Category: Uncategorized (Page 90 of 159)

It can be very easy for me to lose my focus in a day. It’s only more challenging when I’m working on a long-term endeavor that takes not just days, but weeks or even months to stay on task and see it through to the end.

I have to remind myself to ask the question of whether what I’m doing is keeping me on task in regards to the big picture or not. Often times, I’ve strayed off into the weeds aimlessly wandering about (i.e. mindlessly online going from website to website or taking up another activity convincing myself it’s important).

Distilling it down to what is vital in order to bring about the results I’ve intended is kind of my kryptonite. Nevermind. It’s not kind of . . . it is. This takes getting clear on where I’m going. No one else can do that but me.

The clearer I am with where I’m going, the more self-evident the road will be to how to get there.

This takes time, planning and preparation on my part before jumping in, but I know it will pay off in the end. It always has and always will.

Everyone has to start from somewhere. Most of the time that’s at the beginning. Or at least what appears to be, as the results are most likely not ideal.

Another words, while honing your craft, you’re not going to be very good at the start. Maybe you will. It doesn’t really matter. This is your starting point and where you chose to go from there makes all the difference.

However, we live in a world where everyone seems to focus on results and the finished product. As if everyone’s lives consist of selfies on exotic white beaches. No one can be a hack. A student. I’ve fallen into this trap as well. It only stops me from creating because I’ll focus on the end result rather than the process. If I don’t feel the final product is going to be top-notch then I don’t even begin. How sad.

Let’s embrace mediocre. Bad. Even cheesy. Let’s reveal ourselves as who we are: dysfunctional, broken human beings who have a whole lot of Love to give and are extremely resilient, who just want to be accepted by the tribe.

And so we must follow the words of the brilliant minds: “And here’s the secret: Merely begin.”

I’m always filled with joy and delight when someone comes up and tells me how much of a positive impact I had on them because of something I did, said or how I treated them in the past. Sometimes before I even knew who they were and now are a close friend. I suppose it’s a bit egotistical to say that, but it’s the truth.

For me, it’s a testament and reassurance that I’m on the right path with at least some of the choices I’m making and (more importantly) those choices are positively effecting other people in the world.

Now that most of our children are adults, we will run into their childhood friends every once in while. I’ll have a 6’2″ man walk up to me and say, “Hello Mr. Gohrick.” As I stand in his shadow and look up at him, it takes me a minute or two to realize this young strapping man was running around in my backyard with my son as a 4th grader not so long ago. As he begins to catch me up on his current activities, he makes sure to tell me how grateful he is to have known us, spent time at our house and how much fun he would have because we were such great parents and so great to be around. That brings tears to my eyes to hear that.

Sometimes it’s just nice to know that your actions, behaviors and choices have made a difference in the world. Even if it’s just for one person.

That’s enough for me.

I’m always fascinated about the universe and how it works. I’m a true believer in whatever you put into your day you’ll get out of it. Maybe not in a linear fashion, but certainly a response you’ll receive.

Often times I’ll test the parameters of its’ laws just to marvel at its’ infallible conclusions.

What we focus on becomes our reality. Or said another way, where we place our energy magnifies. Having this being said, we can pick and choose what we would like to attract into our lives that day.

If we say to ourselves that we’re going to look for opportunities to help others. Guess what? You will. You’ll find opportunities to fulfill your desire and contribute to the world around you. If you decide to find a way to knock out 100 pushups throughout the day before the sun sets. You will do that too. As well as if you choose to write down everything that you’re grateful for in your day, you’ll have a grocery list of items by nightfall.

These may seem like minor wins, but it’s a testament to how much potential we have each and every day to change the way we view our world, which in turn changes how our world looks and our place within it.

Communication is the key, it’s the gift that’s given free. Yet, it can be a real challenge to communicate effectively.

In the communication process, the circuit is not complete unless you have a sender and a receiver. Speaking at someone hoping they will find your words as insightful gems doesn’t count. This is something I find myself doing with my children quite often.

The role of sender and receiver is constantly switching throughout the whole process like a well-choreographed dance where one person is giving and then receiving when needed.

The best communicators do more listening than speaking. Here you will find the information you feel you should share and how to deliver it. Listening is an active skill and takes practice. Once we hone that skill, we’ll find we don’t need to say as much as our words become more effective and more efficient because we know what to say, how to say it and how much to say. Maybe not saying anything at all.