Author: Jim Gohrick (Page 156 of 159)

Let’s start this off by saying this: I’m just as ready as anyone to call myself out on practices, behaviors and habits that are less than stellar for my evolvement as a human being on this earth. What I also know to be true is, I work on being an aware person as much as possible because I feel like objectively recognizing where you are in the world is more than 75% of the challenge when bringing about change in your life.

I am consistently working on my consistency. Whether that is writing a blog every day, exercising on a regular schedule or waking up with the proper perspective I believe will make for a great day. It has been my experience that it’s not outrageous acts exercised every blue moon, but small, smart consistent tasks completed on a regular basis over a long period of time where I get the best results.

That is helpful to me as I have an extremely short attention span. I remember watching a Ted Talk on this: I don’t remember the gentleman’s name, but he found he was most productive in short bursts of focused energy. About 10-15 minutes at a time and then he would take a break. He ended up applying this method to his high school studies to the point where his grades were good enough to get him into a prestigious college. He continued this approach to his studies through college and then on to a Fortune 500 company where he excelled there. He began to use this short burst of energy approach in his personal life and ended up being in The Guiness Book of World Records for the largest macramé art installation in the desert. All by spending short bursts of energy doing something he wanted to know and learn more about.

I stole a page from his handbook and have applied it to my life. It seems to fit my brain and how I approach things. Including writing this blog.

It’s a little different way of looking at how to accomplish your goals, but for me it makes sense as I can wrap my brain around doing something everyday for 10-15 minutes and see where it takes me as opposed to being overwhelmed by a large end result.

What it does for me is, keeps me consistently showing up and putting in the work. I’ll take that any day.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve been on a long hike or camping. The rhythm of my life right now has kept me away for the time being. I don’t intend for that to last. I’m getting the itch to stretch my legs and get outside.

I feel reduced down to a simple being when I’m in nature. I like that. Grounded. Whole. Quiet. Calmly focused. And yet my mind can wander frivolously. I’ve been away for too long now because I’m getting the urge to remember. To absorb. To rejuvenate my soul.

It only takes minutes to get to the trail. Why has it been so long?

I must go. I must go soon.

Every time I go, I say the same thing: “I need to come out here more often.”

How right I am.

I don’t spend a lot of my time on social media. I write this blog, I have about 4 different websites I visit for news, my favorite teams, an inspirational Youtube video and that’s about it. Often times a celebrity will make headline news – on the fluff news websites anyway – because they made a comment and the ENTIRE world felt obligated to respond and rake the over the coals for what they said, did, didn’t say or didn’t do. I’m not here to support or not support, it’s just an observation that the world is so ready to point out other people’s errors. It’s much easier to point out someone’s else’s blunders than look at yourself and ask yourself, “what is my role in all of this?” I catch myself all the time. In my relationships, with work or at home with my family.

I always find it amazing that whenever you meet someone who has been divorced, they tell you the other one in the marriage is crazy. What are the odds of that!? EVERY time!? The truth is they are 50% responsible (I understand there are always extenuating circumstances, but not every failed marriage).

Right or wrong, most of the time I find myself keeping quiet when it comes to voicing my opinion on a major platform. In fact, this is it. And as of right now, I believe I have one subscriber to this blog: My daughter. And the reason is, it’s not worth it to me to have anonymous strangers voice their opinions about me when they have no idea who I am. Why would I do that? I’m not afraid to evolve. To sit down and have an intelligent conversation with a person, but what doesn’t interest me is drama.

This “cancel” culture today doesn’t seem to be interested in resolution or compromising or active listening or empathy or even respect. That can be a real problem as we move forward.

The people I love know where I stand. I am steadfast with my beliefs. My morals. My integrity. My intentions are true. I’m not here to judge you. I would like to encourage you. Inspire you. Share my life experiences with you.

And take a stand if necessary.

What I’m referring to here is when someone tells you they are going to do something and the back it up by following through. They gave you their word that they were going to connect with you the next day. . . and they did. I remember one time when I went to visit my friend who was at NYU at the time. He was working on his thesis project and I came to help him. During that time I met some of his friends and had a lot of time to hang out and talk. One of his friend’s and I hit it off and at the end of the day he said he would give me a call. Living in Los Angeles, I took it to mean that he enjoyed our time getting to know one another and at some point in time maybe our paths will cross again. But, who knows. What I didn’t think it meant was that he was going to call me the next day. Guess what? He did. Alex is from the east coast. (I know this is a very blanket statement) I tend to find that people from the east coast say what they mean.

I like that. Everyone is not going to be your friend – I’m not saying that, but there is something solid about someone who keeps their word. You can rely on them. I have people in my life who say things and he and I BOTH know they’re not going to follow through with what they just committed to. No way! I don’t hang out with many people like that these days. I find it to be a way I don’t want to spend my time.

There are also people in my life that don’t really fit the mold of a person I want to do things with on a regular basis, but, they keep their word and somehow it makes up for other missing personality traits I would like to see. Go figure.

In the grand scheme of things, I feel like I can place my trust and direct my energy in people who keep their word and hold themself accountable more than people who don’t. It’s a small attribute, but it adds up.

And at my age, it’s enough for me to cultivate the relationship to see where it’s going. As I am pretty picky about who I spend my time with.

It’s a no-brainer for me: I would choose quality over quantity. But, it seems to me that today in our culture, more is always better. More money, more best-selling books, more followers, more subscribers, more likes, and on and on. I don’t necessarily believe that.

So, how does that translate in my life when it comes to day-to-day activities? I’m not exactly sure. If we’re talking about custom cabinetry, does that mean there is a singular focus on making the absolute perfect cabinet for one job. I’m not sure that cabinet shop would stay in business for very long as the minutes per cabinet would not be cost effective. Does it mean they build the cabinets to the best of their ability? Or do they spend a certain amount of time on each cabinet and no more to make sure they make a profit on the job?

I’m not sure. My instincts tell me it’s somewhere in between. This invisible line is where I find the most difficulty in making decisions in life whether it’s business or your personal life.

I do know this: If your intentions are true and you back that with “showing up” (doing the work), your chances of getting it right increase dramatically.