Fortune Favors The Brave

Fortune favors the brave.  It does indeed.  But what does that mean, “favors you“?  Or what does it mean, “brave“?

This sounds pretty inspiring, yet how do we apply it or gauge whether we are brave?  Try this on for size.

I believe if everyone likes you, you are not brave enough.  Courage implies risk. And risk implies challenging the status quo. Generally, people do not like being challenged.

This also applies to us when we look in the mirror.  I am often tempted to not  challenge myself to do more, do better, do differently.

Why?

Because it’s too much work, too much risk, too much uncertainty. Isn’t it?  Ever find yourself thinking like this?  Good.

Most people intuitively understand that hard work pays off, that uncertainty is part of life, that risk is a key ingredient for continuous improvement and that fortune favors the brave.

Indescribable?

Indescribable?  Completely.

Meeting with a writer this morning after Church.  We’re collaborating. I’ve written somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,300 jeff noel blog posts, from five individual jeff noel blogs.  Began writing consistently six months ago.

He agreed to read every single Mid Life Celebration blog post prior to today’s meeting.  While it wasn’t required, I decided to do the same. Wow.  It’s pretty inspiring content, because it is written by a common man.

Here’s an example from August 1st, entitled “Indescribable“.

Hope you day is, well, Indescribable!.

Shut Up And Push

T-shirts.  We all have a few.  Some of them are part of who we are.  A form of self expression.  They are usually priced right, which is why many people have too many.  Plus, it’s difficult to part with them.

The other day, while driving in Central Florida, a man was wearing a t-shirt that caught my attention.  It read, “Shut Up And Push“.

Instantaneously, this led me to wonder about the slogan and how it applies to business.  This is the way my crazy mind works.

In today’s economic crunch, in addition to doing all the daily things we always do, there are two other line items that demand our attention.  Number oneworry about the future.  Number twoprepare for the future.

If you think about it you will realize, the future is extra work, but only if you focus on it.  Not to mention, the future is hard work, but only if you focus on it.

What I decided I need to do is, “Shut up and push“!

John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining”.

Stories Make It Stick

Three things Lee Cockerell told me when I asked his advice on public speaking, in 1999:

  1. Be passionate
  2. Tell stories
  3. Use personal examples

Here’s a fourth tip.  Benchmark.  Click here to do that right now.

Make your day GREAT.  It’s up to you.  Always has been.  Always will be.  Be inspired. Or not.