One Behavior Separates The Successful From The Average (post from Kirk Weisler)
A certain farmer had become old and ready to pass his farm down to one of his two sons. When he brought his sons together to speak about it, he told them: The farm will go to the younger son.
The older son was furious! “What are you talking about?!” he fumed.
The father sat patiently, thinking.
“Okay,” the father said, “I need you to do something for me. We need more stocks. Will you go to Cibi’s farm and see if he has any cows for sale?”
The older son shortly returned and reported, “Father, Cibi has 6 cows for sale.”
The father graciously thanked the older son for his work. He then turned to the younger son and said, “I need you to do something for me. We need more stocks. Will you go to Cibi’s farm and see if he has any cows for sale?”
The younger son did as he was asked. A short while later, he returned and reported, “Father, Cibi has 6 cows for sale. Each cow will cost 2,000 rupees. If we are thinking about buying more than 6 cows, Cibi said he would be willing to reduce the price 100 rupees. Cibi also said they are getting special jersey cows next week if we aren’t in a hurry, it may be good to wait. However, if we need the cows urgently, Cibi said he could deliver the cows tomorrow.”
The father graciously thanked the younger son for his work. He then turned to the older son and said, “That’s why your younger brother is getting the farm.”
Successful People Initiate
Most people only do what they are asked, doing only the minimum requirement. They need specific instructions on most things they do.
Conversely, those who become successful are anxiously engaged in a good cause. They don’t need to be managed in all things. They don’t just do the job, they do it right and complete. They also influence the direction for how certain ideas and projects go.
Most importantly, those who become successful initiate. They reach out to people, ask questions, make recommendations, offer to help, and pitch their ideas.
Being successful requires being proactive and not waiting for life to come to you. It means you’re on offense, not defense. You’re active, not passive.
In every organization, there are a select few employees who would be difficult to replace. For the most part, most people are like the older son in the story. Most people could be easily replaced. Most people are passive and reactive. They require specific instructions. They need to be governed and managed in all things.
Initiation always involves some degree of risk. You’re putting yourself out there and there is a chance you could fail.
Conversely, doing only what you’re told entails no risk and carries no responsibility. It’s playing safe.
Conclusion
Are you an initiator? You absolutely can be.
But if not, one thing is for certain: Life isn’t going to wait for you.
On the authors blog post he offers a closing “call to action” and checklist which I have also included below. I signed up to receive it and wanted you to have the same opportunity. Thank you Benjamin Hardy.
Call To Action
If you want to focus on the right activities and get results 10x faster than most people, check out my morning checklist.
Click here to get the checklist right now!
Kirk out
Goat Thug Life
This is so me if I ever find an animal that I can hang out with. lol lol lol lol
Toddler has the perfect reply to cashier who questioned her choice of doll
Apr. 4, 2017 at 8:21 AM
Brittany Loggins
When 2-year-old Sophia achieved the goal of a month of successful potty training, her mother let her pick out a new doll at the toy store.
Then one cashier questioned Sophia’s choice based on skin color, and the toddler’s forthright response is going viral for the best reason.
“Are you sure that this is the doll you want, honey?” the cashier asked, according to Sophia’s mom, Brandi Benner, who later described the encounter on Facebook.
Sophia responded with a resounding, “Yes please!”
“But the cashier said, ‘But she doesn’t look like you. We have plenty of dolls that look like you,’” Benner said.
“Sophia said, ‘Yes she does. She’s a doctor — I’m a doctor! And she’s a pretty girl and I’m a pretty girl,’” explained Benner.
Benner said Sophia had been instantly drawn to that particular doll in the store. “She saw this doctor doll and goes, ‘Look mommy, these are big girls like me!’” Benner told TODAY. “We were just kind of browsing the whole aisle and she saw her and was like, ‘Mommy I want this one!’”
Benner and Sophia and her new doll went home and Benner posted the story on Facebook. People loved Sophia’s response.
“I’m just completely blown away by how much people have been touched by loving everyone,” said Benner. “I’m just so touched that people are so supportive of my daughter and her love of people.”
Irritations as Invitations (post from Kirk Weisler)
But what if they don’t stop?
My wife Rebecca brought this one home from somewhere. “Every irritation is an invitation to change.”
Sometimes my kids irritate me….and sometimes they irritate each other. And even though I may be tempted to believe that they are doing this intentionally…the truth is much more simple and revealing.
In reality I believe it is pretty rare that another person is intentionally trying to be irritating. When I get really honest with myself I can’t even imagine a person who woke up with the thought…”How can I irritate the heck out of someone today?” And then they put together a strategy and action plan to do just that.
I am not saying it doesn’t happen. I am just saying it doesn’t happen nearly as much as our reactions might indicate. I say that because sometimes we react to people as though they are purposely trying to irritate us….when they are not. So just what are these irritating people trying to do? The answer may be quite simple… They are only trying to do the same things we are. They may just be trying to survive the day, get things done, or even do their best.
When we are able to offer people the benefit of the doubt…and in the spirit of compassion consider their true intentions then their “irritations” may become invitations to a whole new perspective. A perspective that leaves us with more patience for others and more peace for ourselves.
As I was looking for an appropriate graphic for this post… I came across this one…which with a little modification can, I think, be instructive.
Here is my slight modification – “Some People Stay “Annoyed” and what an unnecessary tragedy and waste of energy that is.
Let’s make sure we aren’t one of them.
Kirk Out
Mzsunflower's Say What? 