Jul/090
square peg-round hole syndrome
Got goals?
Got big dreams and plans that you’ve been harboring and hinting at for a long time?
Here’s a news flash:
Whatever your big plans or intentions are…
If you haven’t done it by now; if you haven’t acted on your aspirations; you probably aren’t going to.
Game over.
Get off the merry-go-round and get on with your life.
Move on and make room for what really matters to you.
The argument is that if it hasn’t happened yet, there’s a reason. And the likely reason is that you haven’t put the necessary time and effiort into it to make IT happen.
And the reason for that is because you don’t care enough about IT to do what’s necessary ongoing. You’re either not doing things right, or not doing enough of the right things.
You like the IDEA of it more than the REALITY of it. It sounds good in theory, but doesn’t play in the real world.
What truly matters to us is that which not only gets our attention, but gets our action. If it’s all talk, then it’s just crap. Intention without action is useless. There’s got to be consistent action taken over time to really make things happen. There has to be a commitment to the details in order for the dream to become the reality.
This only happens by focusing on and doing that which we really love. Letting go of the ought to’s and should do’s frees up space on our mental hard drives and affords us the opportunity to focus on that which we WILL do.
Seth Godin’s book, The Dip, correctly suggests that there may be a right time to QUIT certain things, at certain times, if they are no longer serving us. I agree.
The “square peg-round hole syndrome” results when people try to be something they’re not. To do something they’re not cut out to do. It occurs when people believe in an idea about themselves, or a version of themselves, that at the end of the day, isn’t who they really are, and thus never materializes.
It’s not that they’re bad or unintelligent or unmotivated. It’s that they’re trying to FORCE it. And when we force things… things usually get broken.
This often happens to people when they try living up to faulty internal or misguided external expectations that may be decades old.
If any of this is ringing true for you… it’s time to get out of fantasy and into reality.
It may be time to trim the fat, get focused, get free from the fantasy. It’s OK, really.
If you’ve been spinning your wheels trying to get somewhere you thought you wanted to go, never seeming to arrive at your destination… it’s time to reconsider your destination and your motives for wanting to go there in the first place. Don’t try to be something you’re not.
Tell the truth. Be honest with yourself about what you like and don’t like; what you’re good at and what you’re not. Only undertake those things that really mean something to you. Those things that you’re truly passionate about. Those things that keep you up late at night and get you up early in the morning. Those things that you’d do for free. Marry that passion with your natural abilities and skills. Those things that you really have a knack for. Those things that others recognize you’re good at. Those things that you do as well, or better than most others.
Combine this passion and this talent… THIS is where you should be. THIS is what you should be doing. THIS is where you should live.
Maybe you’ll make a business out it. Maybe you won’t. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you will NOW have the peace of mind knowing you are in the right place, at the right time, doing that which you are supposed to be doing, for all the right reasons.
And that is worth more than money.
That is all there is to do. Because “doing” this… is “being” who you are supposed to be.
And that is what the ”richest” among us eventually come to understand.
Game on.
“It doesn’t matter how much you want. What really matters is how much you want it.” – Ralph Marston
©2009 Tom Leu
Jul/080
good isn’t good enough
“If you are willing to satisfy people with good enough, you can make just about everybody happy. If you delight people and create change that lasts, you’re going to offend those that hate change in all its forms. Your choice.” – Seth Godin
What’s it gonna take…?
What’s it really gonna take to get to the next level?
You’ve got to know how to effectively communicate with people in all areas of your personal and professional life and know how to SELL YOURSELF.
World-class is the phrase that comes to mind. Depending on your specific aspirations and goals, your business and your marketing have to be world-class. Sounds big and intimidating doesn’t it? It should. Because to really have a legitimate shot at “making it” or becoming ”successful” in whatever you do, your total package better be world-class. Your equation better be complete. Otherwise, unfortunately, you’re fooling yourself and potentially wasting a lot of time.
You see, being good isn’t good enough. You’ve got to be GREAT.
You’ve got to be a PRO:
Professional – have compelling presentations of your product or services that separate you from your competition.
Responsible – consistently do what you say you will do, follow through, over-deliver, and be accountable no matter what.
Organized – know where you’re going and be committed to figuring out how you’re going to get there.
Always look to spend your time engaged in “high-payoff” activities; those efforts that will produce the biggest return on your investment.
Put down any vices, devices, or distractions that hold you back. Think world-class, become a professional, and stop trying to please everyone. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Become great at what you do. Great sells itself. Always has, always will. It’s your choice.
©2008 Tom Leu
Jul/080
take pause
An extra pause, properly placed, followed by careful consideration of word choice, can go a long way. Your communication IS who you present yourself to be. Check out Seth Godin’s post called “Two Seconds” for more on this. Here’s a snapshot:
“Sometimes, busy people need to remind themselves (and us) how busy they are by shaving off the last two seconds of what would otherwise be a pleasant interaction…”
Take pause… when your voice is being heard more than it’s not. Take pause… when your pace exceeds your ability to process. Take pause… when stillness is forfeited for busyness. Take pause… when serenity masquerades as indifference. Take pause…
©2008 Tom Leu
May/080
how to get traffic for your blog
Here is a very informative post from best-selling author Seth Godin on how to attract traffic and keep people coming back to your blog again and again. I refer to it often. Click HERE to read the entire 56-point post! Web-hounds everywhere will be glad you did.

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