You can’t discover new oceans without having the courage to leave the shore.

 #inspire #behumble#bereal #livewithpassion

So I get this really nice note on Facebook Messenger today and I wanted to share it with you all. The precursor to it was a message that I saw from one of the people I grew up with, and they took a lot of crap and a ribbing over their life but I have always been a fan and in awe of their talents on the ice. The worst is that they hated themselves every time failure occurred and deteriorated their own existence so deep that I worried for them many times even thought I was just a cheerleader and training mate for them.

Listen I have been a failure so many times in my life and I know it, but I have always rooted for the underdog as I was always the least talented and one of the hardest working people you could ever meet. If you knew me in real life and not just on the ice you would know this to be true. Anyhow I saw this persons post and I had to write some kind of pep talk and some time later this note arrived today. I honestly thought that I got looked over, but I guess the good words struck in this persons mind and I really appreciate the note back. I really do. I always hope that outside of skating and performing, and productions people realize that we are all human first.

Here is the note.

“this is really late..but I wanted to thank you for the kind words that you sent my way a few months ago..it means a lot knowing that people who I grew up with have good memories of me… I’m not always so sure of myself  …thanks for reaching out to help me and for being such a cool guy  “

Well I don’t know much about me being a cool guy but I can say to you that no matter what we all have the good and the bad out there in life no matter what our age is. So, I took the liberty to get some thoughts together and searched my heart and the inspirations around me then I started to surf the web and needless to say I found these great words of Bob Parsons food for thoughts ideas and ideals which others should think about when they are feeling low and or searching for some sort of guidance system.

1. Get and stay out of your comfort zone. 

I believe that not much happens of any significance when we’re in our comfort zone.  I hear people say, “But I’m concerned about security.”  My response to that is simple: “Security is for cadavers.”

2. Never give up.

Almost nothing works the first time it’s attempted.  Just because what you’re doing does not seem to be working, doesn’t mean it won’t work.  It just means that it might not work the way you’re doing it.  If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn’t have an opportunity.

3. When you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think.

There’s an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true.  It goes like this: “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”

4. With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.

Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of “undefined consequences.”  My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, “Well, Robert, if it doesn’t work, they can’t eat you.”

5. Focus on what you want to have happen.

Remember that old saying, “As you think, so shall you be.”

6. Take things a day at a time.

No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don’t look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment.  You can get through anything one day at a time.

7. Always be moving forward.

Never stop investing.  Never stop improving.  Never stop doing something new.  The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die.  Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way.  Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen.  Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages.

8. Be quick to decide.

Remember what General George S. Patton said: “A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”

9. Measure everything of significance.

I swear this is true.  Anything that is measured and watched, improves.

10. Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.

If you want to uncover problems you don’t know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven’t examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be there.

11. Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you’re doing.

When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place.

12. Never let anybody push you around.

In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much right to what you’re doing as anyone else, provided that what you’re doing is legal.

13. Never expect life to be fair.

Life isn’t fair.  You make your own breaks.  You’ll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (i.e., fare).

14. Solve your own problems.

You’ll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you’ll develop a competitive edge.  Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: “You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others.”  There’s also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently.  It goes like this: “A wise man keeps his own counsel.”

15. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Lighten up.  Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are.

16. There’s always a reason to smile.

Find it.  After all, you’re really lucky just to be alive.  Life is short.  More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time!”