the beginning stages of planning, it is too early to settle for “good enough.” Aim for the best solution, for what is right. If setbacks and compromises keep us off the mark, at least we won’t end up with a less than acceptable result.

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motivation

A life of Excuses

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What do we do with a life of excuses? What should we do when we find ourselves living a life of regrets and could-have-beens?

It’s too easy to make excuses when things aren’t going the way we thought they would by now. What do we do when we are tempted to put the blame on the system or a tool?

This quote by Charles Spurgeon reminds me that excuses come too easily for me.

Lazy people always find fault with their tools, and those who do not intend to work always find some excuse.
Charles Spurgeon

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What’s your excuse?

When things don’t go as expected, we can either give up or work to fix the problem. A flat tire can either be an excuse to stop working or a challenge to overcome. We don’t have to be burdened by problems. We can fix them.

Of course, if we find we can’t fix them, we can always seek help too. Maybe we don’t have the skills or tools to fix the problem, but someone else does.

Sometimes, we aren’t moving on because we are too lazy to fix it. Other times, it’s because we are too proud to ask for help. Either way, there is a solution if we are humble and diligent enough to seek it.

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discipline growth motivation

Rooted and Established

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Take a moment to ponder: where do you have your roots? Where are you established? Is it a place, your family? Or is it your career, maybe your possessions? Reflecting on these questions can lead to a deeper understanding of your values and beliefs.

We live in a time of great anxiety. Stock market portfolios look shaky. We fight over values and may even compromise our values because the ends justify the means.

Continue reading “Rooted and Established”
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motivation

Nobody Drifts to Success

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It doesn’t matter what you want to achieve. Nobody gets there by happenstance. Nobody drifts to success. Sure, we hear stories that may convince us this is the case. Some are born with silver spoons in their mouths, but nobody drifts into doing something meaningful and successful.

Show up and do the hard work. Every Monday, be the one who faithfully puts in the hours and the effort because drifting isn’t a strategy. It’s a recipe for failure. I would rather make the effort and fail, than fail by default because I have never tried.

Let’s face it: it’s too easy to drift. The good news is that you can wake up and correct your course once you realize you are drifting.

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motivation

Consider it pure joy

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How can anyone consider it pure joy when we face trials? How can anything good come from the pressures and challenges in our lives?

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy.

Untested faith is unproven. How can you know if your faith holds without putting it into practice? In a story, a hero without a trial is a hero without a story. How can the hero save the day if there is no problem to confront?

We don’t like trials and tribulations. Yet, problems have benefits. We need them. So when it comes to trials of various kinds, consider it pure joy.