Its impossible to achieve greatness without embracing fear. While fear or failure may lie beyond the confines of comfort, reaching to new heights requires risk. The choice is this: subsist in mediocrity or push past fear and have the life you want.
Rising above the fear means having courage. Its having the power to let go and forge ahead into new territory. My friend Jay is in the process of purchasing his first home. I could tell this was a big decision for him and the look on his face spoke volumes. After much thought and prayer, he did it! Now he is on cloud nine and should be. This is a good move for him.
A show of courage inspires others. It makes people want to follow you. Leadership is the expression of courage that compels people to do the right thing. Fear limits a leader. Courage opens doors and its wonderful! It provides not only a good beginning but a better future. Eleanor Roosevelt said "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face."
To improve courage, do the following. Go and do something that is out of your comfort zone. Skydive, speak in front of a group, run a marathon, or some other activity. If fear lies in a relationship, talk to that person. Spend time with that person by speaking the truth with love and respect. Finally, take a giant step. Maybe its a career move, or a new relationship. Take the time to really look at it. You might want to talk to a mentor or trusted friend to help think it through.
A courageous act often brings unexpected positive results. Whats yours?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
EUGENE O'KELLY
I named my blog "Chasing Daylight" after Eugene O'Kelly. Eugene O'Kelly was the Chairman and CEO of KPMG, one of the largest CPA firms in the country. In May, 2005, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He was given three to six months to live. He died in the fourth month. He was 53 years old. Eugene wrote a book on how he spent his last 100 days of his life titled "Chasing Daylight." I highly recommend it.
Eugene was a busy person. The CEO of a large company with over 35,000 employees, married with two young children, all the time thinking of business, thinking constantly about the future. When he met his doctor that fateful day, he could only think about tomorrow. He spent his last days saying goodbye to all his friends and family and the book tells the story on the way he found closure.
Life is a short and busy process. Its a flat out race. We start our careers, get married, raise a family, and before you know it, life has nearly passed us by. I have heard on more than one occasion, " Where has all the time gone?" We never know when time will become precious.
Before time becomes precious, stop and look long enough to think about the people we love and why we love them, and go and tell them explicitly how we feel. Begin to think deeply about things you should be thinking about. Closure is also important. This can mean different things to different people. It might be a special trip, a life long project, or fixing a difficult relationship by having that much needed conversation. With closure comes satisfaction, proof that something worthwhile has occurred.
Make the time for closure before time becomes precious.
Eugene was a busy person. The CEO of a large company with over 35,000 employees, married with two young children, all the time thinking of business, thinking constantly about the future. When he met his doctor that fateful day, he could only think about tomorrow. He spent his last days saying goodbye to all his friends and family and the book tells the story on the way he found closure.
Life is a short and busy process. Its a flat out race. We start our careers, get married, raise a family, and before you know it, life has nearly passed us by. I have heard on more than one occasion, " Where has all the time gone?" We never know when time will become precious.
Before time becomes precious, stop and look long enough to think about the people we love and why we love them, and go and tell them explicitly how we feel. Begin to think deeply about things you should be thinking about. Closure is also important. This can mean different things to different people. It might be a special trip, a life long project, or fixing a difficult relationship by having that much needed conversation. With closure comes satisfaction, proof that something worthwhile has occurred.
Make the time for closure before time becomes precious.
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