Years ago I was in a room of newly hired employees when a squared-away woman walked-in. Not a hair out of place, steely gaze - just naturally commanding attention. She asked us all to raise our hands as high as we could.
Of course, everyone raised their hands towards the ceiling, straining a bit in our chairs.
"Reach higher" she said. And of course, everyone reached a bit higher, still in their chairs.
"Come on - higher!". And a few people started standing on the tables and chairs until they were literally touching the ceiling.
Point made.
Yes, this was an incredibly simple demonstration but it has stuck with me. When my brain is fried or I'm tired or just totally beat. I ask if I'm really reaching as high as I can.
The funny thing is there should be no end to that question. Short of a life or death situation, it's hard to imagine where I've truly reached down deep and given it everything I've got.
But isn't that what this is? It's life or death. It's 45 years in an economy car, commuting to work, sitting in a cubicle drinking awful coffee BS-ing about the football game last night. It's the gamble MJ has mentioned a hundred times. Hope you don't get fired. Hope you get a raise. Hope the stock market keeps going-up. Hope you don't die a year before retirement.
I keep reaching higher and higher. Getting up earlier, staying-up later. "Sharpening the axe" and chopping more efficiently. I'm actually scared to think about giving it my all because what if it's not enough.
I've got a great life, but did I get it by giving just slightly more than others? Did I realize long ago that most people are slackers and I could get by at a light jog while everyone was walking? Don't let this haunt you. Don't let that be a question.
So how about you? Have you ever given it your all? Are you afraid of what would happen if you did? I am. But I'm learning to get past that.
If you're successful, did it take your "all"? Or maybe just a slight obsession? And what was it like when you totally burst into flames and pursued your goal like a rocket?
Thanks for reading.
-PM
Of course, everyone raised their hands towards the ceiling, straining a bit in our chairs.
"Reach higher" she said. And of course, everyone reached a bit higher, still in their chairs.
"Come on - higher!". And a few people started standing on the tables and chairs until they were literally touching the ceiling.
Point made.
Yes, this was an incredibly simple demonstration but it has stuck with me. When my brain is fried or I'm tired or just totally beat. I ask if I'm really reaching as high as I can.
The funny thing is there should be no end to that question. Short of a life or death situation, it's hard to imagine where I've truly reached down deep and given it everything I've got.
But isn't that what this is? It's life or death. It's 45 years in an economy car, commuting to work, sitting in a cubicle drinking awful coffee BS-ing about the football game last night. It's the gamble MJ has mentioned a hundred times. Hope you don't get fired. Hope you get a raise. Hope the stock market keeps going-up. Hope you don't die a year before retirement.
I keep reaching higher and higher. Getting up earlier, staying-up later. "Sharpening the axe" and chopping more efficiently. I'm actually scared to think about giving it my all because what if it's not enough.
I've got a great life, but did I get it by giving just slightly more than others? Did I realize long ago that most people are slackers and I could get by at a light jog while everyone was walking? Don't let this haunt you. Don't let that be a question.
So how about you? Have you ever given it your all? Are you afraid of what would happen if you did? I am. But I'm learning to get past that.
If you're successful, did it take your "all"? Or maybe just a slight obsession? And what was it like when you totally burst into flames and pursued your goal like a rocket?
Thanks for reading.
-PM
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