Focus On What Matters

Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable. – Peter F. Drucker This is the essence of leadership, and success in any endeavor. When a thing is compromised at the outset, it can never be as good as it could have been – and those associated don’t have as great an opportunity to grow…

A man who wants to do something will find a way; A man who doesn’t will find an excuse. – Stephen Dolley, Jr. It matters less what the ultimate result is; only that one has started, and worked, and learned, and adapted, and finished “something.” Or we can make up a story about why we can’t…

If one or two people tell you you’re an ass, you can ignore them. But if three or four people tell you you’re an ass, you might think about putting on a saddle. – Yiddish saying The inverse is true as well. If people keep telling you that you have gifts or talents, you must…

Defeat never comes to any man until he admits it. – Josephus Daniels . . . when you give up. When you stop learning and trying. When you decide that (the illusion of) safety and stagnation is better than intelligent risks and action. Losing is not defeat. “Failure” is not defeat. Not-getting-what-you-want is not defeat….

There are two kinds of men who never amount to much: those who cannot do what they are told, and those who can do nothing else. – Cyrus H. Curtis One of the greatest challenges of living in a society (or a community, or family, or relationship) – with its myriad influences and normative (and sometimes…

After reading a message from a (virtual) mentor, Steve Chandler, I was inspired to write about the difference between “have-to” and “want-to” or “get-to.” To boil it down, if you’re an adult and you don’t view everything in life as something you want to do or get to do (or, I suppose something you are…