We are all capable of so much more than we accomplish, and often fall short of our potential. In this series, I’ll be discussing the personal development roadblocks that hold us back.
One excuse I often hear (and sometimes make) is how we did the best we could, and then blame our failure on “the situation.” For example:
- “I didn’t quite reach my goal weight, but with work and happy hours it was impossible to stick to my diet. I would say I did pretty well, considering the situation“
- “It might have looked like Mike dropped the ball on that one, but he did the best he could – given the situation.”
- “I know from the outside it may have seemed irresponsible to be as late as she was, but you can’t blame her considering the situation“
In this article I discuss the root possible root causes behind this excuse, and present a five step plan for getting past “The Situation.”
For years ago I have collected quotes that have in some way affected me and changed my life. I collect them in random places – a professor opening a lecture with one, books and those irritating spam forwards from friends. I have literally kept some scraps for years in physical folders – clipping from magazines and printed copies.
I have now realized that six months have gone by, and due to my hardly using quotes in my writing, I have not shared many of these inspirational quotes about life. I do not know when the right time will be for many of my favorite quotes. If I find an appropriate article I will reuse the quotes to illustrate a apoint – but even if I can’t, I still want to share them, else I do a great disservice to you, my readers.
Enjoy, and there will be more to come, perhaps once every couple weeks.
It was summer in London and the World Cup was in full swing. As we entered the tube station, I heard a busker strumming Oasis on his guitar down the hall. He extended the intro, and started singing the first verse -
Today is gonna be the day
That they’re gonna throw it back to you…
We tossed in 50 pence and kept walking. After we passed and he finished the verse, he went silent for 15 seconds. We were down the hall and almost to our platform when I heard him start strumming again. I assumed he was going to continue the song – but he didn’t. Instead, he began singing the opening verse again - Today is gonna be the day that they’re gonna throw it back to you…
He Doesn’t Know The Lyrics?
We couldn’t believe it. Surely he knew the lyrics? While it is possible he didn’t, the quality of his singing, guitar playing and unmistakably being in England all suggested our busker should be familiar with the song. If he knew the full song, why not play it all the way through – why repeat the verse?
“My brother will love these. It’s the first time he has had a home in four years. Thank you so much.”
He smiled, gave me a big, musky, hug, and drove away. I wasn’t sure if I had just done a good deed, or been hustled by a Craig’s List scam artist.
This story actually begins months before – so let’s go back to the beginning.
We’ve all experienced it: that surge of powerful motivation at the start of a project. We’re on top of the world and feel unstoppable.
Yet somehow, after a few weeks, that motivation high has gone. New blogs, new year’s resolutions to diet and workout routines can soon become burdens as we lose our enthusiasm for them.
From the time we embark on a new project until we are deeply entrenched in following through with it long term, we go through a few different changes and emotional highs and lows: fluctuations that aren’t so different than what we experience elsewhere in our lives.
Read on as we consider these parallels, and then, using lessons from our emotional lives, discuss strategies for coping when our enthusiasm for a project fades.
Pop Quiz: What do you believe will make you happy? A new car? A promotion, a raise, perhaps?
While we all have different notions about what defines success and happiness, some common beliefs permeate our culture. One such belief is the ideal of the American Dream, the idea that anyone in the United States can achieve their goals, and material prosperity.
Society promotes the American Dream as an ideal to be aspired to – the type of life that we want to live, and the type of life we wish for our children.
Let’s take a step back and ask: Will such a life, of achieving ones goals and material prosperity, ultimately make us happy? And if not, what then are the keys the happiness? Read on as we explore this question.
