Hi Guys..
Saturday Morning here in Melbourne and a massive day of business and radio commitments for me… So today there will be no inspiration from from my keyboard but I will be back on deck tomorrow sharing the love and hopefully challenging you, inspiring you and making you uncomfortable enough to create your best life…
So here’s my Idea.
Why don’t you guys write something inspirational, motivational, educational, philosophical, insightful or reflective so you can inspire and teach each other (and me). I’m not the only one worth listening to (some would argue I’m never worth listening to) and there are no rules here at RYL so we can do what we want.
So today, you guys are the teachers.
You can do the work.
I’ve put in plenty of effort for you… now it’s your turn
Giddyup.
Guidelines
1. Write about whatever you like.
2. Keep it under three hundred words (can be twenty words if you like).
3. No profanity
4. No ‘selling’ of products
Suggestions
1. Don’t worry about what people think (get over yourself) … allow yourself to be creative.
2. Have some fun with it.
3. Be honest… usually makes the best reading.
4. Write from the heart not the head.
What’s in it for you?
1. An opportunity to share your ideas with others (thousands).
2. A chance for you to get uncomfortable, grow and learn.
3. I will read and respond to every ‘post’.
4. A craigharper.com Shirt for the posts which push my buttons the most.
Okay?
Easy.
Simply click on the comments link at the bottom of this and start writing.
See you tomorrow.
Let us know where you’re from…
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t have a blog of my own so not used to writing – but here goes.
In the past two months I have made a conscious effort to be happy every time I wake up.
I know that going to sound silly but what I mean is there are lots of times when you wake up and you are thinking about getting the kids dressed, the weather is miserable (as it is here alot)getting to work on time, problems at work, at home, financial issues etc.
What I have found is that by making a conscious effort to be happy, even when I am not, my partner appears to be happier, my children appear to be happier and the grumpy people appear to be downright miserable.
One day I will wake up and not have to consciously think about being happy – it will happen sub-consciously.
Cardiff
Wales
In reading your posts, I’ve been reflecting on what my own philosophy is. So in a nutshell, here it is.
My father gave me one piece of advice that has stuck with me (and probably thousands that didn’t). “Integrity is how you act when no-one is looking”. He is a man who will always point out that he’s been given too much change, and pay the full adult price at a theme park for his 12-year-old child even if they could have passed for 11. The word that springs to mind is “honourable”, and even though he will never receive any recognition for this quality, I try my best to follow in his footsteps.
I have much to learn from my children. Every day I get lessons on letting go, rediscovering the wonder of the world around me, that jumping on the trampoline is WAY more important than finishing the vacuuming. Children live in the moment – adults have forgotten how.
Do something that scares you. Obviously there are some criteria here – I’m not talking about driving the wrong way down the freeway in peak hour. But stepping outside your comfort zone is always worth the effort.
Stop worrying about what other people think. No matter what you do, some people will approve, some will hate it, and some couldn’t care less. Do it anyway.
Do no harm – to yourself, to others, to your environment.
Hmm … I think that’s it. Some days I’m better at this stuff than others. I try to think about the kind of adults that I would like my children to become. The best person they can learn this from is me. I can’t just TELL them that this is what I believe, I have to LIVE it.
Melbourne, Australia
I’m from New Brunswick, Canada yet, I now live in Melbourne. I encourage you to learn to expect the unexpected or you won’t find it. Alice in Wonderland discovered the way up and the way down are one in the same. It depends on your point of view. Since life is always changing, each strategy that enables you to progress and succeed could also lead to missed opportunities or stagnation. Be flexible. Learn to adapt. What didn’t work for you before might work in the future. Learn from each experience. Review strategy. Attitude is a choice. Be imaginative like Alice. The world will be your oyster. You’re a pearl.
Hi Craig, thought I’d tell you something about myself that all my family and friends think is funny – keep in mind I’m a first born, organised, responsible, high achiever, neat, tidy, clean, lists etc etc kind of person – I have been known to diarise being spontaneous … is there anyone else out there like this??
Hi Alun,
when we make the effort to ‘behave’ happy even when we don’t ‘feel’ it… often we ‘become’ happy – for real.
Focus on the good stuff and deal with the rest…
Alun, you write well for a non-writer!
Hi GG,
Your dad sounds cool. It’s good you have a role model like him… and when it comes to our kids.. what we do is more important than what we say… so keep on bouncing on that trampoline..
Thanks for posting.. nice work.
Hi Liara… I’m gonna be imaginative like Alice…sometimes I’m boring and predictable.
Thanks.
Hi Anonymous.
You are a crack up.
I think the only thing funnier than diarising spontaneity is ….planning it.
Here, have a cyberhug ( ) and do something spontaneuos…
I think you are right. What stops me from being creative is that I am always worried what other people will think.
Tromsø, Norway
Hi Osk,
we call this analysis paralysis…
we analyse and worry about things so much, we end up doing nothing…
C’mon buddy…get creative.
Hi Craig… I’m loving your blog!
One of my favorite quotes is from the Dahli Lama… he writes, “my religion is simple; my religion is kindness.”
When I let go of my philosophies, theories, research, and seeking… I hope my life to be one of kindness.
Blessings and gratitude to you,
jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I’m gald you’re loving my blog..
I’m loving your thoughts.
Thanks for saying hi..
Here’s a cyberhug just for you( )
I was working with some new managers in the US federal government. They’re bright and very motivated. Many of them have been stopped dead by the cynicism around them. They work for tired uninspiring bosses who patronize them and are surrounded by retired-in-place colleagues. “How do we work with these people? How can we work around them?”
These young future leaders are starting to get cynical themselves. What I said startled them.
“Every one of those cynics was at one time just as on fire to contribute as you are now. The fact that they’re complaining and whining means they actually still care. Worry about the quiet ones who do nothing – they’re the ones who don’t care.”
Don’t give up on the cynics! That’s a mistake. The cynics were once the most committed and engaged.
What happened? They got their hearts broken – again and again. Over time, their idealism was blunted, and then snuffed out. It happened to me, many times.
How to transform cynicism into commitment and engagement?
Scratch underneath the complaining. What was this person really committed to that would account for his or her favorite complaint. Speak into that original commitment and you can start fanning their long-cooled embers.
If a cynic starts seeing they’re being listened to and honored for what they know, you can get them back. Invite them to be on your team, to share what they know. All that energy that went into complaining will be transformed into creativity, advocacy and loyalty. It was there all the time, just buried under the hurt.
You can do the same with your own cynicism. Dig underneath the complaints and get back in touch with what originally lit you up. What first inspired you to try to make a difference? Remember? Fan that ember.
Hi Craig, just finished listening to your dulcet tones on the radio – great show. Read something in Herald Sun today on p30 very inspirational – story of twin girls joined (actually paper said fused) at torso and the life they lead – makes my problems/worries/issues become so-called probs/worries/issues.
Melbourne, Vic
Hello Craig,
Love your work so l thought I’d write you a post and enter into your blogosphere for the first time!
“Jumbo” everyone! That means “hello” in Swahili. No, I’m not African, an Aussie girl but I’ve just returned from 2 extraordinary weeks in Tanzania, Africa.
During those weeks it occurred to me more than ever before just what we can experience and learn in such a short period of time if we make a POSITIVE, PRO-ACTIVE DECISION to act and do something worthy with our lives.
I believe we all have the potential for an amazing, unique and special existence. Life is a gift so it would be wise to make the very most of it!
In the last 2 weeks l have:
Climbed the highest mountain in Africa – Mt Kilimanjaro (5896m).
Made new and interesting friends from other parts of the world.
Attained special and lasting memories.
Integrated with one of the most poverty-stricken cultures of the world.
Taken over 400 awe-inspiring photographs.
Laughed so much it hurt.
Cried with emotions of joy, sadness and exhilaration.
Played like a child, dance and sang with beautiful African people.
Climbed like a “mountain-buffalo” (what my African guide called me).
Moved a step closer to one of my goals in life (7 Summits).
And finally, became even more aware and thankful of just how lucky l am to live in beautiful Australia – a country with freedom, choice and endless possibilities.
So what am l saying?
Well, life IS and CAN be exceptional for all of us.
I’m definitely not suggesting you have to go and climb a mountain (literally) to appreciate and understand this. However, we ALL have our own unique and special mountains to climb, explore, nurture and most importantly believe in.
I think, if you commit and search for this you can truly live a wonderful and exciting life. A life in which you will continue to grow, gain wisdom and insight.
As you conquer one little mountain of your own it will be the catalyst for more mountains of greater scale and dimensions. You will gain confidence, motivation and self-awareness to make the most of your life and maximise the potentiality it has to offer.
I believe the risk of NOT making important life-changing decisions and attitudes is far more detrimental than BEING courageous and true to yourself. There is no time to waste…
So, as Craig would say:
GIDDYUP, GET UNCOMFORTABLE…GIVE IT A GO!
I dare you too!
Mountain Girl
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Dave.
Nice work Dude.
Very insightful.
Cheers.
Hi KFH,
glad you enjoyed the show.
Yes.. we do create our own problems sometimes…
To my favourite Mountain Girl,
You’re an inspiration…
Guys check out Cherie on
http://www.cheriehorne.com
She’s on her way to climbing the seven highest peaks in the world, finishing with Everest.
( ) For you MG
I find a lot of people go through phases where they take the role of the “victim”. They can’t do this because of reason X, Y, Z. I work in high tech and I’m in my early 40s and I have friends in their early 30s tell me that they are too old to do a start-up. What’s up with that?
I think part of it is that you get comfortable with the status quo (in this case the regular paycheck). The fact is that change happens anyway – it is better that you try and have some input, some control, than just let others decide your fate. Sitting back and allowing things to just happen to you is taking a defeatist attitude.
So it is time to take back what belongs to you – control! Make 2007 the year that you do something different, and that you affect the change that is going to happen anyway.